Evaluation of bacterial and protozoal contamination of commercially available raw meat diets for dogs
Open accessAbstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate bacterial and protozoal contamination of commercially available raw meat diets for dogs. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 240 samples from 20 raw meat diets for dogs (containing beef, lamb, chicken, or turkey), 24 samples from 2 dry dog foods, and 24 samples from 2 canned dog foods. PROCEDURE: Each product was purchased commercially on 4 dates approximately 2 months apart. Three samples from each product at each sampling period were evaluated via bacterial culture for non-type-specific Escherichia coli (NTSEC), Salmonella enterica, and Campylobacter spp. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on selected isolates. Polymerase chain reaction assays were used to detect DNA from Cryptosporidium spp, Neospora spp, and Toxoplasma spp in samples obtained in the third and fourth sampling periods. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-three of 288 (53%) samples were contaminated with NTSEC. Both raw and prepared foods contained NTSEC during at least 1 culture period. Salmonella enterica was recovered from 17 (5.9%) samples, all of which were raw meat products. Campylobacter spp was not isolated from any samples. In 91 of 288 (31.6%) samples, there was no gram-negative bacterial growth before enrichment and in 48 of 288 (16.7%) samples, there was no aerobic bacterial growth before enrichment. Susceptibility phenotypes were variable. Cryptosporidium spp DNA was detected in 3 samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bacterial contamination is common in commercially available raw meat diets, suggesting that there is a risk of foodborne illness in dogs fed these diets as well possible risk for humans associated with the dogs or their environments.
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Surveys in Europe and North America have consistently found Salmonella species in a proportion of raw pet food samples, typically of fresh-frozen commercial diets.
“Surveys in Europe and North America have consistently found Salmonella species in a proportion of samples, typically of fresh‐frozen commercial diets.”
From Raw diets for dogs and cats: a review, with particular reference to microbiological hazards. (2019) · cites this paper as Strohmeyer et al. 2006
The Results report Salmonella enterica in 17 of 240 raw-meat diet samples, and the Diets passage says the commercial products were received frozen. This supports the finding for the products tested, but the paper does not establish that surveys across both Europe and North America have consistently found it. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredResearchers sampling raw pet foods from commercial outlets have commonly noted that package warnings about preparation and hygienic handling are absent.
“It has been noted by researchers sampling raw pet foods from commercial outlets that package warnings about preparation and hygienic handling of these pet foods are commonly absent (Finley et al. 2006, Strohmeyer et al. 2006, Mehlenbacher et al. 2012, Bojanic et al. 2017, van Bree et al. 2018) and that packaging may be defective and leaky (Bojanic et al. 2017).”
From Raw diets for dogs and cats: a review, with particular reference to microbiological hazards. (2019) · cites this paper as Strohmeyer et al. 2006
In the Processing for microbial culture passage (page not available), the authors say none of the sampled raw-meat products came with thawing or preparation instructions. Our copy does not say whether the packages carried warnings about hygienic handling, so it supports the preparation portion but not that additional detail. (LLM, conf=0.85)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredSerovars isolated in studies and surveillance of ingredients and raw food for pets or working dogs are diverse.
“Serovars isolated in studies and surveillance of ingredients and raw food for pets or working dogs are diverse (Strohmeyer et al. 2006) and include those considered to be of particular significance for human salmonellosis (Chengappa et al. 1993, Finley et al. 2008, Mehlenbacher et al. 2012, Bacci et al. 2019).”
From Raw diets for dogs and cats: a review, with particular reference to microbiological hazards. (2019) · cites this paper as Strohmeyer et al. 2006
Surveys of raw pet foods in North America have reported proportions of Salmonella-positive samples ranging between 7.1%, 8%, 9%, 20% and 21%.
“Surveys of raw pet foods in North America (generally frozen and obtained through commercial outlets) have reported proportions of Salmonella‐positive samples ranging between 7.1% (Strohmeyer et al. 2006), 8% (Nemser et al. 2014), 9% (Mehlenbacher et al. 2012), 20% (Weese et al. 2005) and 21% (Finley et al. 2008).”
From Raw diets for dogs and cats: a review, with particular reference to microbiological hazards. (2019) · cites this paper as Strohmeyer et al. 2006
Higher prevalence values of E. coli-positive samples have been found among commercial raw pet foods when compared with conventionally processed foods.
“Higher prevalence values of E. coli‐positive samples have been found among commercial raw pet foods when compared with conventionally processed foods (Strohmeyer et al. 2006, Freeman et al. 2013)”
From Raw diets for dogs and cats: a review, with particular reference to microbiological hazards. (2019) · cites this paper as Strohmeyer et al. 2006
Campylobacter were not isolated from approximately 300 samples taken from raw food products in various recent studies in the USA and Canada.
