Cats Die of TB After Eating Raw Meat

Tuberculosis sounds like a disease you are unlikely to encounter in the Netherlands these days. But it turns out the infectious disease is closer than expected. According to the RIVM, cats have died from TB. And this is the first time this has happened in the Netherlands.

People with cats will recognize this scene immediately: you pick up a cutting board to cut your meat and, before you have even started, that little fluffball is already purring and rubbing against your legs. It takes a strong person to resist giving them a piece of raw meat. It can’t hurt, right? Opinions on that are (still…) divided—and that discussion is being reignited now that a Dutch mother cat and her kitten have died of tuberculosis. This was probably caused by eating raw offal. The RIVM and the NVWA are still investigating the origin of the contaminated meat in question.

BARF

Offal for pets can often be bought in supermarkets or pet stores. The meat is often known as BARF (Bones and Raw Food). Veterinarians have been warning for some time to be cautious about feeding raw meat. It can contain bacteria and parasites that can make animals (and in some cases their owners too) ill. There is also no scientific evidence that raw meat diets are better for animals than ‘regular’ food.

Three-course menu

So the next time your pet looks at you with those big eyes, it would be better to give them a more suitable snack. Need inspiration? Jun from JunsKitchen  regularly cooks a three-course menu for his furry friends.

Also read:

• Cats cannot be trusted, especially around your food
• These cats are actually in charge at the supermarket
• An ode to the Bifi sausage

Source: Dierenarts.nl / RTL