Natural food for domestic animals: A national and international technological review

Molecular Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Raw Milk and Humans in Eastern Tanzania: Genetic Diversity and Inter-Host Transmission

Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of infection in humans and animals, including bovine mastitis, globally. The objective of this study was to genetically characterize a collection of S. aureus isolates recovered from milk and nasal swabs from humans with and without animal contact (bovine = 43, human = 12). Using whole genome sequencing (NextSeq550), isolates were sequence typed, screened for antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes and examined for possible inter-species host transmission. Multi locus sequence typing (MLST) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based phylogeny revealed 14 different sequence types, including the following six novel sequence types: ST7840, 7841, 7845, 7846, 7847, and 7848. The SNP tree confirmed that MLST clustering occurred most commonly within CC97, CC5477, and CC152. ResFinder analysis revealed five common antibiotic resistance genes, namely tet(K), blaZ, dfrG, erm©, and str, encoding for different antibiotics. mecA was discovered in one human isolate only. Multidrug resistance was observed in 25% of the isolates, predominantly in CC152 (7/8) and CC121 (3/4). Known bovine S. aureus (CC97) were collected in humans and known human S. aureus lineages (CC152) were collected in cattle; additionally, when these were compared to bovine-isolated CC97 and human-isolated CC152, respectively, no genetic distinction could be observed. This is suggestive of inter-host transmission and supports the need for surveillance of the human-animal interface.

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.

Insects as Feed for Companion and Exotic Pets: A Current Trend

The objective of this review was to carry out a comprehensive investigation of the benefits of incorporating insects as a pet food ingredient and the implications this can have in determining a market demand for insect-based pet foods. Black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens), mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) and adult house crickets (Acheta domesticus) are currently used in pet food. These insects are widely fed to exotic pets, mainly in whole, live or dehydrated formats. They are also incorporated as meal or fat and are offered to cats and dogs as dry or wet food and treats. Scientific studies about the use of insects for dog and cat feed are scarce. Most studies are in dogs. Research shows that insect nutrients, mainly amino acids, have high digestibility, are beneficial to health, do not have any detrimental effect on the gut microbiota and are accepted by dogs. In several countries, insects are approved for use in pet food and commercialization has spread throughout the world. Pet owners are willing to try foods made with insect meal for their pets. In conclusion, the use of insects in pet food is a reality that is taking on more and more prominence.

Comparison of canine owner profile according to food choice: an online preliminary survey in France

Background

Nowadays, more people are treating dogs as family members. This reflects their increased attention towards their nutrition, with renewed interest for non-conventional diets such as Biologically Appropriate Raw Food/ Bones and Raw Food in United States (BARF) or homemade. In previous studies, owners feeding their dog non-conventional diets reported lower levels of trust in veterinary advice. The aim of the study was to identify differences in lifestyle between owners feeding dogs non-conventional diets and those feeding conventional diets (i.e., dry/wet pet food) to give further insight for improving communication between veterinarians and owners.

Results

A total of 426 surveys were usable. Fifteen percent of the participants lived in the metropole of Paris and had more than one dog (mean 1.72 dogs). Thirty-eight percent of the survey respondents stated that their dogs were fed exclusively with non-conventional diets, while 55% declared using conventional diets alone (not considering treats). The study canine population was for the most part neutered (63%) and purebred (68%). Amongst owners feeding conventional diets exclusively, 47% determined how much food to feed by consulting the feeding guidelines on the packaging, and only 28% said that the amount of food was prescribed by their veterinarian or veterinary nurse. Out of the participants feeding non-conventional diets, 65% declared that the information for formulating the recipes was gathered on the internet or in non-veterinary books. When compared with owners feeding exclusively conventional diets, those feeding non-conventional diets were living more frequently outside the metropole of Paris, had fewer children (0.23 ± 0.57 vs 0.37 ± 0.78; p = 0.03) and had more frequently other animals. They also dewormed less often their pets, walked their dog more each day (91 vs 78%; p < 0.001) and without leash for more than 6 h per week (46 vs 31%; p = 0.003).

Conclusions

This survey described differences in the habits of owners feeding dogs non-conventional diets in comparison with those feeding conventional diets. Data suggest that owners using non-conventional diets may be more attentive to the ethological needs of their dog which could be a starting point for practitioners for achieving better client-veterinarian communication.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12917-022-03258-9.

Raw Meat-Based Pet Feeding and Food Safety: Netnography Study of Pet Owner Comments and Review of Manufacturers' Information Provision

ABSTRACT

Feeding raw meat to domestic pets is a popular practice. Because of the potential food safety implications associated with handling raw meat, concerns about pet owner health have increased. For this study, a netnographic content analysis approach was used to analyze posts from Pet Forums Community online archives related to raw meat-based feeding and food safety (n = 308). United Kingdom manufacturer and supplier Web sites (n = 33) were reviewed for provision of food safety information related to raw meat-based pet feeding. The data were analyzed using a qualitative thematic approach and quantitative methods. Pet owner forum comments indicated potential malpractices and indifference toward possible food safety hazards when preparing raw meat-based pet food. Many were risk aware but indicated confusion regarding appropriate food safety practices. Although emotional concern about the safety of pets and children was expressed, contracting a foodborne disease was not perceived as a personal risk. In addition, the review identified that most (61%) manufacturer and supplier Web sites failed to provide food safety instructions or warnings to pet owners regarding raw meat-based pet food. Information was inconsistent and varied across sources. The most comprehensive sources of information were provided by manufacturers approved by the United Kingdom Pet Food Manufacturers' Association. This is the first netnography study to explore pet owner online reports and the provision of food safety information related to raw pet feeding. Findings suggest pet owners may not fully appreciate the potential risks associated with raw meat-based pet feeding. Consequently, there is a need for credible and consistent strategies to inform pet owners about potential implications associated with feeding raw meat to pets, as well as about safe food handling practices.

