The Hidden Dangers in Raw Cat Food

Many cat owners turn to raw food diets, believing they’re giving their pets something closer to their wild ancestry.

Marketing often highlights freshness and purity, but behind the appealing labels lies a serious risk.

A Cornell University study has revealed that raw and partially cooked cat foods can contain harmful microbes—including antibiotic-resistant bacteria—that threaten not just cats but entire households.

The study found pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, Cronobacter, Klebsiella, and Clostridium perfringens in commercial products sold both online and in stores.

Alarmingly, some strains were genetically linked to human infections already documented in federal disease databases.

Freeze-dried products and coated kibble were shown to harbor bacteria especially dangerous to children, elderly people, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals.

Experts warn that many of these products come without labels alerting consumers that the meat is raw or potentially contaminated.

Meanwhile, the FDA only screens for a limited set of pathogens, leaving other dangerous microbes unchecked.

Researchers argue that expanded testing, mandatory warning labels, and stricter manufacturing standards are urgently needed to prevent the spread of foodborne illness from pet bowls to family kitchens.