Homemade Diets Research Articles

Homemade Diet as a Paramount for Dogs' Health: A Descriptive Analysis.

Pet nutrition awareness has risen enormously, with an increasing interest in homemade diets aimed at controlling food composition. The literature in this field is scarce, especially regarding the homemade diet's long-term effects on pathological conditions. This prospective study encompassed 167 healthy and sick dogs subjected to a customized dietary plan based on homemade food. After an initial visit, dog owners provided questionnaires with follow-up data on their perceptions of physical sign changes or symptom modifications. A total of 104 (62%) subjects maintained the homemade diet, while 63 reverted to their previous diet. The median follow-up was 14 months. Out of 31 healthy dogs that continued the nutritional plan, 70% exhibited improvements in their coat condition and 47% a decrease in evacuation frequency. Regarding weight loss goals, 67% of dogs achieved their target. The 67 pathological dogs that completed the follow-up were primarily affected by gastrointestinal and dermatological disorders. Dogs with chronic enteropathy improved their symptoms in 95% of the cases, subjects with dermatological pathologies in 83%, and patients presenting both disorders in 100%. These clinical results are promising. Personalized and well-balanced homemade diets noticeably enhanced the overall pet's health, with an almost complete remission of symptoms in pathological dogs.

Risk perception and food safety practices among Slovenian pet owners: does raw meat feeding of pets make a difference?

Commercially produced and home-made raw meat-based pet diets are becoming increasingly popular and have been recognised as an emerging public health risk by the European Food Safety Authority. The aim of this study was to investigate risk perceptions and self-reported pet food preparation practices in the home setting among pet owners who feed raw meat-based diet to pets. An online questionnaire was distributed to pet owners through social media groups. Ultimately, 750 respondents were included in the detailed analysis, divided into two subgroups, a “raw group” consisted of pet owners who provided raw meat-based diets for pets (n = 382), while the “conventional group” consisted of pet owners who did not (n = 368). There was no significant difference between the two groups in overall risk perception. Only one third of respondents in both groups were aware of the potentially fatal consequences of food poisoning. Self-reported frequency of hand washing, and surface cleaning, were significantly higher (p = 0.000) in the raw group than the conventional group. Food safety malpractices were noted in the raw feeding group, with 47% reporting to rinsing raw peat meat before preparing it, and 42% thawing frozen raw peat meat at room temperature on the kitchen counter. The results provide information on the prevalence of feeding raw meat to pets among Slovenian pet owners and provides the basis for developing tailored food safety education campaigns to improve risk awareness and provide food safety recommendations for pet owners providing raw meat-based diets for pets in Slovenia.

What Is the Cost of Weight Loss? An Approach to Commercial (Dry and Wet) and Homemade Diets.

In the context of the rising prevalence of obesity among pets, this study aimed to assess the economic aspects of weight reduction protocols for dogs and cats, considering the lack of information and the varying costs of commercial and homemade diets. The results indicated an average weekly weight loss rate of 1.02% for dogs and 0.92% for cats, with a reduction in body fat mass (p < 0.005). The cost analysis included an evaluation of both dry and wet commercial prescription diets as well as homemade diets. The results unveiled higher expenses associated to wet commercial diets, followed by homemade and dry commercial diets (p < 0.001). The study demonstrated that despite the initial investment, the long-term benefits of weight loss, including improved health and reduced financial burdens for owners, justify the expenses incurred. This comprehensive analysis provides veterinarians and pet owners with valuable insights into the economic considerations of weight reduction protocols, facilitating informed decision making and promoting pet well-being.

Storage and time course effects on the quality of oil extracted from Phyllanthus amarus Schumach and Annona muricata Linn and their antidiabetic potentials.

