Food safety is just as important when it comes to our pets as it to us. As the year 2015 ended two separate pet food safety issues required recalls in America. Both listeria and salmonella reports caused the recall of two separate company products in the month of December.
Typically, recall actions occur in one of three ways:
- the firm or company can initiate the recall themselves
- the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can request a recall
- the FDA can order a recall
No matter how the recall happens, it is comforting for pet owners across America to know that government agencies, as well as pet food companies themselves, are looking out for the safety of our pets.
While every pet owner is obviously concerned about the health and safety of the food they feed their dog and cat, even people who do not own pets should be thankful that pet food safety is important. The estimated 70 to 80 million dog owners and 74 to 96 million cat owners in America feed their pets on a regular basis. The best of these owners treat their pet?s food as they would food they would eat themselves.
Washing their hands before and after they prepare or open their pet’s food, responsible owners serve this food in clean dishes that are washed and free from possible bacteria and other germs. If an animal contracts a disease like heartworm, for example, careful control of that pet?s food can prevent further problems like infecting other pets in the home.
Since children and infants are especially susceptible to illness transmitted to food it is important to keep children away from pet feeding areas. In some instances, contaminated pet food can become a problem for the families of those pets.
Although food safety testing companies use sophisticated food safety testing analysis to attempt to ensure pet food supply safety, it is equally important that pet owners take common precautions as well.
Given that 63% of dog owners and 58% of cat owners give their animals holiday gifts, it only makes sense that these same owners will take extra care in preparing and serving these pets their food. Veterinary laboratory services for sick pets are expensive. As an example, heartworm treatment for a dog can cost as much as $1,000. Make sure you do your part to keep your pet healthy and avoid these unnecessary fees.
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