My dog absolutely loves her freeze-dried chicken treats from the Amazon Wag brand and the freeze-dried chicken hearts from Vital Essentials. But I’ve been hearing a lot about the bird flu lately, and I’m worried if these treats are still safe to give her. I really don’t want to stop giving her these favorites, so if anyone has info on this, please share. What alternatives could I consider if these aren’t safe anymore?
If they’re cooked, they are safe. But most freeze-dried treats are raw, and those are not.
Jaden said:
If they’re cooked, they are safe. But most freeze-dried treats are raw, and those are not.
So, does that mean I should stop giving her the freeze-dried ones for now?
Jaden said:
If they’re cooked, they are safe. But most freeze-dried treats are raw, and those are not.
So, does that mean I should stop giving her the freeze-dried ones for now?
Yeah, better to be safe. Stick to cooked treats if possible.
From what I heard, freeze-drying doesn’t kill the pathogen because there’s no heat treatment involved. I got this info from a certified vet.
Bran said:
From what I heard, freeze-drying doesn’t kill the pathogen because there’s no heat treatment involved. I got this info from a certified vet.
That’s kind of scary. So, does that mean all raw treats are unsafe right now?
@Marlow
Exactly, anything raw is unsafe. Cooking is the way to go.
I think anything raw is risky right now. Freeze drying doesn’t kill the virus, so cooking is the only way to ensure safety. Some brands might cook treats before freeze-drying, but you’d have to check.
Jem said:
I think anything raw is risky right now. Freeze drying doesn’t kill the virus, so cooking is the only way to ensure safety. Some brands might cook treats before freeze-drying, but you’d have to check.
Would microwaving or cooking them in the oven help at all?
@Marlow
Cooking is a must. Just be careful with the bones if they’re in there, cooked bones can be a safety risk.
I’m in the UK and I found freeze-dried cooked treats that my pets love. There might be similar options in the US.
Dane said:
I’m in the UK and I found freeze-dried cooked treats that my pets love. There might be similar options in the US.
That sounds promising. I’ll definitely look for cooked alternatives.
Honestly, if you’re worried, just stop feeding those treats until you have clarity. No harm in being extra cautious.
Lennon said:
Honestly, if you’re worried, just stop feeding those treats until you have clarity. No harm in being extra cautious.
Yeah, I think that’s a good call. Better safe than sorry.