Raw Feeding and “Strep G” in Cats – What Breeders Should Know
- miriamm00
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
When breeders talk about “Strep G” in cats, they are usually referring to Streptococcus canis — the main Group G streptococcus associated with disease in cats and kittens.
Streptococcus canis is an important bacterial organism in veterinary medicine because it can cause:
neonatal fading kittens
pneumonia
septicaemia (“blood poisoning”)
abscesses
reproductive tract infections
sudden illness in young kittens
Reproductive problems - queens not calling, not getting pregnant, miscarriage, pyometra.
At the same time, many healthy cats can carry Streptococcus canis normally in the mouth, respiratory tract, skin, or genital tract without becoming sick. Disease tends to occur when stress, crowding, poor immunity, or heavy bacterial exposure allow the organism to become invasive.
Why do many breeders raw feed?
Despite the risks often discussed online, many experienced breeders choose to raw feed because they genuinely feel they see healthier cats overall when it is done well.
Breeders commonly report:
improved muscle condition
glossy coats
better digestion and smaller stools, less odour from the litter tray.
improved fertility
larger litters
bigger, thriving kittens
Queens maintaining condition well during lactation
Many breeders who have raw fed for years feel that, under the right conditions, their cats do exceptionally well on fresh diets.
However, the key phrase is “under the right conditions.”
Raw feeding relies heavily on:
excellent food hygiene
reputable meat sourcing
proper refrigeration and storage
low stress environments
good ventilation and cleanliness
When contamination enters the system, problems can escalate quickly — especially in breeding colonies with pregnant queens and neonatal kittens.
So where does raw feeding fit into Strep G?
Raw meat can contain a range of bacteria, including streptococci. During slaughter and meat processing, contamination can occur from skin, respiratory secretions, equipment, or the environment.
Research has shown that organisms including:
Salmonella
E. coli
Enterococcus
and streptococci such as Streptococcus canis (ie Strep G)
may be found in raw pet food and raw meat products.
Minced meat and pet-grade raw products tend to carry a higher contamination risk because processing spreads bacteria throughout the product. Freezing slows bacterial growth but does not reliably kill Streptococcus canis.
Does raw feeding “cause” Strep G outbreaks?
Probably not on its own.
Current evidence suggests raw feeding may be one contributing factor in some cattery outbreaks, particularly where there are:
very young kittens
stress
overcrowding
concurrent viral disease
poor hygiene
carrier cats already present
Warmer weather (so you may see more in the summer months)
Most veterinary researchers believe Strep G disease is usually multifactorial — meaning several factors combine together before disease develops.
Practical steps for breeders
Breeders who raw feed can reduce risk by:
using reputable suppliers - ideally Human grade (I use my own home-kill beef mince when I can but I add nutrients to make it complete).
avoiding old or questionable meat
storing meat carefully - use pet grade as soon as its thawed. Thaw carefully, dont allow to get up to room temperature for too long.
cleaning bowls and preparation areas thoroughly
limiting exposure of neonatal kittens to raw feeding areas
Start kittens on cooked food - eg sachets before transitioning to raw works best in my experience.
considering cooked diets temporarily during outbreaks
Importantly, a positive culture for Streptococcus canis does not automatically mean a cat is sick, as many healthy cats may carry the organism normally.
Like many things in breeding, managing Strep G is usually about reducing overall disease pressure, maintaining excellent hygiene, and supporting strong healthy kittens — rather than searching for one single cause.
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