Responsible Raw Facts New Study on Raw Feeding March 2014 Abstract: An email survey was conducted to gather quantitative and qualitative data on veterinary practitioners’ historical experiences of advising raw food feeding to cats and dogs. A seven point questionnaire asked for numerical data followed by a request for comments on the practitioners experiences. Data was anonymized and collated on a single Microsoft Excel spreadsheet ( available on request ). 71 practitioners from 10 countries with a combined raw feeding experience of 885 years, returned data from a total of approximately 251,948 patients; 183,659 dogs and 68,289 cats. Infectious disease cases considered to result from a raw food diets (RFD) were estimated at 28 (0.01%); dental problems from RFD 667 (0.3%) and foreign body blockages due to RFD 463 (0.2%) patients of total. The percentage of healthy and sick animals showing a subjective improvement when moving onto a RFD was 84.5% and 85.8% respectively. Practitioners’ comments qualify some of the data given and expand on their experiences and recommendations to veterinary surgeons. Although the questionnaire had elements of ambiguity and over-simplicity, this survey suggests overwhelmingly that feeding raw food under guidance from vets is safe in terms of infection, dental disease and foreign body obstructions. The great majority of animals in this study demonstrated marked subjective improvement in health markers when moved onto a raw food diet. Complete & Balanced Nutritionally balanced and complete • • • raw pet foods are available today Natures Menu is balanced and nutritionally complete Natures Menu guarantees complete nutrition to FEDIAF European nutritional standards – these standards are reviewed by European institutions. www.fediaf.org/self-regulation/nutrition Natures Menu complete diets safely provide in excess of 15millon meals per year. As production volume 2013 Safety Raw pet food in Europe must comply with the EU Animal by-products regulation 1069/2009 and 142/2011 guaranteeing the safe production of raw pet foods in Europe (completely different from US raw products) The EU regulations set : • Restricted list of raw materials which can be used in the preparation of raw pet foods, Annex XIII,Chapter II, para 1 N.B. Our products are all gland free • Sets microbiological standards ( Salmonella ZERO TOLERANCE ) • Requires all raw pet food producers to be approved and monitored Annex XIII , chapter II, para 6 by the AHVLA (Animal Health Veterinary Laboratory Agency ) Our raw meats have been deep frozen at °18C for more than 10 days which will address any potential parasite issues. Natures Menu is a registered raw pet food producer, making raw pet food since 1981 and a member of PFMA ( Pet Food Manufacturers Association ) Defra Approved 28/720/9200 ABP/PTF Quality Natures Menu raw pet foods are naturally produced from meats which have been veterinary inspected and passed fit for human consumption. Natures Menu raw pet food is healthy and completely natural in its ingredients and processing. The clear labelling of Natures Menu “natural” raw pet food is evident from the easy to understand packaging. Our natural pet foods are free from . . . . . • Preservatives • Colouring • Flavourings & • Gelling thickening agents • Added sugars Natures Menu is actively promoting the development and knowledge of raw feeding. If you would like to talk to an associate vet concerning any of the above or join our veterinary development programme please contact our Communications Manager Caroline Griffith free on 0800 018 3770 or [email protected] Natures Menu Petfood, Threxton Road Industrial Estate, Watton, Norfolk, IP25 6NG, United Kingdom