Salmonella is a kind of bacteria that can make both people and animals sick. It often causes stomach problems like diarrhea, fever, and cramps. What’s tricky is that pets like dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles can carry Salmonella without looking sick at all. This means they can pass the bacteria to people without anyone knowing.
How Pets Can Spread Salmonella
There are a few ways pets can spread Salmonella to humans. One common way is through direct contact. Just touching your pet—especially if they’re carrying the bacteria—can be enough. It’s also possible to catch it from things in your pet’s environment, like their bedding, cages, or litter boxes. Another risk comes from feeding pets raw food, improperly cooked foods or meats or treats that might have Salmonella on them. If you touch these foods and don’t wash your hands afterward, you could get sick.
How to Prevent Salmonella Infections
You can do a lot to keep your family and pets safe from Salmonella. First, always wash your hands really well with soap and water after playing with your pets, feeding them, or cleaning their living spaces. Avoid giving your pets raw diets, because these have been linked to Salmonella infections. Make sure you store their food properly and throw away anything that’s expired. Don’t forget to clean their food and water bowls regularly with hot, soapy water.
Also, it’s a good idea to watch over little kids, older people, or anyone who gets sick easily when they’re around pets, since they’re more likely to get seriously ill from Salmonella. And lastly, make sure your pets go to the vet for regular check-ups to catch any health problems early—including possible infections.
Taking these steps helps keep everyone—humans and pets—happy and healthy.
🐾💚 For professional pet healthcare advice, regular pet check-ups, or help with safe feeding practices, reach out to us at Doctor Hulk Veterinary Hospital. You can click here