Interesting discussions regularly arise between supporters and opponents of the raw feeding methods for dogs and cats based on BARF, NRV or KVV. In addition, it is sometimes claimed that giving raw meat to dogs and cats has absolutely no risk of infection and disease from Salmonella. Is this really the case or should we be more careful?
What is Salmonella?
Salmonella is a gram-negative rod-shaped bacteria found in the normal intestinal flora of poultry, cattle, pigs, reptiles and pets. They are very resistant and can survive in organic material for up to two years.
Salmonella in humans
When we think of Salmonella, most people know that it can make us very sick. For example, by not eating enough chicken meat or by eating lettuce that has been cut on a cutting board on which the raw meat has been cut in advance. So people are quite sensitive to an infection with Salmonella and can get quite sick from it. The most common symptoms in humans are complaints of vomiting and diarrhea after eating contaminated food.
Salmonella in dogs and cats
That infection and disease by Salmonella never occurs in dogs and cats is absolutely a myth. After all, this bacteria is a normal inhabitant of the colon. Various studies have investigated how many dogs and cats are healthy carriers of this bacteria. It has been found that the percentage of healthy carriers in the dog varies between 0 and 36% and that in the cat this varies between 0 and 20%. Although Salmonella disease is not seen as often in dogs and cats as in humans, it does occur occasionally in these animals. In that case the disease is mainly caused by non-host specific Salmonella ?? s. Contaminated food usually acts as a source of infection. That the acidic environment of the stomach in the dog or cat would make it completely impossible for a Salmonella germ to survive that is also a myth. A fat-rich substrate is in fact able to protect the germ during its passage through the stomach. In this way, even low germs can still allow colonization of the intestines.
After reaching the intestine, the infection progresses in several stages. The first phase consists of colonization in which the germ attaches to the epithelial cells of the intestine. Whether or not the infection takes hold and leads to clinical disease then depends on various factors. Firstly, the serotype or strain with which an animal is infected is important and the infection pressure also plays a role. Furthermore, the condition of the normal intestinal flora is important. Salmonellosis develops more easily when the intestinal flora is disturbed, for example during long-term antibiotic therapy or fasting. Age also plays a role. Very young animals are usually more sensitive, partly due to the fact that they do not yet have a stable intestinal flora. Situations that reduce resistance also increase the risk of disease after an infection with Salmonella, such as during stress, pregnancy and illness.
In the second phase, the intestinal invasion takes place, in which the epithelial cells of the intestine are damaged and inflammatory cells are attracted to the intestinal tissue. This then results in (bloody) diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain. The Salmonella germs are absorbed by special inflammatory cells, the so-called macrophages. The intention is that the germ is then killed, but the germ can escape from it and even multiply in these cells, after which the released germs can infect new cells.
The third phase is also called the systemic phase because the germ has managed to reach the bloodstream at this stage. The complaints are then formed by fever, anorexia and hyperacute death. The Salmonella germ can also reach other organs through the blood, such as the lungs, joints, bones, liver and brain.
Most animals do not shed the germ for longer than 1 to 4 months after experiencing Salmonellosis. However, some dogs and cats can remain germ carriers for life. Under the influence of stress or illness, these animals can again excrete Salmonella germs via the faeces.
Whether or not to use raw meat food for dogs and cats?
Dogs and cats can therefore in theory by eating raw meat an infection with Salmonella and become ill. Could this be a reason to conclude that it is bad to feed your dog or cat raw meat? No, fortunately that is not the case. Despite the risk of infection, most dogs and cats fed raw meat do not show disease. This can probably be explained by the immune build-up that develops after repeated exposure to Salmonella. In general, dogs and cats that are on a raw food are in perfect condition and there is no reason at all to make the Salmonella problem in feeding raw meat more than necessary. But of course the risk cannot be completely excluded. With the knowledge about Salmonella, it is also important to take a number of other things into account:
Hygiene in connection with the risk of human contamination
Treat the raw food for your dog or cat hygienically. After all, we humans, especially children and the elderly, are very sensitive to an infection with Salmonella. If you prepare the raw meal for your pet, you should then wash your hands and the materials used well. In addition, do not leave meat that is not eaten by your dog or cat for too long.
Research has also shown that dogs that eat raw meat excrete more Salmonella germs through their faeces. In that case, as a person, of course also handle your pet’s faeces hygienically. That goes without saying, but studies have shown that 3% of Salmonella infections in humans are caused by contact with pets.
In certain situations, do not give raw meat to your dog or cat
Because very young dogs and cats are susceptible to disease after infection with Salmonella, it is better not to give raw meat to these animals. Even in situations where the animal’s resistance is reduced, such as in the case of illness, use of antibiotics and stress, it is better not to give raw meat as a precaution.