When eating wild rabbit or squirrel meat, you should be aware that there are some dangers. The meat should only be eaten if sourced from someone reliable, as there are dangers involved in eating both animals, if they haven't been treated correctly before consumption.
Rabbits and squirrels can ingest the tapeworm eggs that are present in dog faeces. These eggs can hatch inside the animal and the larvae can migrate to all parts of the animal's body, within the tissues. If eaten in this state the infection can be passed onto a human. The tissue of the animal should be inspected thoroughly before consumption, and the signs to look out for include a bad smell, discoloration and the appearance of abscesses. Parasites can also be present on any wild animal. The entire body of the animal, both internal and external, should be checked prior to consumption, with particular focus on the kidneys, liver and muscle tissue.
A common disease in rabbits is tularemia. This affects the eyes of the rabbit and can be passed onto humans if the rabbit is not cooked properly. The bacteria are killed during the cooking process, and the most common cause of the disease being passed onto humans is when the animal is butchered without gloves.
Squirrels carry prions, which are infectious particles in their bones and their brain. The brain of a squirrel should never be eaten as cooking will not entirely destroy the prions. Prions are similar to the infection that causes mad cow disease. The rest of the squirrel can be eaten but should be cooked thoroughly prior to consumption.
This is the rule of thumb when eating any game or rodent, make sure that there are no eggs or parasites to be seen and ensure that the meat is cooked properly.
Rabbits and squirrels can ingest the tapeworm eggs that are present in dog faeces. These eggs can hatch inside the animal and the larvae can migrate to all parts of the animal's body, within the tissues. If eaten in this state the infection can be passed onto a human. The tissue of the animal should be inspected thoroughly before consumption, and the signs to look out for include a bad smell, discoloration and the appearance of abscesses. Parasites can also be present on any wild animal. The entire body of the animal, both internal and external, should be checked prior to consumption, with particular focus on the kidneys, liver and muscle tissue.
A common disease in rabbits is tularemia. This affects the eyes of the rabbit and can be passed onto humans if the rabbit is not cooked properly. The bacteria are killed during the cooking process, and the most common cause of the disease being passed onto humans is when the animal is butchered without gloves.
Squirrels carry prions, which are infectious particles in their bones and their brain. The brain of a squirrel should never be eaten as cooking will not entirely destroy the prions. Prions are similar to the infection that causes mad cow disease. The rest of the squirrel can be eaten but should be cooked thoroughly prior to consumption.
This is the rule of thumb when eating any game or rodent, make sure that there are no eggs or parasites to be seen and ensure that the meat is cooked properly.