Isolation of Salmonella species of public health concern from commonly fed dried meat dog treats.

BACKGROUND: Dried non-heat-treated meat treats, such as ears, skin and tails, are popular supplementary dog foods. Previous studies have demonstrated Salmonella spp. contamination on treats, particularly in pig ears and chicken products. This small, exploratory, cross-sectional study investigated Salmonella spp. presence in dried treats available in the UK. METHODS: A selection of dried treats from local pet shops and online retailers underwent bacterial culture for Salmonella spp. and subsequent antimicrobial susceptibility testing, with Salmonella serotype determined by whole genome sequencing. RESULTS: Eighty-four samples were tested, with 16% being Salmonella spp. positive. Five Salmonella serotypes were identified, each associated with specific treat types. An antimicrobial-resistant phenotype was identified in 39% of isolates. All serotypes identified are known to cause human infection. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by a small sample size and limited number of retail sources. CONCLUSION: Salmonella spp. of public health concern were present in some dried dog treats in this study. Dog owners, pet food retailers and veterinary professionals should be aware of the potential zoonotic disease risk associated with these treats, and appropriate hygiene measures, including thorough hand washing, should be utilised if they are fed.

An investigation of the presence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Enterobacteriaceae in raw and cooked kibble diets for dogs in the United Kingdom.

Raw meat diets (RMD) for dogs are an increasingly popular alternative pet food choice, however studies worldwide have demonstrated them to be contaminated with zoonotic and antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria, including bacteria resistant to critically important antibiotics. Despite this, few data exist surrounding the presence of these bacteria in RMD in the United Kingdom. The present study aimed to identify the most commonly selected RMD and non-raw diets (NRMD) by United Kingdom dog owners. Additionally, it investigated the presence of AMR-Enterobacteriaceae in samples of pre-prepared RMD and cooked commercial kibble dog foods. An online survey investigating diet preferences of United Kingdom dog owners was open for 6 weeks between February-March 2020. From this, the top 10 brands of pre-prepared raw and cooked kibble diets were ascertained and 134 samples purchased (110 RMD, 24 kibble) and subjected to microbiological testing. Bacterial enumeration of E. coli and other Enterobacteriaceae was undertaken, and the presence of Salmonella spp. and AMR-E. coli within samples determined. Whole genome sequencing was undertaken on Salmonella spp. and third-generation cephalosporin-resistant 3GCR-E. coli isolates. Pre-prepared RMD was most commonly selected by dog owners who fed RMD, and cooked commercial complete dry food was most frequently fed by owners who fed NRMD. Damaged and leaking packaging was observed in samples of RMD, alongside variability in information provided surrounding product traceability. Counts of E. coli and other Enterobacteriaceae exceeding >5,000 CFU/g were identified in samples of RMD. AMR-, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing and 3GCR-E. coli was isolated from 39, 14 and 16% of RMD samples, respectively. Multiple antimicrobial resistance genes were identified in 3GCR-E. coli isolates. Of the ESBL encoding genes, blaCTX-M-15 was most commonly identified. S. enterica was isolated from 5% of RMD samples. No Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from any of the cooked kibble samples. The present study suggests that pre-prepared RMD available for dogs in the United Kingdom can be contaminated with zoonotic and AMR-Enterobacteriaceae. RMDs, therefore, are potentially an important One Health concern. Veterinary and medical professionals, pet food retailers and pet owners should be aware of these risks; and stringent hygiene measures should be practiced if owners choose to feed RMD.

A Dog's Dinner: Factors affecting food choice and feeding practices for UK dog owners feeding raw meat-based or conventional cooked diets.

INTRODUCTION: Food selection is an area of dog ownership where owners have direct control over their pet's wellbeing. While commercial cooked complete foods remain the majority component of many dog diets, there is increasing interest in alternative options including natural and raw ingredients. This study aimed to provide further data regarding feeding practices and diet choice for UK dog owners with a focus on raw meat diets. METHODS: An online survey available to all UK dog owners and advertised through sources including social media and at Crufts was conducted from February to March 2020. Feeding practices and diet choice were assessed, and owners were categorised as either feeding a raw meat diet (RMD) or non-raw diet (NRMD) based on their responses. Descriptive, univariable and multivariable data analyses were undertaken to determine dog and owner factors associated with feeding RMD, and thematic analysis was undertaken on free-text responses. RESULTS: A total of 1831 owners completed the survey (915 RMD, 916 NRMD) detailing information for 3212 dogs (1754 RMD, 1458 NRMD). Dog breed (German Shepherd), Border Collie, Crossbreed (p < 0.001), entire neuter status (p < 0.001) and younger age (p 0.022) were associated with RMD feeding. RMD-feeding owners were likely to own > 1 dog (p < 0.001). RMD-feeding owners were more likely to cite a 'more natural' diet as a reason for their diet choice, and less likely to cite 'advice from a veterinary professional' compared to those who fed NRMD (p < 0.001). They were more likely to seek dietary advice from social media, friends/family and breeders rather than a veterinary surgeon/nurse (p < 0.001). RMD-feeding owners perceived their diet choice to provide a wide range of health benefits, including for coat health, oral hygiene, general digestive system health, anal sac clearance, mobility, performance and behaviour, and perceived NRMD as a health risk for most of these health factors (p < 0.001). NRMD-feeding owners perceived RMD to be a risk for bone splinters and foreign bodies (p < 0.001). RMD-feeding owners did not perceive diet to be a risk to their dog, themselves or in-contact dogs or people. In contrast, NRMD-feeding owners perceived the opposite (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Factors affecting dog food selection are multifactorial and complex, with owners who feed RMD and those who feed NRMD having differing views. Further research regarding benefits and risks of different diets is required, however it remains vital that communication regarding the public health risks of RMD is seen as credible to owners and disseminated in a way that reaches the desired audience.