Journalist Emmet Frazier of the publication The Nation doesn’t like raw pet food…at all. In his recent post he bashes raw pet food from multiple different angles.
“You may not think raw food for cats and dogs could be harmful, but new cases suggest these brands and their evangelists could be putting your pets at risk.”
“…raw pet food—and the conspiracy-fueled wellness universe that drives it…”
Linked to raw pet food he states:
“In December of 2024, at least five cats in Oregon and Los Angeles died of bird flu…”
“In Colorado, 11 cats came down with the flu after being exposed to raw poultry or pet food…”
Based on data provided by the USDA, from May 2022 through April 22, 2025 there have been 136 cases of domestic cats diagnosed with avian flu. While Mr. Frazier attempts to link most of these cases to raw pet food, Freedom of Information Act documents tell a different story.
TruthaboutPetFood.com filed public records requests with each state the USDA has reported a case of avian flu in a domestic cat. In the greatest majority of cases, the records we received indicated that cats were exposed to avian flu from farm life; exposure to infected wild birds, infected dairy cattle. Yes, some of the sick cats were exposed to infected raw pet food (all of the pet foods involved sourced USDA inspected and passed meats). But in one State, it appeared cats (raccoons and skunks) died from avian flu linked to a dry (kibble) cat food.
Received from our public records request from Texas, quoting an email dated 3/25/25 from and to various state representatives of Texas Department of Agriculture and Texas Department of Health:
“A visit was made to the Hereford property on Saturday 3/15/2025 to further investigate the situation regarding the four positive HPAI cats.
There was a flock of grackles present. As per the owners, the grackles come and go.
Three peacocks and a rooster were present and appeared fine.
The beef cattle were moved from the area (near the barn) to different area when the skunks began to die.
The owners appreciated raccoons dying +/- 1 month ago, followed by the four skunks, then the cats en mass.
These animals have been seen eating from the communal bag of cat food.
…with no dead birds being found on the farm.”
These records from Texas seem to indicate that this particular outbreak of avian flu was linked to that “communal bag of cat food.” The records indicated that these cats died from avian flu NOT linked to raw pet food and NOT linked to infected wild birds, the records indicate these cats (raccoons and skunks) died from avian flu infected dry cat food.
And then journalist Emmet Frazier of The Nation travels down the raw pet food pathogenic bacteria risk path. Sharing “Given the risks, it’s not surprising that the FDA, CDC, and American Veterinary Medical Association all discourage feeding pets a raw diet.”
But…when you look at the data from FDA Enforcement Reports…
Since January 1, 2012 – 2,019,350 pounds of raw pet food has been recalled for pathogenic bacteria.
Since January 1, 2012 – 158,079,008 pounds of kibble pet food has been recalled for pathogenic bacteria.
FDA statistics confirm, significantly more dry pet food has been found contaminated with pathogenic bacteria than raw pet food.
In fact, the FDA issued CPG Sec. 690.700 Salmonella Contamination of Dry Dog Food (now withdrawn) that stated:
“In a case involving salmonellosis diagnosed in a mother, daughter and the family dog, the Milwaukee Health Department traced the cause to a dry dog food, and a recall resulted. Following the recall, *CVM* initiated an abbreviated inspection and analytical survey of a representative number of manufacturers of finished dry dog food products to explore an industry claim that it is an impossibility to manufacture this type of product without Salmonella contamination.“
This particular journalist mistakenly tried to single out raw pet food as the only pet food risk on the market. The truth is…there are risks associated with all styles of pet food.
Opinion: While I do agree with this journalist in his perspective that staff cuts at FDA could result in greater risks of adulterants/contamination in pet food – I disagree that raw pet food is the ONLY style of pet food that might cut corners with little FDA oversight.
It is beyond disappointing when anyone singles out one style of pet food as the highest risk, while ignoring the facts of all styles of pet food. As well, it is downright insulting when a journalist calls educated pet owners conspiracy theorists.
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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Susn
April 25, 2025 at 1:39 pm
Those of us that feed raw and very picky as to what the animals are eating. Even their treats are not from a garbage company. I wish people would pay attention to what is in kibble. I have been raw feeding my dogs for 20 years and not one problem. My dogs live longer and DO NOT GO TO THE VET for illness. I also believe that raw feeders look for alternatives to shoving a pill done the throat when there are hundreds of homeopathic remedies. I think the problem is too much time to think and too much garbage posted by non educated people that they just take the lazy route. My dogs are very healthy and I would never change. Although I buy my main food for a co-op made by a butcher, it is scary when people start to raw feed with looking into it and just throw stuff in a bowl. It has to be balanced.
Marsha
April 25, 2025 at 1:39 pm
I’m sorry but I find that this man needs to really check out everything before he opens his mouth! I’m tired of people saying things that they have no knowledge of!
Marsha
April 25, 2025 at 1:40 pm
I’m tired of people saying things that they have no knowledge of!
Barbara Fellnermayr
April 25, 2025 at 3:04 pm
This “reporter” has intentionally misquoted the facts and probably eats highly processed food himself. He’s probably never had a real home-made meal!
It is impossible to produce pet food without salmonella when you use/store/process meat improperly.
I’d put my food up against any dry kibble on the market. I’d put my dog up against any kibble fed dog!
what a crock! Not worth the bytes it took to write it!