Your dogs and cats can get salmonella, too: How to keep them safe.
We've started feeding our two cats, who previously ate nothing but kibble, more "wet" food lately on the advice of our veterinarian. (Apparently, vets are starting to believe that dry food-intensive diets may contribute to kitty diabetes, but more on that later). Sometimes, I'll give Franny and Dolan part of the can and then leave the rest overnight until breakfast -- covered but not refrigerated -- as the chilled stuff does not smell as stinky-delicious to cats.
Turns out this is a very, very bad idea.
Improperly storing and handling pet food can result in foodborne illnesses, including salmonella, just as it can with human food, according to the US Food and Drug Administration. So while I'm busy reading labels and fretting about pet food recalls, I could have been poisoning my animals all on my own.
FYI: Leftover wet food should be either promptly discarded or stored in a refrigerator set at 40 degrees.
Apparently, we pet people also can pick up salmonella ourselves by improperly handling our animals' meals. Here are some tips from the FDA, which is stepping up its education campaign on pet foods and foodborne illness:
* Purchase products in good condition; cans should not be dented, bags should not have tears or holes.
* Wash your hands in hot water, with soap, for 20 seconds BEFORE and after handling pet food and treats.
* Wash pet food bowls, dishes and scooping utensils with soap and hot water after each use, and don't use bowls as a food scoop.
* Try to store dry food in its original bag in a clean plastic container with a lid, keeping the top of the bag folded closed.
Click here for more pet food handling safety tips from the FDA, and for a fact sheet on protecting yourself and your pet when preparing and feeding a raw diet -- which is particularly tricky.
ANGIE BRENNAN, a Sun-Sentinel page designer,
lives with four dogs and one boyfriend. And has a lifetime of animal stories to share.
DIANE LADE, a reporter on the Sun-Sentinel's Help Team, has lived with cats, dogs, reptiles, fish, an iguana, and an armadillo.
CYNDI METZGER, editor of the Sun-Sentinel's Outlook section, is smitten with Bella, her poodle who regularly ignores requests to sit, stay and get off the ivory-colored sofa. 
JOHN TANASYCHUK, a Sun-Sentinel lifestyle writer, has lived with cats as long as he can remember. He and his partner currently share their home with three.
Comments
Thanks for the great post on food storage...this is not something I think of very much, although I generally keep my cats canned food in the fridge with one of those snap plastic tops on it, which I get at Publix or Petsmart. She will only eat it the first and second days, so after that, its gets thrown out. With the dry food, for both my cat and dog, I have purchased the Vittle Vault, which is a heavy plastic storage container, with a spin-close lid, which, when spun tight, is supposedly air-tight. They come in different sizes and they have always seems to keep the food fresh, although now, since reading your FDA post, I think that I will leave it in the original paper bag, THEN put it inside the Vittles Vault, for extra protection. Its always in air conditioning, but given our hot climate, we can't be too careful....my one question is: How do I know if my fridge is 40 degrees? Mine doesn't seem to have a thermeter in it, but I just twirl the wheel to "coldest" which is where I usually keep it...hmmmm.
Posted by: TJF | August 20, 2008 8:44 PM
If your cats don't like eating cold wet food, put it in the microwave or a few seconds at a time until it is at room temperature. Also, please read up on appropriate diets for cats on google I have not found one that says a dry food diet is sufficient for cats, they are obligate carnivores(meat eaters) and dry food only diets can be very detrimental to their health and your wallet(ask your vet how much treatment for renal failure could possibly cost you, be sitting down when they tell you)Also, please research dry cat foods, most of what you find in the pet store is not good for your cat at all. The first ingredients in any food should be meat. If the first ingredient is corn PUT IT BACK it is bad for your cat. See if there is a holistic pet store in your town or nearby, they will have the best foods and will help you find what your kitty needs to live a long, happy, healthy life
Posted by: KLS | November 15, 2008 4:40 PM