Preventing Pet Food Contamination at Home

We all worry about our pets’ health.  Our pets are like our children.  When they are sick, we feel horrible, especially if the sickness is due to a foodborne illness stemming from our home.

Unfortunately, foodborne illness including Salmonella-related illness sometimes occurs in the home due to harmful bacterial contamination unrelated to the manufacturer.

Pet food and treats just like many other types of food can be susceptible to contamination if not handled or stored properly. There are a few simple things to keep in mind when handling pet food.

The Risks of Pet Food or Pet Treats Contamination

Salmonella is just one of the risks of pet food contamination. It can cause serious infections in dogs and cats.

In fact, if cross contamination occurs, people also face the possibility of serious infection, especially children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.  Salmonella in pet food and treats can potentially be transferred to people by ingesting (not part of MY diet—thank you very much) or even just handling contaminated pet food and treats.

By following a few simple and safe handling instructions, pet owners can reduce the likelihood of infection from contaminated pet foods and treats.

Pet Food Buying Tips

  • Purchase pet products (canned or bagged) that are in good condition with no visible signs of damage to the packaging such as dents, tears, or discolorations.
  • Check the expiration date on everything your buy your pet to eat.

Pet Food Preparation Tips

  • Start with clean hands. Wash your hands for 20 seconds with hot water and soap before and after handling pet foods and treats.
  • Wash pet food dishes and scooping utensils with soap and hot water after each use.
  • Use a clean, dedicated scoop, spoon or cup to fill the bowl—not the dog’s dish.

Pet Food Storage Tips

  • Refrigerate promptly or discard any unused, left-over wet pet food (cans, pouches, etc.). Refrigerating foods immediately keeps most harmful bacteria from growing and multiplying. Refrigerators should be set at 40 º F, which is the safe temperature for both the pets’ food and the pet owners’ food.
  • Dry food products should be stored in a cool, dry place–under 80º F.
  • Store dry pet food inside a clean, plastic container with a lid or use a super-sized canister that is also a dispenser.  (Don’t discard the bag; in the event of a recall, you will need to check the product code or other pertinent information.)
  • Dispose of old or spoiled pet food products in a safe manner (example: in a securely tied plastic bag in a covered trash receptacle).

Raw Food Diets

  • Keep raw meat and poultry products frozen until ready to use.
  • Thaw in refrigerator or microwave.
  • Keep raw food diets separate from other types of food.
  • Wash working surfaces, utensils (including cutting boards, preparation and feeding bowls), hands, and any other items that touch or contact raw meat, poultry or seafood with hot soapy water.
  • Cover and refrigerate leftovers immediately or discard safely.
  • Kitchen sanitizers should be used on cutting boards and counter tops periodically. A sanitizing solution can be made by mixing one teaspoon of chlorine bleach to one quart of water.
  • Plastic or other non-porous cutting board should be run through the dishwasher after each use.

General Tips

  • Beware of any pet food or treats recalls. Periodically, pet owners should frequent sites like the FDA’s for a reliable and current list of pet food or treat warnings.
  • Keep pets away from food storage and preparation areas.
  • Keep pets away from garbage and household trash.

With just a few good habits, we can protect our beloved pets from getting ill due to pet food contamination in the home. Our pets can’t tell us what’s wrong when they don’t feel well, so we need to take the steps necessary to ensure ruling out pet food contamination.

Pet Super Store is always interested in our customers and their questions. Feel free to contact us whenever you have pet questions or needs.

 

Facets of Feeding Fido

iStock_000015977144XSmallNew dog owners often do not know whether their dog should be fed once a day or twice a day or continuously.  Another popular question is how much food my dog should be getting every day.  Although the answer to these types of questions can vary depending on the breed and age of the dog, there are some basic guidelines to feeding your dog.

Another thing that varies is the pet parents: some feed their dog once a day and some swear dogs need food twice a day. Probably, the answer is to do what’s best for your dog. Of course, if you’re like me, I give my pet a variety of nutritious treats for mid-day or evening snacks.

For example, puppies need more food than adult dogs. That might seem backwards at first, but dogs are much more active as puppies, requiring more food.

How often should I feed my dog?

There are no hard-set rules for how often you choose to feed your dog.  Choose a schedule that works with your daily schedule and that meets your dog’s needs based on life-stage, conditions, and your wishes.

At Pet Super Store we recommend you feed your dog twice a day and puppies less than five months should be fed three times a day if it seems appropriate.

The amount of food you offer at each meal can also be varied.  For example, you can feed a smaller meal in the morning before leaving for work if your pet is to be crated to avoid crate soiling, followed by a larger meal later in the day when you are able to let your pet outside to relieve itself.

How much should I feed my dog?

Most importantly, your pet should maintain a moderate body condition score.  Pets vary and pet feeding recommendations are population-based estimates that should only be used as a starting point. Depending on your pet’s needs, you can adjust the amount up or down to avoid unhealthy weight loss or gain. (See table below)

Other factors of feeding schedules for dogs include the activity level of dogs the same size—including the same breed—because these factors can vary greatly. For example, a pet with acres of land to roam all day would likely need more food than a pet confined in some way.

