FSA caution to dog owners over little-known pet food dangers

FSA caution to dog owners over little-known pet food dangersPeople have been told that it could cause some dangers many may not be aware ofCommentsLifestyleSophie Buchan Money and Lifestyle Writer11:44, 07 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesExperts have warned owners to be careful(Image: Getty)Dog owners have been warned to be very careful with not only what they feed their dog, but also how they serve it.‌One common option is feeding your pet raw food, which is becoming more popular online. But according to Food Standards Agency (FSA) raw pet food, especially raw meat, can carry harmful bacteria that cooking would normally eliminate.‌It explains: "Raw pet food is pet food that is made up of unprocessed or uncooked meat, offal and raw bone. It sometimes includes other uncooked ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, oils, nuts, seeds and raw eggs added. It may not always be obvious that products contain raw meat.‌View 3 ImagesSome food may be dangerous of not handled right(Image: Getty)"Raw pet food, particularly meat, may contain pathogens or bacteria that could cause illness that would normally be killed during the cooking process. Feeding raw pet food introduces extra risks, not just to your pet’s health but also to people in your household."Even with careful handling, raw pet food carries a higher risk of cross-contamination than other types. Harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella can spread through the food or the pet, and infected pets may pass these infections to their owners, the experts stress.‌Reasons some use raw foodExperts at PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals) explain that many owners choose raw diets because they believe they’re more "natural", but there’s no scientific evidence that they’re better than traditional pet food, it claims. It says: "Owners who feed their dogs or cats a raw diet often claim that they see a lot of good changes in their pet."This can range from a glossier coat and more energy, to less...