With the advent of modern technology, advancements in processing and storage techniques, and increasing medical knowledge, people are becoming aware of deterioration in the quality of medicinal products due to storage methods and time. In most cases, herbal products are not consumed immediately after production; as such, improper storage can result in physical, chemical, and microbiological changes. The study evaluated the effect of storage methods and time on the quality of oil extracted from Phyllanthus amarus Schumach and Annona muricata Linn and assessed their antidiabetic and antioxidative effects. Plants were air-dried, pulverized, and then subjected to Soxhlet extraction in petroleum ether. The oil was evaluated for phytochemical constituents and the effects of time and storage methods on its physicochemical properties. Characterization of the oil was done by spectroscopic techniques. Oils from both plants contained tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, glycosides, terpenoids, phlobotannins, resins, reducing sugar, phenols, and saponins in different proportions. The oil from A. muricata had higher phenolic (3.11 ± 0.31 mg GAE/g), flavonoid (11.82 ± 0.08 mg QUE/g), alkaloid (16.37 ± 0.56 mg APE/g), and tannin (7.13 ± 0.47 mg CE/g) contents than the oil from P. amarus, which had 0.54 ± 0.08 mg GAE/g, 7.83 ± 0.13 mg QUE/g, 9.87 ± 0.15 mg APE, and 3.16 ± 0.12 mg CE/g for total phenolic, flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins, respectively. Initial acid, iodine, peroxide, and saponification values recorded for P. amarus were 5.63 ± 0.82 mg KOH/g, 97.17 ±0.53 Wijis, 9.31 ± 0.15 mEq/kg, and 116.11 ± 0.74 mg KOH/g, respectively, significantly different from those of A. muricata , which had values of 1.17 ± 0.08 mg KOH, 76.23 ± 0.03 Wijis, 6.75 ± 0.47 mEq/kg, and 193.31 ± 0.52 mg KOH/g, respectively. FT-IR characterization of the oils revealed the presence of carboxylic acid, alkyl, alkene, alkane, haloalkane, aldehyde, aromatic amine, α-unsaturated and β-unsaturated esters, and phenol functional groups. P. amarus oil inhibited α-amylase (IC50 0.17 ± 0.03 mg/ml), α-glucosidase (IC50 0.64 ± 0.03 mg/ml), and xanthine oxidase (0.70 ± 0.01 mg/ml) to a greater extent than A. muricata oil, with IC50 values of 0.43 ± 0.05 mg/ml (α-amylase), 2.25 ± 0.31 mg/ml (α-glucosidase), and 0.78 ± 0.07 mg/ml (xanthine oxidase). This study showed that oils from the tested plants have low rancidity with a moderate shelf life. The extracts contained essential phytoconstituents that significantly inhibited α-glucosidase and xanthine oxidase. These effects of the oil indicate their potential to prevent diabetes, gout, and oxidative stress. Consequently, the supply of P. amarus and A. muricata in homemade diets is strongly encouraged for healthy living.

Effect of hulled Cannabis sativa L. seeds in a home-made diet for adult dogs

Homemade diets integrated with functional ingredients may help to ensure that companion animals have a good life quality given the rise in their average lifespan. This study investigates the effects of a complete and well-balanced homemade diet supplemented with hulled hemp seeds. Twelve adult dogs divided into two groups: CTRL, fed the basal diet and HEMP, fed the diet integrated hulled Cannabis sativa L. seeds (4 g/100g of ration) were enrolled in the trial. The following samples were collected: (a) individual faecal samples to assess the diet digestibility through an indirect method of acid-insoluble ash; b) blood samples to evaluate the oxidative state through an OXI adsorbent test; and c) rectal swabs for intestinal microbiota analysis (alpha- and beta-diversity and taxonomy). The results reveal that with respect to the commercial diet used in this study, our homemade diet increased the total and protein digestibility (total: 53.97 ± 2.54% and 58.20 ± 2.58%; p < .030; protein: 70.54 ± 2.01% and 82.78 ± 5.35%; p < .001). The change in diet positively altered the microbiota structure and increased beta-diversity index significantly (p < .010). The hemp seeds significantly (p < .001) reduced the oxidative stress in the serum. This study highlights how hemp increases the body’s defences and that a homemade diet promotes diversity in the gut microbial population.

