🐾🥩 Safe Handling of Raw Dog Meat 🥩🐾
Ever so often the News will talk about Salmonella, is it a common problem or is it fear mongering? AND Is the risk preventable?
Whether you feed your dog a raw meat diet or even kibble, it's important to handle the meat/food safely to minimize the risk of bacterial contamination and foodborne illnesses.
There is a potential risk of salmonella contamination in any type of human food and pet food, including dog kibble. Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause illness in both humans and animals. It can be present in raw ingredients used in food manufacturing or can contaminate the food during processing.
However, it's important to note that reputable pet food manufacturers follow strict quality control measures to minimize the risk of bacterial contamination, including salmonella. They conduct regular testing and adhere to safety standards to ensure the safety of their products. Some manufacturers take extra measures and obtain HACCP* Certification. Big Country Raw is one of these manufacturers that follow the same strict standards as human food producers.
Protecting your loved ones and furry family members from food contamination can be as simply as buying from reputable food suppliers and following safe handling practices.
Here are some guidelines for safe handling of both raw & kibble:
1️⃣ Wash Your Hands: Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling raw dog meat , dry or wet dog food. This helps prevent the spread of bacteria.
2️⃣ Separate Surfaces: Use separate cutting boards, utensils, and bowls for raw dog meat to avoid cross-contamination with other foods. Clean and sanitize these items after each use. Same goes for kibble, ensure the scoop you use to dish up the food is kept separate from other kitchen utensils
3️⃣ Storage: Keep raw dog meat frozen until ready to use. Thaw it in the refrigerator or in cold water, not at room temperature, to prevent bacterial growth. Use thawed food within a few days. You can also feed raw partially frozen.
For kibble, Keep it in the bag it comes in. Storage containers grow bacteria and even mold. The oils in the kibble can cause the food to become rancid. The bags they come in are made to keep the food shelf stable as long as possible. But as soon as the kibble is exposed to oxygen the degrading process begins. The quantity you buy should be consumed within 2-6 weeks from open date.
4️⃣ Clean Preparation Area: Clean and sanitize the area where you prepare raw dog meat to eliminate any potential bacteria. Use hot, soapy water or a disinfectant cleaner. This is really no different than when you prepare dinner for your human family.
5️⃣ Temperature Control: Keep raw dog meat refrigerated or frozen at all times. Avoid leaving it at room temperature for extended periods, as this can promote bacterial growth. Do not leave raw food out in the dog dish. Serve your dog it’s meals like you would other family members. Dish it up, present it to them, if they don’t consume it within 5 minutes or so, put it back in the fridge and try again a little later.
It is common for people to leave kibble in the bowl for days on end or until their dog consumes it all. Demand feeding can not only be a potential source of bacteria growth, it can also cause weight issues with your dog consuming more than needed for optimal health.
6️⃣ Dispose of Leftovers: If your dog refuses to eat or leaves food in the plate, discard any remaining portions. Do not leave it out for too long, as bacteria can multiply rapidly.
7️⃣ Handling with Care: Avoid touching your face, mouth, or other surfaces while handling raw dog meat or any type of dog food. This helps prevent the spread of bacteria.
8️⃣ Safe Feeding: Ensure your dog eats the raw meat in a designated area, having their bowl on a doggy place mat is a good option. Ceramic or stainless steel bowls are the best. Clean their dishes with each use or put in the dishwasher. This also goes for water dishes, as they often get neglected in the cleaning regime. Clean up any eating spills promptly and thoroughly
9️⃣ Educate Yourself: Learn about safe raw feeding practices, including proper ratios of meat, bones, and organs, to provide a balanced diet for your dog. Check with kibble brands for food recalls. There are popular well known kibble brand names who have numerous food recalls.
🔟 If you have small children, avoid puppy kisses for an hour after the dog has eaten (whether kibble or raw). Do not let crawling babies near the feeding areas, which is another reason not to let food sit out.
Remember, raw dog meat, kibble, or dog feces can carry bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli, which can also pose a risk to humans. By following these safe handling practices, you can minimize the risk of contamination and ensure the health and well-being of both your dog and yourself. Stay safe and keep your furry friend healthy! 🐶💚
*HACCP Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points is a food safety system designed to identify and control hazards that may occur in the food production process. The HACCP approach focuses on preventing potential problems that are critical to food safety known as ‘critical control points’ (CPP) through monitoring and controlling each step of the process. Human Food Manufacturing follows