It's not every day when human health is potentially impacted by an FDA warning on a pet product. Preface by saying that we don't include these kinds of treats in what we have available for our clients. We do care, however, and recognize that clients may be purchasing them elsewhere.
Pig ear pet treats are making people sick. It's not as if people are eating the treats, but they are touching them.
According to the FDA, humans are being exposed to several kinds of Salmonella, and that some of the cases are antibiotic resistant. The Salmonella exposure has a surprising link to the pig ear pet treats. The FDA and CDC are working together on this one. The findings show humans have touched the treats, fed them to their pets, became exposed and they got sick, across 35 states, some requiring hospitalization.
The advice is: throw them away. Don't try to figure out which brand or bulk bin. Simply chuck them, in whatever packaging they're in, and wash your hands thoroughly. The precise language is, "FDA and CDC continue to advise consumers to avoid all pig ear pet treats and retailers to stop selling all pig ear treats at this time." In other words: no, just no. Full stop.
But wait, there's more. Since Salmonella can get established in the pet's gastrointestinal tract, and later shed the bacteria to humans, additional transfer methods need to be considered. 1) Thoroughly clean anything that may have been in contact with the treats. 2) Discourage pets from licking you or other family members, particularly in the face. 3) Always clean up the animal's feces at home or when you're out.
If you have questions, or think your pet may be ill, please contact us. It's not a bother, and we're here for you. In this instance we have to add, if you, yourself, have touched such treats and are feeling under the weather, don't ignore it, and please do contact your doctor.
