Salmonella and raw feeding

"But what about Salmonella?".
It's the question that comes up almost every time raw feeding is mentioned, and it's a fair one. Salmonella has a scary reputation and the idea of handling raw meat for your dog can feel risky if you're not sure of the facts.
So let's look at the facts. Properly, honestly, and without drama.

What is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a genus of bacteria found widely in the natural environment, in soil, water, and the intestinal tracts of animals and humans alike. There are two species: Salmonella Enterica and Salmonella Bongori, between them comprising more than 2,500 serotypes. Of those, only around 100 are known to cause illness in humans. The most common culprits in both humans and dogs are Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Enteritidis.

Here's something most people don't know: Salmonella is already present in the gut of many healthy dogs, regardless of what they eat. Studies suggest that as many as 20% of healthy dogs may carry Salmonella without showing any signs of illness whatsoever. It is, for a healthy dog with a robust gut microbiome, a manageable and familiar organism.

Why healthy dogs handle it so well

A dog's digestive system is specifically designed to process raw food, including the bacteria that come with it. Compared to humans, dogs have:

● a much shorter digestive tract: food passes through quickly, giving bacteria less time to proliferate
● a highly acidic stomach: the stomach acid pH of a healthy raw-fed dog is significantly lower than that of a human, creating an environment that is hostile to many pathogens
● a robust gut microbiome: a well-nourished gut supports a healthy immune system, and an estimated 70-80% of immune cells are located in the digestive tract

For a healthy dog eating a properly balanced raw diet, Salmonella is rarely a clinical concern. Salmonellosis, the actual illness caused by Salmonella, is uncommon in healthy dogs.

What about the risks to humans?

This is where honesty matters most and where good hygiene practices are genuinely important.

Dogs that carry Salmonella in their gut, can shed it in their faeces and saliva. This means that the greater risk of Salmonella in a raw feeding household is not to the dog, it's to the humans handling the food and living alongside the dog.

The good news is that this risk is entirely manageable with sensible hygiene practices:

Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw food or dog bowls
Clean and disinfect food preparation surfaces after use
Store raw food safely, frozen until needed, defrosted in the fridge
Use separate bowls and utensils for your dog's food
Don't allow young children, elderly people, or immunocompromised individuals to handle raw food or come into contact with the dog's bowl

These are the same basic food hygiene practices you'd apply when handling raw chicken for your own dinner. They are not complicated, and for the vast majority of households, they present no significant barrier to raw feeding.

The bigger picture

It's worth noting that Salmonella contamination is not exclusive to raw dog food. Commercial kibble has been subject to numerous Salmonella recalls over the years, because even heavily processed food is not immune to bacterial contamination. The difference is that raw feeders tend to be more aware of food hygiene, precisely because they know they're handling raw ingredients.

Knowledge and hygiene are your best tools, not avoidance.

The bottom line

Salmonella is a real consideration in raw feeding, but it's a manageable one, not a reason to avoid feeding your dog the diet they were designed to eat. A healthy dog with a well-nourished gut microbiome is well equipped to handle Salmonella. And a household that handles raw food with the same care they'd apply to their own kitchen, is a safe one.

Raw feeding, done properly and hygienically, is safe. And the health benefits it brings to your dog, far outweigh the manageable risks.

Have questions about raw feeding safely? Book a consultation with me and I'll guide you through everything you need to know, from sourcing, to handling, to feeding.

Ellie Kelland is the UK's first certified BARF dog nutritionist, a qualified animal naturopath and a veterinary science graduate. She founded BARF time to help dog owners give their pets the diet nature intended.