Homemade diets for pets: reasons, risks and rewards

Requests for homemade diets are becoming more common in general practice. It is essential that general practice veterinarians understand the advantages, drawbacks and risks of these diets to facilitate evidence-based discussions in the consult room. In the veterinary literature, it has been shown that many clients are choosing to feed homemade diets without consulting a qualified veterinary nutritionist. This may put their pets at risk of nutrient deficiencies. Calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D deficiencies appear to be common as evidenced by selected case studies. In this article, an overview is given of current homemade diet use in general practice, answers to why clients are interested in using them and how to have better discussions with clients about their use.

Weight measurements result in improved accuracy and precision in preparation of cooked homemade diets for dogs.

Accurate measurement of ingredients for cooked homemade diets helps ensure diets are complete and balanced. Studies have demonstrated measuring dry dog food with measuring cups results in significant inaccuracy. Therefore, measuring ingredients by volume when preparing these diets may be inaccurate. The purpose was to determine the accuracy of preparing cooked homemade diets by measuring ingredients by volume (measuring cups and spoons) or weight (digital gram scale with a syringe for measuring oil only). 42 diet samples prepared by 21 participants. 21 participants were instructed on homemade diet preparation based on weight or volume measurement methods. Diet samples underwent proximate analysis and mineral analysis. Data, expressed on a dry matter basis (DMB) and an energy density basis (EDB), from both groups were compared to the anticipated nutrient profile to determine which method resulted in more accuracy. Data from individual samples within each group were compared to each other to determine the precision of both methods. Weight measurements were more precise for crude protein, crude fat, nitrogen-free extract, and potassium (DMB and EDB) and more accurate for ash (DMB and EDB) and iron (EDB). Comparatively, volume measurements were more precise for ash (DMB) and more accurate for iron (DMB). Findings suggest weight measurements should be utilized to prepare cooked homemade diets for dogs to promote precision and accuracy.

Environmental impact of diets for dogs and cats

Food production is responsible for almost one-quarter of the environmental impact and, therefore, its importance regarding sustainability should not be overlooked. The companion animal population is increasing, and an important part of pet food is composed of ingredients that have a high environmental impact. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of dry, wet, and homemade pet diets on greenhouse gas emission, land use, acidifying emission, eutrophying emissions, freshwater withdrawals, and stress-weighted water use. The wet diets were responsible for the highest impact, and dry diets were the type of diet that least impacted the environment, with a positive correlation between the metabolizable energy provided by animal ingredients and the environmental impact. It is necessary to consider the environmental impact of pet food since it is significant, and the population of pets tends to increase.

Commercial vs Homemade Cat Diets: What you need to know.

A feeding plan recommendation for cats, both healthy and with disease, should include diet choice, amounts to feed and the feeding method. Diet choice can be complex owing to the abundance of products, sometimes with conflicting marketing messages, and the prevalence of information with no scientific basis. It is important to be aware of the specific challenges of both commercial and homemade diets. Moreover, a nutritional assessment is a prerequisite when recommending a diet to ensure that it is safe, appropriate for the cat's life stage and nutritious for long-term feeding. There are a variety of commercial diets available, allowing considerable customisation. These products are regulated and can be tested to determine nutritional adequacy and safety, although as the industry is partly self-regulated, choice of manufacturer is important. Properly formulated homemade diets can be customised to the patient and are a good option when no commercial product that meets the patient's needs exists. Homemade diets can be an owner preference. A serious limitation is the lack of testing, potentially affecting safety and also resulting in a reliance on database information to determine nutritional adequacy. Generic homemade diet recipes (eg, sourced from the internet) have additional risks of deficiencies and imbalances, and are not recommended. Homemade diets should be devised by a veterinary nutrition specialist with consideration of both patient and owner factors. Dietary misinformation, which is all too readily available on the internet, may result in owners making questionable feeding choices for their pets. A homemade diet may be requested by owners based on the perception that there are poor ingredients in commercial foods. The veterinary healthcare team needs to have good evidence-based information to present to owners about diet choice. Several decades of research on feline nutrition forms the basis for nutritional requirements and dietary recommendations. There are varying degrees of evidence regarding requirements for each nutrient, and a lack of data on the effects of different types of processing on nutrient needs.

