Children do not necessarily have to put the pet foods in their mouths to become ill, and the contaminated pet goods do not just sicken animals. The very recent contamination coming up is being linked with salmonella, because of which thousands of pounds of pet foods have been recalled.

A study by author Casey Barton Behravesh, a Veterinarian at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has established that several children who got ill did not actually play with the pet food or consumed it.

The reason behind developing such diseases was the fact that people fed these pets in their kitchens. The bacteria are likely to spread if people do not wash their hands after feeding their pets.

An epidemic related to pet food had spread in January 2006. This outbreak continued till November 2008 and is said to have sickened at least 79 people. It was found that half of the infected people were aged 2 or younger.

Since then more than a dozen recalls have been declared by the Food and Drug Administration as a result of salmonella contamination. This contamination can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea and fever. Salmonella poses major threat to toddlers, small children and everyone with a weak immune system.

Avoid washing pet bowls in kitchen sinks and wash your hands properly every time after you feed them.