The Vet Record magazine has just published a study that alerts to the existence of high levels of bacteria in products prepared from the BARF diet for dogs. Among the bacteria found are Salmonella , Campylobacter and Enterobacteriaceae . In addition, they not only pose a danger to the furry but can affect people who live with them, mainly babies, the elderly and the immunosuppressed.
What is the BARF diet?
The BARF diet means Biologically Prepared Raw Food in Spanish and basically consists of giving the dog or cat raw meat and offal. Proponents of this type of diet claim that it is what the ancestors of dogs ate , making it ideal for dogs. They also claim that it causes fewer food allergies than feed and that it improves the immune system, teeth, skin and coat of pets. However, the BARF diet poses a great risk to the animal since raw meat in commercial preparations is not heat treated or freeze-dried to pasteurize it. This carries a clear microbiological risk .
The study
For the study, the researchers analyzed 60 packages of raw meat products that they purchased from different stores within a 200 km radius of the laboratory in Uppsala, Sweden between March and September 2017. These BARF diet preparations contained raw meat, bones and Edible organs of cow, chicken, lamb, turkey, pork, duck, reindeer or salmon. Some also contained vegetables, plant fiber, and minerals.
The analyzed samples came from 10 different manufacturers in England, Germany, Sweden, Norway and Finland. The results confirmed that all contained Enterobacteriaceae species such as E. coli , which indicates fecal contamination and also refers to hygiene standards. More than half of them, 52%, contained levels that exceeded the maximum established by the European Union of 5,000 bacteria per gram. Although most of the identified species do not cause infections, E.coli does and was found in approximately one third of the samples.
Salmonella species that can be harmful to people and animals and are also prohibited in any animal feed product, were found in 7%. Those of Campylobacter , very sensitive to freezing, were found in only three samples from three different manufacturers. The authors point to the possibility that these bacteria were present in more samples before they were frozen.
Recommendations if you want to give your pet a BARF diet
If you have decided to feed your pet with the BARF diet, we recommend that you buy the meat you give it at the butcher shop and be suitable for human consumption . The people in charge of the study propose, in this sense, to freeze the meat until the moment of being used and to defrost it at 10ºC; keep it separate from other foods and reserve some kitchen utensils only to handle this meat or wash them very well if they are to be used in other family foods.
We will also have to be careful that the dog does not give us a lick right after eating. In addition, it is not advisable to feed a BARF diet to a dog that is taking antibiotics as it could increase the risk of resistance to them.
The last recommendation is, before starting on your own, ask your vet since it may be necessary to include supplements or food to meet the nutritional needs of the pet.
