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For animals of all life-stages, having access to proper nutrition should be one of the top priorities of pet owners. Each species and breed of domesticated animal has different nutrient requirements, but a lack of proper nutrition leads to major health concerns that can be seen both immediately and overtime as the pet ages.

There are many diets on today’s market that cause confusion and strife between pet owners and their veterinarians when pet parents are trying to determine the best food to feed their animal. Raw diets are near the top of that list as far as causing detrimental health concerns for not only the animal, but humans as well. Raw-meat diets come in fresh, freeze dried, and frozen forms that require proper handling and storage to minimize contamination and spread of pathogens.

There are four main raw-meat diet types used any where from greyhound tracks and zoos, to the average pet owner’s home. The favor in this diet has increased in recent years due to the influence of social media. “A study preformed in 2020 showed that over half of pet dogs and cats, internationally, were fed raw ingredients daily” (Wynn, 2020). Most raw food companies utilize marketing schemes to influence pet owners into purchasing or making these potentially harmful diets. Misinformation about feeding raw-meat diets not only put the health of the pet at risk, but that of the humans that come into contact with them as well. 

With copious amounts of misinformation online, the growing popularity with owners, and the difficulty found in educating clients, these ‘fad’ diets are becoming an increasing issue for veterinarians. Most owners want the best for their pets, but often their sources for diet recommendations and what constitutes a well-balanced diet, are misleading and sometimes wrong all together.

Whenever someone, especially the younger generation, goes to make a decision on a product, they “pay more attention to whether their psychological needs and emotional preferences are met in the process of purchasing” than the quality of the product itself (He et al). That, if a company and product look good on the surface, then it must of good quality. This is a dangerous mindset to have, especially when dealing with the nutrition and food safety. Congruently, when the client brings their pet in for medical care by a licensed veterinarian, the owner can have a hard time taking in their recommendations on the ideal diet to feed.

One of the most common arguments in favor of feeding domesticated pets a raw meat-based diet, is the thought “that dog and cat physiology, biology, behavior, and evolution warrants domestic breeds to eat like their wild ancestors” (Duclos, 2008). However, this is nonsensical is the fact that per the definition of domesticated, the animal has been genetically altered via conditioning by human influence. This is also an example of projecting anthropomorphism onto the pet, ignoring science-based evidence. When an organism evolves, their physiology is altered, which often includes the organism’s ability to digest and absorb nutrients from their food, thus their nutritional requirements change.

So, why are these harmful diets so popular with pet owners? Taking a look at the psychology of marketing and adding the influence of social media, it is easy to see how misleading advertisements can look to a naïve owner. The friction between owners and veterinary professionals comes from the professionals trying to educate the owner on the risks associated with feeding raw-meat diets and are met with discontent. The client reads and hears about all the supposed health benefits from other pet parents, without knowing the resulting negative short- and long-term health changes that can occur within their pet. Many veterinary staff members have seen first-hand the negative effects that these diets have on their patients and the potential for zoonotic disease transmission putting their health and safety at risk as well.

There as several concerns for the health of the pet associated with feeding raw-meat diets including, but not limited to: effects from the bone component, the nutritional deficiencies, and risk of infection.

1. Bones, hooves, and antlers are common in BARF (Biological Appropriate Raw Food) diets and RMBDs (Raw Meat and Bone Diets). Both can be purchased at most pet stores, but more than often, they are prepared at home by the owner purchasing the individual parts of the diet. All three pose the risk of fracturing teeth, causing gastrointestinal obstructions, blocking airways, and/or splitting apart and rupturing the gastrointestinal tract. Some advocates of raw-meat diets recommend cooking the bones and enforce that the pet be supervised during their consumption, however, cooked bones have a higher chance of splintering off and even a supervised pet has the potential to choke and swallow the bone whole.
2. The second point of concern is nutritional deficiencies found in raw-meat diets, as most homemade diets are missing out on vital vitamins and minerals. AAFCO, the Association of American Feeding Control Officials, sets guideline and requirements for regulation and distribution of pet food in the United States (LaMon, 2020). AAFCO does not conduct testing directly, but utilizes third-party laboratories to construct their “Nutritional Adequacy Statement”, which determines if a specific pet food is a complete and balanced diet for the species and life-stage it is labeled for (LaMon, 2020). “They preform tests by feeding trials, laboratory analysis, and complied nutritional profiles” (LaMon, 2020). In homemade diets of any kind, there is often a lack of vitamin D, which can lead to secondary hyperthyroidism, and phosphorus, leading to anemia and bone disease (Rinelli, 2020). Other issues such as excess protein and a lack of calcium are also common in raw-meat diets. High levels of protein can lead to obesity and adds extra work on the pet’s kidneys (High Protein Dog Food, 2018). A lack of calcium is detrimental to the health of pets, especially in growing animals. Though store-bought raw-meat diets may be more balanced than homemade ones, there is still the alarming risk of bacterial and parasitic infections.
3. Improperly homemade diets and components from store-bought raw diets from companies that do not complete proper testing, can have a devastating effect on human health as well as the pet. Even if the product is tested in the manufacturing facility, during the transportation, storage at the store, and preparation by the owner, there is a high probability that pathogens can be introduced to the owner and the pet. Many of these are termed zoonotic pathogens, meaning there is a high chance of contraction when the owner is preparing, feeding, and sometimes interacting their pet between meals. Dr. Rinelli stated in her DVM 360 article from 2020 that, “Due to the potential of zoonotic infections, such as salmonella, toxoplasmosis, and various parasitic infections, many vets will either isolate or refuse to treat pets on this diet”. Veterinarians also worry about the spread of these infections to members of the public and their own staff. If owners do not follow proper sanitization protocols, they increase the likelihood of spreading “helminths, protozoans, bacteria, viruses, and prions.” (Duclos, 2018). However, “Many store bought RMBDs that do not undergo proper treatment to reduce pathogenic organisms” before being distributed to pet stores (Rinelli, 2020). There is also the risk to members of the public, namely immune compromised individuals, that come into contact with a pet fed an improperly prepared raw meat diet causing catastrophic medical affects. Salmonella and toxoplasmosis are the top two infections on that list. Salmonella is a bacterial infection that causes gastrointestinal symptoms and fevers in humans. Toxoplasmosis has a flu-like effect in adult humans and can cause congenital growth defects and spontaneous abortions in pregnant humans.

