Vet Tips

Wash Your Hands
09/08/2009

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