{"id":1824,"date":"2018-11-26T08:00:43","date_gmt":"2018-11-26T13:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mypetsanimalhospital.com\/wp1\/?p=1824"},"modified":"2018-11-26T08:00:43","modified_gmt":"2018-11-26T13:00:43","slug":"is-raw-pet-food-safe-for-cats-and-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mypetsanimalhospital.com\/is-raw-pet-food-safe-for-cats-and-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Raw Pet Food Safe for Cats and Dogs?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Though raw pet food diets are popular, they are also controversial. The most important question when considering a pet’s diet is whether it is safe and healthy. Several studies indicate potential risks exist for pets who consume a raw food diet.<\/p>\n
Processed raw pet food diets are frozen or freeze-dried. They typically consist of muscle meat often still on the bone,\u00a0whole or ground bones,\u00a0organ meats such as liver and kidney, vegetables, and raw eggs. Because of bacteria in raw meat, there are risks to both human and pet health. These potential risks include damaged health of pets given unbalanced diet for extended period of time, and the potential for whole bones to choke, break teeth or cause internal puncture wounds. Research shows raw diets have nutritional deficiencies or excesses. Both could cause serious health problems, when given over a long term period of time. Raw pet food may not contain enough calcium and phosphorous which are vitally important for bone health. Raw meat diets high in liver could provide too much vitamin A resulting in vitamin A toxicity, if given over an extended period of time.<\/p>\n
Dogs with health problems like pancreatitis should avoid eating a raw diet. Those with cancer or other immunosuppressive diseases should not consume raw pet food. Puppies should avoid raw pet food. Bone deformities and growth issues can occur when a puppy’s calcium and phosphorous levels are out of sync. Studies indicate cats and dogs who consume raw meat diets are more likely to become infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria.<\/p>\n