Research published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice (JSAP) has revealed that UK dogs eating raw meat diets have a higher risk of Salmonella and antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli being found in their faeces than dogs fed cooked food. 

For the research1, 190 faecal samples were collected from dogs in 140 households (114 samples from raw fed dogs and 76 from non-raw fed dogs).

Salmonella species was detected in 4% of the samples (all raw fed) and antimicrobial-resistant E. coli was detected in 40% of all dogs, but in 62% of raw fed dogs.

The authors say that statistical analysis confirmed that this represented a significantly higher prevalence of AMR E. coli, including multidrug resistance and third generation cephalosporin resistance, and Salmonella species in dogs fed raw compared to non-raw meat diets.

The authors concluded that strategies should be implemented to increase the awareness of the risks of feeding raw meat diets to dogs, to reduce any potential risk to owners, their families, and their pets.

Nicola Di Girolamo, Editor of JSAP says: “In this study, an association between raw meat diets in dogs and faecal carriage of potentially dangerous enteric bacteria has been observed.

"Readers should keep in mind that cross-sectional studies such as this one lay the basis for additional research more suited to prove causality.”

Reference

  1. Groat, E.F., Williams, N.J., Pinchbeck, G., Warner, B., Simpson, A. and Schmidt, V.M. (2022), UK dogs eating raw meat diets have higher risk of Salmonella and antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli faecal carriage. J Small Anim Pract, 63: 435-441. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13488 

PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vets.