Canadian humans getting sick after Salmonella outbreak in dog food

Pet owners may want to be extra cautious when handling dog food after a Salmonella outbreak in Canada.

A public health notice was issued on Thursday, Oct. 16, warning people of a Salmonella outbreak linked to dog food and treats in Canada.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), 31 Canadians have fallen ill as a result of this outbreak, and seven people have been hospitalized.

The agency broke down the number of illnesses by province:

• Alberta: 14
• British Columbia: 14
• Ontario: two
• Northwest Territories: one

"In Canada, pet food products are not subject to the same regulations and testing as food intended for humans," reads the notice. "Dog food and treats can be contaminated with bacteria, including Salmonella, which can make people and dogs sick."

Pet owners can contract salmonella through contact with a dog, their food or treats, as well as their waste. Even if your dog doesn't show any signs of sickness, they can still infect you if you're in contact with them or their environment.

"Many people who became sick in this outbreak investigation reported handling dog food and treats prior to becoming ill," stated PHAC.

While a single common supplier of dog food in Canada hasn't been identified as the source of the outbreak, the agency found that exposure to certain Puppy Love and Puppy World dog treats is a likely source for some of the illnesses reported in the outbreak.

Salmonella was found in samples of:

• Puppy World Lamb Lung treats (120 gram, 340 gram, 545 gram bags)
• Puppy Love Chicken Wing Tip treats (120-gram bags)
• Puppy Love Chicken Breast treats (120 gram and 300 gram bags)
• Puppy Love Beef Chew 6-inch treats (Value pack, four pieces)
• Puppy Love “Twisty Jr.” beef treats (Value pack, five pieces)

Puppy Love

PHAC said that the investigation is ongoing, so additional sources of the outbreak may be identified.

The agency advises Canadian dog owners to do the following to reduce the risk of getting sick:

• Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after handling any type of dog food or treat
• Teach children to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water every time after touching dogs, their food, or treats
• Wash and sanitize any containers, utensils and surfaces that have come into contact with dog food or treats before using them again. This includes food and water bowls, countertops, microwaves and refrigerators
• Use dedicated dishes and utensils to serve your dog and wash them separately from other dishes and utensils
• Store all dog food and treats away from where human food is stored or prepared and away from reach of young children. Pick up food and treat containers when your pet is done with them
• Follow storage instructions found on the packaging of dog food and treats, including proper refrigeration and freezing if needed, to prevent them from becoming spoiled
• Read the labels on dog food and treats to learn about the ingredients, the product’s expiry date, and if the food is cooked or raw. Raw pet food and treats may be fresh, frozen, dehydrated or freeze-dried
• Wash your hands after contact with a dog and after handling their waste

There have been no recalls of these products to date.

Dog food isn't the only product linked to Salmonella in Canada recently — there is an ongoing outbreak tied to pistachio products that has caused over 100 illnesses.