References
Parasite risks from raw meat-based diets for companion animals
Abstract
In industrialised countries, dogs and cats are more often fed raw meat-based diets. There are microbial hazards associated with raw meat and these can introduce the risk of insufficient nutrition, as a result of nutritional imbalances and deficiencies. A literature review has been carried out to evaluate the risks of parasite infections in companion animals resulting from raw meat-based diets. Parasites present in raw meat use dogs and cats as part of their life cycle, these include protozoa such as Toxoplasma, Sarcocystis, Cystoisospora, Neospora and Hammondia; the nematodes Toxocara spp. and Trichinella; and the tapeworms Taenia spp., Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis. Because of the lack of prevalence data, a valuable risk analysis is difficult. However, the life cycles demonstrate that eating raw meat-based diets and prey animals, can be a route of infection. Such agents can also be present in slaughtered animals. Infections can induce disease in intermediate hosts, but also in humans and other animal species, as an environment can be contaminated with oocysts or eggs. Several parasites can be transmitted via the alimentary route when raw meat-based diets are fed to companion animals. The best prevention method is to feed your companion animals commercial food or to cook meat and organs before feeding.
Most dog and cat owners feed their animals commercial food, but also raw meat. According to a European survey of 5000 pet owners, an average of 19% fed raw meat to dogs and 16% to cats (McNamara et al, 2018). Reports from the United States and Australia have indicated that 97% of households with dogs provided them with mainly commercial diets, with 69% providing only commercial diets. Although owners may additionally feed their dogs table scraps, other specially prepared meals, bones, raw meat or other unprocessed products (Laflamme et al, 2008).
Owners who provide raw meat-based diets to their pets have several reasons for this. There are oft en feelings of mistrust toward commercially prepared feeds. For example, concerns about additives used or the possible presence of harmful contaminants. Furthermore, there is mistrust of the quality of the ingredients used and subsequent concerns about the influence of the production process on the availability of nutrients (Pitcairn and Pitcairn, 2005; Remillard, 2008). Allergies and other health problems are also listed as reasons for providing self-prepared food (Handl et al, 2013). Some owners may want to spoil their animal with self-prepared meals and others might think that they are giving the best to their pet. However, feeding self-prepared meals carries a risk of imbalances and deficiencies. When feeding raw meat products, there may be microbial hazards for humans and animals. It is the job of the veterinarian and technician to properly inform the owner about various feeding options and their associated benefits and risks. The optimal goal is to give sufficient amounts and correct proportions of the available nutrients, presented in a tasty and safe way.
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