Search Results for: raw diet

Evidence Update-Review of Risks and Benefits of Raw Meat Diets for Dogs and Cats

A nice new review of the evidence concerning raw meat-based diets appears in the most recent issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Freeman LM, Chandler ML, Hamper BA, Weeth LP. Current knowledge about the risks and … Continue reading

Posted in Nutrition | 14 Comments

FDA Study Shows Raw Pet Diets Contaminated with Potentially Deadly Bacteria Much More Frequently than Cooked Pet Foods

Numerous studies have demonstrated that raw diets are likely to be contaminated with potentially harmful bacteria, including Salmonella, E. coli, and others that can cause serious disease. (1, 2) Though cases of illness have been documented caused by these organisms … Continue reading

Posted in Nutrition | 31 Comments

Raw, Cooked, and Dry Cat Diets–A New Study Examined

The debate about raw diets for pets is an ongoing “hot button” topic in veterinary circles. There is also a less heated but still vigorous debate about cat nutrition in particular and what form and composition constitutes the optimal diet … Continue reading

Posted in Nutrition | 18 Comments

Raw Pet Diets Often Contaminated with Dangerous Bacteria: Campylobacter

I have written previously about the issue of raw pet food diets, pointing out the lack of any significant evidence to support claims that these diets are beneficial for pets the many risks such diets can pose, such as nutritional … Continue reading

Posted in Nutrition | 7 Comments

Veterinary News Network (VNN) Video Discussing Raw Pet Diets

Here is a brief video discussing the topic of raw diets for pets. It is nicely produced      

Posted in Nutrition | 7 Comments

Salmonella and Other Risks of Raw Pet Diets

Primal Pet Foods, a popular marketer of commercial raw diets for dogs and cats, recently announced a recall of one of its raw cat foods because testing has suggested the diet may be contaminated with the bacteria Salmonella. Such recalls … Continue reading

Posted in Nutrition | 11 Comments

Raw Pet Diet and “Natural” Pet Product Recalls

One of the comments often made in defense of raw diets and challenging the safety  of conventional commercial pet foods is, “If those foods are so safe, why are they always being recalled?” The implication, of course, is that a … Continue reading

Posted in Nutrition | 5 Comments

Are Vegan Diets Healthier for Dogs & Cats?

IntroductionGiven the media frenzy the article has kicked off, it is unlikely very many people are unaware of a recent study reported in the journal PLOS One that claims to show vegan diets are healthier for dogs and cats than … Continue reading

Posted in Nutrition | 18 Comments

Fresh Diets for Pets: Are they Healthier than Kibble or Canned?

Nutrition is one of the most frequent subjects my clients want to discuss, and often one of the most controversial. Raw diets,1 vegetarian or vegan pet foods,2 ketogenic diets for pets,3 the significance of “artificial” versus “natural” pet food ingredients,4 and the fundamental question … Continue reading

Posted in Nutrition | 21 Comments

Grain-free Diets and Heart Disease in Dogs: Two New Studies

I have to admit, I didn’t think I would again be addressing the topic of diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) so soon after my recent podcast and post summarizing the debate. But the science around this topic is racing ahead, and there are two new … Continue reading

Posted in Nutrition | 4 Comments