Myth or Fact: Raw Food Diet

 Myth or Fact:  A raw food diet is the most natural and, therefore, the best diet for cats and dogs.

MYTH. 

The Facts:
Raw diets may contain bacteria.

• Raw meat and poultry may be contaminated with harmful microorganisms, such as salmonella.

• Feeding raw meat to pets can expose them to bacteria, parasites and protozoa.

Preparing and feeding a raw diet can also expose your family to harmful organisms.

• Members of the household will also be exposed to the same bacteria, protozoa and parasites when you feed a diet containing raw meat to a cat or dog.

• These microorganisms pose greater risk to the young, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

Salmonella was found in 80% raw diets and 30% of fecal samples from dogs fed raw diets.  

Bones as part of a raw diet can be hazardous to pets' health.

• Raw (and cooked) bones can fracture teeth.

• Jagged or sharp points can tear the esophagus, stomach or intestines.

• Fragments of bones may become lodged in gastrointestinal tract.

Raw diets may not be nutritionally balanced or complete.

• Diets made of mostly meat or poultry and bones may be lacking in important nutrients.

• Calcium deficiency is a common problem with these diets, which can lead to impaired growth, spontaneous fractures and loose teeth.

• Vitamin A toxicity can occur if large amounts of raw liver are fed.

Sources:
http://www.purinaveterinarydiets.com/HealthAndNutrition/Myths/detail.aspx?name=RawFood