The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) along with the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) have both recently come out and advised against feeding your pets raw or undercooked diets. Pet Dominion is AAHA accredited, and we have decided to heed this advice. We will no longer accept raw or undercooked diets for pets staying in our lodging facility (with the exception of freeze-dried diets). Dr Bassett weighs in on the ruling from the AVMA and AAHA and the policy change here at Pet Dominion below.
Why We’ve Decided to Become a Raw-Free Lodging Facility
By Dr. Michael Bassett, Medical Director
Raw diets have become very popular in recent years. The recent amendment passed by the AVMA, taking a negative stance on raw diets for pets, has drawn much criticism from many corners. While it is true that raw diets are natural for wild canines and felines, it is also true that the wild relatives of our pets have a much shorter lifespan and lead a very different lifestyle.
The AVMA resolution consists of four simple proposals:
1. Avoid feeding inadequately treated animal- source proteins to cats and dogs.
2. Restrict cats’ and dogs’ access to carrion and animal carcasses (e.g. while hunting).
3. Provide fresh, clean, nutritionally balanced and complete commercially prepared or home-cooked food to cats and dogs and dispose of uneaten food at least daily.
4. Practice personal hygiene (e.g. hand washing) before and after feeding cats and dogs, providing treats, cleaning pet dishes and disposing of uneaten food.
The concerns here are direct infection to the pets and those handling the uncooked food from pathogens such as E-Coli, Salmonella, Camphylobacter, Clostridia, Staphlococci and many others. Additionally, there is the real concern that pets fed a raw diet may develop a sub-clinical infection that can be passed on to other pets and humans. There is an even greater risk to the very old, the very young and immune-compromised individuals. There is also a concern that feeding an unbalanced diet can cause other health problems for your pets.
It is our policy here at Pet Dominion, for the safety of the pets here and our staff, to not feed raw diets with the exception of commercial freeze-dried diets
Please do not bring us bags of raw chicken, beef, pork or fish to feed your pet while he or she is here.