“Campylobacter were not isolated from approximately 300 samples taken from raw food products in various recent studies in the USA and Canada (Weese et al. 2005, Strohmeyer et al. 2006, Lenz et al. 2009)”
From Raw diets for dogs and cats: a review, with particular reference to microbiological hazards. (2019) · cites this paper as Strohmeyer et al. 2006
DNA of Cryptosporidium (but not Toxoplasma or Neosporum) was found in a small minority of raw and canned foods in the USA.
“Similarly, DNA of Cryptosporidium (but not Toxoplasma or Neosporum) was found in a small minority of raw and canned foods in the USA (Strohmeyer et al. 2006).”
From Raw diets for dogs and cats: a review, with particular reference to microbiological hazards. (2019) · cites this paper as Strohmeyer et al. 2006
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“Raw food diets also carry a public health risk due to contamination with pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Campylobacter spp. (Weese et al. 2005; Strohmeyer et al. 2006; Schlesinger and Joffe 2011).”
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“than other studies (10, 36, 37), and a lower detection rate for L.”
Result2019 AAFP Feline Zoonoses Guidelines
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“were found when evaluating the bacteriological quality of commercial raw canine diets [25] or raw meat diets [26].”
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“For instance, both commercial and homemade raw foods often present contamination with Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica [58], are usually nutritionally imbalanced (e.”
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“In a study to evaluate protozoan contamination of commercially available raw meat diets for dogs, Cryptosporidium sp. DNA was detected in three samples using PCR assays ( Strohmeyer et al. 2006 ).”
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“Moreover, several other pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella enterica and Campylobacter spp. have been mainly linked to contact with high-moisture foods such as raw meat [16, 17].”
BackgroundSalmonella bacteriuria in a cat fed a Salmonella-contaminated diet.
Fauth, E., Freeman, L., Cornjeo, L., Markovich, J. E., Janecko, N., & Weese, J. (2015) · Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association · doi:10.2460/javma.247.5.525 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
“However, the fact that the recall rate does not mirror study reports 12,14,17,24 indicating high contamination rates may be because consumers or veterinarians do not associate illnesses potential contamination, because the market share for commercially available RMBDs is more limited than for dry…”
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“, Toxoplasma and Cryptosporidium, which can cause illness in people (Weese et al., 2005; Lenz et al., 2009; Strohmeyer, 2006).”
BackgroundResultZoonotic Risks of Sleeping with Pets
Zanen, L. A., Kusters, J., & Overgaauw, P. (2022) · Pathogens · doi:10.3390/pathogens11101149 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
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“Several studies reported the contamination of these diets and their ingredients with pathogenic bacteria (Freeman and Michel, 2001; Weese et al., 2005; Strohmeyer et al., 2006; Finley et al., 2008).”
BackgroundInsights into Commercial Pet Foods
Raditic, D. (2021) · Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal Practice · doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2021.01.013 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Hiney, K. M., Sypniewski, L. A., DeSilva, U., Pezeshki, A., Rudra, P., Goodarzi, P., Willis, E. L., & McFarlane, D. (2024) · Frontiers in Veterinary Science · doi:10.3389/fvets.2024.1328513 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Morgan, G., Pinchbeck, G. L., Taymaz, E., Chattaway, M. A., Schmidt, V. M., & Williams, N. J. (2024) · Frontiers in Microbiology · doi:10.3389/fmicb.2023.1301841 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“…prevalence of Salmonella spp. contamination in RMD in studies in Europe, Canada and the USA is wide ranging, from 4 to 25% (Weese et al., 2005; Strohmeyer et al., 2006; Mehlenbacher et al., 2012; Nemser et al., 2014; Hellgren et al., 2019; Nüesch-Inderbinen et al., 2019), therefore the…”
BackgroundInfluentialClinical health markers in dogs fed raw meat-based or commercial extruded kibble diets
Hiney, K. M., Sypniewski, L. A., Rudra, P., Pezeshki, A., & McFarlane, D. (2021) · Journal of Animal Science · doi:10.1093/jas/skab133 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Evaluation of two raw diets vs a commercial cooked diet on feline growth
Hamper, B. A., Bartges, J., & Kirk, C. (2017) · Journal of feline medicine and surgery · doi:10.1177/1098612x16634388 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
BARF (Biologisch Artgerechte Rohfütterung) als Ernährungsform bei Hunden
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Singh, I., Tucker, L., Gendall, P., Rutherfurd-Markwick, K., Cline, J., & Thomas, D. G. (2011) · New Zealand Veterinary Journal · doi:10.1080/00480169.2011.567967 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Massetti, L., Traub, R. J., Rae, L., Colella, V., Marwedel, L., McDonagh, P., & Wiethoelter, A. (2023) · One Health · doi:10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100587 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Anti‐microbial resistance of Salmonella isolates from raw meat‐based dog food in Japan
Yukawa, S., Uchida, I., Takemitsu, H., Okamoto, A., Yukawa, M., OHSHIMA, S., & Tamura, Y. (2022) · Veterinary Medicine and Science · doi:10.1002/vms3.739 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“Specifically, studies from the United States and Canada have reported Salmonella in 5–21% of RMBD samples (Finley et al., 2008; Lenz et al., 2009;Nemser et al., 2014; Strohmeyer et al., 2006;Weese et al., 2005).”
