BARF and trichinosis

[Vicky Whitney]

Mary, I'm sorry to take so long responding to your question about the potential of contracting trichinosis through feeding raw pork meat and bones -- I wanted to look into it a bit. Now I'm behind with my digests, and hope I'm not being redundant.

The general consensus on NaturalBerners about the danger of our dogs contracting trichinosis from raw pork is that it is only a small risk. Years ago, when most commercial pork was fed raw garbage, trichinosis was a problem. Today, with most commercial pork being fed either grain or cooked garbage, and with the widespread use of antibiotics in the feed, the incidence of this parasitic infestation is very low. Cooking it definitely kills it, and freezing raw meat for several days can kill spores, but it is recommended that freezing be at no higher than -13 degrees F. for 10 days.

People and dogs can also contract trichinosis from a wide variety of wild game meats. (I feed raw wild elk, antelope, bison, and deer meat here in Montana, but I will NOT feed bear meat to my dogs.)

People and dogs can carry trichinella cysts but not be clinically affected.

Most us who feed BARF or another raw diet do feed raw pork products, many of whom have done so for many years, and I was unable to find a single incidence of trichinosis reported on either the Berner list or another raw list I belong to. I guess we do so, knowing it's a risk, because we feel that the benefits to health and teeth significantly outweigh a minimal risk. What are the risks of having a dog annually anethasized to have his teeth cleaned, or the risks of systemic infections or diseases contracted because of tooth and gum disease?

Raw pork feet is another good "raw meat/bone" product I forgot to mention (I haven't fed that, as I can only find smoked pork feet), as they require more chewing than some chicken parts.

Again, I don't want to start an inferno over dog diets, intending only to BRIEFLY answer a question about cleaning dogs' teeth and BARF. Join us at the NaturalBerners list if you'd like to learn more.

Vicky Whitney in Bozeman, Montana




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