Influence of number of ingredients, use of supplement and vegetarian or vegan preparation on the composition of homemade diets for dogs and cats

BackgroundHomemade diets are a worldwide trend, and many recipes are currently available on websites but may not be considered balanced. This study aimed to evaluate if the number of ingredients, supplement, or vegetarian/vegan-only ingredients included in a recipe influence the nutrient content of homemade diets for dogs and cats. Chemical analyses were performed on 75 diets for dogs and 25 for cats prepared according to websites’ recipes, and minerals were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES).ResultsCanine diets that met fat requirements had more ingredients than those below recommendations. None of the cat diets met iron requirements, and feline diets that met requirements of manganese had fewer ingredients and those that supplied requirements of protein and sodium had more ingredients than the diets below recommendations (p < 0.05). Non-supplemented canine and feline diets had calcium and calcium:phosphorus ratio below recommendations (p < 0.05). Non-supplemented feline diets had lower sodium and iron, and zinc levels were below recommendation in diets for both species. Diets with animal products for dogs had higher levels of protein and zinc, although zinc was deficient in both groups, and there were higher amounts of crude fiber, magnesium, and manganese in vegetarian/vegan diets (p < 0.05). Diets with animal products for cats had higher levels of protein (p = 0.003), but there was a higher amount of crude fiber (p = 0.014) in vegetarian/vegan diets.ConclusionThe number of ingredients and vegetarian/vegan preparation did not guarantee nutritional adequacy of diets, and the presence of supplement did not ensure a balanced diet.

497 Late-Breaking: Low Number of Owner Reported Suspected Transmission of Foodborne Pathogens from Raw Meat-based Diets Fed to Dogs and/or Cats

Abstract The aim of this worldwide survey was to determine owner reported frequency of pathogen transmission to humans living in or in contact with households feeding their pets commercial and homemade raw meat-based diets (RMBD). A total of 5,611 responses were gathered from 62 countries with 77.1% of households feeding only RMBDs to dog(s) and/or cat(s) no confirmed cases of pathogen transmission or infection by laboratory testing. Eleven households (0.20%, 95%CI: 0.10 – 0.36) were classified as having experienced ‘probable’ transmission and 20 households (0.36%, 95%CI: 0.22 – 0.56) were classified as having experienced “possible” transmission to result in a total of 31 households (0.55%, 95%CI: 0.38 – 0.79) being identified as potential cases of transmission (fig. 1). The remainder of households (n = 5,580 = 99.45%, 95% CI: 99.21 – 99.62) were not considered to have experienced potential transmission of foodborne pathogens based on their responses to the survey. The most frequently reported pathogens were Salmonella (n = 11, 0.2%), Campylobacter (n=6, 0.1%) and E. Coli (n = 4, 0.1%), with the most common age group being adults age 18–65 (n=29, 78.4% of cases). Beef and chicken were the most common proteins reported as being fed in case households although this was not associated with pathogen transmission. Households feeding a greater number of different protein sources, including pork, turkey, duck, rabbit and salmon, were associated with decreased risk of pathogen transmission. Additional risk factors associated with pathogen transmission included preparing RMBD in a separate location, with different utensils than human food (fig. 2), mixing RMBD with dry (kibble) diets and feeding a limited variety of protein sources. Based on the results of this survey, confirmed pathogen transmission from RMBD to humans appears to be rare. We conclude that potential or probable cases of pathogen transmission is likely dependent upon hygiene and food safety measures and more education surrounding food safety should reduce risk.