In other words, feed your pet whatever amount of food is necessary to keep your pet healthy.

Because some pet food companies advertise guidelines that can sometimes favor their own brands, the best advice about pet feeding schedules will always come from your veterinarian.  The number one priority of veterinarians is the health of their patients—your precious pooch!

Pet Super Store is always interested in our customers and their questions. Feel free to contact us whenever you have pet questions or needs.

Weight of Dog

DAILY AMOUNT TO FEED

Less than 4 months and pregnant dogs weeks  7 – 9 4 to 9 months and pregnant dogs weeks  5 – 6 10 to 12 months and pregnant dogs weeks  1 – 4 Adult dogs
2 pounds ½ cup 3/8 cup 1/3 cup 1/4 to 1/3 cup
5 pounds 1 cup ¾ cup 2/3 cup ½ to 2/3 cup
8 pounds 1 ½ cups 1 ¼ cups 1 cup ¾ to 1 cup
14 pounds 2 cups 1 ¾ cups 1 ½ cups 1 ¼  to 1 ½ cups
20 pounds 3 cups 2 ½ cups 2 cups 1 ¾ to 2 cups
40 pounds 5 cups 4 cups 3 ¼ cups 3 to 3 ¼ cups
60 pounds 6 2/3 cups 5 ½ cups 4 1/3 cups 4 to 4 1/3 cups
80 pounds 8 ¼ cups 6 ¾ cups 5 ½ cups 5 to 5 ½ cups
100 pounds 9 ¾ cups 8 cups 6 ½ cups 6 to 6 ½ cups
120 pounds 11 ¼ cups 9 ¼ cups 7 ½ cups 7 to 7 ½ cups

Pet Owners Prepare for Possible Evacuations

High hurricane forecasts for 2013 season may lead to emergency mandatory evacuations. Pet Super Store urges you to make sure you’re ready for this difficult and emotional time. Based on averages from 1981 through 2010 statistics, this hurricane season will produce more named storms, more hurricanes, and more major hurricanes.

Knowing what to do to protect your pet in case of an evacuation is extremely important. The likelihood that you and your animals will survive an emergency such as a hurricane or a tornado depends largely on emergency planning done today.

As the Disaster Approaches

Often, warnings are issued hours and even sometimes days in advance. At the first hint of disaster, you need to take action to protect your pets:

  • Call ahead to confirm emergency shelter arrangements for you and your pets. Have the phone numbers of different pet-friendly shelters in your area. (Not all shelters allow animals, and some shelters may fill up quickly.)
  • Ensure that all pets are wearing collars with securely fastened, up-to-date identification. Jot down your pet’s micro-chip information and keep it with your Pet Emergency Preparedness Kit.
  • Check that your Pet Emergency Preparedness Kit supplies are ready to take at a moment’s notice.
  • Bring pets inside so you won’t have to search for them if you need to leave quickly.

Evacuation Planning

Whether you decide to stay put in an emergency or evacuate to a safer location, you will need to make plans in advance for your pets. Keep in mind that what’s best for you is typically what’s best for your animals.

If you evacuate your home, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND! Even if your pets survive the actual storm, they most likely cannot survive on their own, and those that do live and are not micro-chipped are rarely re-united with their owners and become homeless.

If you are going to a public shelter, it is important to understand that animals may not be allowed inside every shelter. Plan in advance for pet friendly shelter alternatives that will work for both you and your pets – consider loved ones or friends outside of your immediate area who would be willing to host you and your pets in an emergency.

Make a back-up emergency plan for times such as when you’re working and can’t immediately care for your animals yourself. Develop a buddy system with neighbors, friends and relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so.

If you are properly prepared in advance of a hurricane or other emergency, you will not be forced to improvise and use whatever you have on hand to make it on your own for at least three days, maybe longer.

Evacuating

If it’s not safe for you to stay behind, then it’s not safe to leave pets behind either. At the time of evacuation, remember the following tips:

  • Plan your evacuation and leave in plenty of time. Do not wait until the last minute to evacuate. When rescue officials come to your door, they may not always allow you to take your pets with you.
  • Remember emergency responders are trained and required to save human lives, not animals. They may be taking physical and legal risks if they stop to help your animals.
  • Carry a list of emergency telephone numbers with you. This should include your veterinarian, local animal control, local animal shelters, and any other individual or group you might need to contact during the disaster.

Returning Home After Evacuation

The behavior of pets may change dramatically after a disaster, becoming aggressive or defensive, so be aware of their well-being and protect them from hazards to ensure the safety of other people and animals.

  • Watch your animals closely and keep them under your direct control as fences and gates may have been damaged.
  • Pets may become disoriented, particularly if the disaster has affected scent markers that normally allow them to find their home.
  • Be aware of hazards at nose and paw or hoof level, particularly debris, spilled chemicals, fertilizers and other substances that might not seem to be dangerous to humans.
  • Consult your veterinarian if any behavior problems persist.
  • Let your family and friends know about your welfare.