BackgroundResultBeining, M. W., Hartmann, M., Luebke-Becker, A., Guenther, S., Schaufler, K., Hille, K., & Kreienbrock, L. (2023) · Animals · doi:10.3390/ani13040584 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“coli-positive samples have been found among commercial raw pet foods when compared with conventionally processed foods [68,69].”
The Nutrition and Natural History of the Serval (Felis serval) and Caracal (Caracal caracal)
Livingston, S. E. (2009) · Veterinary Clinics of North America Exotic Animal Practice · doi:10.1016/j.cvex.2009.01.017 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Ramovic, E., Madigan, G., McDonnell, S., Griffin, D., Bracken, E., NiGhallchoir, E., Quinless, E., Galligan, A., Egan, J., & Prendergast, D. M. (2020) · Irish Veterinary Journal · doi:10.1186/s13620-020-0156-2 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Linguatula serrata in an imported dog in Germany: Single-case or emerging disease?
Berberich, M., Grochow, T., Roßner, N., Schmäschke, R., & Rentería-Solís, Z. M. (2022) · Veterinary Parasitology Regional Studies and Reports · doi:10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100717 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Current Evidence on Raw Meat Diets in Pets: A Natural Symbol, but a Nutritional Controversy
Lyu, Y., Wu, C., Li, L., & Pu, J. (2025) · Animals · doi:10.3390/ani15030293 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
“Moreover, approximately 60% of commercial RMBDs have been found to be contaminated with Escherichia coli [95–103].”
Post-operative Salmonella surgical site infection in a dog.
Kent, M., Boozer, L. B., Glass, E. N., Sánchez, S., Platt, S. R., & Freeman, L. M. (2017) · PubMed Central · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Escherichia coli pathotype contamination in raw canine diets.
Gibson, J. F., Parker, V., Howard, J. P., Snell, C., Cross, E., Pagliughi, L. B., Diaz-Campos, D., Winston, J., & Rudinsky, A. (2022) · American Journal of Veterinary Research · doi:10.2460/ajvr.21.10.0166 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
The raw deal: clarifying the nutritional and public health issues regarding raw meat-based diets
Lumbis, R. H., & Chan, D. L. (2015) · The Veterinary Nurse · doi:10.12968/vetn.2015.6.6.336 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Survey of Toxoplasma gondii in Taipei: Livestock Meats, Internal Organs, Cat and Dog Sera
Fuh, Y.-B., Liao, A. T., Pong, Y.-M., Tung, M.-C. T., Fei, C.-Y., & Lin, D.-S. (2013) · The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine · doi:10.56808/2985-1130.2448 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Biliary protozoa in a dog with acute cholangiohepatitis fed a raw food diet
Allan, F., Blake, D., Miller, Z., & Church, D. (2022) · Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine · doi:10.1111/jvim.16565 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Marchetti, V., Macchioni, F., Gori, E., Venco, L., & Papini, R. A. (2023) · Open Veterinary Journal · doi:10.5455/ovj.2023.v13.i8.12 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“…transmission of foodborne bacteria and parasites in dogs feeding on this diet and in humans sharing the same environment has been well documented (Strohmeyer et al., 2006; van Bree et al., 2018; Davies et al., 2019; Bottari et al., 2020), including two case reports of L. serrata in dogs…”
BackgroundFeline Care in the Animal Shelter
Griffin, B. (2012) · doi:10.1002/9781119421511.ch10 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Raw diets for dogs and cats: Potential health benefits and threats.
Główny, D., Sowińska, N., Cieślak, A., Gogulski, M., Konieczny, K., & Szumacher-Strabel, M. (2024) · Polish journal of veterinary sciences · doi:10.24425/pjvs.2024.149344 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“Bacterial or parasitic contamination may be noticed less frequently in pet foods because it is not inspected in the same way as animal products meant for human consumption (Strohmeyer et al. 2006).”
