Grooming question for raw feeders

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Ok, this is confusing. Why would you think that? Raw food is a source of salmonella.....kibble is not. Now, I am not saying that kibble cannot have any in it, but less likely in that it is not raw.

I should be more specific, sorry...I meant if a bag of kibble was contaminated w/salmonella, more people will likely get sick bc some people don't wash their hands after handling it. It doesn't say on the bag of kibble to wash your hands after handling it, where as in a bag of premade raw, it says to thoroughly wash your hands w/warm soapy water or something similar to that. I guess you can get sick from pretty much anything, the most important thing is to wash your hands.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by mimimomo

I should be more specific, sorry...I meant if a bag of kibble was contaminated w/salmonella, more people will likely get sick bc some people don't wash their hands after handling it. It doesn't say on the bag of kibble to wash your hands after handling it, where as in a bag of premade raw, it says to thoroughly wash your hands w/warm soapy water or something similar to that. I guess you can get sick from pretty much anything, the most important thing is to wash your hands.

Again, I must ask why it is not important to wash the dogs' faces....if there is a warning about washing??
Of course, there would not be a warning on kibble, because it is not raw. I mean...anything COULD have it but they don't put warnings on everything for every possible bacteria...only the ones that are likely to have it such as raw food.

[tjdmom]

Kibble may not be as safe from salmonella as one would think....

CDC- Healthy Pets Healthy People - Dry Pet Food Risks
Salmonella Schwarzengrund Outbreak Investigation | CDC Salmonella

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by tjdmom

Kibble may not be as safe from salmonella as one would think....

CDC- Healthy Pets Healthy People - Dry Pet Food Risks
Salmonella Schwarzengrund Outbreak Investigation | CDC Salmonella

I am not saying that Salmonella does not occur in kibble nor am I saying that people should not exercise good habits with any food. What I am saying is that if kibble IS there, it is from handling....if in raw food well that IS the source isn't it? Again, kibble is not a source....sadly there are companies that are selling contaminated dog food....all from improper cooking and or handling.
Again......my question was why clean the bowls so well but not the faces?? I have yet to understand any of the answers.

[gemy]

Linda actually I have never looked on the bag of kibble or raw food prepackaged.

I've home cooked for some time now - 6+ years. Mostly over that time raw food, now I've taken to cooking the meat a bit; when Zoey got cancer and I wanted to be ultra safe.

but I have always washed the beard down, and after the third day they go into a bath for a thorough scrub.

I also wash all kitchen surfaces down daily. I wash hands before feeding, and after feeding; just a routine I've gotten into.

Their bowls are washed daily as all our dirty dishes are.

I think that in some ways the great concern over feeding raw, is overstated. But hey I have dogs that need to go at times to vets and emerg; and it is much easier to say you home "cook" then to say you feed raw.

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I am not saying that Salmonella does not occur in kibble nor am I saying that people should not exercise good habits with any food. What I am saying is that if kibble IS there, it is from handling....if in raw food well that IS the source isn't it? Again, kibble is not a source....sadly there are companies that are selling contaminated dog food....all from improper cooking and or handling.
Again......my question was why clean the bowls so well but not the faces?? I have yet to understand any of the answers.

lol Linda, u got me all curious, so I googled it & many people are just not that concerned when feeding raw as long as you're handling it safely. They said to just wipe the dog's mouth if there's food left on it & if they happen to lick you, just wash your hands or face...where ever they happened to lick you...that germs are everywhere.

[PrincessDiana]

I'm not 100% sure about this, but it would make sense to me that bacteria would proliferate more easily on a surface rather than a few hairs on a dog's face. We fed raw for years and only wiped off their faces when there were big chunks of food. Never had a problem.

[tem_sat]

I read most of this thread earlier and recall a statement made that there are no warning labels on dry dog food. Here is one from Eukanuba's bag:

Safe Handling Tips for any Pet Foods and Treats: Please wash your hands before and after handling any pet food or treat. Wash pet food bowls with soap and hot water after each use. For further information and tips please go to the following FDA website:

http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm048030.htm


The only time I had a bit of an issue was due to my dog jumping in my bathtub to get at a case of defrosted pork ribs. That was a bit messy. Otherwise, no special cleanup at all. No face washing. He eats on a towel in the kitchen and after he's done, the towel goes in the washing machine.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I guess. I just don't understand that it is important to clean the bowl but not the face. Oh well...does not apply to me anyway as it is not within my comfort level at all...just caught my eye.

It applies to anyone who feeds kibble, raw, or canned. Kibble bags contain salmonella as well. So the same question(s) would all apply to kibble feeders (ie, clean the bowl? clean the face? if no, why not?)

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I am not saying that Salmonella does not occur in kibble nor am I saying that people should not exercise good habits with any food. What I am saying is that if kibble IS there, it is from handling....if in raw food well that IS the source isn't it? Again, kibble is not a source....sadly there are companies that are selling contaminated dog food....all from improper cooking and or handling.
Again......my question was why clean the bowls so well but not the faces?? I have yet to understand any of the answers.

Not sure what you mean by salm being present in kibble just bc of handling. Salmonella is present in food for many reasons - a certain level is usually 'allowed' bc they can't get the germ to zero, realistically. Kibble contains food, so kibble is a source just like any other food.

It's like how the FDA allows a certain percentage of insect parts to be present in all of our spices..it's just the way it is. They can't get insect parts to zero, so they figure out a generally safe percentage.

I can't answer your question about bowls bc I don't clean my bowls after every feeding; I clean them as I would any dog bowl - every few days or whatnot.

I'd be concerned about the salmonella (the small amount, that is, if present) if someone in my house was immuno compromised or pregnant...then I'd prob be more persnickety. I just used the word persnickety...I don't know where it came from .

[tem_sat]

Here's a nice link from the CDC listing all sorts of things I can come down with, although EXTREMELY rare, due to having pets.

Animals: Dogs | CDC Healthy Pets Healthy People

They state "To best protect yourself from getting sick, thoroughly wash your hands with running water and soap after contact with dogs, dog saliva, or dog feces (stool)."

I cannot imagine washing my hands every time after I touched my dog. That's a bit over the top.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by tem_sat

Here's a nice link from the CDC listing all sorts of things I can come down with, although EXTREMELY rare, due to having pets.

Animals: Dogs | CDC Healthy Pets Healthy People

They state "To best protect yourself from getting sick, thoroughly wash your hands with running water and soap after contact with dogs, dog saliva, or dog feces (stool)."

I cannot imagine washing my hands every time after I touched my dog. That's a bit over the top.

Oh well, at least I will die happy.