The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is looking into ways to minimize the incidence of foodborne illness associated with pet food and treats.
“Ultimately, we’re hoping to learn ways FDA can help minimize the incidence of foodborne illness associated with pet foods and treats,” says Renate Reimschuessel, veterinarian, research biologist and head of the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network.
Over the past two years, 11 labs with which the FDA partners have focused on Salmonella infections in dogs and cats. Each lab collected stool samples from dogs and cats with signs of salmonellosis and compared the samples with a control group. The study also asked pet owners questions about their pets.
Of 3,000 pets tested, less than 100 tested positive for Salmonella.
“Pet owners should know, though, that almost half of the dogs that tested positive for Salmonella showed no symptoms,” Reimschuessel said.
FDA is offering ways pet owners can minimize the spread of illness in the event that pet food and treats may be contaminated:
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