Raw food diets or BARF diets. Some thoughts and notes: What are Raw food diets?

There are three major types of raw food diets on the market: Commercially available raw food diets: manufactures claim that the diet is complete and doesnt need any further supplements and is mostly sold in the frozen form. Homemade raw food diets: few recipes are available but the most used ones are the Bones and Raw food (BARF) diet, the Ultimate diet and the Volhard diet. BARF diets: popularized by Dr. Ian Billinghurst and consists of 60% raw meaty bones and the other 40% made up of green vegetables, some offal (liver, kidneys ect.) eggs, meat, mild, brewers yeast, yogurt, grains, legumes and garlic. They claim the diet is balanced as a whole over 2-3weeks but not on each meal. Ultimate diets: Described by Kymythy Schultze in1998 which works on a pyramid basis, largest part of the diets consisting of raw meat, organs and eggs, a smaller part of raw bones and the rest made up of raw vegetables. Sometimes extras are added for vitamins and minerals. The Volhard diet: cereals in the mornings with raw meat and greens as the evening meal. They recommend fruit 3 times a week and removal of all food for a half day once a week. Combination diets: Commercial grain and supplement mixes are bought and mixed with Raw meat at home. Of these diets on the market the BARF diet is the most commonly used diet. Why would pet owners go for these foods? Some of the arguments for Raw diets: Its Natural, Dogs and cats are carnivores and evolved eating raw foods, Heat processed commercial foods alters or destroys nutrients and essential enzymes, raw diets are good for their teeth. Reduces body, breath and faeces odor, improved immunity and overall health, some even claim reduction in incidences of medical conditions such as pancreatitis, allergies and parasitism. All of these claims are not supported by sound scientific evidence. Our goal: to discuss the benefits and risks of various diets in a non-confrontational manner with pet owners. CONCERNS: 1. Public health risks 2. Foreign body complications 3. Nutritional imbalances which could lead to health risks. 4. Health risk to infectious disease

Public health risks Raw meat carries a greater risk of carrying pathogens such as Salmonella and E.coli and even viruses such as Rift Valley Fever. If a pet doesnt show any clinical signs of disease it could act as a carrier that contaminates the environment. This environmental contamination can then cause illness and disease in young children, other pets and immune compromised people. Things to keep in mind if a pet owner would like to prepare and feed raw foods to their pets: - Food and water bowls must be sterilized after every meal and be removed immediately. - Separate fridge or storage area so that raw food doesnt come in contact with food used for human consumption. - Contact areas where food is prepared must be cleaned immediately and should have a dedicated chopping board. - Raw meat must be thawed in a fridge. - No young children or babies in the house - No old or immune compromised people in the house - Also no old or immune compromised pets in the house - Faeces must be removed promptly and hands washed if any contact Foreign body complications Intestinal Obstructions, gastrointestinal perforations, gastroenteritis, constipation and fractured teeth are some of the complications seen in animals that consume raw bones. Nutritional imbalances which could lead to health risks To formulate a completely balanced diet at home could be a challenge, which might result in some imbalances which could be detrimental to health, especially in young growing animals. One study indicated low Calcium and phosphorus content and had an unbalanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratios in some of the BARF diets. Other imbalances included iron, zinc, manganese, Magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin E and Vitamin A. Deficiencies could lead to secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism (calcium) dermatoses (zinc) or anaemia (iron). Where as excessive nutrients could cause developmental orthopedic conditions(calcium) hypercalcaemia(vitamin D) or interference with bioavailability of other minerals(zinc). To high Vitamin E could have a negative effect on the immune system.

Health risk to infectious disease Some pro-barf diet advocates argue that dogs are more resistant to bacteria than humans, but to our knowledge this has not been proven to be true, in fact the scientific literature reviews indicate the opposite is more likely the case. If raw diets are not prepared under the correct circumstances exposure to harmful microbes could be a serious threat for pets.

References:
1. J. Scott Weese DVM DVSc DipACVIM Infectious Disease Risks of Feeding Raw Diets. 24th Annual ACVIM 2006 Louisville, KY 2. Lisa M. Freeman DVM, PHD, DACVN and Kathryn E. Michel DVM, MS, DACVN. Evaluation of raw food diets for dogs. JAVMA, Vol 218, No. 5, March 1, 2001 3. Daniel J. Joffe, Daniel P. Schlesinger. Preliminary assessment of the risk of Salmonella infection in dogs fed raw chicken diets. CanVet J Volume 43, June 2002 4. FDA. U.S Food and Drug Administration. Guidance for industry: manufacturing and labeling of raw meat foods for companion and captive non companion carnivores and omnivores, May 18, 2004