Can Anyone Tell Me....

[Countrygal]

The reasoning behind the "pet food rule"? That it all must be up out of reach? I thought it just had to be in covered containers, but no.....

Why this rule? I could understand prescription stuff - but why regular cat and dog and bird food? I assume wild bird food comes under this rule as well.....

And what about crafts that use bird seed? Are those allowed?

UGH!

[saved4always]

I don't know anything about bird seed. But I vaguely remember hearing somewhere that dog food is dangerous if ingested by humans and that you should not have it anywhere near food preparation. Unfortunately, I don't remember any details. Since we keep ours in a covered container in the garage, I didn't pay enough attention to retain details.

[Heidi]

I think it's because many animals are protective of their food, so if you have a bowl of dog food out, the dog may bite.

As far as food in containers, that didn't occur to me because our dog's food is stored in an inaccessible room, so it never came up. You can still use your seed for crafts and such (does it say "keep out of reach of children" on the package?)

Licensing says water may be out. Certification says you cannot even have a pet dish of water out (poor Fido). One situation where certification rules are stricter than licensing.

[sharlan]

The only thing I can think of off hand is that the littles love to play with it.

I had my cats' food on the floor in plain sight when I had my inspection a couple of weeks ago.

[Willow]

Commercially prepared dog and cat foods (read, bagged kibbles) are often times contaminated with salmonella and various other bacterias and spores.

Just touching it without washing your hands afterward can get someone really really sick.


I've never heard about it needing to be kept up for storage, just the dishes needing to be kept up during daycare hours.

I would clarify either way, because seriously, what the heck would they expect you to do in that case? It doesn't even make sense. We don't feed our pets commercially prepared/bagged foods but if we did I can't imagine trying to store 40lb+ bags anywhere "up" much less trying to figure out a way to gain access to them once they were!

[saved4always]

Commercially prepared dog and cat foods (read, bagged kibbles) are often times contaminated with salmonella and various other bacterias and spores.

Just touching it without washing your hands afterward can get someone really really sick.


I've never heard about it needing to be kept up for storage, just the dishes needing to be kept up during daycare hours.

I would clarify either way, because seriously, what the heck would they expect you to do in that case? It doesn't even make sense. We don't feed our pets commercially prepared/bagged foods but if we did I can't imagine trying to store 40lb+ bags anywhere "up" much less trying to figure out a way to gain access to them once they were!

That was what I had heard but couldn't recall...that it could be contaminated with salmonella and that you should always wash your hands after coming into contact with it. It must not affect the dogs like it does humans (or I am slowly poisoning my dog ). The huge bag is why ours is just outside the door going into the garage. We don't have anywhere in the house to store it low, much less up high.

[Countrygal]

Well, actually what she commented on was bird food (tame birds). The dog and cat food is under lock, but there were also dog treats in a tin. Most of it was the bird and hamster seed, so I assume wild bird seed would also come under the category.

I never thought about the dish they eat out of. And their water, too?? Great. I can't even think where THOSE are going to go. I can't even pick them up and put them on a counter or side table. They have to be up out of reach. Hmmmm..... maybe they can go on top of my frig with my knives???? I guess kitties will just have to die of thirst in the 100 degree weather.....

[spud912]

Commercially prepared pet food is not made with the same standards or under as much regulation as human food; therefore, the food may be contaminated (bacterial, viral, fungal, chemical). I used to be in the regulatory field, so that was always our reason.

You will often hear about salmonella infection resulting from the consumption of pet food because salmonella is the most common form of bacterial infection.

In addition, animals are vectors for various infections and it would be likely to spread the infection through the pet's saliva (which is often disseminated into the pet's water and food dishes).

You may agree or disagree with these regulations, but regulators base them off of laboratory studies.

[jojosmommy]

Commercially prepared pet food is not made with the same standards or under as much regulation as human food; therefore, the food may be contaminated (bacterial, viral, fungal, chemical). I used to be in the regulatory field, so that was always our reason.

You will often hear about salmonella infection resulting from the consumption of pet food because salmonella is the most common form of bacterial infection.

In addition, animals are vectors for various infections and it would be likely to spread the infection through the pet's saliva (which is often disseminated into the pet's water and food dishes).

You may agree or disagree with these regulations, but regulators base them off of laboratory studies.

This. Recently there was info on the Today show about the number of salmonella present in and around the dog food bowl. As for putting it up/out of reach, we have ours in a closet in a 5 gallon bucket with a lid. My licensor has never questioned it. Plus it keeps it from gettting stale.

All that being said, my sons daily responsibilities include feeding the dog. I am not a freak hand washer, though I do remind him to do so, and he is NEVER sick. Maybe I am slowly providing his body with just enough germs/illness to keep his little cells working... ::

[Countrygal]

Commercially prepared pet food is not made with the same standards or under as much regulation as human food; therefore, the food may be contaminated (bacterial, viral, fungal, chemical). I used to be in the regulatory field, so that was always our reason.

You will often hear about salmonella infection resulting from the consumption of pet food because salmonella is the most common form of bacterial infection.

In addition, animals are vectors for various infections and it would be likely to spread the infection through the pet's saliva (which is often disseminated into the pet's water and food dishes).

You may agree or disagree with these regulations, but regulators base them off of laboratory studies.

OK, thank you. I wasn't trying to complain, whether I agree with them or not is not the issue. I just was wondering what the thinking was behind it. It didn't seem to be a safety problem. I have never heard of anyone getting a bacterial infection from animal food, but I'm sure it is possible. And I know kids love to eat it! I did as a kid, and most of my kids at least tried it! They all lived to tell about it. Thanks to you and the others for explaining the reason behind it! I was just wondering!