Pet Raw Diets, Avian Influenza Risks...Scientific Controls Needed

The “natural diet,” which involves feeding pets raw foods such as unpasteurized milk and raw meat, has become popular in recent years. While some brands claim that a raw diet boosts a pet's natural immunity, the scientific evidence is lacking.

Cats, in particular, are highly susceptible to the H5N1 avian influenza virus, which can have a 50% fatality rate if contracted through a raw diet. In fact, there have been several cases of H5N1 infection and death in cats in the United States and elsewhere that were fed raw diets.

Raw food can harbor viruses and bacteria, increasing the risk of infection not only for pets but also for people living with them. Experts, including the American Veterinary Medical Association, warn that there is no scientific basis for the health benefits of raw diets and that they could pose a public health risk.

As a result, there is an urgent need for scientific and systematic management of raw pet food, including strengthening safety standards, mandatory pathogen testing, and vaccination. For environmentalists and concerned citizens, safe pet food choices and policy attention are necessary for pet health and public health.

Raw pet food increases risk of H5N1 avian influenza infection

Raw pet foods, such as unpasteurized milk and raw meat, increase the risk of H5N1 avian influenza infection in pets.

Cats are particularly susceptible to H5N1, with a 50% fatality rate.

Recent cases of H5N1 infection and death in cats fed raw diets have been reported in the United States and elsewhere.

The health benefits of raw diets have not been scientifically proven, and they pose a potential public health threat.

Experts emphasize the need for scientific control, including increased safety standards, pathogen testing, and vaccination.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is raw pet food?

A1. A raw diet is the feeding of unprocessed foods to pets, such as raw meat and raw milk, that have not been sterilized or heat treated.

Q2. Why is raw food dangerous?

A2. Viruses and bacteria, including H5N1, can survive in raw food, increasing the risk of infection for both pets and humans.

Q3. What is H5N1 avian influenza?

A3. H5N1 is a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus that can infect not only birds, but also mammals such as cats, and has a very high fatality rate.

Q4. Are the health benefits of raw feeding scientifically proven?

A4. To date, there is a lack of scientific evidence that raw pet food is beneficial to pet health, and many believe it increases the risk of infection.

Q5. What is the policy response to raw pet food?

A5. Experts emphasize the need for scientific and systematic management of raw pet food, including strengthening safety standards, mandatory pathogen testing, and vaccination.

#pet reproductive advisory

#avianinfluenza

#h5n1risk

#publichealth

#environmentandpet

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