Recent pet food recalls have prompted pet owners to consider the safety of foods that they are feeding their pets. The nonprofit Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) warns pet owners of the dangers associated with feeding pets under-cooked meat.
“We recognize some pet owners may choose to feed homemade diets in lieu of those that are commercially prepared, especially with the pet food recalls of the last month,” says Jay Stewart, DVM, Aumsville Animal Clinic, Aumsville, Ore. “The CAPC is posting this important alert due to the potential transmission of certain internal parasites and bacteria through the feeding of diets with raw meat sources. Pet owners need to be aware.”
Some parasites and bacteria found in raw meats can be transmitted to humans (zoonosis) and make animals sick. Cooking foods appropriately will help to kill parasites and bacteria and may improve the digestibility of the proteins in the diet.
“All dogs and cats should be fed a well-balanced diet regardless of whether it is
commercially or home-prepared. Your veterinarian is the best resource for determining your pet’s dietary needs,” continues Stewart. “They may also be able to provide recipes for nutritionally balanced home-prepared foods. Any questions regarding proper diet should be directed to your veterinarian.”
Susan Little, DVM, PhD, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, provides additional suggestions for controlling parasites in pets and reducing the overall risk of exposure to zoonotic infection in humans:
- Year-round broad-spectrum heartworm preventatives that control parasites
- transmissible to humans
- Year-round flea and tick control
- Annual physical examinations
- Cooked food and fresh water
- Annual heartworm test
- Annual fecal examinations for adult pets; more frequent fecal examinations for puppies
The following parasites can be transmitted by raw food to your pets:
Dogs and cats
- Roundworms
- Hookworms
- Tapeworms
- Trichinella- Trichinosis
- Protozoa
- Trematodes
Cats
- Toxoplasma
Dogs
- Salmon Poisoning Disease
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