can a dog get salmonella poisoning ?

Question

can a dog get salmonella poisoning

Answer ( 1 )

    0
    2025-07-13T16:16:13+00:00

    Short answer

    Yes, dogs can become infected with Salmonella and develop gastrointestinal illness, though many healthy adult dogs carry the bacterium without showing any signs at all.

    Where the bug comes from

    Raw meat diets, undercooked poultry scraps, or contact with the droppings of reptiles and other infected animals are the main sources. Kennels and shelters where many dogs share space can also spread it around pretty fast.

    Symptoms you might see

    Diarrhoea that sometimes has blood or mucus, vomiting, fever, loss of appetite and lethargy. Puppies, older dogs and those with weakened immunity get hit harder and can even become septic.

    Diagnosis

    A vet confirms it by culturing the stool or using a PCR panel. Because dogs can shed Salmonella intermittently, they sometimes need more than one sample.

    Treatment

    Most mild cases clear up with fluids and bland food. Antibiotics are only given when the infection is systemic or the dog is at high risk, because overuse promotes resistant strains.

    Human health angle

    An infected dog can shed millions of Salmonella cells for weeks, so wash hands after picking up poop, keep them off kitchen counters and avoid letting them lick faces, specially around babies or elderly people.

    Prevention tips

    Feed commercially balanced kibble or thoroughly cooked meat, store raw food separately, and disinfect bowls and preparation surfaces. If you stick with a raw diet, freeze meat for several days and handle it like you would raw chicken for your own dinner.

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