Out of concern forhuman health, VetPet Box does not recommend feeding raw or freeze dried raw meat food or treat products without first learning bout the risks.
We understand that some people prefer to feed their pets these types of food products, but since there are noprovenadded health benefits to feeding a raw meat diet, it's difficult to justify the health risks that these foods can pose to people and pets.
We hope that if people do choose to make the decision to feed their pets a raw diet that they are well informed, so that they understand the potential risks to their precious pets and family members.
Raw and freeze-dried raw meat food products can be contaminated with bacteria (E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria, just to name a few) and parasites.
These pathogens can be passedfrom animal to humanand have the potential to cause life-threatening illness.
Raw and freeze-dried raw meat food products have the potential tocontaminate the home, especially in food prep and feeding areas (like the kitchen), and the yard (or any other place fecal material is found).
Apet’s mouth and salivacan also serve as asource of contaminationto people (especially children and the elderly) and other pets in the home.
This is especially problematic with pets that serve as therapy animals to people that are immunocompromised (hospital patients and nursing home residents).
It has been estimated that 40% of immunocompromised people have a pet that lives in the home with them.
Some pathogens can be shed in an animal’s feces for several days after ingestion, even if the animal is not showing any signs of illness.
The American Veterinary Medical Association, The American Animal Hospital Association, The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association have all adopted statements discouraging feeding raw or undercooked animal- source proteins to dogs and cats.
If you do choose to feed your pet these products, pleaselet your veterinarian know as they may want to implement additional screening throughout the year as a part of your pet’s wellness routine.
Check out what the following organizations have to say on the subject here: