A recent announcement from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) reveals that 27 individuals have been officially diagnosed with salmonella infection associated with dog food and treats. The cases are spread across different regions in the country, with 13 in Alberta, 12 in British Columbia, one in Ontario, and one in the Northwest Territories.
Salmonella symptoms can range from mild to severe, with manifestations such as headache, fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. Within this outbreak, there have been six hospitalizations reported, but fortunately, no fatalities.
The affected individuals fell ill between mid-February and mid-August 2025, spanning a wide age range from infants to 87-year-olds. Many of those who got sick mentioned handling various types of dog food and treats, including kibble, dehydrated, and freeze-dried options.
Although a specific source of the contaminated dog food or treats has not been pinpointed yet, investigations are ongoing. Of the cases, about 59% are women.
Pet owners can be exposed to salmonella through their dogs, even if the animals show no signs of illness. Dogs can transmit the infection through their stool, and humans can inadvertently come into contact with it by petting the dog or touching contaminated surfaces. It is crucial to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling any pet food or treats, petting a dog, or cleaning up after them.
To minimize the risk of illness, public health officials recommend washing and sanitizing all items that come into contact with dog food, using separate dishes for pets, storing pet food away from human food, and following proper storage instructions on pet food packages.
Raw pet food, including fresh, frozen, dehydrated, or freeze-dried options, can also harbor bacterial pathogens like salmonella, E.coli, listeria, and campylobacter. Close contact between pets and humans creates opportunities for infection transmission, making preventive measures essential, particularly for vulnerable groups like young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
Additionally, apart from dogs and cats, other pets like snakes and hedgehogs have also been linked to salmonella infections in Canada. Proper hygiene practices and awareness can help mitigate the risks associated with pet-related infections.