Last fall, the FDA moved to limit the importation of pig ears after health officials in Canada determined that pig ears were to blame for a salmonella outbreak. In September, Canadian doctors concluded that more than 50 pet owners had contracted salmonella after handling contaminated pig ears. One meat processor recalled a batch of the suspicious product, and health officials warned that pig ears are an uncooked meat product and that they need to be handled that way. That means you need to wash your hands after handling the pig ears, and store them in a way that keeps them from contaminating countertops and cutlery. It's especially important to protect babies from salmonella, so if you've got an infant in the house you should probably avoid this product.
Veterinary sources are divided on whether contaminated pig ears pose a threat to dogs.
Some say yes, others said dogs aren't bothered much by salmonella. The danger of intestinal blockage is remote in larger dogs, although puppies like Bailey are apparently more vulnerable. Brodnik said he can't prove it, but that he has treated some dogs for inflammation of the pancreas, which he suspects was triggered by pig ears. He notes that the condition is triggered by ingesting large amounts of fat, so pig ears could be the cause. Each pet owner will have to make his or her own decision.