128 Homemade Pet Diets—What Are the Key Supplement Considerations?

Abstract Interest in preparing pet foods at home has continued to build momentum over the last decade. Websites, blogs, and social media groups praise the benefits of feeding raw and home-prepared diets. Consistent research has demonstrated the beneficial effects of raw diets on macronutrient digestibility (primarily fat and protein); however, research is lacking on overall health impacts. While it is important to acknowledge the lack of substantial research, owner choice and compliance also should be considered. With well-established nutrient requirements for dogs and cats available through AAFCO and the National Research Council (NRC), it is relatively uncomplicated to meet requirements when typical processing methods are not required (extrusion or canning). Although it is not complicated to meet the requirements with home-based fresh or lightly cooked ingredients, care must be taken to properly ensure that vitamin and mineral requirements are met. In review of over 100 homemade diets submitted for evaluation, 0% met all vitamin and mineral requirements for dogs or cats. All diets were supplemented with some form of calcium. Approximately 25% of submitted diets utilized bones as the source of calcium. Bones can be problematic depending on type, particularly for digestion, broken pieces that can cause intestinal blockages, and broken teeth. None of the diets were properly balanced for copper, zinc and iron. It is likely, this triad of minerals has been overlooked in diet formulations. It is critical to note that improper balance of these minerals could play a significant role in oxidative stress and aging. Iodine is typically met through additions of kelp; however, variations in quality can result in over or under-supplementation having detrimental effects on the thyroid. Vitamins E and D also are often under-supplemented in these diets. Educating owners on nutrient requirements and ratios, and providing proper supplementation, can assure a quality and balanced diet.

Partial replacement of soybean meal with red gram and lentil as vegetable proteins in limited ingredients homemade diets for pet dogs

AbstractAs part of the efforts to look for new feed resources, an experiment was conducted to ascertain the effects of replacing part of the soybean meal protein with red gram and lentil on the nutritional profile of dogs as influenced by the frequency of feeding. Fifteen adult Spitz dogs were divided into three equal groups and fed three diets containing soybean meal (SBM) alone or in combination with red gram (RGM) and lentil (LTL) as the protein sources. The entire study duration of 10 weeks was divided into two equal periods wherein the dogs were fed either twice or once daily. Results indicated that the food intake was similar (P &gt; 0.05) among the three groups, irrespective of the frequency of feeding. The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and carbohydrates were higher (P &lt; 0.05) in the LTL group when the dogs were fed twice daily. However, the digestibility of nutrients remained similar (P &gt; 0.05) when the dogs were fed once daily except for crude fiber digestibility, which was found higher (P &lt; 0.05) in the LTL group. The fecal quality data indicated a lower (P &lt; 0.05) pH accompanying higher water content in dogs under the RGM group. The blood metabolites measured at three different periods during the study did not vary (P &gt; 0.05) among the dietary groups. It is concluded that both red gram and lentil could effectively replace a part (50%) of the soybean meal protein without any adverse effects on the nutrient utilization and metabolic profile of dogs. Moreover, based on the results, lentil appears to have the edge over red gram as a potential vegetable protein source when used in the diet of dogs.

Selenium and Dogs: A Systematic Review.

Simple SummarySelenium is a microelement which intake is essential for correct function of the metabolism. In a dog’s body, it is important, for example, for its antioxidant function, its role in thyroid metabolism, synthesis of DNA, or reproduction. It seems that it also plays an important role in prevention and treatment of cancer. While nutritional recommendations for its content in commercial dog food exist, they do not differ between types of food, such as kibble versus canned food. Home-made diets have lower content of selenium than commercial food, but selenium may have greater bioavailability from raw products than processed ones. Moreover, reference values for its levels in dog’s serum, plasma, full blood, and tissues are not very well defined.The intent of this review is to summarize the knowledge about selenium and its function in a dog’s body. For this purpose, systematic literature search was conducted. For mammals, including dogs, a balanced diet and sufficient intake of selenium are important for correct function of metabolism. As for selenium poisoning, there are no naturally occurring cases known. Nowadays, we do not encounter clinical signs of its deficiency either, but it can be subclinical. For now, the most reliable method of assessing selenium status of a dog is measuring serum or plasma levels. Levels in full blood can be measured too, but there are no reference values. The use of glutathione peroxidase as an indirect assay is questionable in canines. Commercial dog food manufactures follow recommendations for minimal and maximal selenium levels and so dogs fed commercial diets should have balanced intake of selenium. For dogs fed home-made diets, complex data are missing. However, subclinical deficiency seems to affect, for example, male fertility or recovery from parasitical diseases. Very interesting is the role of selenium in prevention and treatment of cancer.

