The FDA has issued Safety Guidance with regard to the use of raw

This FDA  guidance is published in the Federal Register and  gives safety and nutrition information. The reason for the FDA action  was due to the upswing in  raw  dog food diets and the fact that dog owners may not be aware of the nutritional and safety issues.

It is the finding of the FDA that raw dog food diets are not new and in fact have been used by dog racing facilities for many years.

 

Now the trend toward raw dog food for companion dogs presents new challenges as these dog owners may be unaware of the possible  danger of using raw meat dog food.

 

One of the problems is that raw meat diets are classified as “foods” and as such does not need pre-marketing approval or certification.

 

The FDA goes on to state that data  “… from commercial raw meat pet foods are sparse, the potential for risk to public health from such products is significant given the microbiological results from studies of ingredients that could compose such products….”.

 

There is the danger of contamination from bacteria as well as potential harm that can be caused to the dogs teeth and gastrointestinal system if bone is ingested with the raw meat.

 

Further risks exist with regard to the possibility of  raw meat dog food contamination and associated disease. These risks exist  as a result of  transportation, distributors and retailers. The FDA recommends minimizing these risks by the use of irradiation and proper transport and storage.

 

So the FDA has chimed in and the question remains. Is  a raw meat diet safe food for your dog? Maybe and maybe not. It depends on a variety of factors such as the as the source and health of the slaughtered food animal, the conditions of transport,  and storage both pre and post sale.

 

Absent Federal legislation which has to date failed to materialize and protect dogs from the potentially unsafe and toxic additives and ingredients in commercial dog food, I would be hesitant to risk it.

 

It is imperative that every dog owner know exactly what his or her dog is eating, what the ingredients are and whether it is safe.

 

Ultimately the choice is yours. If you are feeding  your dog commercial dog food  you must become familiar with what is in the  commercial dog food you buy.

 

You can’t wait for a law to protect you. You must become educated in this area. Your dog’s life may depend on it !