Ensuring Dog Food Safety with Every Meal

Feeding your dog a safe and nutritious meal is crucial for their overall health and well-being. According to the FDA, a dog's diet can be a significant source of foodborne illness, with over 1,000 reported cases of pet food recalls each year.

To minimize the risk of contamination, store dog food in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture. This simple step can help prevent bacterial growth and spoilage.

When purchasing dog food, look for reputable manufacturers that adhere to strict quality control measures. As noted in the article, some companies have recall rates as low as 0.1%, significantly lower than the industry average.

Some foods are downright dangerous for dogs, and it's not just because of weight. Xylitol, a common sweetener found in candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods, can cause a dog's blood sugar to drop and lead to liver failure.

If your dog ingests xylitol, you may notice early symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, and coordination problems. These can eventually progress to seizures, and liver failure can happen within just a few days.

Raw eggs are another potential danger, especially for dogs on a raw diet. There's a chance of food poisoning from bacteria like salmonella or E. coli, which can be serious.

On a similar theme: Raw Food Recipe for Dogs

Some foods are downright dangerous for dogs, and it's not just because of weight gain. If it contains the sweetener xylitol, it can cause your dog some real problems.

Candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods are sweetened with xylitol, making them a common culprit. Xylitol can cause your dog's blood sugar to drop and can also cause liver failure.

Early symptoms of xylitol poisoning include vomiting, lethargy, and coordination problems. Eventually, your dog may have seizures.

If your dog eats something toxic, call for emergency help right away. Keep the number of your local vet, the closest emergency clinic, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center -- (888) 426-4435 -- where you know you can find it.

Recommended read: What Food Gives Dogs Diarrhea

Feeding your dog a raw diet that includes uncooked eggs is not recommended by major veterinary medical associations.

There's a significant risk of food poisoning from bacteria like salmonella or E. coli.

Talk to your vet if you have questions about your dog's diet.

Recommended read: Food Diet for Dogs

Safe ingredients for your furry friend are a must. Most dogs can eat lean cuts of meat that have been cooked well.

To ensure your dog's safety, take off all visible fat, including the skin on poultry. Be sure to check for any bones in the meat before giving it to your dog.

Sharing salty foods with your dog is a big no-no. Eating too much salt can make your dog seriously thirsty.

You might think it's cute when your dog makes a lot of trips to the fire hydrant, but it's actually a sign of a bigger problem.

Salt can lead to sodium ion poisoning, which is a serious condition that requires immediate veterinary attention. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, high temperature, and seizures.

In extreme cases, eating too much salt can even cause death.

Expand your knowledge: Soft Food for Dogs with No Teeth

Lean meats can be a safe choice for your dog, but make sure to cook them well and remove all visible fat, including the skin on poultry.

Dogs can tolerate lean cuts of meat, but be cautious of bones, which should be completely removed before serving.

You can give your dog cooked lean meats, such as chicken or beef, as long as they're free of bones and excess fat.

The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends being careful with raw pet foods, but cooked lean meats are generally okay in moderation.

Just remember to always check the meat for bones and fat before giving it to your dog, and you'll be good to go.

The ingredient list on a dog food label can be misleading, but it's still a crucial piece of information. The list won't tell you the quality of the ingredients or where they came from.

Some manufacturers split up ingredients to make the distribution more equal, which can be confusing. For example, different types of corn, like flaked corn, ground corn, or kibbled corn, can be listed separately, making corn seem less prominent on the list.

Recommended read: Is Corn in Dog Food Bad for Dogs

Meat is another tricky ingredient, as whole meats contain a large percentage of water weight, which means the actual meat content is lower than it appears. Meat meal, on the other hand, contains more meat than whole meats because it doesn't have water weight to throw off the calculation.

If your dog has special dietary needs or allergies, the ingredient list is especially important. It can help you identify potential allergens or sensitivities.

For more insights, see: Dog Water Safety

The FDA and state regulatory partners work together to ensure dog food is made, processed, and stored in a way that prevents contamination or adulteration. They do this through risk-based inspections.

FDA prioritizes inspections based on factors like whether a facility has a compliance concern, the type of dog food, and how long it's been since the last inspection. They also consider the nature of the hazards associated with the dog food.

If a dog food facility isn't following the rules, the FDA will try to get them to correct the issue voluntarily. This is often the fastest and most effective way to keep people and pets safe.

However, if voluntary compliance can't be achieved, the FDA has a range of enforcement tools at its disposal. These include advisory actions like warning letters, and more serious measures like mandatory recalls or even criminal prosecution.

Here are some examples of the types of actions the FDA might take: