Cornell Study Finds Pathogens in Commercial Raw Cat Food

A Cornell University study has found that commercially available raw cat foods often contain harmful microbes, including antibiotic-resistant strains, posing potential risks for both pets and their owners. Published in Communications Biology, the research detected pathogens such as Salmonella, Cronobacter, and E. coli in products sold frozen, refrigerated, or freeze-dried, purchased either in stores or online. These bacteria carry particular concern because they can spread from cats to humans, with dangerous implications for children, older adults, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.

Senior author Laura Goodman noted that many of these products lack clear labeling that they are uncooked. “Most of these products have no warning labels on them showing that the meat ingredients are not fully cooked, indicating that they could harbor live bacteria and potentially viruses and parasites that would make a family very sick.”

Currently, the Food and Drug Administration regulates raw pet foods but only monitors for a narrow set of bacteria, with a focus on those affecting humans. This study broadens the picture, showing a range of pathogens that could guide stronger regulatory oversight in the future. The team evaluated raw and cooked cat foods by culturing their microbial communities, using the same techniques employed by the FDA to detect bacterial contamination.

Their findings revealed several strains of Salmonella. These were entered into a federal database, where some matched human salmonellosis cases. As Goodman explained, “There were indeed some human cases that were genetically very similar to our isolates,” raising the possibility that consumers had been sickened through contact with these foods.

The study also applied additional culture methods that identified antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas, a pathogen associated with severe infections of the lungs, blood, and urinary tract. Raw food samples contained Klebsiella, linked to illnesses such as pneumonia, though it is not always classified as a foodborne pathogen. In addition, researchers reported Clostridium perfringens, frequently involved in foodborne illness from undercooked meat, particularly turkey. This bacterium appeared strongly in freeze-dried treats and coated kibble.

The research underscores how raw feline diets may serve as a conduit for disease-causing microbes, some with antibiotic resistance. As the market for alternative pet diets grows, the findings point to the need for clearer labeling, more comprehensive testing, and greater awareness among consumers about potential health consequences.