PSV-B-29 Late-Breaking: Comparisons of Practices of Raw Diet Versus Kibble Diet Dog Owners

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 361-361
Author(s):  
Madison Petree ◽  
Lara M Sypniewski ◽  
Dianne McFarlane ◽  
Kris Hiney

Abstract An increasing number of pet owners feed raw meat-based diets (RD) to their dogs. Reasons include food safety concerns and the belief that feeding RD improves the overall health of dogs. However, it is unknown if owners that chose to feed RD also elect alternative healthcare and management strategies compared to owners that feed commercial kibble (CK). A survey was created to investigate differences in strategies between owners that feed RD versus CK. The survey was distributed via Qualtrics through social media, veterinary clinics, and food cooperatives. Participants were asked questions to determine demographics, feeding practices, and management decisions. Data were separated into the two populations, reported by frequency, and compared using Fisher’s exact test with P < .05 considered significant. A total of 1,249 participants completed the survey. Owners of RD dogs more commonly had intact dogs (RD 42.7% vs KB = 28.7%, P < 0.0001) or chose to spay/neuter after 1 year of age (RD = 55%, KB = 47.8%, P = 0.02). CK and RD owners differed in preventative medicine strategies. RD owners were more likely to not vaccinate for DHPP (n = 296; 52%) compared to only 16.7% (n = 111, P < 0.0001) of CK owners. However, RD owners used antibody titer tests to monitor immunity (n = 234, 46.8%) much more frequently compared to CK owners (n = 86;13.4%, P < 0.0001). RD owners were less likely (P < 0.0001) to vaccinate for Bordetella, (a non-core vaccine; n = 356; 62%) compared to CK (n = 218; 32.9%). More CK owners had their dog(s) on heartworm prevention, compared to RF (CK= 79%; RF = 62% P < 0.0001) and provided chemical or prescription flea/tick medication for their dog(s) (RD = 57% vs CK = 83%; P < 0.0001). The results of this survey support differences in management between owners that feed RD compared to CK.

Author(s):  
Veronika Bulochova ◽  
Ellen W Evans

The growing popularity of raw meat-based diets for pets is accompanied by an increasing concern regarding possible health implications of this practice to pet owners, due to the storage and preparation of raw meat. This study aimed to explore pet owners’ knowledge and perceptions about safety of raw meat-based feeding and determine self-reported food safety practices during raw meat-based pet food preparation. An online questionnaire was distributed via social media platforms was 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 to have researched food safety information, regarding raw meat-based feeding, however 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 implementation of appropriate food safety practices consistently. Malpractices, such as rinsing raw meat (27%) and lack of segregation (52%) were reported. The risk of foodborne illness to pet owners 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 the need for increasing pet owners’ awareness of the possible risks associated with raw meat-based feeding to human health. 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, to reduce the potential food safety risks associated with raw meat preparation and storage in the domestic environment.


Author(s):  
Veronika Bulochova ◽  
Ellen W. Evans

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 ‘PetForums Community’ online archives, relating to ‘raw meat-based feeding’ and ‘food safety’ ( n =308). UK manufacturer/supplier websites ( n =33) were reviewed for provision of food safety information relating to raw meat-based pet feeding. The data were analyzed using qualitative thematic approach and quantitative methods. Pet owner forum comments indicated potential malpractices and indifference towards the 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 the pets and children was expressed, contracting a foodborne disease was not perceived as a personal risk. Additionally, the review identified that the majority (61%) of manufacturer/supplier websites failed to provide any food safety instructions or warnings to pet owners regarding raw meat-based pet food. Information was inconsistent and varied between sources. The most comprehensive sources of information were provided by manufacturers approved by the UK 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 the pet owners about potential implications associated with feeding raw meat to pets, as well as about safe food handling practices.


2020 ◽  
pp. 107554702098137
Author(s):  
Leticia Bode ◽  
Emily K. Vraga ◽  
Melissa Tully

We experimentally test whether expert organizations on social media can correct misperceptions of the scientific consensus on the safety of genetically modified (GM) food for human consumption, as well as what role social media cues, in the form of “likes,” play in that process. We find expert organizations highlighting scientific consensus on GM food safety reduces consensus misperceptions among the public, leading to lower GM misperceptions and boosting related consumption behaviors in line with the gateway belief model. Expert organizations’ credibility may increase as a result of correction, but popularity cues do not seem to affect misperceptions or credibility.


SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 215824402110074
Author(s):  
Tariq H. Malik ◽  
Jae Chul Choi

South Korea imports a large amount of agricultural and aquatic food products from China, which meets its food security. However, the import from China raises food safety questions, leading to food safety apprehension. We explored the source of the Korean consumer’s apprehension. Based on the apprehension reduction theory (ART) developed from interviews with Korean consumers in the first stage of the study, we conducted a survey to assess the social media as an indirect source of information and direct experience of the consumer in the second stage of the study. We received 504 responses, of which 1/3 of the respondents had visited China in the last year. Using FSS (Food Safety Satisfaction) as the dependent variable (1— low to 5— high), we link information from the social media vis-à-vis direct experience and made three discoveries. (a) The information quantity of social media increases the consumer’s apprehension, partially refuting the ART. (ii) FSS increased in response to information flow from the direct experience of the consumer with Chinese imported food. (c) The direct information from experience mediates the effects of indirect information (social media) on apprehension about agricultural and aquatic product imports. We made three inferences. First, information quantity and quality have separated roles in the ART. Second, social media increases the free-market style information flow, turning legitimate products to illegitimate and vice versa. Third, the collective irrationality from the information quantity needs institutional bricolage to legitimize the chaotic nature of the untamed information.


2021 ◽  
pp. 107554702110220
Author(s):  
Yuan Wang

Focusing on debunking misinformation about genetically modified (GM) food safety in a social media context, this study examines whether source cues and social endorsement cues interact with individuals’ preexisting beliefs about GM food safety in influencing misinformation correction effectiveness. Using an experimental design, this study finds that providing corrective messages can effectively counteract the influence of misinformation, especially when the message is from an expert source and receives high social endorsements. Participants evaluate misinformation and corrective messages in a biased way that confirms their preexisting beliefs about GM food safety. However, their initial misperceptions can be reduced when receiving corrective messages.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Salar Farhangi Abriz

<p>Over dose using of herbicides is one of the major problems in crops and horticulture productions. Human food safety and economical production of agricultural products are the main target of new agronomy and plant scientists. Integrative management is one of the new programs for reducing herbicide doses in agriculture. This program includes many physiological and physicochemical methods for controlling herbicide uses in farms and orchards. This article explain some of these methods such as using surfactants, water quality in spraying, using magnetic fields, controlling the nitrogen content of soil, using a suitable formulation and powerful cultivars and genotypes in agriculture and the effects of this reduction in herbicide doses on plants behavior and weeds controlling. According to this method integrative management can be beneficial in crop production and farmers must be using of this management method in their farms. </p>


2013 ◽  
Vol 103 (4) ◽  
pp. 306-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Fletcher ◽  
Jan E. Leach ◽  
Kellye Eversole ◽  
Robert Tauxe

Recent efforts to address concerns about microbial contamination of food plants and resulting foodborne illness have prompted new collaboration and interactions between the scientific communities of plant pathology and food safety. This article provides perspectives from scientists of both disciplines and presents selected research results and concepts that highlight existing and possible future synergisms for audiences of both disciplines. Plant pathology is a complex discipline that encompasses studies of the dissemination, colonization, and infection of plants by microbes such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and oomycetes. Plant pathologists study plant diseases as well as host plant defense responses and disease management strategies with the goal of minimizing disease occurrences and impacts. Repeated outbreaks of human illness attributed to the contamination of fresh produce, nuts and seeds, and other plant-derived foods by human enteric pathogens such as Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. have led some plant pathologists to broaden the application of their science in the past two decades, to address problems of human pathogens on plants (HPOPs). Food microbiology, which began with the study of microbes that spoil foods and those that are critical to produce food, now also focuses study on how foods become contaminated with pathogens and how this can be controlled or prevented. Thus, at the same time, public health researchers and food microbiologists have become more concerned about plant–microbe interactions before and after harvest. New collaborations are forming between members of the plant pathology and food safety communities, leading to enhanced research capacity and greater understanding of the issues for which research is needed. The two communities use somewhat different vocabularies and conceptual models. For example, traditional plant pathology concepts such as the disease triangle and the disease cycle can help to define cross-over issues that pertain also to HPOP research, and can suggest logical strategies for minimizing the risk of microbial contamination. Continued interactions and communication among these two disciplinary communities is essential and can be achieved by the creation of an interdisciplinary research coordination network. We hope that this article, an introduction to the multidisciplinary HPOP arena, will be useful to researchers in many related fields.


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