Hidden dangers of raw food diet for pets

Feeding pets such as dogs and cats a raw food diet has gained popularity in recent years, with claims that it leads to improved digestion, shinier coats and better dental health.

- Teo Boon Han

While anecdotal evidence exists to support these claims, veterinary professionals rarely recommend these raw diets as they do not come with good quality data and strong evidence to back them up.

In addition, growing evidence suggests that the risks of raw feeding far outweigh the purported benefits, both for pets and their human companions.

Recent recalls of raw pet food linked to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the US underscore the importance of re-evaluating this trend, beyond nutritional benefits, but also factoring in public health and safety concerns.

WHAT IS A RAW FOOD DIET FOR PETS?

A raw food diet typically includes uncooked meats, bones, organs, and raw fruit and vegetables.

While these diets aim to mimic the ancestral eating patterns of dogs and cats, they often overlook the significant differences between wild animals and the pets of today, including their physiology, interactions and exposure to pathogens.

HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH RAW DIETS