Is Raw Food Safe?

Brenda Hagel © 2003

There are educated people who believe that raw foods are better sources of nutrition for animals than cooked, refined, sterilized, fortified, modified, and processed food. Their belief is exactly why so many people are switching to raw for the nutritional needs of their pets. The question most often asked by pet owners is whether or not raw foods are safe compared to cooked or dry foods.

The concern stems mostly from some veterinarians and pet food manufacturers who say there is potential for humans to contract Salmonella when they handle raw pet food. In response to an article in Pet Food Industry Magazine, veterinarian T.J. Dunn, writes, “To say that raw food causes disease would be similar to saying that water causes disease. The problem is not in the products itself but rather in how it is handled, what pathogens happen to tag along with it, and if conditions exist that favor the reproduction of those pathogens. Oh, and I might mention that dry pet foods in a bag are susceptible to pathogenic overgrowth too. Recently there was a huge recall of many brands of bagged, dry dog foods because of a mold toxin that was making many dogs sick. See, nothing is perfectly safe! I wonder if, in the future, I will read an article titled, Bagged Pet Food Health Risks! Is Bagged, Dry Pet Food Safe?”

In several recent studies, raw fed dogs have shown a higher incidence of Salmonella in their feces than dogs fed dry dog food. In an article addressing one study, veterinarian, author and pioneer of the raw food movement Dr. Ian Billinghurst states, “The Salmonella organism is particularly labile, disappearing quickly from the environment following any episode of shedding. Salmonella survive only if conditions are favorable and this is rarely the case. Except in the most unusual of circumstances, it is highly unlikely that even contaminated dog stools could enter the human environment in such a way that exposes humans to contracting a disease caused by those pathogens.” So what is the solution to this concern? Quite simply, pet owners need to pick up their pet’s feces immediately following defecation and dispose appropriately. This would be expected no matter what type of food a pet eats.

The vast majority of human cases of salmonellosis are acquired not through contact with pets, but rather by eating contaminated foods purchased in a supermarket, consumed in a restaurant or prepared at home. One study of 200 meat samples from grocery stores found that 20% contained Salmonella bacteria, and 84% of these Salmonella strains were resistant to at least one antibiotic. This is meat that ends up in the kitchens of family homes making it no different than the meat used for raw pet diets.

Salmonella can be contracted from undercooked eggs, milk products, contaminated water, meat, and yes, even raw fruits and vegetables. Outbreaks of Salmonella infections in large animal teaching hospitals have been linked to the introduction of bacteria from infected human personnel, with subsequent spread to animals and then back to other human workers. In fact, Salmonella is everywhere including inside the intestinal tract of humans!

The problems associated with foodborne transmission can easily be avoided by washing raw fruits and vegetables, and washing kitchen work surfaces, utensils and hands with soap and water immediately after they have been in contact with any type of food.

Current knowledge and experience indicates that the risk of transmitting Salmonella from pets to humans is extremely low, compared to the risk of eating raw or improperly cooked foods. These risks are so low in fact, that pets are currently not recognized as being a risk factor for Salmonellosis.

We are all familiar with dogs and cats exploring all sorts of contaminated places such as toilet bowls, garbage cans, dirt, their own and other animals’ stools, anal and urinary openings, and mouths. Such habits have far more potential to contaminate and infect their human caregivers than pets eating properly prepared raw foods. In other words, pathogens which may or may not be found in dogs’ foods are of minimal concern for humans.

Some veterinarians and pet food manufacturers claim that kibble is a much safer alternative to raw diets. However, Steve Brown, in his book “See Spot Live Longer”, says that dogs eating dry pet foods are consuming mycotoxin-contaminated foods. Mycotoxins are the waste products of mold and include aflatoxins and vomitoxins. What happens when a dog eats mycotoxins? According to Brown, “Mycotoxicosis, the disease resulting from exposure to a mycotoxin may be manifested as acute to chronic, and ranges from rapid death to tumor formation.” Health problems from bacteria and mycotoxins are different. As Brown explains, “consumption of mycotoxins may kill quickly. But much more often mycotoxins kill slowly, suppressing the immune system, creating long-term health problems in all organs of the body. Unlike battles with bacteria, your dog never gets stronger from the battle; mycotoxins leave internal scars. The effects of mycotoxins are cumulative. A little bit here”

Mycotoxins are not new to the dry dog food industry; they have been a problem in dry pet food since it was first developed. There have been many documented deaths and health problems of dogs eating mycotoxin-contaminated, grain-based foods. Since 1975, at least 11 major episodes of alflatoxin poisoning have been documented. In 1998, 17 brands of commercial dog food contaminated with aflatoxin were responsible for the deaths of 55 dogs, but it is possible that many more animals were affected than those reported.

Acute vomiting and diarrhea is often a symptom of bacterial contamination and the toxins bacteria produce. Dry commercial pet food can be contaminated with bacteria, which may or may not cause problems. Improper food storage and some feeding practices may result in the multiplication of this bacteria. For example, adding water to moisten pet food and then leaving it at room temperature causes bacteria to multiply. Yet this practice is suggested on the back of some kitten and puppy foods.

Is cooked and processed food better and safer than raw food? Not really. All foods have the potential to present some risk. Proper storage and handling of kibble and raw pet foods, attention to hygiene and proper disposal of pet feces, no matter what you feed, will eliminate concerns for you and your pet.

For permission to reproduce this article email bhagel@quadrant.net