Trichinosis Prevention in Dogs and Cats


trichinosis prevention in dogs and cats, proper handling of domestic and wild game meat
Take this important precaution to prevent trichinosis, and other parasitic pathogen contamination when feeding raw domestic and wild game to your dog and cat. Prevention is simple, follow the instructions provided below.

★ 1 min read
In this article: 
  1. What is trichinosis 
  2. How to Prevent Trichinella and other Parasitic Infection
    1. Instructions for The Raw Diet
    2. Instructions for The Cooked Diet

1.0 What is Trichinosis?

Trichinosis is a disease found in wild carnivores, wild omnivores, wild and domestic herbivores, and domestic pigs.

Trichinosis is a food-borne infection transmitted by consuming raw or under cooked meat from animals that are infected with Trichinella and other parasites and parasitic infections. Trichinella is an example of one of the intestinal roundworms commonly found in wild animals.
 
The flesh of an infected animal contains live trichinella larvae embed in cysts. When your dog and cat consumes the flesh of an infected animal, the cysts pass through your dog and cat’s intestinal tract. From this intestinal tract the cysts migrate to other parts of the body,  invading other tissues, such as your dog and cat’s muscle tissue. 
 
The larvae cause damage to the tissue, resulting in minor and major symptoms of trichinosis. If only a few cysts are consumed, infection may not occur.  The likelihood of infection, and severity of infection increases with the number of trichinosis cysts consumed. Your dog or cat cannot infect you with trichinosis.
 
Trichinella and other intestinal parasites may be present in the following animals:
  • Domestic pigs 
  • Domestic horses
  • Black Bears
  • Brown Bears
  • Herbivores e.g. deer, elk, etc.
  • Small wild rodents
  • Wild Boar
  • Wild Fowl
  • Other wild carnivores
  • Marine animals such as polar bears, seals, walrus
  • Fish
  • Shellfish

2.0 How to Prevent Trichinella and Other Parasitic Infections

2.1 Instructions For The Raw Diet
 
Domestic animals such as pigs and horses can carry the trichinosis infection and other parasitic infestations and infections, however the cysts can be killed by freezing the meat in 6” (15.24 cm) thick or less cuts, for 21 days at 5 F, -15 C. 
 
2.1.1 Butcher or Grocery Store Sourced Meat
 
If you're purchasing meat (including fish) from a grocery store, butcher or local farmer you can ask if the meat was previously frozen and for how long. Typically, when purchasing from the butcher or grocery store the meat has been previously frozen. Once you bring the meat home, freeze it for two (2) to three (3) days prior to thawing and serving it raw to your dog and cat.

2.1.2 Meat Sourced From a Reputable Raw Pet Food Supplier

There is no need to freeze meat (domestic or wild game) that you've purchased from a reputable raw pet food supplier. The reputable raw food supplier will have properly sourced and prepared the meat (including fish), ensuring it is ready for immediate use.


2.1.3 Wild Game Sourced From a Hunter or Self-Harvested
 
If you're going to be feeding your dog or cat raw, wild game meat (from wild carnivores, omnivores or herbivores):

Make sure you're sourcing the wild game from a reputable supplier, or area known to have a low rate of trichinella.

The 21 day freezing technique discussed above is NOT reliable for wild game meats as trichinella present in wild game tend to be cold-hardy.   
 
The NCBI provides a chart reporting the resistance of trichinella cysts to freezing – you can view that chart here.

2.2 Instructions for The Cooked Diet

Cook wild game meats as per the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. Microwaving, or smoking meat will NOT kill the cysts that cause trichinosis infection. 
 

Holistic Diet, Nutrition, Wellness Services Tailored to Your Individual Dog and Cat
 
For information about my holistic diet, nutrition, wellness services visit my:
 
Maintain good health | Address acute and chronic health issues | Pre and post surgery support and recovery
 
My holistic wellness services are available worldwide via video consultation.

🌎  USA | Canada | UK | Europe | Australia | New Zealand | Asia | South and Central America | Africa | UAE
 
📱 FaceTime | Facebook | Skype | WhatsApp
 
To set-up your holistic wellness consultation get in-touch via email:
Contact me.

 
Holistic Behavioral Services For Your Dog
 
For information about my holistic behavioral services visit my:
For dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds
 
My holistic behavioral services are available locally in-person and worldwide via video session.
 
🌎  USA | Canada | UK | Europe | Australia | New Zealand | Asia | South and Central America | Africa | UAE
 
📱 FaceTime | Facebook | Skype | WhatsApp
 
To set-up your holistic behavioral session get in-touch via email:
Contact me.
 
Affiliations to Companies
✓ None.
✓ I don't sell food or supplements.
✓ I'm not aligned with any companies.

Article by Karen Rosenfeld

Popular Posts