HIGHLIGHTS

Exploring Food Safety Perceptions and Self-Reported Practices of Pet Owners Providing Raw Meat-Based Diets to Pets

ABSTRACT

The growing popularity of raw meat-based diets for pets is accompanied by increasing concern regarding possible health implications of this practice for pet owners through the storage and preparation of raw meat. This study aimed to explore pet owners' knowledge and perceptions about the safety of raw meat-based feeding and to determine self-reported food safety practices during raw meat-based pet food preparation. An online questionnaire was distributed via social media platforms and completed by pet owners practicing raw meat-based feeding (n = 174). Almost all participants (95%) reported confidence that their pets' raw meat-based food is safe. Two-thirds of respondents (67%) reported that they had researched food safety information regarding raw meat-based feeding, yet only 8% asked a veterinarian for food safety advice. Respondents were aware of pathogens that may be present in raw meat-based diets and of food safety practices; however, they did not report consistent implementation of appropriate food safety practices. Malpractices, such as rinsing of raw meat (27%) and absence of segregation of utensils and kitchen surfaces (52%), were reported. The risk to pet owners of foodborne illness associated with raw meat-based feeding was perceived to be low by 89% of pet owners. Participants perceived low susceptibility to foodborne illness but high self-efficacy, which may be an indication of optimistic bias. This study has identified a need to increase pet owners' awareness of the possible risks to human health associated with raw meat-based feeding of animals. The provision of comprehensive food safety information, intended to target the perceptions of pet owners identified in this study, is needed to improve pet owners' food safety practices and thus to reduce the potential food safety risks associated with raw meat preparation and storage in the domestic environment.

HIGHLIGHTS

Necrobia rufipes (De Geer) Infestation in Pet Food Packaging and Setup of a Monitoring Trap

Simple Summary

Necrobia rufipes (Coleoptera: Cleridae) is an emerging pest of pet food stores. Information on infestation modalities for this pest is absent and specific monitoring tools are missing. In this paper, the adults’ and larvae’s ability to enter into pet food packaging was evaluated. Furthermore, to set up of a monitoring trap behavioral bioassays were carried out: testing two adhesive surfaces, one generally used in mouse glue trap and the other used in cockroach trap, to evaluate their ability in avoiding insects’ escape; screening different molecules, as candidate food attractants: methyl cyclopentenolone, squalene and stearic acid. The results evidenced that N. rufipes enter in packaging through the air vent valves, suggesting that a way to prevent insect infestation would be to modify packaging. Tests showed that the glues have strong differences in the ability to retain the caught insects, with mouse glue more effective than cockroach glue. The behavioral bioassays indicated that methyl cyclopentenolone and squalene are able to attract N. rufipes adults in olfactometer. Finally, the dual-choice arena bioassays showed that a mixture of pet food and methyl cyclopentenolone elicited the strongest attraction in N.rufipes adults, suggesting that this mixture can be used as lure in monitoring traps.

Abstract

Necrobia rufipes (De Geer) (Coleoptera: Cleridae), also known as the red-legged ham beetle, is a newly emerging pest of pet food stores, causing apprehension among producers worldwide. Concerns about this pest are exacerbated by the lack of information about infestation modalities in pet food, while specific monitoring tools are missing. Considering that adequate pet food packaging could limit N. rufipes infestations, information about the penetration modalities in commonly used pet food packaging is needed. Moreover, the development of appropriate monitoring instruments is urgent to detect pest presence early and to reduce chemical treatments for its control. In this paper, the adults’ and larvae’s ability to enter into pet food packaging was evaluated. Furthermore, to develop monitoring traps, behavioral bioassays were done: (1) testing two different commercial adhesive surfaces, one generally used in mouse glue traps (MG), and the other used in cockroach glue traps (CG), to evaluate their different abilities in avoiding insects’ escape; (2) screening different molecules, typical of the substrates attacked by N. rufipes, as candidate food attractants for this pest: methyl cyclopentenolone (MCP), squalene (SQ), and stearic acid (SA). The results show that N. rufipes adults and larvae enter into packaging through the air vent valves on the bottom, suggesting that a way to improve the packaging to prevent insect infestation would be to modify these points of weakness. Laboratory tests show that the different bioassayed glues have strong differences in the ability to retain the caught insects, with MG being more effective than CG. The behavioral bioassay indicated that MCP and SQ attract N. rufipes adults in olfactometer. Finally, the results of dual-choice arena bioassays show that among the candidate attractant tested, a mixture of pet food (PF) and MCP elicited the strongest attraction in N. rufipes adults. These results encourage further experiments with the use of an MG adhesive trap loaded with a mixture of PF+MCP to test the effectiveness of such a tool for monitoring N.rufipes in pet food industries and warehouses.