Green Tripe: The Poop We Choose to Feed Our Dogs

e.Coli O157: H7 STEC is produced in the body of ruminant animals, including cattle, goats, sheep, deer, and elk. Animals can carry E. coli O157 and shed the germs in their stool. Because tripe is the stomach of the animal, naturally there will be bacteria present. We rinse the stomachs to help the smell, but we do not sanitize or bleach the green tripe. The major source for e. Coli human illnesses are from cattle. It is important to be overly cautious when handling tripe, and preparing tripe for your pets. Tripe should be stored frozen and kept out of contact with human food. Wash all surfaces, cutting boards, dishes, and utensils thoroughly with hot water. Although it is scary to take such precautions from something you are feeding to a loved pet, STEC that cause human illness generally do not make animals sick.  Animals can tolerate the e. Coli that we can not. Because humans have various tolerances to the bacteria it is very important that those with compromised immune systems do not handle the tripe. Although people of any age can become infected, very young children and the elderly are more likely to develop severe illness and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).