A latest study found that almost all dog owners in the US have no idea the best way to safely handle pet food and dishes, putting them at an increased risk of foodborne illness.
The study, published within the journal PLOS One, found that 95% of greater than 400 dog owners weren’t aware of the FDA’s guidelines for the secure handling of pet food.
The ideas include washing your hands before and after handling pet food or treats, preparing pet food on separate surfaces from those used for human food, and never using the feeding bowl as a scoop.
You might be also presupposed to wash and dry food bowls and scoops after each use. The study tested nearly 70 pet food dishes for bacteria before and after giving three different sets of instructions for handling food.
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It found less bowl contamination from owners who followed the FDA’s food handling guidelines. Those guidelines can be found below:
Suggestions for purchasing pet food
Buy pet food products (cans, pouches, or bags) which can be in good condition. Check the packaging for visible signs of harm, akin to dents, tears, and discolorations.
Suggestions for preparing pet food
Begin and end with clean hands. Each before and after handling pet food and treats, wash your hands for at the very least 20 seconds with soap and hot water.
Wash pet food bowls and scooping utensils with soap and hot water after each use.
Don’t use your pet’s food bowl as a scooping utensil. Use a clean scoop, spoon, or cup as an alternative. Use the scooping utensil just for scooping pet food.
Throw out old or spoiled pet food in a secure way, for instance, by placing it in a securely tied plastic bag in a covered trash can.
Suggestions for storing pet food
Promptly refrigerate or throw out unused or leftover canned and pouched pet food. Tightly cover refrigerated pet food. Set your refrigerator to 40 F or below.
Store dry pet food in a cool and dry place. The temperature must be lower than 80 F. Excess heat or moisture may cause the nutrients to interrupt down.
Store dry pet food in its original bag and keep the highest of the bag tightly folded down.
Keep pet food in a secure location to stop your pet from eating a whole supply without delay.
Love your pet? Don’t have one, but you’re enthusiastic about getting one? View our All 4 Pets coverage here to see lovable animals and learn more about pet ownership.
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