Many owners will argue the seldom beneficial changes they see in their pet after starting a raw-meat diet, though there is a sheer lack of scientific evidence to support their claims. With RMBDs, observation have been made of improvements in “coat condition, cleaner teeth, more energy, and increased muscle mass” (Rinelli, 2020). With homemade diets, owners have reported improved gut health and improved with chronic vomiting and diarrhea in their pets. Some advocates of raw diets claim that being more involved with the preparation of their pet’s food aids in strengthening the human-animal bond between pet and owner.The issue with these statements is that there are very few published, peer reviewed studies that support the claims that pet owners see within their own pet.

Recipes for homemade diets can be found on Facebook groups, pet owner forums, or just made-up by the owner, resulting in nutritional deficiencies, however companies such as BalanceIt, have created a way for owners to input their current recipe and shows them what is lacking and how to correct it if present. The support by veterinarians behind the site BalanceIt specifically, is that it is controlled and backed by professional pet nutritionists.

There is a high level of debate online between owners on the best diet to feed their pets, but after reviewing the clinically proven studies of the nutritional requirements of a pet and seeing the risks associated with feeding raw-meat diets, it is the hope of veterinary professionals to turn the view on these harmful practices. Despite the better efforts and sheer ignorance of some owners, they are doing more harm to their pet than good. Due to marketing schemes and the negative influence of social media, feeding a raw food diet to a domesticated pet causes not only serious health concerns for that pet but the public as well. Thus, client education by veterinary professionals and the dismantlement of misleading information online, is key to help keeping owners on the right track with their pets care and keeping the animals and public safe. Veterinary professionals only want what is best for their patients and it is important to work with their clients and properly educate them on the risks associated with raw meat diets.

References

1. Duclos, L. 2008. Raw Pet food Diets: Parasites, Pathogens, and Perceptions. VIN. Retrieved November 10, 2022, from, http://www.vin.com/doc/?id=3865629
2. He, X., Zhu, L., Sun, L., & Yang, L. (1AD, January 1). The influence of brand marketing on consumers’ emotion in Mobile Social Media Environment. Frontiers. Retrieved November 14, 2022 from, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.962224/full
3. Dog food- too much protein can be dangerous: Hill’s pet. Hill’s Pet Nutrition. (2018, October 5). Retrieved November 14, 2022, from https://www.hills pet.com/dog-care/nutrition-feeding/too-much-protein-in-dog-food
4. LaMon, V. (2020, December 28). What is AAFCO and What Does It Do?. PetMD. Retrieved November 10, 2022, from, https://www.PetMD.com/dog/nutrition/What-Is-AAFCO-and-What-Does-It-Do
5. Risks outweigh benefits of raw meat diets for pets. (2014, January 6). Feedstuffs, 86(1), 19. Retrieved November 14, 2022, from, http://link.gale.com/app/doc/A356352508/GPS?u=edirect_gvrl&sid-bookmark-GPS&xid=cb7f74c3
6. Rinell, L. (2020, August). What you need to know about today’s veterinary diet trends: A look at the advantages and disadvantages of raw, homemade, and vegan diets for dogs and cats. DVM360, 51(8), 40+. Retrieved November 10, 2022, from, http://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A672178045/GPS?u=edirect_gvrl&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=4757a71
7. Wynn, S. G. (2020, October). Clarifying Raw Diets. DVM360, 51(10), 55. H. Retrieved November 10, 2022, from, http://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A672178110/GPS?u=edirect_gvrl&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=ad283366