How often the dish where dogs eat is washed can affect human health

How pets store and prepare food and how their dishes are washed can have negative health consequences if not done correctly, for both humans and animals, according to a new study.

The research, conducted by North Carolina State University and published in the journal PLOS ONE, looked at the eating habits of dog owners in the United States and found that most owners are unaware of guidelines on the safe handling of pet food and feeders established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

These guidelines include a number of basic hygiene measures, such as washing hands with soap and hot water before and after preparing pet food for at least 20 seconds; washing dishes and utensils used to prepare pet food with soap and hot water after each use; use a utensil, such as a clean spoon or cup, to pour the food into the pet's bowl. Recommendations also include disposing of expired or spoiled pet food, for example by disposing of it in a sealed plastic bag inside a trash bin with a lid.

The study warned that handling pet food and feeders involves potential health risks for both dogs and people, especially those with compromised immune systems.

Pet food dishes have been ranked among the most contaminated household objects, sometimes even with bacterial loads close to those of toilets, according to studies published in the last 15 years.

“There have been multiple outbreaks of bacterial diseases between dogs and humans as a result of contaminated dog food,” the researchers note.

The study surveyed 417 dog owners. Researchers found that only 4.7% of the 417 dog owners surveyed were aware of the FDA's pet food handling and dish hygiene guidelines; on the other hand, 43% of participants stored dog food within 1.5 meters of human food, only 34% were washed hands after preparing food and 33 per cent prepared dog food on preparation surfaces intended for human use.

To better understand the effects of FDA recommendations, the researchers also analyzed 68 dog dishes for bacterial contamination.

After the initial test, they divided the owners into three groups with different instructions for implementing the food handling guidelines, then tested the dishes again after a week.

The results found significantly reduced contamination on the dishes of owners who followed the FDA's pet food handling guidelines, compared to those of pet owners who were not asked to implement any of the protocols.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's “Human Dishwashing and Disinfection Guidelines” The US is based on achieving a 5 log reduction in bacteria count,” the authors wrote. A 1.5 log reduction equals a 90% to 99% reduction in microorganisms; a 5 log reduction means that 99.999% of microorganisms have died.

Based on their findings, the researchers proposed suggestions for reducing contamination in pet food feeders aimed at owners, veterinarians, pet food vendors and manufacturers.

The authors said they believe that this education is especially important for vulnerable populations, such as people who are immunocompromised.

Suggestions include ensuring that household members who feed pets comply with FDA guidelines and include written information about the guidelines during the sale of pet food.

“Most pet owners don't know that pet feeders can be a hidden source of bacteria in the home. Knowing how to mitigate this risk and practicing proper storage and hygiene of pet food can make the home healthier,” they concluded.

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