Nutrition trend with responsibility
Berlin. Nutrition is an important building block for the health and well-being of dogs and cats. Like human nutrition, pet feeding is subject to constant change. New scientific findings are being incorporated, but new nutritional concepts are also being adopted by many animal owners. This also includes feeding raw meat. At the same time, this form of nutrition requires in-depth knowledge of the animals' nutritional needs as well as careful handling of the food and feed used.
A balanced ration is crucial
Many animal owners choose to feed raw materials: raw meat, offal and bones because they find them particularly close to nature or because they expect a diet that comes as close as possible to the natural eating habits of their animals. In order for dogs and cats to remain healthy in the long term, the ration must be carefully planned. A needs-based supply of energy, protein, minerals, trace elements and vitamins is essential. Errors in the composition can lead to an under- or over-supply of important nutrients and can have serious health consequences. This particularly concerns the supply of trace elements such as copper, zinc and iodine, vitamins A and D as well as the calcium-phosphorus ratio. The amino acid taurine is essential for cats. Feeding offal containing thyroid tissue (so-called throat), can lead to increased thyroid levels in dogs. Veterinary nutritional advice can help to take the animal's individual needs into account and prevent nutritional deficiencies.
Don't underestimate pathogens
In addition to a balanced supply of nutrients, special attention must also be paid to the safety of the food or feed used. Raw meat can be contaminated with pathogens. These include bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter or certain Escherichia coli strains as well as parasites such as dog tapeworm or toxoplasma, which can also potentially be dangerous for humans.
Viruses can also be transmitted through raw meat. A current example is the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI, avian influenza). In recent years, infections with this virus in cats after consuming contaminated raw poultry or corresponding raw feed have been described, particularly in Asia and the USA, but also in some European countries. Dogs are considered less susceptible, and infections here have mostly been traced back to contact with dead wild birds.
Because of possible contamination with the Aujeszky's disease virus, dogs and cats should generally not be given raw pork. Although the disease has long been eradicated from German pig herds, it still occurs in other European countries and in wild boars. This virus is harmless to humans, but poses a deadly threat to dogs and cats. Hunting dogs that come into contact with hunted animals or even receive meat or offal from them are particularly at risk.
Hygiene and parasite prophylaxis are part of this
Anyone who decides to feed raw should pay attention to careful hygiene during storage, preparation and feeding. Meat should come from reliable sources and be stored properly refrigerated or frozen. Work surfaces, bowls and kitchen utensils must be cleaned thoroughly after coming into contact with raw meat. This also includes washing your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap.
If you want to make the meat “parasite-free” by freezing, it is important to ensure that it stays frozen at -17°C to -20°C for at least a week. This is the only way to safely kill any parasite stages contained therein.
Dogs and cats that are fed raw meat also have special parasite prophylactic requirements. Deworming measures should be checked regularly and individually adapted to the animal. The veterinary practice can advise on this and recommend a suitable prophylactic plan.
Feed well informed
Feeding raw meat can be a suitable diet for dogs and cats – provided that the rations are balanced and basic hygiene rules are consistently followed. Equally important are parasite prophylaxis adapted to feeding and regular veterinary checks. If you are well informed and get professional advice in advance, you will create the best conditions for a safe and needs-based diet for your animal.
Federal Association for Animal Health (BfT)
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