Is Feeding My Feline Raw Meat Dangerous Due
To The Risk of Salmonella and E. Coli ?
No. The digestive tracts of felines and dogs are very different than those of humans. The human digestive tract is approximately 25 to 28 feet long with stomach acidity between 1.5 and 2.5. felines and dogs have a much shorter digestive system at an average of 10 to 13 feet for dogs (shorter for felines) with an acidity of less than 1. Raw meat moves through the feline’s system in less than half the time it would through a human’s system, and the high acidity kills most bacteria such as salmonella. Even if the raw meat cat food was contaminated, it likely it would not enter the felines bloodstream.
If you eat meat, then you are aware of the precautions to take when handling raw meat. The same precautions apply to a homemade raw meat cat food as to raw meat destined to be cooked for human consumption: wash bowls, utensils and your hands after feeding and handling the meat. You could keep the meat frozen until two to four days before feeding but it is not necessary , and thaw in the refrigerator. Don’t leave the food down for your pet for more than 40 minutes, after this time throw any leftovers away. With a bit of common sense, raw meat pet foods are no more difficult or dangerous to feed than any other commercial pet food.
Some folks like to argue that the wild relatives of feline and dogs have shorter life spans than our companion animals and blame this shortened life on consumption of raw meat pet foods. While it may be true that wild dogs and felines (or their close relatives) are less long-lived than our pets, it is not due to their diet. Animals living in the wild are at far more risk from predators, competition for food and the harsh elements than they are from eating raw meat. Our companions are living longer lives due to their comfortable living conditions with regular meals provided – no hunting required, and no stress.
Watch Dr Becker’s video on this subject on our home page.
Help your feline become healthier by changing to a homemade raw meat cat food diet, supplemented with “My Natural Cat”.
Felice F Arata
Feline Instincts LLC
Homemade raw meat cat food premix
