Do dogs get worms from BARFing? This question has been with our BARF shop since the beginning. This myth is persistent and many people even avoid biologically appropriate raw feeding. For this reason, we are going to get to the bottom of this assumption. We will show you how worms develop and how they get into the bodies of four-legged friends, what role the immune system plays in this and to what extent BARFing promotes parasites.
What types of worms are there?
Before we look in detail at the question of whether dogs can get worms from BARF, it is important to know some basics.
Three types of worms are particularly common:
- Roundworms are a common parasite in puppies, with the larvae usually being swallowed. They are usually transmitted in busy dog parks.
- Tapeworms are generally common in dogs because they are spread by sniffing and licking other animals, including mice, birds, or rabbits.
- Hookworms are less common and generally thrive in warm areas with high humidity. Accordingly, they are also usually ingested outdoors, regardless of age.
The four-legged friends can become infected with various worms, although food is rarely the cause. Dogs tend to catch the parasites outdoors when they roam around green areas, sniff rubbish or play with other animals. It is therefore important that you have your pet's stool samples regularly examined by the vet for worms or worm larvae infestation, so that if the result is positive, you can react and deworm the animal.
So no worms through BARF?
The three known worms are therefore not transmitted through BARF. So where does the myth come from? It is because dogs used to get sick more often through BARF or dog food in general. There are two main reasons for this: controls were worse and many parasites were spread through raw pork. Larvae of the parasite Trichinella spiralis are relatively common in raw pork and lead to diarrhea, vomiting and fever, among other things. Pigs also transmit the deadly Aujeszky's disease, which often initially manifests itself through aggressive behavior, vomiting, diarrhea and excessive salivation and usually leads to the death of the infected four-legged friend after just 48 hours. For this reason, feeding raw pork is generally not recommended today. Fully cooked pork, on the other hand, does not pose any risk.
In terms of controls, BARF meat is now checked by vets in numerous places and strictly controlled before it goes on sale. Regular tests are the order of the day in the pet food industry. You can therefore be sure that worms are almost impossible with BARF. In fact, fresh BARF dog food can support the immune system and thus help in the event of a parasite infestation.
