Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Our Blog,Salmonella on July 3, 2026
Did you know you can get sick from some pets?
In recent years more information has become clear about illnesses linked to trendy pets such as turtles and bearded dragons. Salmonella is absolutely nothing to joke about and the risks when caring for these pets is scary for many people. Today we take a look at why this happens and how to prevent with some simple tips.
Bearded dragons can carry Salmonella germs in their droppings even if they look healthy and clean. These germs can easily spread to their bodies and anything in the area where they live and roam.
You can get sick from touching your bearded dragon or anything in its environment and then touching your mouth or food and swallowing Salmonella germs.
We were always told that we could get warts from touching frogs and apparently we can get a lot worse when it comes to their germs.
Small animals like turtles, iguanas, and frogs are often chosen as first-time pets for children because they are easy to interact with and low maintenance for busy households. While they can be fun, it may be best to avoid them.
The reason? “Reptiles and amphibians can carry germs that make people sick, the most common of which is the Salmonella bacteria,” says Dr. Elizabeth Hohmann, an infectious disease expert with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. “These animals live in warm and wet environments where Salmonellathrives.”
Anyone can get Salmonella infection, but the risk is highest in
If you already have a pet turtle or similar high-risk pet, make sure everyone follows these safety steps from the CDC. Children may need frequent reminders about washing hands and playing safely.
Wash hands. Always wash hands for at least 20 seconds with plenty of soap and warm water right after touching or feeding your pet, and after handling or cleaning the area where it lives and roams. “Adults should make sure to teach young children how to wash their hands properly,” says Dr. Hohmann.
Play safely. Don’t kiss or snuggle the pet, and don’t eat or drink around it. Keep it out of the kitchen and other areas where you eat, store, or prepare food.
Properly clean. Use cleaning materials like a wash tub, sponge, and scrub that are reserved only for your pet. Always clean cages, tanks, and other pet items outdoors. Avoid using a kitchen sink, as this can increase the risk of spreading germs to your food.
But perhaps the best safety advice is to simply avoid these animals as pets — or at least wait until your kids are much older, says Dr. Hohmann. “It’s probably safer to stick with dogs and cats.” It isn’t worth the risk to get sick from some pets.
Salmonella can make people sick with
Sometimes, people can become so sick from a Salmonella infection that they have to go to the hospital. Infants, young children, people 65 or older, and those with weakened immune systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness. When severe infection occurs, Salmonella may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.
Occasionally, an infection can get so bad that it leads to death. An example is the 2007 death of a 4-week-old baby in Florida linked to Salmonella from a small turtle. The DNA “fingerprint” of the Salmonella bacteria from the turtle matched that from the infant.
For more information on how to keep your family safe with pets in the home please follow Make Food Safe.