Journalist Emmet Frazier of the publication The Nation doesn’t like uncooked pet meals…in any respect. In his latest submit he bashes uncooked pet meals from a number of totally different angles.
“You might not suppose uncooked meals for cats and canines may very well be dangerous, however new instances recommend these manufacturers and their evangelists may very well be placing your pets in danger.”
“…uncooked pet meals—and the conspiracy-fueled wellness universe that drives it…”
Linked to uncooked pet meals he states:
“In December of 2024, at the very least 5 cats in Oregon and Los Angeles died of chicken flu…”
“In Colorado, 11 cats got here down with the flu after being uncovered to uncooked poultry or pet meals…”
Primarily based on knowledge supplied by the USDA, from Could 2022 via April 22, 2025 there have been 136 instances of home cats recognized with avian flu. Whereas Mr. Frazier makes an attempt to hyperlink most of those instances to uncooked pet meals, Freedom of Data Act paperwork inform a special story.
TruthaboutPetFood.com filed public information requests with every state the USDA has reported a case of avian flu in a home cat. Within the biggest majority of instances, the information we acquired indicated that cats had been uncovered to avian flu from farm life; publicity to contaminated wild birds, contaminated dairy cattle. Sure, a number of the sick cats had been uncovered to contaminated uncooked pet meals (all the pet meals concerned sourced USDA inspected and handed meats). However in a single State, it appeared cats (raccoons and skunks) died from avian flu linked to a dry (kibble) cat meals.
Acquired from our public information request from Texas, quoting an e mail dated 3/25/25 from and to varied state representatives of Texas Division of Agriculture and Texas Division of Well being:
“A go to was made to the Hereford property on Saturday 3/15/2025 to additional examine the state of affairs relating to the 4 constructive HPAI cats.
There was a flock of grackles current. As per the house owners, the grackles come and go.
Three peacocks and a rooster had been current and appeared wonderful.
The meat cattle had been moved from the realm (close to the barn) to totally different space when the skunks started to die.
The house owners appreciated raccoons dying +/- 1 month in the past, adopted by the 4 skunks, then the cats en mass.
These animals have been seen consuming from the communal bag of cat meals.
…with no lifeless birds being discovered on the farm.”
These information from Texas appear to point that this specific outbreak of avian flu was linked to that “communal bag of cat meals.” The information indicated that these cats died from avian flu NOT linked to uncooked pet meals and NOT linked to contaminated wild birds, the information point out these cats (raccoons and skunks) died from avian flu contaminated dry cat meals.
After which journalist Emmet Frazier of The Nation travels down the uncooked pet meals pathogenic micro organism danger path. Sharing “Given the dangers, it’s not shocking that the FDA, CDC, and American Veterinary Medical Affiliation all discourage feeding pets a uncooked eating regimen.”
However…whenever you take a look at the info from FDA Enforcement Stories…
Since January 1, 2012 – 2,019,350 kilos of uncooked pet meals has been recalled for pathogenic micro organism.
Since January 1, 2012 – 158,079,008 kilos of kibble pet meals has been recalled for pathogenic micro organism.
FDA statistics verify, considerably extra dry pet meals has been discovered contaminated with pathogenic micro organism than uncooked pet meals.
In actual fact, the FDA issued CPG Sec. 690.700 Salmonella Contamination of Dry Canine Meals (now withdrawn) that acknowledged:
“In a case involving salmonellosis recognized in a mom, daughter and the household canine, the Milwaukee Well being Division traced the trigger to a dry pet food, and a recall resulted. Following the recall, *CVM* initiated an abbreviated inspection and analytical survey of a consultant variety of producers of completed dry pet food merchandise to discover an business declare that it’s an impossibility to fabricate this kind of product with out Salmonella contamination.“
This specific journalist mistakenly tried to single out uncooked pet meals as the one pet meals danger in the marketplace. The reality is…there are dangers related to all types of pet meals.
Opinion: Whereas I do agree with this journalist in his perspective that employees cuts at FDA might end in larger dangers of adulterants/contamination in pet meals – I disagree that uncooked pet meals is the ONLY model of pet meals which may minimize corners with little FDA oversight.
It’s past disappointing when anybody singles out one model of pet meals as the very best danger, whereas ignoring the info of all types of pet meals. As properly, it’s downright insulting when a journalist calls educated pet house owners conspiracy theorists.
Susan Thixton
Pet Meals Security Advocate
Creator Purchaser Beware, Co-Creator Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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