A Survey among Dog and Cat Owners on Pet Food Storage and Preservation in the Households.

Simple SummaryProper dog and cat food preservation is fundamental to ensure the best quality of the diet right up to the moment of feeding, given that nutritional value, safety and sensory properties can be irreparably damaged by environment and time. To this end, a survey was conducted to explore how pet owners store both commercial and home-prepared diets. On the whole, despite the wide variability of practices adopted, most of the 2221 respondents implemented good storage management. Room temperature was the most overlooked parameter during storage, and this may be a cause of concern because exposure to warmth can enhance rancidity, especially in diet formulations rich in fats and oils. For this reason, veterinarians should provide precise instructions on storing perishable ingredients to those who feed home-prepared diets. Moreover, respondents of older generations appeared to distrust the use of preservatives in commercial pet foods and often deemed their inclusion harmful and unnecessary. Pet food manufacturers should discourage skepticism of the additives crucial to long-term commercial pet food conservation through better communication.Background: Pet food storage plays a crucial role in maintaining the nutritional and sensory properties of purchased products over time. Methods: An online survey was developed to collect data regarding owners’ storage habits for both commercial and home-made diets. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 1545 dog owners and 676 cat owners. Pet and owner age played roles in the choice of the type of diet (commercial vs. home-cooked vs. raw meat-based) adopted. Kibble feeders (75.7%) usually bought one (50.1%) or two (24.6%) packages at a time, and most pets (64.4%) took a minimum four weeks to consume an entire bag. Almost half of the owners (43.5%) used a container to store pet food (plastic bins for 79.5%). Pet food was commonly stored in the kitchen (45.1%) and not exposed to direct light (94.5%); 23.6% of the kibble feeders said it might be exposed to high temperatures. Most commercial pet food feeders (67.3%) considered preservatives a potential health risk for pets. Among homemade diet feeders, 38.6% stored fish oil at room temperature. Conclusions: Pet owners should be educated in proper food storage management when receiving feeding instructions from veterinarians. More comprehensive information on the nature and importance of additives in pet food should be promoted by manufacturers.

Nutritional composition and cost of home-prepared enteral tube feeding.

To aid in dietary prescription and contribute to the promotion of food and nutritional safety of individuals, this study's objective was to compare the nutritional composition and cost of homemade preparations, blended preparations, and commercial enteral formula prescribed for adults and elderly people at hospital discharge. All hospitals in a Brazilian city that prescribed the three types of enteral formulations provide information about enteral formulations prescribed for home use. Enteral formulations were estimated in relation to energy content, macronutrients, micronutrients, and cost. Homemade diets, blended and commercial enteral formulations showed, on average, normoproteic, normoglicidic and normolipidic features, with average daily costs (US$/2000kcal) of US$ 29.77, 50.56 and 154.44, respectively. The cost was higher in the commercial enteral formulas (P<.001); vitamin and mineral content were poorer in homemade preparations. The homemade and blended enteral preparations cost less, but were generally lower in micronutrients, calling for more adequate dietary prescription.

Homemade versus extruded and wet commercial diets for dogs: Cost comparison.

The present study aimed to verify and compare the costs of homemade diets with extruded and wet commercial diets for dogs in maintenance and consuming therapeutic diets (obesity, congestive heart failure, diabetes, hepatic encephalopathy, chronic kidney disease, and food hypersensitivity), which is important information that impacts in the choice of food by the owners. The maintenance energy requirements (MER) were estimated for adult dogs of different sizes (3 kg, 15 kg, 30 kg, and 50 kg) and the daily amounts of food intake were estimated for each type of food. The costs were calculated per day, per 1000 kcal of metabolizable energy of product and per kg of metabolic weight of the animal. Fourteen complete and balanced homemade diets were formulated, and in each proposed group, two diets with different protein sources were used. Under the conditions of the present study, it was possible to conclude that homemade diets were more expensive than dry maintenance diets and dry therapeutic diets, while commercial wet diets were more expensive in all of the scenarios.

