Lesson: Bacteria & The Risks Of Raw Feeding

Bacteria & The Risks Of Raw Feeding

Carnivores, are built to handle a large amount of bacteria. They are carnivores so it makes sense that they should be able to handle bacteria.  Carnivores even contain bacteria in their guts (we call this "gut-flora") . Even us humans, contain bacteria in our guts.  Bacteria is everywhere, whether it be good bacteria or bad bacteria. Good bacteria aids digestion and even helps the body in many unique ways. Bad bacteria or even Normal bacteria may cause havoc by becoming overgrown, and begin competing with the good bacteria.

A good example: Air or bubbles in the bowel movements (stool) can mean that there is a gut or flora imbalance and that gas producing bacteria are overgrown and competing with the healthier flora.

For the case of this lesson, I am speaking more on the "negative/bad bacteria" side of things, since that is the main concern that we raw feeders are faced with when it comes to family, vets and so on.

Back onto the topic of ferrets. They can handle a great deal of bacteria when it comes to diet, most are not susceptible to salmonella and efficiently pass it without infection and kibble fed ferrets are even known to shed salmonella in their stools.

A ferrets digestive system is very short (only 3-4 hours) so that leaves no time for the salmonella which needs 12-72 hours, or even e.coli, which needs 3-4 days (72 - 96 hours) to incubate. That makes it highly unlikely that these illnesses would affect the ferret. Its not impossible, just very very very very very very unlikely. If carnivores were not designed for handling a wide range of bacteria, we would be seeing a whole lot more issues not only in animals who are domesticated, but their wild counterparts also.

For more information in regards to Bacteria, I recommend you check out this file from HFF.
It is a long read, so you can read it when ever you would like to. 

As for humans, the risk is there. When ever you are faced with the concerns about bacteria and raw feeding, its more humans that is the concerns, rather than the animal. However as long as you take simple precautions, it would be highly unlikely that you, or those around you would get sick.

To prevent any bacterial contamination, be sure to throughly clean anything that may come into contact with raw foods. Things such as: Shelves, Counter tops, Refrigerators, Freezers, Utensils, Sponges, Towels, etc.

It is especially important to wash all utensils and your hands with soap and hot water after handling one food and before handling another. This helps prevent cross-contamination in which, for example, bacteria in raw meat could be transferred to other foods, such as vegetables. It would be wise to use a different board for cutting different foods such as produce and meat. Wash cutting boards with hot, soapy water after each use; then rinse and air dry or pat dry with fresh paper towels.

Note: Do not use tea-towels or towels for drying as those are perfect for cross contamination and easily spread bacteria from one place to another.

Most raw feeders, feed human grade meat and as we all know already, Human grade meat is less likely to be contaminated with something like salmonella or E.coli than lets say, commercial raw pet food. Not saying it's 100% safe, because it can happen even with human grade, but human grade is a lot safer than pet grade because the handling and inspection of the meat intended for human consumption is a lot more strict. 
A majority of the time, commercial raw pet food, is classed as pet grade meat. Forget the "Organic" this or "Human grade" that, If Its commercial pet food, its most likely containing pet grade pet food somewhere in it.

“To date, raw pet foods have not been associated with salmonellosis in humans. ”

According to Dr. Becker, Pet owners have been feeding raw diets to their dogs and cats for decades, yet to date, not one documented case of raw pet food causing illness in humans has been reported.