Many dog owners indulge their pets' craving to chew with various rubber and synthetic toys, bones and other popular products like tracheas, tendons and antlers.

Pig ears are another product that dogs love, and while usually they are safe, one company has issued a recall on nearly 3,000 boxes of their product that they want you to be aware of.

Possible salmonella contamination is the culprit behind the most recent pet product related recall, issued today by the Jones Natural Chews Co. Although no illness have been reported, the company felt it prudent to forge ahead with a voluntary recall.

Random testing — which is standard in the consumable pet product industry —  includes food, treats and natural chew toys and was how the company was alerted that finished products contained the bacteria.

Jones Natural Chews Pig Ears were distributed in Michigan, as well as Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

The product was shipped to distributors and retailers between Sept. 15, 2010 and Nov. 2, 2010.

View the FDA press release here.

The following UPC codes and lot numbers are affected:

Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears 2pk bag with header card-item UPC 74195600104 - lot 2420

Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears bulk 100ct box-box UPC 741956001139 - lot 2490, 2560, 2630, 2700, 2840, 2910, 2980

Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears bulk 50 ct box-box UPC 741956001504 - lot 2490, 2840

Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears bulk 25ct box-box UPC 741956001467 - lot 2700

Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears 1pk shrinkwrapped-item UPC 741956001146 - lot 2700, 2840, 2420

Jones Natural Chews Co Pig Ears 10pk printed bag-item UPC 741956001405 - lot 2420, 2560, 2630, 2840

Blain’s Farm & Fleet Pig Ears 10 pieces bag-item UPC 741956001405 - lot 2560

Country Butcher Dog Chews Pig Ears 1pk shrinkwrapped-item UPC 741956001511 - lot 2630

Country Butcher Dog Chews Pig Ears 1pk shrinkwrapped-item UPC 741956001146 - lot 2420

Country Butcher Dog Chews Pig Ears 12pk bag-item UPC 741956001245 - lot 2910

Product can be returned to the store at which it was purchased for a full refund. Your questions will be taken by the company by calling 1-877-481-2663.

Because there are more than 2,000 strains of salmonella, it's the most common cause behind pet product recalls. Very young and very old pets are most susceptible to the bacteria and suffer the effects most profoundly. The most common symptoms associated with salmonella are vomiting, diarrhea and fever. Companion animals presenting with symptoms are treated with IV fluids and antibiotics.

That being said, salmonella can affect other animals —  not just the dogs who chew on the pig ears. There is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling dry pet food and/or treats can become infected with salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to any contaminated product.

You can count on AnnArbor.com to have up-to-date information on pet product related recalls available. Click here to search our archives of previous recalls, including one from late February.

Lorrie Shaw is lead pets blogger for AnnArbor.com and writes on many pet-related issues. Tag along on her pet adventures on Twitter or contact her via email.