BARF and hygiene

Many dog ​​owners are put off by the idea of ​​feeding their dogs raw meat food due to hygiene and cleanliness challenges. Is it really that complicated or even dangerous to their health? No, it is neither complicated nor dangerous. You just need to know a few basic rules and follow them. We will briefly introduce them.

• Keep raw meat food and human food separate. Raw meat can carry pathogens, so it should be stored separately from other foods. To avoid cross-contamination, it is best to prepare and store BARF food separately from human food. Hygiene experts recommend using separate cutting boards for preparing pet food, but you get ready-made Top Dog Bistro food, so this rule does not apply to you.

• Never wash raw meat! While rinsing raw meat under running water may seem like a great way to reduce bacteria, this is not true. This way of maintaining “cleanliness” only increases the spread of bacteria and the risk of cross-contamination.

• Defrost and store in the refrigerator. If you took a few Top Dog Bistro patties out of the freezer in the evening for your four-legged friend’s breakfast, it is safer to store them in the refrigerator, in a closed pet container. The “danger zone” for bacterial growth is between 4.5 °C and 60 °C, so leaving raw meat food at room temperature increases the risk of bacteria. If your pet has not eaten all the food in the bowl, do not leave it there under any circumstances! It is safest to freeze it again if you do not want to throw it away.

• Bacteria enemy No. 1 - the freezer. Store BARF food in the freezer - take out only as much as your pet will eat during the next feeding. We do not recommend thawing natural meat food in hot or warm water - when raw meat warms up to 4.5 °C, bacteria begin to multiply. The microwave is also not suitable for thawing BARF food. We have already mentioned that the best option for thawing food is to store it in the refrigerator. Yes, it will take a little longer, but this way you will reduce the risk of bacteria multiplying.

• Thoroughly clean and disinfect the area where you prepared the BARF food, the tools you used, and the area where the animal ate. Keeping dishes, tools, and surfaces clean is a key factor in preventing cross-contamination. A dishwasher with a sanitizing setting is a great solution for washing used tools and feeding bowls. You can also wash them thoroughly in hot water with detergent. Our pets' bodies are many times more resistant to bacteria than ours, so when we take care of hygiene, we first take care of our own health and that of our family.

• Wash your hands! One of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of bacteria is to wash your hands. It is recommended to wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. Wash your hands thoroughly immediately after each feeding of Top Dog Bistro food to your pet.

By following these simple rules, you will reduce the risk of spreading bacteria. Remember - feeding animals natural meat food poses no greater risk of bacteria than storing and preparing raw meat for human consumption.