September 25,2025
RED FM News Desk
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has issued a warning after salmonella cases across the country were linked to dog food and treats.
Alberta has reported the highest number of illnesses with 13 cases, followed by B.C. with 12, while Ontario and the Northwest Territories each reported one case. Six people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported.
PHAC is urging people to practice safe hygiene when handling dog food, noting that salmonella can spread through contact with dogs, their food, or treats—even if the animals show no symptoms.
The agency’s safety advice includes:
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling dog food, treats, or dogs themselves.
- Teach children proper handwashing after contact with dogs or their food.
- Clean and sanitize containers, utensils, and surfaces used for dog food.
- Use separate dishes and utensils for pets and wash them apart from human dishes.
- Store pet food away from human food and out of children’s reach.
- Follow storage instructions on packaging and check labels for ingredients, expiry dates, and whether the food is cooked or raw.
- Pick up food containers once pets are finished eating.
- Wash hands after handling dog waste.
PHAC warns that people infected with salmonella can pass it on to others for days or weeks, even if they don’t have symptoms. Older adults, young children, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems face higher risks of severe illness.
Symptoms include fever, chills, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and sudden headaches. Most cases resolve within four to seven days.
Between mid-February and mid-August, 27 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported, 59% of them in women. Many patients said they had handled dog food or treats before falling ill.
No single supplier of dog food has been identified, and officials believe the actual number of cases is much higher. Researchers estimate that for every confirmed case, there could be 26 unreported ones.
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