# Salmonella in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Risks, and Care Salmonella in cats and dogs is a bacterial infection that most often causes diarrhea, and sometimes fever, vomiting, and lethargy. Many infected pets show mild signs or none at all, but they can still shed the bacteria and pass it to people in the household. The risk is highest for young children, older adults, and anyone with a weakened immune system. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Salmonella infection (salmonellosis) in pets usually comes from eating raw or undercooked meat, raw pet food, contaminated treats, or stool from an infected animal [1][2]. - The most common sign is diarrhea, which may be bloody or watery, often with fever, vomiting, and low energy [1]. - Cats can carry Salmonella without any signs and shed it off and on, which means a healthy-looking cat can still infect people [3]. - Pets with severe or bloody diarrhea, fever, or repeated vomiting need same-day veterinary care, and some need hospitalization with fluids and antibiotics [1]. - You can lower risk by cooking meat fully, avoiding raw pet food, washing hands after contact, and cleaning litter boxes and yards carefully [2]. ## What Is Salmonella in Cats and Dogs? Salmonella is a group of bacteria that can infect most animal species, including dogs, cats, and people [1]. When it infects the gut, the condition is called salmonellosis. The illness can range from a harmless carrier state, where the pet feels fine but sheds bacteria, all the way to serious intestinal inflammation or blood infection (septicemia) [1]. In cats, Salmonella infection is uncommon, but when it happens, the cat may become a carrier. Carriers often show no signs of disease yet can spread the bacteria to others intermittently [3]. That silent shedding is a big part of why this infection matters in homes with children or immunocompromised adults. Dogs tend to pick it up more often than cats, largely because dogs are more likely to eat raw meat, scavenge, or get into contaminated food and waste. ## Signs of Salmonellosis in Cats and Dogs The classic sign owners notice is diarrhea. It may be watery, may contain mucus or blood, and may come with straining or urgency [1]. Some pets vomit. Many run a fever and act dull, tired, or unwilling to eat. Signs can be mild and pass in a few days, or they can be severe and worsen quickly. Young puppies and kittens, senior pets, and pets already sick with another condition tend to do worse [1]. ### What mild cases look like - Soft to watery stool for a day or two - Slightly reduced appetite - Normal or mildly low energy ### What serious cases look like - Frequent bloody diarrhea - Repeated vomiting - High fever, weakness, or collapse - Dehydration (tacky gums, skin that stays tented when gently pinched) - Signs of blood infection, such as pale gums, fast breathing, or extreme lethargy [1] If your pet has bloody diarrhea, is vomiting repeatedly, or seems weak, treat it as urgent. Do not wait to see if it passes. ## How Dogs and Cats Get Salmonella The bacteria spread through the fecal-oral route, meaning a pet swallows something contaminated with infected stool or contaminated food. Common sources include: - Raw or undercooked meat, poultry, and eggs - Raw pet food and raw treats - Contaminated commercial food or treats (recalls happen) - Stool from infected pets or wildlife in the yard, park, or litter box - Contaminated water bowls, toys, or surfaces Raw meat pet food is a growing concern. Surveillance data from Great Britain showed that Salmonella isolations from raw meat pet food rose from 4 isolates of 4 serovars in 2013 to 606 isolates of 39 serovars in 2022, alongside a five-fold increase in the number of raw pet food plants operating there [2]. Between 2021 and 2022, researchers found considerable overlap between the Salmonella serovars found in raw pet food and those found in dogs [2]. If you feed raw meat, read [Is Raw Food Safe for Dogs and Cats?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/is-raw-food-safe-for-dogs-and-cats) and [Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken? Salmonella and Campylobacter Risk](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-food-safety/can-dogs-eat-raw-chicken-salmonella-and-campylobacter-risk). ### Risk factors that raise the odds - Feeding raw meat or raw pet food [2] - Living with several pets or in a shelter or kennel setting - Being very young or very old - Having another illness, or taking drugs that suppress the immune system - Living in a home where someone is immunocompromised - Contact with reptiles, which are well-known Salmonella carriers (see [Salmonella reptile zoonosis prevention veterinary](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/exotic-animal-medicine/salmonella-in-reptiles-a-clinical-guide-to-zoonotic-risk-assessment-and-prevention-in-veterinary-pra)) A 2026 study of diarrheic and healthy dogs and cats found Salmonella in 40% and 21% of apparently healthy animals tested, which shows how often pets can carry the bacteria without looking sick [4]. ## The Zoonotic Risk to Your Household Salmonella is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can pass from animals to people [1]. This is the part of the story that owners often underestimate. Because infected cats can shed the bacteria intermittently while looking completely normal, you may not know your pet is a source [3]. The same is true for dogs. Household transmission usually happens through contact with contaminated stool, saliva on fur, shared food bowls, or handling raw pet food. ### Who is at highest risk - Children under 5, who put hands and objects in their mouths - Adults over 65 - Pregnant people - Anyone with a weakened immune system, including people on chemotherapy, transplant medications, or steroids - People with sickle cell disease or other