Dogs Fed With Raw Meat Have Antibiotic-Resistant E.coli and Other Bacteria That May Be Passed to Humans

Two new studies from researchers in the UK revealed an association between frequently feeding dogs with raw meat and the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Science Daily reported that the studies suggest that pets fed with raw meat were more likely to have bacteria resistant to important antibiotics.

A team from the University of Bristol led the two studies that showed that a raw meat diet for dogs may not be the best choice for them. A previous study showed that there is a potential that the bacteria can be transmitted from pet dogs to their human owners through everyday interaction. They warn that owners should be careful handling raw meat and always clean up after their pets.

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Dogs Fed With Raw Meat More Likely to Have Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria That May Be Passed to Humans

The Link Between Raw Meat Diet and Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

The recent study titled "Molecular Ecology and Risk Factors for Third-Generation Cephalosporin-Resistant Escherichia coli Carriage by Dogs Living in Urban and Nearby Rural Settings," published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, investigated adult dogs and found links between feeding pet dogs with raw meat and excreting antibiotic-resistant E. coli.

The results support their study, titled "Evidence That Fecal Carriage of Resistant Escherichia coli by 16-Week-Old Dogs in the United Kingdom Is Associated With Raw Feeding," conducted earlier this year and published in the journal One Health that also investigated 16-week-old puppies who were given a raw meat diet. Both studies demonstrate that pet dogs poop showed antibiotic-resistant bacteria regardless of their age and length of time being fed with raw meat.

Researchers explained that E. coli is a widespread bacterium found in the intestines of humans and animals. But it is more known as a cause of many diseases, such as urinary tract infection (UTI) that can cause sepsis and other serious illness that may spread all over the body.

They remind pet owners to do everything to reduce the spread of antibiotic-resistant E.coli and other bacteria. The results from the two studies add to the increasing evidence that a raw meat diet for dogs does not help with this objective and is not advisable.

Professor Kristen Reyher from the Bristol Veterinary School and co-author of the studies noted that the bacteria found in pets may also be well in their owners, so they encourage them to practice good hygiene and not feed their pets raw food.

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Location May Also Contribute to Having Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

According to the Center for Infectious Research and Policy (CIDRAP) from the University of Minnesota, the environment in which dogs live plays a part in the potential of having antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Researchers found a strong link between rural dogs and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, while city-dwelling dogs have a more complicated risk factor that reflects the variety of lifestyles and exposure in the urban setting.

The team recruited a total of 823 dogs, wherein 223 were puppies in the first study and the rest 600 adult dogs in the second study. Owners were asked to complete a questionnaire about the diet and environment of their dogs and provided researchers with some fecal samples.

They conducted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and whole genome sequencing on the E.coli found in the fecal samples and compared them with the samples from people on dairy farms.

They found that E.coli strains found in rural dogs were similar to those found in cattle but were non-existent in humans. On the other hand, E.coli in urban dogs were common in humans but is rarely found in cattle and rural dogs.

The results show a strong association between rural dogs being fed raw meat, and urban dogs playing or swimming in a river. These connections indicate the presence of antibiotic-resistant E.coli could depend on the dog's environment.