Coming sizzling on the heels of our report on voluntary remembers by some uncooked cat meals firms because of potential fowl flu contamination following the loss of life of an indoor cat late final yr, the FDA has issued a recall of one other uncooked cat meals product. Wild Coast Uncooked Boneless Free Vary Hen System Uncooked Pet Meals examined optimistic for the extremely pathogenic pressure of avian flu, H5N1.
Whereas the recall is proscribed to particular batches of this meals, it as soon as once more raises the query of the protection of feeding our cats a uncooked meals weight loss program.
There is no such thing as a doubt that there are vital well being advantages to offering cats with a weight loss program that’s wealthy in prime quality, entire meals substances, however proof suggests – and the FDA agrees – that the dangers related to feeding cats raw meat are too excessive to justify the perceived benefits.
Over time, cat meals, and pet meals normally, has undergone an attention-grabbing evolution. It began with off-cuts and leftovers of meat and fish, till we realized that there was extra to a feline weight loss program than simply muscle meat. Then cat meals progressed to extra processed formulations of moist and dry meals, whose high quality might have left one thing to be desired, however the stability of vitamins was enhancing. Enter the age of veterinary authorised, premium meals, tried, examined, and tried once more to make sure we may forestall, handle, even deal with well being situations by way of weight loss program alone, albeit a weight loss program so closely processed that it not resembles meals. Disillusioned by the tasteless look of those in any other case ideally suited diets, some pet meals firms and homeowners have gone again to fundamentals, with a extra nutritionally full model of the uncooked meat menu. Others have gone one step additional, taking these kinds of contemporary, entire substances to create wholesome, balanced, evenly cooked meals that present all the advantages and attraction of a minimally processed weight loss program, with the added security of cooking to reduce pathogen danger.
What Are the Dangers of Uncooked Feeding?
Feeding cats a uncooked meals weight loss program, if executed accurately, can present nourishment and enrichment by giving them every thing they want together with the attention-grabbing smells and textures related to uncooked substances. The issue is that the identical pathogens that make uncooked meat harmful for people are simply as harmful for our pets. Uncooked meat, regardless of how rigorously dealt with and ready, carries the chance of being contaminated by pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, botulinum toxin, and now, fowl flu, a few of that are lethal, others merely debilitating, and all of which might be eradicated by heating meals to a temperature of 165oF.
Whereas many closely processed pet meals depend on ultraheat remedies to eradicate pathogens and protect the meals, light cooking and quick freezing of meals can obtain the identical outcomes, with minimal depletion of vitamins. It does take away bones from the secure record of meals gadgets, however it is a small value to pay to maintain our family members secure.
What Are the Indicators of Fowl Flu in Cats?
Though the probabilities that your cat shall be contaminated with H5N1 are nonetheless very low, the chance is there. Cats that turn into contaminated with fowl flu might exhibit a variety of scientific indicators, together with:
- fever
- lethargy
- low urge for food
- reddened or infected eyes
- discharge from the eyes and nostril
- problem respiratory
- neurological indicators, e.g. tremors, stiff physique actions, seizure, lack of coordination, or blindness
Sadly, fowl flu is commonly deadly in cats, so in case you are in any doubt, contact your vet and test together with your meals provider to ensure they’re screening each batch.
How one can Scale back Your Cat’s Danger
There are a selection of steps you may take to attempt to decrease your cat’s danger of coming into contact with fowl flu, like preserving them indoors, taking steps to stop looking in outside cats, and naturally, not feeding uncooked meat.
If in case you have a provide of cat meals already and don’t need it going to waste, you may prepare dinner meat merchandise, utilizing a meat thermometer to make sure that the middle reaches a minimum of 165°F. Take away any bones, as cooking will trigger them to turn into brittle and danger inner injury, and be sure you deal with all uncooked meat with gloves, and at all times wash palms totally with an antibacterial cleaner when completed.
Sure, the concept of feeding our cats a menu that extra intently resembles their pure, ancestral weight loss program does have its attraction, however it’s price remembering that the anticipated lifespan of a cat residing off the land is lower than half that of the common indoor kitty. Our cats have been domesticated over hundreds of years, and we owe it to them to supply them with meals that’s wholesome, nutritious, and above all, secure.
Featured Picture Credit score: Svyatoslav Balan, Shutterstock
