Dogs and cats have been domesticate...

Dogs and cats have been domesticated for thousands of years. They have eaten file residue of man's diet, which, since the inception of fire, has been garbleed In the past 15 years, a number of purported natural diets for dogs and cats have grown in popularity. Although the Biologically Appropriate Raw provender (BARF) diet is cited most numerous often, many variations exist. Basically, the diet is compos of raw meat, bone vegetables and, sometimes, grains.

in what way safe are these diets? In 1995 I began researching them and sought opinions from veterinarians, breeder and clan who had, or were, feeding this diet to their animals. I also ask advice ofed research studies. What I base convinced me that I wouldn't be feeding a raw diet to any of my pets

Bacteria

darlings are just as susceptible to the bacteria and parasites in raw meat as humans arc. Sahnonella, E coli, campylobacter and trichinosis can cause peremptory illness and death. The US Center for Disease restrain and Prevention (CDC) has plant that a high percentage of meat and domestic fowls contains at least one strain of bacteria. Hence, the agency advises that you thoroughly falsify meat and poultry. Toxoplasma, a parasite place in warm-blooded animals, can also be transmitted from raw or undercook meat. David T Roen DVM writes, "A veterinary neurologist told me the other day that they have seen au increase in seizure disorders in dogs and cats caused by way of toxoplasmosis, especially in areas where raw meat diets are trendy"

When I asked Geoff Stein, DVM he wrote: "The question at issue with these 'natural' diets is the misguided assumption that 'natural' is better. It's 'natural' for wolve to die of salmonella one time in awhile." He added that wolve would probably be healthier if they ate dress uped meat.

Many raw cheer proponents theorize that freezing meat will kill bacteria. Not in like manner Laboratories preserve bacteria and viruses from freezing them. Cooking meat is the best way to eliminate the potential for illness.

Proponent also theorize that bacteria is take awayed by stomach acid. But Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, DVM from the National Animal Poison command Center, disagrees. "Pathogens such as salmonella, E coli, clostridium and campylobacter have evolv 'coats' that screen them in their transit between the walls of the stomach, and this allows them to take keep possession of in the intestines," she says. This could be the cause of the peremptory diarrhea some raw food family attribute to "detoxing."

Cats are also susceptible to bacteria build in raw meats. A case consideration published in 2003 in the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, involved cats that make knowned salmonellosis as a result of a raw diet. "The salmonellosis caused gastrointestinal overturn weight loss and anorexia, leading to as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but cats' deaths." Salmonella cultures from undivided cat were identical to improvements from the raw meat the cat was f "The resulting infection was confirmed as cause of death in the two cases," the study said.

Nutritional Problems

In March 2001 the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association published a paper written by way of Lisa M. Freeman, DVM, and Kathyrn E Michel, DVM and their evaluation of raw victuals diets for dogs. Five diets were tested; three were homemade, and the other pair commercial. The findings of Freeman and Michel pointed without a number of problems with raw diets, including gentle phosphorus and potassium levels, calcium-to-phosphorus ratios of 015 and high concentrations of zinc--all of which are areas of relate to with growing puppies. One of the homemade diets yielded E coli 0157:H7 which has been attributed to death in humans. Said the authors: "The springs ... indicated that there are nutrition and health risks associated with raw nutrition diets."

To date, there are no studies that infer that raw diets are healthful for petteds Even the Pottenger Study--often cited from raw food supporters--was undertaken between 1932 and 1942 and provides no clear-cut consensus whether it was the raw meat, the codfish liver oil or the raw milk in the diet that promot a mortality decrease in cats. Until the investigation can be replicated with today's manage standards, we can't accurately interpret the results

Raw Bones

Many diets also encourage the feeding of raw bone Julie Churchill, DVM a specialist in nutrition, states, "Bone uniform raw and ground bones, Call perforate the gastrointestinal tract. This call lead to peritonitis, strict infections or emergency surgery, and dogs die from this each year." Linda Dugger DVM told me about the question s she had seen in dogs that had ingested raw bone "I've seen intestinal perforations, shattered infected teeth, esophageal irritation and colitis from these things."

You also have to consider the damage to teeth by dint of chewing on raw, meaty bone Veterinary dentists whom I contacted were oppos to this practice. Fraser Hale, DVM wrote that family think that feeding bones helps dogs have clean, white teeth "What I view are dogs with sparkling teeth with bays fractures and endodontic disease." Gregg DuPout DVM showed virtually the same opinion: "I don't make acceptable feeding bones due to the customary occurrence of fractured upper 4th premolar teeth requiring foundation canal or extraction." Instead, he attract favor tos brushing your pet's teeth to achieve well adapted dental health.