Pet food safety

Organization: Public Health Agency of Canada

Date published: September 2024

Cat.: HP40-370/2024E-PDF

ISBN: 978-0-660-73310-4

Pub.: 240505

Just like human food, pet food can become contaminated with harmful germs. Help keep your pets and your family safe and healthy by following these guidelines.

Choose safe food

Cooked pet food is the safest choice for your pet. For example:

• canned food
• processed kibble
• fresh cooked food

The Public Health Agency of Canada does not recommend feeding your pets raw food or treats such as raw, freeze-dried or dehydrated meat. Raw pet food and treats can contain harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli that can make people sick.

Stay safe around feeder rodents and reptiles

Some reptiles have strict and specific diets that include feeder rodents. Both the rodents and the reptiles that eat them can carry germs like Salmonella. These germs can spread to anyone who interacts with the rodents, the reptile or their environment.

To prevent illness:

• Wash your hands after touching:
  • rodents
  • reptiles
  • anything the animals had contact with
• Store and thaw frozen feeder rodents away from human food.
• Wash and sanitize surfaces after contact with feeder rodents and reptiles.

Interact with your pet and their food safely

• Check packaging for:
  • an expiry date
  • storage instructions
  • if the food is cooked or raw
• Wash your hands and help young children to do so after:
  • handling pet waste
  • feeding or playing with your pet
• Don't let your pet lick your face, mouth or open wounds.
• Use separate dishes and utensils for pet food and wash them separately.

Know your risk

Some people are at higher risk for serious illness from germs like Salmonella and E. coli, and should not handle raw pet food or feeder rodents. These include:

• adults over 65
• pregnant people
• children 5 and under
• people with weakened immune systems

Talk to your vet

Talk to your vet when deciding what to feed your pet. They can provide advice to keep you, your pet and your family healthy.