Most dog parents store their pet’s food in frozen form. This means they must defrost the raw food before feeding the dog. Of course, this has to be done right to avoid food poisoning and other negative side effects. So how does one defrost dog food properly?
Leaving it Out Overnight
We all agree that this is not the safest way of defrosting dog food. It is not safe as it can easily cause food poisoning. Leaving raw frozen on the kitchen counter to thaw overnight is an easy way of allowing bacteria growth in the meat, thus making it prone to food poisoning. Frozen meat becomes susceptible to bacteria growth when it gets to 40 degrees. Bacteria multiply rapidly as the meat becomes warmer. As such, never leave raw meat at room temperature for more than two hours at a time.
Effects of Pets Eating Raw Meat that has been Left Out for Long
While dogs will rarely get sick from eating bacteria-ridden raw food because of the acids they have in their stomach, they still suffer from food poisoning. Some of the effects they may suffer include:
- Diarrhea
- Aggression
- Seizures
- Excessive drooling
- Vomiting
- Lack of appetite
- Shivering
- Dehydration
A combination of these symptoms will indicate that your dog is sick from food poisoning.
What to Do when Food Poisoning Happens
Once you suspect your dog is suffering from food poisoning, your first move should be callign a vet for advice on what to do. Chances are that your vet will advise that you don’t feed the dog for the next 24 hours and instead ensure it drinks enough water to avoid dehydrating.
After 24 hours, your dog’s appetite should improve, and you can now feed it a bland diet. You should give it cooked food like boiled rice and chicken breast and observe its response. You can then go back to the raw diet it was used to once it shows signs of improvement.
Safe Tips for Defrosting Dog Meats
Seeing the dangers that can arise by leaving raw dog food on the countertops, it is important to know how to defrost the food properly. Below are practical and safe ways to achieve this goal.
Leave it in the refrigerator
You should get enough food and leave it in the fridge section. It will defrost in about a day or so.
Using the Microwave Defrost Setting
It is also safe to defrost raw dog food in the microwave. Use the defrost setting and put in the right amount needed. Once defrosted, you can return it to the fridge until you are ready to serve your dog.
Handling Raw Fresh Food
Always wash your hands with soapy water when you pick the raw dog food. The idea is to minimize bacteria growth and spread.
Alternatively, consider raw pet food services such as Houston Raw Pet Food to deliver fresh pet food when needed. This works for people who are not good with storage and defrosting. The food will be delivered to you whenever you need it.
Feel free to order enough raw dog food any time you want.
