Raw meat for our pets?

If you're interested in pet nutrition, you may have heard about the growing trend of avoiding commercial pet food for cats and dogs. Advocates of this approach often recommend feeding only raw food and bones to mimic a wild diet.

This diet is called BARF, from the English Bones and Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food.

Adherents of raw meat diets claim various health benefits, but no long-term studies in veterinary literature support these claims. However, scientists are now researching the nutritional balance and potential risks of raw meat and bone-based diets.

When recommending a diet, veterinarians prioritize nutritional balance, whether for commercial or homemade raw meat diets. Like human medicine, veterinary advice must be based on rigorous scientific studies. Some research has shown that certain raw meat diets fail to meet AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) minimum standards for essential nutrients.

Veterinarians are responsible for both their patients' health and their owners' well-being. A major concern with the BARF diet is its infectious and zoonotic risks, which advocates often overlook. Raw animal products can carry viruses, parasites, and bacteria like Salmonella. Studies show that pets fed contaminated raw food can contract and spread these pathogens, posing a serious risk to their owners.

Due to these risks, AAHA advises against feeding pets raw food and recommends consulting a veterinarian. While most human Salmonella cases result from contaminated food, some infections have been linked to direct or indirect contact with infected pets.

Even if BARF enthusiasts believe they are acting in their pet’s best interest, we cannot recommend this diet. Instead, choose high-quality commercial food and maintain your pet’s oral hygiene with dental chews or brushing. This way, you’ll protect both their health and yours.