Are Pig Ear Treats Safe for Your Dog?

dog

Dog Goods USA is recalling a line of pig ear treats for dogs, the most recent concern surrounding these types of pet treats.

Dog Goods’ current voluntary recall is due to possible contamination with Salmonella bacteria and its associated health risks. Dog Goods bought the affected products from a single supplier in Brazil from September 2018 through August 2019 and distributed them nationwide in retail stores.

The FDA sampled pig ears manufactured by its supplier in Brazil and one sample tested positive for Salmonella.

This isn’t the first time pig ears have been linked to salmonella. In July, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and State partners, began investigating a suspected link between pig ear pet treats and human cases of salmonellosis. CDC and FDA are now advising people not to buy or feed any pig ear dog treats to pets, including any that may already be in homes.

The CDC recommends dog owners throw away these treats in a secure container so that your pets and other animals can’t eat them. Even if some of the pig ears were fed to your dog and no one got sick, do not continue to feed them to your dog. Wash containers, shelves, and areas that held any pig ear dog treats with hot, soapy water. Be sure to wash your hands after handling any of these items.

Since the CDC’s last update on July 17, 2019, a total of 34 ill people have been added to this investigation. A total of 127 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella have been reported from 33 states.

“Unfortunately, pig ears are just a product that tends to be greasy which is a great breeding ground for bacteria if not carefully sourced, prepared, and stored,” says Leslie Kessinger, co-owner of Three Dog Bakery in Franklin and Mt. Juliet. “Three Dog Bakery has never sold pig ears because we have known them to have problems. If pig ears are your dog’s favorite, check with your manufacturer to ensure they have high-quality sourcing and preparation standards and to see how they have worked to prevent the spread of pathogenic bacteria in their chew products. ”

How Salmonella Affects Pets
Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting.

Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals and humans.

If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, contact your veterinarian.