Dogs fed raw meat are more likely to shed the antibiotic-resistant bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) in their feces, vets warn.
Previous research has shown that E. coli can also be transmitted from dogs to their human owners through normal, everyday interaction.
University of Bristol researchers suggest that pet owners who feed their dogs raw should take extra precautions when cleaning up their mess.
They also suggest that the fashionable diet is not the safest choice for a domesticated dog for this reason.
Matthew Avison, Professor of Molecular Bacteriology at the School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, said: “We should do everything we can to reduce the circulation of critically important antibiotic-resistant E. coli and other bacteria.
“Our research adds to the growing body of evidence that feeding dogs raw meat can help with this goal.”
Raw feeding is what it sounds like – feed your pet raw ingredients and not the traditional cooked foods that are more commonly available (stock image)
University of Bristol researchers suggest that pet owners who feed their dogs raw should take extra precautions when cleaning up their mess, as they are more likely to shed the antibiotic-resistant bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) in their feces
WHAT IS “RAH FEED”?
Raw feeding feeds your pet raw ingredients rather than the traditional cooked foods that are more commonly available.
Raw foods usually contain a combination of raw meat and other uncooked ingredients, such as certain fruits and vegetables.
Many people who feed their dogs raw food do so because they see it as a more “natural” alternative to regular dog food.
However, there are no studies showing that raw feeding is any better than regular dog food.
Owners who feed their dogs or cats raw foods often claim that they see many positive changes in their pet.
This can range from a shinier coat and more energy to less smelly poo!
However, many of the obvious benefits of raw food can be easily achieved by making sure you’re feeding your pet a balanced, age-appropriate diet.
Source: PDSA
Speaking exclusively to M, Professor Avison added: “Our studies show that dogs, whether puppies or adults, are more likely to carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria in their gut when fed raw meat than when fed kibble and other processed foods be fed dog food.
“This adds to the growing body of peer-reviewed evidence that feeding raw meat is associated with various risks of bacterial infectious diseases in dogs.
“I cannot comment on any potential benefits associated with feeding raw meat, but I have also seen no evidence that high quality processed dog food does not provide quality nutrition for dogs.
“Based on this, I decide to feed my two dogs, Wilma and Doris, good quality dry food.
“Others should be able to make their own choices, but should do so with the knowledge that there are some potential risks associated with raw feeding.”
E. coli are bacteria that generally live in the gut of healthy humans and animals.
Infections can occur after contact with human or animal feces or by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water.
Symptoms of E. coli infection include bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting.
Rarely, people can develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, a disease that affects kidney and blood clotting functions in infected people.
The study, published today in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, collected data from 600 adult dogs and their owners.
Owners filled out questionnaires about their dogs, the dogs’ diet and environment, and provided fecal samples from their dogs.
The samples were then analyzed for the presence of E. coli while risk factor analyzes were performed on their questionnaire results.
Researchers wanted to identify associations between E. coli detection and lifestyle factors or environments reported in the owner survey.
While raw feeding was a strong risk factor for dogs living in the countryside, the diet for dogs living in the city was more complicated.
The vets claim that this may reflect the different lifestyles and exposures of city dogs, as river swimming turned out to be a weak risk factor.
Professor Avison said: “Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are ubiquitous, but some antibiotics are considered critically important for human use.
“We have shown that dogs fed raw meat are more likely to carry bacteria resistant to these important drugs.
“It doesn’t mean the animal or the owner will get sick.
‘E coli is a common bacterium found in the gut of all humans and animals.
“However, it is a common cause of many diseases, including urinary tract infections, and can cause serious illnesses, including sepsis, if it spreads to other parts of the body.”
In a study published last month, researchers concluded that raw feeding is associated with the transmission of antibiotic-resistant E. coli in the feces of dogs as young as 16 weeks of age, regardless of the duration of the diet (stock image).
Results of a study in 16-week-old puppies and their owners and associations with risk factors for transmission of E. coli resistant to at least one test antibiotic
These findings support the findings of another study published in the journal One Health last month.
The team recruited 223 16-week-old puppies and their owners for similar risk factor and fecal analysis.
They concluded that raw feeding is associated with the transmission of antibiotic-resistant E. coli in young dogs, regardless of the duration of the diet.
The bacteria carried by puppies has also been found to be shared with humans.
Kristen Reyher, co-author and Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology and Population Health at Bristol Veterinary School, said: “We know humans and animals share bacteria, so what we find in your pet may be in you too.
“Pet owners should be encouraged to practice good hygiene and not feeding your dog raw food can be part of that,
“We can all do our part to reduce antibiotic resistance and its horrific impact on human and animal health.”
How fashionable raw meat dog food could be? Pet owners could risk contracting dangerous bugs, including E. coli, if they “kiss” their pooches after eating.
Raw pet food is said to resemble a dog’s natural diet in the wild and is said to give them fresher breath and a shinier coat.
But a study has found that the food, made mostly of offal, undercooked meat and bones, harbors food poisoning bugs including E. coli and salmonella.
Scientists say this can be harmful to the elderly, babies and people with weak immunity who could become ill from handling food bowls or kitchen utensils, or from having their dog lick their face.
The study, published in the Veterinary Record Journal, looked at raw dog food made by 10 different manufacturers from countries including the UK and Sweden.
The researchers found that a third of the 60 samples taken contained E.coli, with nearly a third containing another pathogen, Clostridium perfringens, which is known to cause foodborne illness outbreaks. Salmonella was found in seven percent of the samples.
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