OVMA Handbooks
Issue link: https://publications.ovma.org/i/1284509
OVMA 420 Bronte Street South, Suite 205, Milton, Ontario L9T 0H9 T. 905.875.0756 or 1.800.670.1702 (toll-free) F. 905.875.0958 or 1.877.482.5941 (toll-free) info@ovma.org www.ovma.org 28 Raw Meat Based Diets for Pets P o sitio n Statem ent - OVM A OVMA accepts the evidence for potential health risks to pets fed raw meat-based diets (RMBDs), and to humans who are in contact with RMBDs, or with pets fed RMBDs. OVMA holds that the documented scientific evidence of potential animal and public health risks in feeding RMBDs outweighs any perceived benefits of this feeding practice. Summary: • There are multiple peer-reviewed studies documenting risks to animals and in-contact humans resulting from pathogens, toxins and physical hazards in RMDS fed to pets. • Although recent data show that raw homemade diets may have some increased digestibility, this feature is not attributable specifically to the raw nature of the diet. • OVMA highly recommends that veterinarians counsel owners wishing to feed RMBDs on the potential risks to people and pets. • OVMA strongly recommends that veterinarians consult with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist before recommending a home prepared cooked diet that will be fed on a long- term ongoing basis. Background: 1. RMBDs consist of uncooked ingredients that are derived from domesticated or wild- caught food animal species and fed to dogs or cats living in home environments. These diets can be "home-prepared," "commercially prepared" or "commercially available using HPP (high pressure pasteurization)" (1). 2. Commercially prepared RMBDs may be fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried and sold commercially for domestic cats and dogs. Some of these diets meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Dog or Cat Food Nutrient Profiles; however, others do not have the AAFCO designation (2,3). Non-AAFCO-designated diets should not be fed as primary balanced diets. Commercial RMBDs are often manufactured in facilities or industrial kitchens, and then packaged into smaller volumes for purchase. 3. Given that the meat used for RMBDs is not designated for human consumption, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) does not require or uphold any specific