Vet Tips

Pet Food Safety
06/23/2009

Think Food
We know to wash our hands before dinner
and after the bathroom, but what about
after the pet food?
You are running late again, and just as you are
running for the door you remember Fido still needs his
breakfast. After serving a hearty scoop of his favorite
food, you are in the car and on the freeway, and along
for the ride is Salmonella.
Many of us think we know when to wash our hands,
but do you wash your hands after feeding your pets? If
you were handling raw meat while preparing food for
yourself, you would wash your hands, so why should
Fido’s food be any different? Many of us eat cows and
chickens regularly, and so too does Fido. Salmonella
bacteria naturally live in the intestines of healthy cows
and chickens, so when you, your kids and your pets
come into contact with the meat of these animals in
your food and in your pet’s food, you have the
potential of getting ill.
The best way to reduce your risk of Foodborne illness
is to wash your hands with warm soapy water every
time, even on rushing work mornings.
For more information on Pet Food Safety

FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, Communications

Phone: 240-276-9300, Fax: 240-276-9115, Email: CVMHomeP@fda.gov

Submitted by:
FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine, Communications