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Feeding dogs a trendy raw meat diet poses a public health risk due to a threat from potentially dangerous superbugs, according to scientists.
Giving uncooked meat to pets has grown in popularity because owners believe it mimics a natural canine diet and is better than cooked or processed pet food.
But researchers have uncovered evidence that some raw dog food products contain bacteria resistant to many types of antibiotics commonly used to treat illness in humans.
All 14 samples of raw dog food tested contained drug-resistant forms of Enterococcus, a type of bacteria found in animals’ intestines.
Tests on samples of 41 other dog foods, including wet food, dry food and treats, found only three contained antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus, but 16 had ‘non-superbug’ strains of the bacteria.
Researchers have uncovered evidence that some raw dog food products contain bacteria resistant to many types of antibiotics commonly used to treat illness in humans. Picture: Stock
Normally harmless if confined to the gut,
