Debunking the Myth: Raw Dog Food and Salmonella Poisoning
The belief that raw dog food poses a significant risk of Salmonella poisoning to humans is widespread but largely unfounded. While raw meat can indeed contain more Salmonella than cooked meat, the actual risk to humans from handling raw dog food is minimal when proper hygiene practices are observed.
Understanding the Statistics
The fears surrounding raw dog food and Salmonella often overlook the actual data. Despite raw dog food comprising over 10% of the pet food market, As of September 2020, there have been only four reported cases of Salmonella transmission to humans from raw dog food. This is in stark contrast to the 132 cases of Salmonella poisoning from dry dog food reported between 2006 and 2016, half of which involved toddlers under two years of age. Further highlighting the discrepancy, since 2012, over 400 million pounds of pet food have been recalled due to pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli. Notably, kibble and treats accounted for about 80% of these recalls, indicating a higher risk associated with these products compared to raw food.
The Comparative Risk
Studies suggest that consumers have a 400% higher chance of exposing their families to bacteria from kibble compared to raw food. Research surveying more than 16,000 pet owners worldwide, who included raw food in their pets' diets, reported only 39 instances of human illness linked to raw pet food. This represents a mere 0.2% of the surveyed group, reinforcing the minimal risk posed by raw dog food when handled properly.
Rather interestingly, one study found that feeding 20% or less raw dog food translated to an increased risk, while feeding 90% or more raw dog food demonstrated a decreased risk. This could be due to contamination of other diet forms (such as kibble etc) product being compromised during distribution or storage, and different handling practices among the two forms or other known or unknown factors. It is likely that more advanced and experienced raw feeders are not using kibble and are likely utilising more effective hygiene and handling techniques.
Conversely, numerous cases of Salmonella poisoning from kibble have led to hospitalisations, particularly among toddlers. The misconception that kibble is inherently safe may lead to complacency in handling, whereas raw food handlers tend to be more vigilant about hygiene practices.
The Consumer Funded Pet Food Report
The first publicly funded consumer report highlights the severe issues with processed pet food. Susan Thixton of "Truth About Pet Food" sent samples of top dry and canned dog food products from an online retailer to a laboratory for microbial analysis. Shockingly, every sample failed—not just for Salmonella, but also for other harmful contaminants such as highly carcinogenic mycotoxins (a type of grain mould), as well as serious vitamin and mineral excesses and deficiencies. Raw dog food, by contrast, does not contain these harmful substances.
Addressing Recalls and Safety Measures
The rise in raw food recalls in recent years corresponds with increased production and sales. Importantly, these recalls often occur before any illness is reported, with companies sometimes preemptively recalling products due to storage limitations and awaiting test results. Notably, no illnesses have been reported as a direct result of these recalls.
In the UK, it is recommended to buy raw dog food from companies approved by DEFRA and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) for producing raw pet food. These companies should also have a HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) plan in place. Most reputable companies use a positive release program for Salmonella, meaning any batch that tests positive is destroyed and not released for sale.
While raw dog food can occasionally contain harmful bacteria, recent studies and recall practices demonstrate that this risk is manageable with proper precautions. Though rare, cases of Salmonellosis in dogs and cats can occur if they consume contaminated products. Dogs fed contaminated raw foods may shed Salmonella in their feces, but this risk is significantly reduced through careful handling.
Best Practices for Safe Handling
To mitigate risks associated with both raw and dry dog foods, pet owners should adopt stringent hygiene practices:
Store raw dog food on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator in a sealed container to prevent drips.
Clean all surfaces and wash hands thoroughly after handling any type of dog food.
Avoid close contact with pets immediately after they have eaten raw food.
Both raw and dry-fed dogs can shed Salmonella in their stools, but the incidence of human illness from raw dog food remains extremely low. By following proper hygiene measures, the risks can be effectively managed, making raw feeding a viable and safe option for many pet owners.
In conclusion, the myth that raw dog food poses a high risk of Salmonella poisoning to humans does not hold up under scrutiny. Proper handling and awareness can significantly reduce these risks, allowing pet owners to safely provide their dogs with a raw diet.
Sources
The risk of salmonellae shedding by dogs fed Salmonella-contaminated commercial raw food diets
Bacteriological evaluation of commercial canine and feline raw diets - Weese et al. 2005
https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1136/vr.105122
https://truthaboutpetfood.com/study-finds-raw-pet-food-is-not-the-risk-fda-makes-it-to-be/
https://truthaboutpetfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/PetFoodTest1.pdf