BackgroundNutritional evaluation of raw meat and whole prey diets for domestic and exotic cats
Kerr, K. R. (2012) · Illinois Digital Environment for Access to Learning and Scholarship (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) · Cited by 7 · see citing works
How to talk to clients about giving raw food diets to their dogs and cats
Wales, A. D., & Davies, R. (2021) · In Practice · doi:10.1002/inpr.128 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Luisana, E., Saker, K. E., Jaykus, L., & Getty, C. M. (2022) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0259478 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“coli and Salmonella [12], exacerbates these concerns.”
Steinecker‐Quast, J., Osmann, C., & Liesegang, A. (2023) · Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition · doi:10.1111/jpn.13887 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Kazimierska, K., Biel, W., Witkowicz, R., & Karakulska, J. (2024) · Applied Sciences · doi:10.3390/app14020760 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Dietary hyperthyroidism in a Rottweiler
Cornelissen, S., Roover, K. D., Paepe, D., Hesta, M., Vandermeulen, E., & Daminet, S. (2014) · Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift · doi:10.21825/vdt.v83i6.16629 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“Other similar investigations found evidence of Escherichia coli, Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium species (Lucas et al., 1999; Weese et al., 2005; Strohmeyer et al., 2006).”
ResultRAW MEAT-BASED DIET (BARF) IN DOGS AND CATS NUTRITION
Brozić, D., Mikulec, Ž., Samardžija, M., Đuričić, D., & Valpotić, H. (2020) · ВЕТЕРИНАРСКИ ЖУРНАЛ РЕПУБЛИКЕ СРПСКЕ · doi:10.7251/vetjen1902314b · Cited by 5 · see citing works
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“9% [32], 12% [33], 20% [10], to 80% [34].”
Guptill, L. C. (2015) · Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal Practice · doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2014.11.010 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Lindinger, S., Bauer, S., Dicakova, Z., Pilz, B., & Paulsen, P. (2023) · Animals · doi:10.3390/ani13121987 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“This was higher than the results for muscle-based RMBDs [21] in Austria (7.3%).”
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Adelantado, C., López, S., Inglada, R. P., Vilaseca, L., & Torras, M. D. L. Á. C. (2008) · Biotechnology(Faisalabad) · doi:10.3923/biotech.2008.725.731 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Nichols, G. L. (2007) · CRC Press eBooks · doi:10.1201/9781420052275.ch4 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
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Food Standards Agency, Jorgensen, F., Kesby, M., Aranega-Bou, P., Willis, C., Aird, H. C., Lai, S., Fearnley, C., Oun, M. A., Puddicombe-Coles, B., et al. (2026) · FSA research and evidence. · doi:10.46756/001c.155340 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
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“…bacteria in raw pet food diets, which poses a risk not only to pets but also to their owners who handle these products (Groat et al., 2022; Hellgren et al., 2019; Jones et al., 2019; Nemser et al., 2014; Ramos et al., 2022; Reimschuessel et al., 2017; Solı´s et al., 2022; Strohmeyer et al., 2006).”
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Human exposure to Salmonella spp from dog food containing raw meat – systematic review
dos Reis, J. S., Santos, D. C. D. O., Gomide, L. B., Ogoshi, R. C. S., Pereira, L. J., & Zangerônimo, M. G. (2017) · Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science · doi:10.11606/issn.1678-4456.bjvras.2017.129264 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Commercial and Home‐Prepared Diets
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“Additionally, handling, preparation and storage of raw diets may inadvertently facilitate indirect human exposure to different parasites at home [6 – 8].”
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Cryptosporidiosis and Cyclosporiasis
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Self-citationCAMPYLOBACTER: A BRIEF REVIEW OF ITS CAUSES, DIAGNOSTIC APPROACHES AND PREVENTION
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- Authors
- Strohmeyer, R. A., Morley, P. S., Hyatt, D. R., Dargatz, D. A., Scorza, A. V., & Lappin, M. R.
- Affiliations
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (US)
- Venue
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Published
- 2006-02-15
- Volume
- 228
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 537-542
- ISSN
- 0003-1488 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2161516957
- Cited by
- 133
- References
- 16
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 6.97
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiology
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Food Safety and Hygiene
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biotechnology › Listeria monocytogenes in Food Safety
- Keywords
- raw meat diet, dogs, bacterial contamination, protozoan parasites, Salmonella enterica, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, Neospora, Toxoplasma, antimicrobial susceptibility, food poisoning, canine nutrition, dry dog food
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Animal Feed, Bacteria, Consumer Product Safety, Dogs, Food Contamination, Food Microbiology, Longitudinal Studies, Meat, Prospective Studies, Colony Count, Microbial, DNA, Protozoan, Food Parasitology, Eukaryota
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Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
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