It is dangerous to feed dog meat or cats with raw meat, research suggests.
According to a report in the British Journal of Veterinary Medicine's official journal, Bette Records, recently, pet food (RMBD), made up of raw meat, is gaining popularity. But the safety of these feeds has not yet been proven.
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Bacteria and parasitic risk
The researchers noted that RMBD may contain dangerous bacteria and parasites in dogs and cats. Analysis of 35 commercially available frozen RMBDs found that most products contained harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella.
Escherichia coli can cause diarrhea, pneumonia, and urethral infection. Listeria bacteria cause bacterial infections, Listeriosis, and cause poisoning and brain inflammation. Salmonella also causes diarrhea, fever and gastroenteritis.
In addition, a parasitism called a carp sprout was detected in four species, while the other two species were toxoplasmosis.
Antibiotics are often not effective against E. coli.
RMBD, good for cats?
On the other hand, Jodie Grenston veterinarian has a different view on cat RMBD. Dr. Grenston explained, "Since cat is more carnivorous than dogs, it can be a good feed for cats."
RMBD is beneficial to cats because they do not have carbohydrates. If cats eat carbohydrate feed, it can lead to arthritis, diabetes, obesity, and urethral infection.
In particular, processed kibble feeds for dogs and cats contain significant amounts of carbohydrates. Because the heat destroys the essential compounds in the taurine in the process of processing the feed, there is a small amount of taurine in the kibble feed for cats.
Taurine contained in meat and fish has an effect on pet brain and heart health. Cats need an average of 125 mg taurine daily to maintain cardiac health. Since raw meat does not undergo heat treatment process, taurine content is maintained.
Therefore, in order to provide balanced nutrition to cats, it is good to organize diet, such as lean meat, bone or fine liver bone, small amounts of vegetables, and organs.
"We need to provide proper dairy products to maintain the daily calcium intake of cats," Dr. Grenston said. "It is also good to get a veterinarian's advice and prepare a balanced diet of cats."
Recommended cat food
Kittens are generally able to eat raw meats after 8 to 10 weeks of age at the end of the weaning period. The AAFCO is an agency that investigates the nutrients contained in commercially available raw meat. If you are buying US feed, look for the product label labeled AAFCO.
"It is recommended that kittens provide canned, dried raw meat, and home-cooked food for the first six months," said Erica Hall. The body and organs of kittens grow for a total of 6 months, so it is good to feed the raw meat from 7 months of age.
Dr. Grenston advised that it is better to start with fresh quail meat. Also, since a kitten can eat raw meat and suffocate on a small bone, the owner is better to watch from the side when the cat eats the feed.
Judy Morgan, a veterinarian, said, "The raw meat feed should include chicken breasts and turkey slices." Eggs rich in protein and vitamins A, D, E, and K can also be good feeds. "
