Why Psychiatric Assistance Dogs Should Not Be Fed Raw Diets

Why Psychiatric Assistance Dogs Should Not Be Fed Raw Diets Adapted from an original article by Mike Davies BVetMed CertVR CertSAO FRCVS, RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Clinical Nutrition. Reproduced and adapted with permission.

At the Psychiatric Assistance Dogs Foundation (PADs), the health and welfare of our assistance dogs, handlers and the wider public are central to everything we do. For this reason, assistance dogs enrolled on our programme must not be fed raw meat diets.

Whilst many dogs fed raw diets appear perfectly healthy, scientific evidence shows they can shed potentially harmful microorganisms in their saliva, faeces, coat and surrounding environment without showing any signs of illness. This means a healthy- looking dog can unknowingly expose other people to infectious organisms.

Pathogens associated with raw meat diets include:

• Salmonella
• Campylobacter
• Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)
• Listeria monocytogenes
• Toxoplasma gondii
• Mycobacterium bovis (bovine tuberculosis)
• Avian infuenza viruses

Many of these organisms can survive in the environment and pose a particular risk to vulnerable people, including:

• Individuals with compromised immune systems
• People receiving chemotherapy or immunosuppressive medications
• Older adults
• Pregnant women
• Babies and young children

Why This Matters for Assistance Dogs

Unlike most pet dogs, assistance dogs routinely accompany their handlers into public places where they interact closely with members of the public. They may visit healthcare settings, public transport, workplaces, shops, restaurants, educational establishments and other environments where vulnerable individuals are present.

Because assistance dogs are expected to maintain the highest standards of public hygiene and safety, reducing avoidable infectious disease risks is an important welfare and public health responsibility.

Scientific studies have shown that dogs fed raw meat diets are more likely to shed infectious microorganisms such as Salmonella and antimicrobial-resistant E. coli. These organisms may contaminate the dog’s mouth, coat, paws, bedding and environment,
increasing opportunities for indirect transmission to people.

PADs’ Position

For the protection of our handlers, volunteers, trainers, healthcare professionals and the wider community, dogs registered with the Psychiatric Assistance Dogs Foundation must not be fed raw meat diets whilst participating in our programme. This requirement applies throughout a dog’s time on the PADs programme and forms part of our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of canine welfare, public health and responsible assistance dog ownership. Instead, we recommend feeding a complete, balanced diet that meets recognised nutritional standards and is prepared in a manner that significantly reduces microbiological risk. Commercially prepared cooked diets or appropriately formulated complete dry or wet foods provide excellent nutrition while minimising the risk of
transmitting infectious disease.

Responsible Assistance Dog Ownership

Every assistance dog partnership carries an additional responsibility to safeguard public health. Good hygiene practices remain important for all dogs, including:

• Washing hands after handling dogs, food or faeces.
• Prompt removal and safe disposal of dog waste.
• Maintaining clean feeding bowls, bedding and equipment.
• Preventing dogs from licking people’s faces, particularly those who are medically
  vulnerable.
• Attending regular veterinary health checks.

These measures help protect both the assistance dog partnership and the communities they serve.

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About the Author

Acknowledgement

This article has been adapted, with permission, from original material written by Mike Davies BVetMed CertVR CertSAO FRCVS, RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Clinical Nutrition. The content has been modifed by the Psychiatric Assistance Dogs Foundation (PADs) to refect the specifc health, welfare and public health requirements of assistance dogs.

References
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2. Groat EF, Williams NJ, Pinchbeck G, Warner B, Simpson A, Schmidt VM. (2022). UK dogs eating raw meat diets have higher risk of Salmonella and antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli faecal carriage. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 63(6), 435–441. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13488
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