Executive Summary about Pet Food by Amanda K. Jones

pet food

Many pet owners are considering the option of feeding their pet a homemade diet. Domesticated pets can become ill from ingesting contaminated food. The source of the food can be from either commercial or home prepared diets. Foodborne illnesses in dogs and cats can be caused by bacterial infection, bacterial toxins, mycotoxins, chemicals, metals and other contaminants.

It is important to distinguish the difference between food infections and food poisonings. Food infections result from the ingestion of infectious microbial cells (like salmonellae) that invade the pet’s tissues and after a period of time reproduce to pathogenic levels. Food poisonings result from the ingestion of food that already contains a microbial toxin (like aflatoxin). The signs of food poisonings usually appear rapidly, sometimes less than one hour after ingestion.

In a recent study done by the American Association of Poison Control Centers, food poisonings accounted for only 1.7% of reported causes of poisonings in dogs and cats. While the risk of litigation and bad press encourages Pet Food manufacturers to be diligent in maintaining high product quality standards, there is always the chance for miscalculations and errors.

The USDA keeps a running tally of recalled human food products on its Food Safety and Inspection Service website. Many health-conscious pet owners abandon commercial Pet Food products and prepare homemade diets for their pets.

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