Making Raw Dog Food Safe From Bird Flu: Addressing Recent Concerns

Recent news headlines have brought concerns about raw dog food and bird flu to the forefront for many pet parents. Reports of avian influenza, specifically H5N1, linked to contaminated raw pet food products and resulting in devastating outcomes for pets, have naturally raised questions about the safety of raw feeding.

As a leading provider of raw dog food, We Feed Raw understands these concerns and is committed to transparently addressing how our processes ensure our food is safe and free from potential pathogens.

In this guide, we will provide background on the connection between raw pet food and bird flu in the news. More importantly, we will explain the rigorous measures We Feed Raw takes, from sourcing to high-pressure processing (HPP), to ensure our raw food is not contaminated in the way the cases on the news were, giving you peace of mind about your pup’s diet.

Understanding Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Pets

Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease primarily affecting poultry and wild birds. While historically rare in mammals, the emergence of the H5N1 strain has shown a concerning ability to transmit to various mammalian species, including domestic cats and, in very rare instances, dogs.

Recent News and Concerns About Pet Exposure

In recent times, news reports have highlighted instances where domestic cats were infected with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. Disturbingly, some of these cases, including a notable incident in Oregon, were linked to the consumption of contaminated raw dairy or raw pet food products. For example, incidents like the cat deaths reported by the AVMA, linked to contaminated raw pet food, sparked voluntary recalls nationwide.

These situations understandably create apprehension among pet parents who prioritize raw feeding.

The connection often arises when raw poultry or other raw animal products, if improperly handled or sourced from infected animals and not subjected to effective pathogen inactivation, carry the virus. Pets consuming these contaminated products can then become ill, underscoring the critical need for robust safety protocols in raw pet food manufacturing.

How Contaminated Raw Pet Food Cases Happened

Cases of raw dog food bird flu contamination, or more specifically, raw pet food linked to avian flu, typically stem from raw ingredients containing the live virus. If raw meat from poultry, dairy, or other animals that harbor H5N1 is used without effective viral inactivation steps, the finished pet food can pose a risk.

The virus, being highly contagious and capable of surviving in raw tissues, can then be transmitted to the pet upon consumption. This highlights a crucial difference between raw foods that merely avoid heat processing and those that actively employ validated methods for pathogen inactivation.

Ensuring Raw Dog Food Bird Flu Safety: We Feed Raw’s Approach

At We Feed Raw, the safety of your pet is our absolute highest priority. We go above and beyond industry standards to ensure our raw dog food is bird flu-free and safe from other potential pathogens. Our multi-layered approach provides unparalleled peace of mind.

Our Sourcing Standards: Reducing Risk From the Start

Our commitment to safety begins long before any ingredient enters our facility. We source only USDA human-grade meats from reputable farms and suppliers. These suppliers adhere to strict safety protocols, including comprehensive health monitoring of their animals.

By starting with high-quality, inspected raw materials, we significantly reduce the initial risk of contaminants, including viruses like avian influenza. We use chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, and duck in our recipes, all from thoroughly vetted sources.

The Power of High-Pressure Processing (HPP): Our Inactivation Method

The cornerstone of We Feed Raw's safety protocol is our use of high-pressure processing (HPP) on all our raw recipes, both frozen and freeze-dried. HPP is a revolutionary, non-thermal (cold) process that utilizes intense water pressure to inactivate potentially harmful pathogens, including bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, and importantly, viruses like avian influenza (H5N1).

Scientific research has consistently demonstrated HPP's efficacy in inactivating a wide range of viruses without compromising the nutritional integrity, flavor, or texture of the raw food. Studies, such as those published in leading scientific journals, confirm that HPP effectively reduces viral loads, providing a critical safety barrier that goes beyond simply grinding raw meat.

This is fundamentally different from raw pet food products that rely solely on "clean sourcing" or simply freezing, as those methods alone cannot guarantee viral inactivation. HPP gives us a validated method to ensure that if any viral contaminants were present (despite our stringent sourcing), they are inactivated before reaching your pet.

Strict Quality Control and Testing

Beyond sourcing and HPP, We Feed Raw implements rigorous quality control and testing protocols throughout our production process. Our USDA-certified facility maintains stringent hygiene standards.

We conduct regular testing on our raw materials and finished products to ensure they meet our uncompromising safety standards and are free from contaminants. This multi-point inspection and testing system provides an additional layer of assurance for every meal we produce.

Safe Handling Practices for All Raw Food

While We Feed Raw takes extensive measures to ensure product safety, responsible handling practices at home are crucial for any raw pet food. Following these guidelines helps maintain safety and prevent cross-contamination:

• •Proper Storage: Keep raw food frozen until ready to use. Thaw only in the refrigerator in a sealed container, or in cold water. Never thaw at room temperature.

• •Hygiene: Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling raw pet food.

• •Sanitization: Clean and sanitize all surfaces, bowls, and utensils that come into contact with raw food using hot, soapy water or a pet-safe disinfectant.

• •Separate Storage: Store raw pet food away from human food, especially fresh produce, in the refrigerator.

We Feed Raw: Your Partner in Safe, Optimal Raw Nutrition

Concerns about bird flu in raw dog food are valid, and transparency is key. At We Feed Raw, we believe in providing not just the best nutrition but also the highest level of safety. Our unwavering commitment to USDA human-grade sourcing combined with the power of high-pressure processing (HPP) sets us apart, ensuring that our raw food is a safe and healthy choice for your dog.

We meticulously craft our complete and balanced frozen raw recipes for dogs of all ages (chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, and duck) and freeze-dried raw recipes for adult dogs (chicken and beef) so you can feed your dog with confidence. Give your pup the benefits of a truly species-appropriate diet with the assurance that their health and safety are our top priority.

Ready to provide your dog with safe, nutritious raw meals? Complete your pet's profile today to discover their personalized meal plan.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is raw dog food bird flu risk a concern with We Feed Raw products?

No, the risk of raw dog food bird flu contamination is not a concern with We Feed Raw products due to our rigorous safety protocols. We use High-Pressure Processing (HPP) on all our raw recipes. HPP is a validated cold-water method that effectively inactivates viruses like avian influenza, along with harmful bacteria, ensuring our food is safe and free from such pathogens.

How does We Feed Raw ensure its raw poultry is safe from avian influenza?

We ensure our raw poultry (chicken, turkey, duck) is safe from avian influenza through a multi-step process. We begin with strict sourcing from USDA human-grade suppliers who adhere to robust health monitoring. Crucially, all our raw recipes, including those with poultry, undergo high-pressure processing (HPP), a proven method to inactivate viruses like H5N1, providing a critical safety barrier.

Have any We Feed Raw products been linked to avian influenza cases?

No, We Feed Raw products have never been linked to avian influenza cases. Our comprehensive safety measures, particularly the use of high-pressure processing (HPP), are specifically designed to inactivate potentially harmful pathogens, including viruses, before our food reaches your pet.

We are committed to maintaining the highest safety standards to protect your dog.

Is freezing raw dog food enough to kill the bird flu virus?

Freezing raw dog food is generally not sufficient to kill the bird flu virus (H5N1) or other harmful pathogens. While freezing can inhibit bacterial growth, it does not reliably inactivate viruses. This is why We Feed Raw utilizes high-pressure processing (HPP), a much more effective and scientifically validated method for pathogen inactivation, including viruses, to ensure the safety of our raw food.

What makes We Feed Raw's processing different from raw foods implicated in bird flu news?

We Feed Raw's processing differs significantly from raw foods implicated in past bird flu news because we use high-pressure processing (HPP). Many implicated raw foods did not use a validated pathogen inactivation step like HPP. Our HPP method applies intense cold water pressure to effectively inactivate viruses like avian influenza and bacteria, providing a critical safety barrier that goes beyond mere sourcing or freezing, and ensures our products are safe for your pet.