Feeding raw meat to dogs and cats has become a talking point among pet owners, but this article is not a debate about diets. It looks at one narrower question: what does the food-safety regulator say about the hygiene risks of handling raw pet food at home? The regulator quoted here is the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Its guidance reflects US federal advice; rules and guidance in the UK and EU are set by different authorities and are not covered in this article.
What the FDA found
The FDA states that raw pet food is more likely than processed pet food to be contaminated with disease-causing bacteria. Its Center for Veterinary Medicine screened more than 1,000 pet food samples between October 2010 and July 2012. Of 196 raw pet food samples tested, 15 were positive for Salmonella and 32 were positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Dry, semi-moist, jerky treat and exotic pet food samples in the same study showed far lower contamination.
The agency’s wording on people is cautious: owners who feed a raw diet “may have a higher risk” of infection. A separate FDA advisory about one recalled frozen raw product does. It names very young children, adults aged 65 and over, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems as at-risk groups for these bacteria. That advisory was about a specific product, so it should be read as an illustration of the bacteria’s risk rather than a statement about every raw product.
Handling steps the FDA recommends
For people who do choose to feed raw food, the FDA’s guidance on raw pet food diets recommends the following:
- Wash hands for at least 20 seconds after handling raw pet food, and after touching surfaces or objects that came into contact with it.
- Clean, then disinfect. Wash surfaces and objects with hot soapy water first, then follow with a disinfectant, for example a solution of 1 tablespoon of bleach to 1 quart (4 cups) of water.
- Thaw safely. Use the refrigerator or a microwave, not counters or sinks.
- Keep raw food separate and refrigerate uneaten portions immediately.
- Do not rinse raw meat. The FDA warns that bacteria can splash and spread contamination.
- Avoid mouth contact. Do not kiss your pet around the mouth or let it lick your face after eating raw food.
Good habits for every kind of pet food
A second FDA page, on safe handling of pet food and treats, applies to all diets, not only raw ones:
- Wash your hands with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds both before and after handling pet food and treats.
- Promptly refrigerate or throw out unused canned and pouched food, cover it tightly, and set the refrigerator to 40°F or below.
- Store dry food in a cool, dry place below 80°F, ideally in its original bag with the top tightly folded down.
- Do not use the food bowl as a scoop. Use a clean scoop, spoon or cup instead.
- Wash bowls, scoops and measuring utensils with soap and hot water after each use.
- Throw out old or spoiled food safely, for example in a securely tied plastic bag in a covered bin.
Cleaning up after a recall
When the FDA warned owners about a recalled frozen raw product, its advice went beyond the food itself. It told owners to stop feeding the product immediately, dispose of it in a secure container and clean the refrigerators or freezers where it had been stored. It also told them to disinfect food bowls, utensils, preparation surfaces, pet bedding, toys and floors, and to wash hands thoroughly after handling any of these items.
The advisory explains why that wider clean-up matters: people can become infected by handling contaminated food or touching surfaces that contacted it, and infected pets can shed bacteria in their faeces and saliva. For that reason it also advises cleaning up animal faeces in yards or parks where there is a risk of exposure.
Reading this advice sensibly
The 196-sample figures come from a study period that ended in 2012, and they describe samples tested in the United States. They show that raw products were contaminated more often than other pet food types in that study; they do not tell you the risk from any particular brand today. The practical value is in the habits, which cost little and apply to any household with pets, particularly one where young children or older relatives share the kitchen.
If you are unsure whether a diet suits your pet, that is a question for your vet. This article covers only household hygiene.
The bottom line
The US FDA says raw pet food is more likely than other pet food types to carry Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, and that people who feed it may face a higher risk of infection. Its advice is practical: wash hands for at least 20 seconds, clean then disinfect surfaces, thaw in the refrigerator or microwave, do not rinse raw meat and avoid mouth contact with your pet after it eats. This is US regulator guidance, not a statement of UK or EU rules.