In the beautiful northern land of Canada, dogs have been getting sick. At least 8 cases of salmonella have been reported in dogs across the country, likely linked to pig ear dog treats. If you want to keep your dog safe from dog treats with Salmonella, then you should read this article to make sure you know what to do.
The Dog Treats Salmonella Outbreak in Canada
Two provinces (British Columbia and Alberta) and one territory (the Yukon) in Canada have reported an outbreak of salmonella in dogs. The salmonella is believed to be caused by pig ear dog treats, which have since been recalled.
The two brands of contaminated food are Paws Up! and Western Family. The products were being sold at the large chain stores Save-On-Foods and Canadian Tire.
The cases were reported between February and August this year. The products, manufactured by Masters Best Friend, have since been recalled. The recall followed a public health notice issued by the Public Health Agency of Canada on September 29, 2020.
How to Tell If Your Dog Has Salmonella
The dog treats causing salmonella have since been recalled. However, that doesn’t mean they are not in circulation anymore. If you or a friend didn’t hear the health warning and have continued feeding your puppy either of these products, you should know the symptoms of salmonella.
The most common symptoms of salmonella in dogs include:
- Lack of energy, laziness
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Diarrhea which may or may not contain blood
- Vomiting
How to Stay Safe from Dog Treats Salmonella
Obviously, the first thing you’ll want to do is avoid feeding your dog any Paws Up! or Western Family dog food made with pig ears.
If your dog already has salmonella, then you need to take care of them. Most cases of salmonella will resolve on their own. However, some of the more serious cases may require medical attention. In this case, check with your veterinarian. They will most likely prescribe your dog some antibiotics to help with symptoms.
Here are some other tips to help keep you and your pup safe.
- Make sure that you wash your hands after touching any dog treats.
- Keep any areas where loose dog treats have touched clean and sanitized.
- Any containers or bags that contained pig ear dog treats should be thoroughly washed with hot soapy water.
- Make sure that you keep any dog treats away from children.
- If your dog chooses not to finish a treat, pick it up and dispose of it.
- Keep dog treats away from human food whenever possible.
- When touching unpackaged treats at pet stores, be sure to thoroughly wash your hands afterward.
Conclusion
The outbreak of dog treats salmonella was not too serious. However, it was serious enough to remind us of the importance of staying clean and healthy. Not just for our health, but for the health of our furry friends.
In the meantime, you can get your dog accustomed to another brand of food such as American Journey. Or, if your dog struggles with a condition like diabetes then you might want to take the time to make them special food.