Our pets enrich our lives in countless ways. In turn, they depend on us for their safety and well-being. The best way to ensure the safety of your family is to be prepared with a disaster plan. If you are a pet owner, that plan includes your pets.

Pet Super Store knows your pet is an important member of your household. Being prepared can help save lives.

 

 

Battle of the Bulge

As an animal lover and obsessed dog owner, I am sure that you can imagine that I have a lot of friends of the canine persuasion on Facebook. I love to peruse profiles and see pictures of cute Pugs and Goldens; in fact, it generally puts me in a better mood. However, more and more I am seeing pudgy pooches and flabby felines.

I’m certainly not the epitome of fitness but I feel that as a pet owner I have a responsibility to my dogs to keep them in shape and monitor what they are eating. However, I often fall victim to longing puppy eyes too. It’s difficult not to.

Simply put, for pets, food does not equate love. I read a great article the other day about how pet owners often feel guilty for not spending enough quality time with their pets and hence feed them calorie laden treats or hefty bowls of food as a peace offering.

I challenge you, the responsible pet owners I know you are, to cut it out! Walking and playing with your dog doesn’t take that much time and it will benefit you and your dog. From personal experience, I get so much joy seeing my dogs happy, smiling, sniffing and tearing it up outside! As soon as I muster up the motivation to grab the dog leash, it’s on. Getting outside in the fresh air is good exercise for them and me, therapeutic for my mind and body…plus, I’ve noticed a direct correlation between content doggies and mangled stilettos.

Check in with your vet to determine how much food and caloric intake your pets need. Dog food manufacturers are not required to post the nutritional value of their products but many of the responsible ones do. The best thing about dog dieting is that they can’t complain or cheat! Choose treats like freeze dried vegetables, small raw-hides or carrots.

Just like obesity in humans, pet obesity shortens their lives and puts them at higher risk for disease. It cheats them and you out of long healthy lives with your furry friends.

So if you can’t see Fido’s waist or ribs, if Fifi belly is dragging on floor or Lassie gets winded chasing a ball, it is time to re-vamp the way you and your pet live.

Happy Tails: Good Doggie Causes

Everyone loves free food, right?

It’s no surprise that during these tough economic times, shelter animals have suffered as well. Many shelters have been forced to close or euthanize more animals as result of a signifigant decrease in money–two very sad, very real truths. I’ve found a couple of "good doggie causes" that are quick, simple and available online to help these shelters and ultimately, pets out. Check em’ out.

1. Save a Dog Application on Facebook

Face it, we all are on it now…and while some of the applications that we get sent invitations to are REALLY annoying, this app isn’t so bad. The "game" allows you to virtually foster real shelter animals on facebook. All you have to do is click! You can also virtually walk a dog, pet a dog or arrange a playdate (all for points). Now, I am not sure how this translates to the real world…however, for every 2,500 points that you earn, Save a Dog will donate a cup of dog food to a shelter. The game is sponsered by DogTime. There is also a similar application for cats called Save a Cat. Be careful though, the application, just like many other applications online, can become addictive. I know.

2. Pet Postcard Project

I’m not sure if any of you are familar with PostSecret, but the Pet Postcard Project is a similar but different concept. Here is the website description, "One pound of dog food for every qualifying postcard received goes to dog charities! To date, this project has raised nearly $18,000 and 26,000 pounds of food for shelter animals!"
Basically, anyone can send a postcard to Pet Postcard Project, with content related to pets, and Nikki, the brains behind the project, will donate 1lbs of food to a shelter. And…you could make Fido famous! The best postcards are posted on the website. For full details, go to the site.

3. Like Trivia?

a) yes
b) no
c) who cares as long as I help shelter animals

Free Kibble.com offers up one trivia question a day. Go to the site, answer the question and whether or not you are right or wrong, FreeKibble will donate 10 pieces of kibble to a shelter. Sure, that is not a lot of kibble but it certainly adds up! The site boasts that nearly 283 million pieces of kibble have been donated since the sites creation in 2008. Again, there is also a separate kibble site for cats too. Added bonus: the questions aren’t THAT difficult :)

4. The Animal Rescue Site

I stumbled upon this site a couple of days ago. The site is owned by a couple of guys who started a non-profit and then like 10 more. Here is how the site describes their program, "The Animal Rescue Site focuses the power of the Internet on a specific need — providing food for some of the eight million unwanted animals given to shelters in the U.S. every year. Over four million animals are put to death every year in the U.S. alone because they are abandoned and unwanted. Each click on the purple "Click Here to Give – it’s FREE" button at The Animal Rescue Site provides food and care for a rescued animal living in a shelter or sanctuary. Funding for food and care is paid by site sponsors and distributed to animals in need."
This is super easy and it donates a little over half a bowl!

So next time you see Fido, asleep and comfy in his plush pet bed or bounding out the dog door, please remember that so many animals are not as fortunate and do not ever have the opportunity to have such pleasures.

Happy Tails!