RAW MEAT-BASED DIET (BARF) IN DOGS AND CATS NUTRITION

Diet based on raw meat or more popularly called BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) is defined as pet food diet that is composed of thermally untreated animal products that are either derived from wild or domestic animals and is used as a pet food diet for pets in households. Raw meat-based diet can be divided into two basic categories: commercially available finished products and diet prepared by pet owner (called homemade BARF). Homemade diets are based on recipes that are enabling the owner to self prepare the diet. Nevertheless, the recepies used do not have to be in coordinance with official recommendations that could potentially result in the development of pathologies as a result of nutrient imbalances. The lack of good quality studies has resulted in a general discussion on the subject of the potential risks and benefits that arise from this feeding practice. Studies have determined higher digestibility and excellent palatability of BARF diets. Nevertheless, studies that would prove beneficial effects of BARF diet on health or as a diet of choice for certain pathologies are lacking. The proponents of BARF diets base their recommendation on studies conducted on a small sample over a short period of time, or on popular publications that have not undergone peer review. On the other hand, research based on evaluation of infectious disease risks when feeding a BARF diet, is of the better quantity and quality. Namely, microbiological safety of BARF diets is a crucial segment that manufacturers are obligated to control with the additional control of all other production procedures (cold chain in all phases of production and storage) to minimize the contamination with zoonotic pathogens.

Effect of different starch sources in a raw meat-based diet on fecal microbiome in dogs housed in a shelter.

A dietary intervention study was assessed to determine if different sources of starch in homemade diets could significantly modify fecal microbiome of dogs. Twenty-seven adult dogs were enrolled and fed a diet based on a mixture of rice and pasta with fresh raw meat (CD). After 90 d, 8 dogs continued to receive CD diet, 10 dogs received a diet made of a raw meat and a complementary food with rice as the main source of starch (B1), and 9 dogs were fed a diet with the same raw meat and a complementary food with potato as the main source of starch (B2). Samples of feces were collected from each dog in the mornings at the beginning of the study and after 15 d and analyzed for pH, ammonia N (N–NH3) and total N, short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and lactic acid. Relative abundance of fecal microbiota was assessed by sequencing and annotating the V3–V4 regions of the 16S rRNA. Total starch intake was similar between diets but differed in the in vitro rate digestion and in the resistant starch, which was higher in B2 than in B1 and CD diets. Dogs fed B2 diet showed lower (P < 0.05) N–NH3 and pH but higher (P < 0.05) molar proportion of lactic acid. Linear discriminant analysis of the genera relative abundances indicated a significant (P < 0.01) increase of SMB53 genus at the end of the study in B1 diet and of Megamonas genus in B1 and B2 diets in comparison to CD diet. These results suggest that changes of starch source in a raw meat-based diet have limited effects on fecal microbiome in healthy dogs, but underline a high variability of microbiota among dogs.

Assessment of Ochratoxin A Exposure in Ornamental and Self-Consumption Backyard Chickens.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin that may be present in various food and feed of plant and animal origin, including chicken meat. In Italy, backyard poultry farming is rather widespread. Animals are raised for meat, eggs and for ornamental purpose, and they are often fed with home-made diets not subject to official controls. The purpose of this study was to evaluate exposure of ornamental and backyard chickens to OTA using biliary ochratoxin A as a biomarker. Therefore, bile samples, in addition to kidney, liver and muscle, were collected from 102 chickens reared in 16 farms located in 6 Italian regions. High-performance liquid chromatography method and fluorimetric detection (HPLC-FLD) analysis were carried out firstly on bile from all animals, and OTA was detected in 12 chickens (concentration range 3.83–170.42 µg/L). Subsequently, the kidneys of these chickens were also analysed, and the mycotoxin was not detected. The analytical detection limits (LODs) of OTA in bile and kidney were 2.1 µg/L and 0.1 µg/kg, respectively. In conclusion, these animals were exposed to OTA but their meat can be considered safe, given that this mycotoxin, if present, concentrates highest in kidneys. Biliary ochratoxin A confirms its use as a valid biomarker to assess exposure of poultry to OTA.