For those of you who have pets at home, have you ever been tempted to taste pet food? Or maybe wondering, can humans eat dog food? Do not worry, you are not the only person who is ever wondered what would happen if humans ate animal food. Many people have tasted their pet dog, cat, or fish food. Then, what happens after humans eat animal food?
Pet foods, such as
dog and cat food, are usually made from several food ingredients commonly
consumed by humans. Like a mixture of beef and fish. Even so, pet food is not
recommended for human consumption, because there are several side effects, for
example, food poisoning. Here is the explanation that has been compiled by
Royal Canin to answer the question, can humans eat dog food?
If you try a
tablespoon of pet food, it is probably still fine. According to Dawn Jackson
Blatner, a nutritionist who is a member of the American Dietetic Association,
this is because the human body already has an adequate system for removing
toxins or harmful substances consumed. The liver, kidney, and skin organs can
excrete all foreign substances whose structures are not recognized by the body.
Three things need to
be clarified, first, dogs and cats do not t have the same sense of taste as us,
so their food will not taste good to us. Second, the sanitary requirements for
processing are not the same as for food intended for humans, and third, the
digestive systems of dogs and cats are very different from ours.
Certain varieties of
dog food have added synthetic vitamin K known as menadione (vitamin K3). The
research mentioned this vitamin is toxic to humans in high doses. The amount of
menadione in commercial dog food tends to be low, but it is still not
recommended for humans to consume it regularly or in the long term. So, if you
are unsure whether your dog's food contains vitamin K3, contact the
manufacturer for information.
One thing that often
makes humans tempted to try their pet food is because of the smell. Moreover,
cat or dog food has many flavors, for example, beef, tuna, and salmon.
Can Humans
Eat Dog Food? No, It Will Cause Allergies for Humans
Eating dog food can
be dangerous for humans because we do not fully know what ingredients are in it
and what ingredients are classified as safe for the human body. Allergic
reactions have the potential to occur when there are chemical substances or
other components that are unknowingly allergens for some people.
Children who have
pets at home are sometimes curious to taste dog food. If a child eats dog food,
the poisoning that occurs in the children can be more dangerous than the
poisoning experienced by adults. Poisoning can be a life-threatening risk for
children because their immune system is not perfect like adults.
Can Humans
Eat Dog Food? No, It Will Make Humans Poisoned
The risk of humans
experiencing poisoning after eating dog food is quite high. If food for humans
is often easily exposed to and contaminated with bacteria and various harmful
germs, dog food is much easier. Contamination often occurs in the processing of
dog food so humans are not advised to consume it. Apart from the method of
processing dog food, improper storage also makes it easy for dog food to become
contaminated with bacteria. Several types of bacteria that are likely to infect
the human body after eating dog food are:
•
E. coli.
•
Campylobacter.
•
Listeria.
•
Salmonella.
Food poisoning can
also cause a range of symptoms, ranging from very mild to life-threatening.
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and intestinal cramps need to be watched out for as
a sign of poisoning and treated medically as soon as possible. Therefore,
humans should not carelessly eat dog food.
Can Humans
Eat Dog Food? No, Dog Food’s Nutrition is Not Made for Humans
Several types of
food are not suitable for humans but are often consumed by animals. Bones,
worms, blood, ash, taurine acid, or the innards of livestock. These materials
will be crushed and then processed to unite. So, that the shelf life is longer,
the pet food will be dried so that it looks like biscuits or snacks for humans.
Sometimes pet food is made from other ingredients or additives that are not
listed here.
Food for animals
does not have the same regulation as food for humans. Because animal food will
contain several animal parts such as chicken beaks, bones, and animal hair. The
point is dog food is not designed for human needs nutrition. Even though the
ingredients are made using food that is safe for human consumption.
Can Humans
Eat Dog Food? No! Because Sometimes Dog Food Has Cellulose
Cellulose is a
highly digestible source of pure, raw fiber, which comes from wood. In pet
food, this fiber is included to help satisfy hunger or stabilize stool
consistency in sensitive dogs.
Because of this,
cellulose is often specifically included in formulas that target weight loss,
for example, as well as in foods designed for puppies or older dogs. But you
may be wondering why is cellulose used in food. That's because if other sources
of crude fiber are included in the formula in the required amount, this will
lead to an increase in the amount of stool, as well as an increase in
flatulence.
The Impact
of Using Cutlery Used by Pets
Pet saliva has some
bacteria and viruses that can trigger disease in the human body. The disease is
usually transmitted through touch, and bite, and sometimes it can also be
through the food/drink consumed. The diseases that are transmitted can be
infections such as rabies, bacterial infections, parasitic infections, skin
diseases, and digestive disorders. It is best to avoid mixing cutlery that has
been exposed to animal saliva with the cutlery that we use every day.
Meanwhile, if the cutlery has been washed clean, the risk of disease
transmission will relatively decrease. However, if you are still unsure, you
can perform sterilization techniques such as immersing it in a container filled
with boiling water or using a sterilizer.
It is also important
to know that most pet foods are labeled 'unsuitable for human consumption'
(Royal Canin already has this label). Animal food is not toxic to humans, but
it is neither ideal nor recommended.
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