The discovery of antibiotics revolutionized healthcare. However, their widespread use led to resistance. This growing issue of antibiotic resistance is classified by WHO as one of the greatest global health threats.
Antibiotic resistance (AMR) is a growing global threat in which bacteria and other pathogens develop resistance and no longer respond to antibiotics. According to the WHO, AMR is one of the biggest threats to global health, with an estimated 4.95 million AMR-associated deaths each year.
The problem of AMR has been accelerated by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, especially within food production where there is a clear link between poor animal welfare and extensive use of antibiotics.
Approximately 73% of all antibiotics sold globally are used in animal production, including meat-producing animals. In other words, more antibiotics are used for healthy animals than for sick humans!
The global meat industry, where antibiotics are unnecessarily used, significantly contributes to the spread of antibiotic resistance. Pets, accounting for 25% of global meat consumption, thus become part of the problem. The demand for meat in pet food indirectly drives the excessive use of antibiotics in livestock production, contributing to the global AMR crisis.
Feeding dogs and cats meat of unknown origin can increase the risk of contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance. If the source of the meat in dog or cat food is unknown, it is also difficult to have transparency about how antibiotics have been used. Certain types of dog and cat food have also been flagged as a particular risk for spreading antibiotic-resistant bacteria to the pet or family members.
The transparency around the origin of meat in dog or cat food and how antibiotics were handled on that particular farm is often extremely limited. Feeding dogs and cats meat with an unknown origin can therefore increase the risk of contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance.
If you feed your dog or cat raw food, you and your pet are at greater risk of direct exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Research has shown that raw food containing raw meat can be a potential source of pathogens resistant to antibiotics, which can also spread through the dog’s feces. This means that pets fed such food may carry these bacteria, which not only increases the risk of hard-to-treat infections in the dog or cat but can also lead to the spread of bacteria in the home environment and to humans.
For families, living with a pet exposed to resistant bacteria poses a risk. The bacteria can spread through direct contact with the dog or cat, through its saliva or feces, or via surfaces the pet touches. This means that family members—especially young children, the elderly, or people with weakened immune systems—can be exposed to resistant bacteria that are difficult to treat. Research shows that the risk of transmission of these bacteria from animals to humans may be especially high in households where raw food is used. Therefore, it is important to consider food options that are safe not only for the pet but also for the entire family.
To reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance while protecting both your pet and your family, it is crucial to choose food that is produced without antibiotics and offers full traceability.
You achieve this with Petgood's insect-based food—by using protein from the larvae of the black soldier fly, which never requires antibiotics during breeding, the risk of contributing to antibiotic resistance is completely eliminated.
By choosing Petgood, you can be confident that your dog or cat is getting a nutritionally fantastic food, and you also take an active step toward protecting both your pet, your family, and our planet from antibiotic resistance.
The larvae are raised in a clean and natural environment to minimize the spread of diseases. They also have an excellent immune system and are naturally resistant to diseases, growing quickly on their own without the need for growth-promoting agents—fantastic traits that distinguish them from other animals.
We are proud that all our insect-based pet food products fulfill Axfoundation's stringent Antibiotic Criteria, following a self-assessment against these standards.
The criteria serve as a guide for responsible antibiotic use and animal welfare in food production. The goal is to reduce antibiotic use and combat the global spread of AMR.
Petgood’s achievement in meeting these criteria marks a significant step forward in the pet food industry’s contribution to combating antimicrobial resistance. By utilizing innovative, antibiotic-free insect protein, Petgood not only ensures the health and well-being of pets but also addresses a critical global challenge.
“The fact that insect protein production is not reliant on undesirable additives such as antibiotics clearly demonstrates the very high quality of this nutritious feed ingredient. Reducing our reliance on antimicrobials is vital for tackling the global health crisis of AMR; and insect protein production is a leader in this field..”
- Dr Nicky Sluczanowski, Lead Veterinarian, Petgood