conditions that raise the risk of bloodstream infection Pets can also carry antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella. A 2025 genomic study of Salmonella from healthy household dogs and cats found that 18 of 25 isolates were multidrug resistant, with resistance genes that could spread between animals and people [5]. A 2024 study in Turkey reached a similar conclusion, noting that pets can play a significant role in spreading antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella to humans through close contact [6]. ### Practical steps to protect people - Wash hands with soap and water after touching pets, cleaning litter boxes, or picking up stool - Do not let pets lick faces, hands, or open wounds, especially in high-risk households - Keep pet food and bowls away from human food prep areas - Clean and disinfect food bowls, water bowls, and litter boxes regularly - Wear gloves when handling raw pet food, and freeze or refrigerate it separately from human food - Do not let children handle raw pet food or pet treats ## How Salmonellosis Is Diagnosed Diagnosis is confirmed by isolating the bacteria, usually from a stool sample [1]. Your veterinarian may also run blood work to check for dehydration, organ changes, or signs of systemic infection. ### Stool culture and other tests A stool culture is the standard test. Your vet collects a fresh sample and sends it to a lab, which grows the bacteria and identifies the specific type [1]. Results can take a few days. In some cases, your vet may test multiple samples because shedding can be intermittent. For cats with gastrointestinal signs, ultrasound can be helpful. A 2025 study of 100 cats with gastrointestinal symptoms found that Salmonella-positive cats had significantly thickened ileum walls and a thickened ileocecocolic junction, and all positive cats had focal hyperechoic mesenteric fat [7]. About 23% also had focal peritoneal effusion at that junction [7]. These findings do not confirm Salmonella on their own, but they can support the diagnosis and guide treatment. ### When testing is most useful - Persistent diarrhea lasting more than a few days - Bloody diarrhea - Fever with gastrointestinal signs - A household member with confirmed salmonellosis - A pet in a shelter, breeding, or multi-pet environment - A pet that is immunocompromised or very young If your cat has diarrhea and you are not sure whether to test, [Cat Diarrhea: Causes, Home Care, and When to Worry](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/online-vet-and-care-costs/cat-diarrhea-causes-home-care) can help you decide. ## Treatment Options Treatment depends on how sick your pet is. Mild cases in otherwise healthy adult pets often need only supportive care: fluids, a bland diet, and monitoring. Your veterinarian will decide whether antibiotics are needed. Antibiotics are required for pets with signs of systemic disease, such as fever, blood infection, or severe illness [1]. However, their use is controversial because antibiotics may increase the risk that a pet becomes a chronic shedder, meaning they keep passing the bacteria for a long time after feeling better [1]. That is why vets do not reach for antibiotics in every mild case. ### Supportive care at home - Offer small amounts of water frequently to prevent dehydration - Feed a bland, easily digestible diet as directed by your vet - Keep your pet away from other pets and young children while signs last - Clean up stool immediately and disinfect the area - Wash your hands after every contact ### Hospitalization Some pets need to stay at the clinic. Hospitalization is usually recommended for: - Severe dehydration that cannot be corrected at home - Persistent vomiting that prevents oral fluids - Bloody diarrhea with weakness - Fever with systemic signs - Very young, very old, or immunocompromised pets In the hospital, treatment typically includes intravenous fluids, electrolyte correction, anti-nausea medication, and antibiotics when indicated [1]. Your vet calculates all medication doses based on your pet's weight and health status. ### A note on antibiotics and resistance Because resistant Salmonella strains are common in pets, your veterinarian may recommend a culture and sensitivity test before choosing an antibiotic [6][5]. This helps avoid using a drug the bacteria can resist. ## Recovery, Outlook, and Long-Term Management Most pets with mild salmonellosis recover within a week with supportive care. Pets with severe disease or blood infection have a more guarded outlook and need aggressive treatment [1]. Some pets become chronic carriers. They look healthy but shed the bacteria intermittently, sometimes for months [1][3]. This matters for households with high-risk people. Your vet may recommend repeat stool testing before considering your pet clear. ### What to expect during recovery | Stage | What you may see | What to do | |---|---|---| | Days 1 to 2 | Diarrhea, mild lethargy, reduced appetite | Offer water, bland food, monitor closely | | Days 3 to 5 | Stool starts to firm up, energy returns | Continue bland diet, keep cleaning routines | | Days 5 to 10 | Most pets back to normal | Finish any prescribed medication, recheck if advised | | Weeks 2 and beyond | Some pets still shed bacteria | Repeat testing if a household member is at risk | If your pet's signs worsen at any stage, call your vet. ## Prevention Prevention is mostly about food safety and hygiene. - Cook meat, poultry, and eggs thoroughly before feeding them to pets - Avoid raw pet food, especially in homes with children or immunocompromised people [2] - Store pet food separately from human food - Wash hands after handling pets, pet food, and stool - Clean litter boxes daily and disinfect them weekly - Pick up dog stool promptly, especially in yards where children play - Keep pets away from wildlife and their droppings - Wash pet bedding and toys regularly - If you have a reptile, keep it out of the kitchen and wash hands after handling Intestinal parasites can cause similar signs and often travel with the same risk factors. See [Intestinal Parasites in Dogs and Cats: Signs and Prevention](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/parasitic-diseases/intestinal-parasites-in-dogs-and-cats) for more on that. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article covers general information. Your pet's individual case needs a veterinarian who can examine them, run tests, and decide on treatment. ### Contact your veterinarian the same day if your pet has: - Bloody diarrhea - Repeated vomiting - A fever - Signs of dehydration - Diarrhea lasting more than 48 hours - A household member who is immunocompromised or has confirmed salmonellosis ### Go to an emergency clinic now if your pet has: - Collapse or extreme weakness - Pale or white gums - Fast or labored breathing - Seizures or disorientation - Uncontrolled vomiting with inability to keep water down ### Schedule a routine visit if your pet has: - Soft stool that comes and goes - Mild appetite changes - A known exposure to raw food or an infected animal, even without signs ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can I get Salmonella from my dog or cat? Yes. Salmonella is zoonotic, and pets can pass it to people through contact with stool, saliva, or contaminated food and surfaces [1]. The risk is higher for young children, older adults, and immunocompromised people, so hand washing matters. ### Can a pet have Salmonella without any symptoms? Yes. Infected cats often show no signs but can intermittently spread the bacteria to others [3]. Healthy dogs can also carry it, and one study found Salmonella in a notable share of apparently healthy dogs and cats [4]. ### Does my pet need antibiotics for Salmonella? Not always. Antibiotics are needed when there are signs of systemic disease, but they are controversial in milder cases because they may increase the chance of long-term shedding [1]. Your veterinarian will decide based on how sick your pet is. ### How long does salmonellosis last in dogs and cats? Mild cases often improve within several days with supportive care. Some pets become chronic carriers and shed the bacteria intermittently for weeks or longer [1][3]. Repeat testing may be needed before your pet is considered clear. ### Is raw pet food a risk for Salmonella? Yes. Raw meat pet food is a recognized source of Salmonella, and surveillance data show rising isolations from raw pet food alongside rising isolations in dogs [2]. If you feed raw food, handle it like a contamination risk and wash your hands thoroughly. ## Related Articles - [Intestinal Parasites in Dogs and Cats: Signs and Prevention](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/parasitic-diseases/intestinal-parasites-in-dogs-and-cats) - [Can Dogs Eat Raw Chicken? Salmonella and Campylobacter Risk](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-food-safety/can-dogs-eat-raw-chicken-salmonella-and-campylobacter-risk) - [Is Raw Food Safe for Dogs and Cats?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/is-raw-food-safe-for-dogs-and-cats) - [Cat Diarrhea: Causes, Home Care, and When to Worry](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/online-vet-and-care-costs/cat-diarrhea-causes-home-care) - [Dental Disease In Dogs And Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/dental-care/dental-disease-in-dogs-and-cats) - [Salmonella in Dogs: Symptoms and Signs to Watch For](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/digestive-and-urinary-care/salmonella-in-dogs-symptoms) - [Is Salmonella in Cats Contagious? Risks to Pets and People](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/digestive-and-urinary-care/salmonella-in-cats-contagious) - [Salmonella in Dogs: Causes, Risk Factors, and Prevention](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/digestive-and-urinary-care/salmonella-in-dogs-causes) ## References 1. [Salmonellosis in Animals - Digestive System](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/salmonellosis/salmonellosis-in-animals). Merck Veterinary Manual. 2. [Salmonella surveillance in raw pet food and dogs in Great Britain, 2013-2022](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41822231/). Frontiers in veterinary science, 2026. 3. [Disorders Caused by Bacteria of the Digestive System in Cats - Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/digestive-disorders-of-cats/disorders-caused-by-bacteria-of-the-digestive-system-in-cats). Merck Veterinary Manual. 4. [Detection, identification, and co-carriage patterns of different bacterial and yeast pathogens isolated from diarrheic and apparently healthy dogs and cats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42710186/). Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases, 2026. 5. [Genomic insights into multidrug - resistant Salmonella enterica isolates from pet dogs and cats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40596330/). Scientific reports, 2025. 6. [Investigation of prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella in pet dogs and cats in Turkey](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38924270/). Veterinary medicine and science, 2024. 7. [Ultrasonographic appearance of the ileocecocolic junction in cats with salmonellosis](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40386038/). Frontiers in veterinary science, 2025. ## Further Reading - [American Veterinary Medical Association: First Aid Tips for Pet Owners](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/emergencycare/first-aid-tips-pet-owners) - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Dog Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners) - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners)