A New Pet Food Recall

1. Merrick Pet Care Recalls 10oz Bags Of Merrick Beef Filet Squares


Merrick Pet Care, Inc. of Amarillo, Texas is recalling 86 cases of its 10oz “Beef Filet Squares for Dogs” pet treats (ITEM # 60016 LOT # 10084TL7 BEST BY MARCH 24, 2012) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
Consumers who have purchased 10 ounce packages of “Beef Filet Squares for Dogs” are urged to return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Information about the recall can be found on the company’s web site: http://www.merrickpetcare.com/about_us/news_article.php?tid=430. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-664-7387 M-F 8:00 – 5:00 CDT.
2. Nature’s Miracle, Excel, Pro-Pet, Petco, DDS and Drs. Foster & Smith Nutritional Supplements and Powdered Form Products
United Pet Group has recalled a variety of nutritional supplements for dogs and powdered form products for dogs and cats. THESE PRODUCTS ARE SOLD UNDER DIFFERENT NAMES AT DIFFERENT RETAILERS. Please check the FDA release for a complete listing of products affected by this recall here is the link: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm217999.htm


The products involved in both recalls are very popular, so it is important that we get the word out to fellow pet lovers. Please let your followers and readers know about these recalls.

Dog Nutrition Myths

MYTHS ABOUT DOG NUTRITION AND HOW THEY AFFECT YOUR SENIOR DOG

In a groundbreaking, 14-year study published by JAVMA, researchers found that dogs fed to an ideal body condition throughout their lives had a median lifespan of 1.8 years longer, and were considerably healthier than their littermates. According to this study, feeding your dog the right food and the right amount will lead to a healthier and longer life.

According to Mike Grant, PA, Nutritional Science Director for Senior Pet Products.com. a senior dog's nutritional health depends on receiving the correct amounts and proportions of nutrients from water, protein, fat, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins. Grant states, “Commercial dog foods like Wellness Super5Mix, Holistic Select and Nutro Natural Choice are usually designed to meet these needs. Seniors can also benefit from adding supplements like Chondro, Synovial-Flex products and Pure Essentials for Mature Dogs and Essential Omegas for Dogs and Cats to help with age related diseases like arthritis, cognitive and cardiovascular disease and cancer. Just knowing what to feed and how much to feed is equally important. Your veterinarian is always the best way to get the correct information. They are up-to-date on all the new science”

Here are a few of the dog nutrition myths that have been disproven:

1. A raw meat diet is the best for dogs. Many people continue to believe that dogs are carnivores and require a diet of raw meat to be healthy. The fact is that today’s domestic dog is no longer a true carnivore. This means that a diet of raw meat alone is no longer able to meet nutrient requirements. Today's dog does need a meat-based diet; however, small amounts of grains, like rice, oatmeal, pasta, vegetables, and fruits are a normal and a desirable part of good dog nutrition. It is also untrue that dogs can not digest cooked or processed protein. Dogs have no problem using the protein in cooked meat.

2. Raw eggs are dangerous for dogs. This issue continues to cause debate even among experts. There are two concerns about raw eggs. The first is the risk of salmonella poisoning. The fact is, dogs have much shorter digestive tracks than humans and are far less susceptible to salmonella poisoning. Eggs are an excellent source of protein for dogs. A raw or boiled egg added to a dog's diet occasionally is not dangerous.

3. Dairy products are unsuitable for dogs. Some dogs are lactose intolerant and may not tolerate dairy products that contain high levels of lactose. Cottage cheese and yogurt are two dairy products that do not contain high levels of lactose. They are excellent sources of calcium and can be given to dogs safely.

3. Fat supplies only empty calories to dogs. The fact is fats are highly digestible and the main source of energy for dogs. One gram of fat provides 2.4 times the energy of one gram of protein or carbohydrates. Fat is also essential for the proper absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K. Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are examples of low-saturated fats essential to healthy dogs.

4. A dog is not able to digest grains. There is some truth to this myth, but here is the science. A dog's digestive tract is less specialized for digesting grains and carbohydrates, especially in raw forms. However, starch and grains that have been converted by the cooking process are digestible. Digestibility depends on quality and type of grain used. Rice (72%) is more digestible than wheat (60%) or corn (54%). Grain that isn’t absorbed becomes fiber and contributes to good intestinal health.

5. Commercial dog foods are bad. It is true that there are products that vary from good to average. The fact remains that research has shown that the quality of commercial dog foods is more than adequate to meet proper nutritional requirements in all breeds of dogs. Companies are taking great care in choosing the ingredients in their formulas. Most vets would recommend a commercial food versus trying to make your own dog food at home.

6. A diet needs to be tailored to a specific age or breed of dog. The fact is that a good diet for a dog is good for all dogs at any time in their lives. The only thing that will change is the amount of food your dog needs. Puppies need more food than seniors. But seniors will need supplements to replace vital nutrients that they have stopped making naturally due to the aging process.

Info from - SeniorPetProducts.comTM was founded on two fundamental ideas - dogs and cats require special care as they grow older and pet owners need a place to go to learn how to take better care of their aging pets. SeniorPetProducts.com is committed to being the expert, online resource for the growing number of pet owners with older cats and dogs. SeniorPetProducts.com exists to help senior pets live healthier lives as they age, by providing news, information and products for health and wellness.

How to Pick a Good Dog Food

Guest Blog - Dog Food Reviews
Use of Corn

There is an ongoing debate about the inclusion of corn in dog foodformulas. It has generally been agreed that corn is often used as acheap filler ingredient in many dog food formulas. Indeed, many dogsseem to develop allergic reactions to corn-based dog food formulasover time. The danger of corn often comes from when it is used as theprimary source of protein in a dog food formula. When corn is listedamong the first five ingredients, it is making up a significant bulkof the food. Corn has a lack of bioavailability to your dog, and maycause digestive problems. In general, a dog food formula that containscorn will be inexpensive, and your dog may need to eat more of theformula to feel “full”.

The First Five Ingredients
To gain a basic understanding of a dog food formula’s quality, you canuse the first five ingredients as a guide. As a general rule, thefirst five ingredients of a dog food formula make up the “bulk” of theformula. If you’re in the grocery store shopping for dog food, you canlearn a lot about a formula from reading the first five ingredients.For example, the first ingredient in a dog food formula should ideally be meat meal. If simply meat is listed as the first ingredient, it isusually mostly water. It takes five pounds of meat to make one poundof meat meal. This means that meat meal is usually more nutritionallydense. The only catch is that some companies use meat meal that is oflow quality. Some meat meals have animal parts ground down and mixedin to the meal, in order to ‘bulk’ it up for the formula. If possible,you should always check with the company about the quality of theirmeat meal. Ask where it is made, if they purchase their meal fromforeign countries (which may not be as strict in their healthregulations), and what the ingredients are. You may also want to ask which parts of the animal are used in making the meat meal.

Protein is the foundation of your dog’s diet, and should make up atleast two of the first five ingredients. Always avoid formulas that list a grain as the first ingredient, since this means that the formula is primarily grain-based. It’s usually best to steer away fromdiets that use an excessive amount of carbohydrates. Also avoid any formulas that use artificial preservatives, such as BHA or BHT. It’salso best to stay away from dog food that is artificially colored.

Toxic Ingredients for Dogs
There are several ingredients that have proven to be toxic for dogs.The two most notable ingredients (that are sometimes contained in somedog food formulas) are garlic and onions. Garlic and onions bothcontain a toxin that may lead to the breakdown of red blood cells in adog’s body. These toxins are more prevelant in onions than in garlic.Some dog food formulas contain a small amount of garlic seasoning,garlic oil or garlic powder. If this ingredient is among the first fewingredients, it’s best to avoid feeding this formula to your dog. It’s also very important to keep your dog on a diet that is properlybalanced in fats. Dogs may be prone to developing pancreatitis whenfed a high-fat diet over time (or from having just one high-fat meal).Monitor the fat content of the treats and food that you feed your dog.The guaranteed analysis usually shouldn’t have more than 20% fat,except if your dog has specific veterinary needs.

For more information on Dog Food you can visit:
Dog Food Reviews

Dangerous Foods For Pets

Part of the Pet Net Safety Event


We've all heard that chocolate is bad for our furry friends, but there are many other everyday foods that could be potentially harmful to our pets. Americans spend over $10 billion dollars on pet food and despite buying the best food available, some pets would rather eat what we eat. But beware as certain foods can be dangerous to your pet.

-Alcoholic Beverages. Ethanol is the component in alcoholic beverages that can be toxic when an excessive amount is ingested. Pets are much smaller than us and can be highly affected by small amounts of alcohol.

-Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Peaches and Plums. Ingestion of large amounts of stems, seeds and leaves of these fruits can be toxic. They contain a cyanide type compound and signs of toxicity include apprehension, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, hyperventilation and shock.

-Avocados. The leaves, fruit, bark and seeds of avocados have all been reported to be toxic.

-Baking Powder and Baking Soda. Baking soda and baking powder are both leavening agents - It produces a gas causing batter and dough to rise. Baking soda is simply sodium bicarbonate. Baking powder actually consists of baking soda and an acid. Could lead to congestive heart failure or muscle spasms.

-Chocolate - Depending on the type of chocolate ingested and the amount eaten, various problems can occur. The high fat content in chocolate may result in vomiting and possibly diarrhea. You may notice restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination and possibly excessive panting. Heart rate and blood pressure levels may also be increased. Seizure activity may occur in severe cases.

-Coffee (grounds and beans). Dogs that eat coffee grounds or beans can get "caffeine" toxicity.

-Fatty Foods. Rich and fatty food are favorites of dogs. They often get them as treats, leftovers or from getting into the trash. These fatty foods can cause pancreatitis. Pancreatitis can affect any pet. Miniature or toy poodles, cocker spaniels and miniature schnauzers are particularly prone. Signs of pancreatitis generally include an acute onset of vomiting, sometimes diarrhea and abdominal pain.

-Dairy Products. Dairy products are not highly dangerous but can pose problems for two reasons. One is their high fat content. The second reason is that pets poorly digest dairy products since they lack the enzyme required to digest lactose.

-Grapes and Raisins. Any dog that ingests large amounts of grapes or raisins should be treated aggressively, so contact your veterinarian immediately if ingestion has occurred.

-Macadamia Nuts. Macadamia nuts, also called the Queensland nut or Australia nut, can be toxic. The mechanism behind why these nuts are toxic is a mystery. Dogs develop weakness, depression, vomiting, difficulty walking, tremors, abdominal pain, lameness, stiffness and/or pale gums. The signs usually dissipate in 12 to 24 hrs.

-Moldy or Spoiled Food. Dogs love to get into the trash. In addition to food poisoning, some pets can develop tremors related to the ingestion of certain molds.

-Nutmeg. You may not realized this but high levels of nutmeg can be toxic, even fatal. Signs of toxicity include tremors, seizures, nervous system abnormalities or death.

-Onions or Garlic. Dogs and cats lack the enzyme necessary to properly digest onions and this could result in gas, vomiting, diarrhea or severe gastrointestinal distress.
All forms of onion and garlic are a problem. This includes raw, dehydrated, cooked, powders or those in foods.

-Yeast Dough. When ingested, bread or yeast dough will "rise" in the stomach just as it would for bread. As the dough rises and ferments, alcohol is produced. There are two problems with yeast dough. The biggest problem is that the dough often rises to many times its size, expanding the pet's stomach. The second problem is from the alcohol component, which can cause "alcohol toxicity."

-Cooked bones - Your pet does not have to give up their favorite raw bones, but they do need to give up any cooked bones they have. Cooked bones can become brittle, and because of this they can shatter and cause severe injury to the lining of the digestive track.

-Everday Toxins in the Home - Beware of everyday toxins that your pets can get into, including cleaning supplies, beauty products and even antifreeze. The smells of these items may attract your pets, but it is important to keep them away to avoid any issues.

-Beware of other pet wastes - Yes, some pets like to eat their own wastes, and sometimes the wastes of other pets. This one sure way for a pet to be at risk for diseases and parasites, which can make your dog ill. One such parasite, called Giardia,is transmitted from one dog to another through the ingestion of cysts in contaminated feed, drinking water or feces.

-Pet food not meant for your pet - in other words, dogs should only eat dog food, not cat food or any other pet food. Foods are specifically formulated for that particular animal and could be harmful to other pets because it won't have the right balance of proteins, vitamins and other minerals that your pet needs.

- Raw Salmon - It is thought that raw salmon and trout could carry a parasite that is potentially fatal to pets. The parasite has little effect on the fish itself, but if ingested by a dog, could cause serious problems.

These are just some of the everyday items to be avoid, but as always, check with your vet before giving your pets any type of diet that involves "people food."

Resources:
www.thepetplace.com
SeniorPetProducts.com
http://www.vetinfo.com/dtoxin.html

PRICEY PET FOOD NOT NECESSARILY BETTER

Consumer Reports advises consumers about what to look for on pet-food labels; plus, fancy claims consumers can ignore.....

When it comes to buying pet food, higher cost doesn’t always mean higher quality, according to the March issue of Consumer Reports. A higher price could indicate better ingredients and better quality control during and after manufacturing, but it could also just mean prettier packaging, more marketing, or a fancy name. And despite food safety concerns that resulted from a recall of pet food tainted with melamine in 2007, Consumer Reports urges caution for consumers who are considering making their own pet food, a growing trend.

The full report is available in the March 2009 issue of Consumer Reports and online at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.

Consumer Reports asked eight experts in dog and cat nutrition at seven top veterinary schools what consumers get by spending more for pet food. They were also asked what they served their own pets: Most of the experts said they use a variety of common brands sold at pet stores or supermarkets.

A recent survey by the Associated Press found that although Americans may be spending less on themselves, they’re not scrimping on their pets. According to the survey, just one in seven pet owners said they had curtailed spending on their pet during the past year, even as they cut back on other expenses.

Thirty-seven percent of U.S. households have dogs, and 32 percent have cats. But because of multi-cat households, felines outnumber canines: As of 2007, there were almost 82 million cats and 72 million dogs.

The bottom line, says Consumer Reports: It’s more important to look for the overall nutrient profile of a particular pet food brand than it is to shop by price or even individual ingredients. “As a pet owner, your main goal is to ensure that your animal is active and healthy,” says Jamie Hirsh, associate health editor at Consumer Reports. “That suggests that the food you’re buying is doing its job. But it’s also important to know that you don’t have to choose the most expensive food to get what’s best for your pet. Look for food labeled ‘complete and balanced,’ which indicates it can be the pet’s sole nourishment.”

Hirsh advises pet owners to look for labels stating that the food’s nutritional adequacy was validated by animal-feeding tests based on protocols from the American Association of Feed Control Officials, a regulatory group. That statement is a step above the other one that AAFCO allows – that a food was formulated to meet the group’s nutrient profiles. “In addition, make sure the package has contact information for the food’s manufacturer, in case you have questions,” Hirsh says.

Consumers should also take into consideration the age of their pet and whether he or she has special needs. For example, cats with kidney or urinary problems might benefit from the moisture in wet food, while animals with dental issues might do better with dry food.

What Pet-Food Labels Really Mean
For pet food, there’s no official definition of organic, human-grade, premium, no fillers, or gourmet. Gluten-free foods are generally necessary only for the tiny percentages of pets that are intolerant of that protein. There’s some evidence that antioxidants – such as vitamin E – and some omega-3 fatty acids might enhance pets’ immunity or help protect against certain diseases, but the experts interviewed by Consumer Reports were split on whether consumers need to look for them.

Consumer Reports recommends that consumers educate themselves about pet food labeling, which is mostly defined by AAFCO, which sets standards for pet food manufacturing. Here are some examples:

The 95 percent rule (Beef for Dogs). Named ingredient(s) must account for a least 95 percent of the product by weight.

· Dinner; also Entrée, Formula, Nuggets, Platter, Recipe (Chicken and Salmon Dinner for Cats). The named ingredients must make up at least 25 percent of the product by weight, not counting water. Each individual food must make up at least 3 percent.

· “With …” (Gourmet Fillets with Turkey for Dogs). Contains 3 percent or more of the named ingredient.

· Flavor (Beef flavor). No specific percentage required, but the product must contain enough of the food to impart the claimed flavor, or another substance that tastes like it (beef stock, for example).

· Guaranteed analysis. Mandatory guarantee that the food contains the labeled percentages of crude protein, fat, fiber, and moisture.

· Light, lite, low-calorie. Meets AAFCO limits for a reduced-calorie diet for overweight dogs and cats. “Lean” and “low-fat” have a similar meaning for fat.

· Natural. Technically, the food has few or no synthetic ingredients. But the claim is loosely defined.

· Grain-free. Protein in the product comes from nongrain sources (perhaps for people who want pets to eat more animal protein). It’s unclear whether there’s any benefit to a diet high in animal protein.



What Consumers Can Do
The experts also offered this advice to pet owners:
Be careful when making your own pet food. Most experts said they hadn’t seen a pet get sick from inexpensive food; however, half said they had seen pets become ill from eating homemade pet food, a growing trend since the 2007 recall of some commercial pet food contaminated by melamine. Dogs and cats each require about 40 different nutrients in very specific proportions, so pet owners who insist on making their own pet food should consider enlisting a nutritionist certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (www.acvn.org) or get help from the Web sites www.balanceit.com or www.petdiets.com.

Consider your pet’s age. Age-specific food is very important for puppies, kittens, and pregnant pets, who have especially stringent nutritional needs. Foods labeled either “for growth” or “for all life stages” meet those needs. Foods “for maintenance” are for healthy adult animals only. “Senior” is a marketing term, not a nutritional term.

Weigh the costs and benefits of wet versus dry food. There’s no nutritional difference between wet and dry pet food, but there is a cost difference. Wet foods contain about 75 percent water, so pets need more to get the same calories, and that makes wet food more expensive per serving.

Pet Food Prices Continue to Rise

As oil prices go up, and the dollar goes down, inflation across consumer goods sold continues to cause the prices to rise. Many companies are seeing profit margins erode, forcing them to raise prices in order to survive.

The pet food industry has felt the pain. The price of raw ingredients has gone through the roof over the last several years. Corn, which is up 35% recently, is the main principle protein source for several quality pet foods, and is also the feed used for chickens, the number-one ingredient for many high-end foods.

Premium pet foods, which were once $40 a bag, are now hovering at $50 a bag and up. Unfortunately for now, there is no end in sight.

Growth of Healthy Food Industry

As everyone has noticed, the health and wellness craze is the hottest segment of the food industry and has been for several years. The pet food industry has also taken notice. Natural pet food, once a small and unnoticed category, is now the mainstream focus of every pet food company on the market.

What has been the niche of entrepreneurs has now caught on with the pet food marketing giants. Each now has its own version of natural pet food.

It is now up to the consumer to filter through the many products, which estimates put at more then 120 brand offerings and more then 5,000 natural, holistic, and organic pet food items.

My choice of foods, especially since the tainted pet food issues, has been to focus on the smaller, though well-known, makers of natural foods. I have stayed away from the larger, commercial –type companies who are making what they call natural foods. The problem is that the larger companies have a bigger marketing budget which may overshadow their ingredients in the minds of consumers.

Food Banks For Pets

As people are struggling to pay the bills, many of them are being forced to get rid of their pets. However, there are some food banks out there who are also giving out free pet food.

Some might say that you shouldn't have pets if you can't afford them, but what if you get into a bad rut? Something happens that you didn't expect causing you to fall behind on things. Would you give up your loved ones? Your kids? For many pet lovers, the pets are part of the family.

As this article describes, demand for free pet food samples has risen in this tough economy.

Pet Owners, Makers of Tainted Food Reach Deal

Unfortunately a story like this never has a happy ending. But, I remain hopeful for the future of the pet food industry:

**Hopefully the amount that the food companies have to pay, along with the loss of business, is enough of a wake-up call.

**Hopefully these companies will realize that if anything like this happens again in the future, it's in their best interest to recall the foods as fast as possible and not try to fight it, and make the situation even worse, like they did in March,2007.

**Hopefully this will teach the companies that it is better to spend money to inspect where the food is coming from, and to investigate any changes in ingredients before making the food.

**The costs of doing it any differently are just too great.


Here is the AP story -
By GEOFF MULVIHILL, Associated Press Writer
Fri May 23, 7:00 AM ET

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. - Companies that were sued over contaminated pet food linked to the deaths of perhaps thousands of dogs and cats have agreed to pay $24 million to pet owners in the United States and Canada.

The settlement is detailed in papers filed late Thursday in U.S. District Court in Camden. It still needs a judge's approval.

"The settlement attempts to reimburse pet owners for all of their economic damages," said Russell Paul, a lawyer for plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

The deal would affect people who incurred expenses directly related to the illness or death of a pet linked to the food, which was at the center of the biggest-ever U.S. pet food recall in 2007.

Nearly 300 people sued about 30 companies in state and federal courts. They and perhaps thousands of other pet owners would be eligible for payments under the deal.

Ontario-based Menu Foods Income Fund, which makes dog and cat food under about 90 brand names, and other firms that make or sell pet food announced April 1 that they were settling lawsuits with pet owners.

The pet food was discovered to contain wheat gluten imported from China that was contaminated with melamine, a chemical used to make plastics. Though Menu was the first company to issue recalls, four other companies eventually recalled pet foods, too.

Some of the companies have already paid out more than $8 million to people whose pets were sickened or killed after eating the contaminated food.

Under the terms of the deal announced Thursday, pet owners could be reimbursed for all reasonable expenditures, including veterinarian bills and burial or cremation costs.

Pet owners could also ask for the fair market value of their deceased pets, if that is higher than the costs incurred. Owners who do not have documentation of their expenses can get up to $900 each. All claims are subject to a review.

The companies say they will donate any money left in the fund after claims are paid out to animal welfare charities.

The settlement details were originally to have been filed in court about two weeks ago, but it took longer than expected to hash out the deal, partly because it had to be made to conform with both U.S. and Canadian law.

A court hearing on the settlement is scheduled for May 30.

Dog Feeding Frequency

How often do you feed your dog? According to a story by Long Tail Pet Products (Marketing arm of the Dog Pause Bowl See review) there is an emerging concensus among vets and dog nutritionists that feeding your dog twice or even three times a day is preferable to feeding your dog once a day.

By dividing meal time into several events during the day, you reduce the amount of food per mealtime and balance out the digestive activity of your dog.

By using multiple feedings, you help your dog better align his caloric requirements with energy needs throughout the day. No longer does your dog go through one long cycle of digestion and energy conversion as he or she digests a huge quantity of food.

You know how you feel after a big meal? Your dog feels the same way when a huge meal sits in his stomach. Break the total amount of food into multiple meals and you'll find your dog has more energy and has more balanced behavior throughout the day.

New Product - Taste of the Wild Food

I recently wrote about the different, unique, pet foods on the market, all trying to find their niche. This particular brand recently caught my eye. Not so much for their product itself, but because of the marketing aspect describing why it is such a good product.

It's grain-free products "feature high quality, unique protein sources such as bison, venison and wild fowl. Combined with fruits and vegetables for added vitamins and antioxidants, Taste of the Wild gives pets a balanced taste of the diets on which their ancestors thrived. "

Now, how do we really know what our pets ancestors thrived on? I don't imagine the wild food they were eating was fortified with extra vitamins and antioxidants. But, I give the company credit for coming up with a unique product name and marketing idea. Still, there is something about feeding my dog food made from wild animals just doesn't appeal to me. If you disagree, or want to check it out, visit http://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com/

Doggie Sushi

If you're a sushi lover, then why not share that experience with your dog? Full Petential, Inc. recently introduced Doggie Dance Doggie Sushi - sushi-styled pure chicken breast treats encased in a fish wrapper. The product claims to use a low-allergen chicken and fish formula as a protein base. Plus, the fish wrap contains healthy omega fatty acides, which research suggests helps dogs maintain a healthy heart, coat and skin.

I haven't tried them on my dogs yet, but if you're interested, visit http://www.fullpetential.com/

Pet Food Products Industry Growing

My friends at http://www.healthypetcompany.com/ recently attended a manufacturers trade show. These shows are essentially a way for manufacturers and distributors to connect with retailers and introduce their new products.

However, at this particular show, the majority of the companies with booths were displaying some type of pet food. From "all natural" to "human grade" to "holistic" to "allergen free," each manufacturer tried to find their own little niche.

From a trade show perspective, it was a little disappointing to have a majority of the booths showing off the same category of product. From a year anniversary of the pet food recall perspective, it's refreshing to see that there are a ton of choices out there that aren't being manufactured in Canada with tainted Chinese ingredients....the formula that started this mess in the first place.

Although it is encouraging to see all these pet food products, how do you decide which one is best? For my dogs, we experimented with several brands, and making sure they weren't on the recall list, found one that didn't cause allergies in our dog and also appeared to come from a good company.

With so many new foods on the market, there is going to be a ton of clutter in the premium food category....and a ton of decisions to make as to what the best foods will be for your pets. My quick suggestion: do your research before experimenting. Check the company background, the ingredients in the food (make sure they are premium ingredients) and see if other people are blogging and posting about that brand.

What are your thoughts on the best way to find a food brand for your pets?

Wet Pet Food Sales Struggle After Recall

According to a recent USA Today article, more then a year after the massive pet food recall, people are still weary of buying wet, or soft, pet food. And, many products have not returned to the shelf.

Personally, I'm not surprised. I boycotted all the foods that were part of the recall, and have not gone back. There really hasn't been any reason to go back. I found a brand that I trust (Wellness) and wasn't part of the recall, and I haven't had a reason to leave them to go back to the brands that have lost our trust. It's all about brand loyalty for me. I found a brand that my dogs like, that is high quality, and good for their allergy issues. Until they give me a reason to stop buying their products, why would I go to a company that showed no care for the pet owners?

Enough of my rant, here is the complete USA Today Article:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/manufacturing/2008-03-24-pet-food-recall_N.htm

Pet Food Recall A Year Later

It's been a year since the mess first started with the pet food recall. The recall lasted several months, and shed light on an industry that was unregulated, and in a lot of ways, didn't care much about the pets they were supposed to feed.

It also showed that the same company which was making the "commercial," i.e., inexpensive brands, was also making the high-priced premium brands that were supposed to help make your pet live a longer, healthier life....so much for that idea!

Unfortunately, there is still more work to be done in order to stop this mess from happening again. For example, the legislation that was passed requires the companies to voluntarily recall contaminated petfood. Voluntary doesn't work quite as well as mandatory.

Here is an interesting article about how things have fallen short.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23505218/

5 Human Snacks That Harm Pets

HUMAN SNACKS & TREATS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Wellness food brand sends out a periodical newsletter with information and tips for pets. Although they don't advocate giving human food to pets, they do identify 5 common everyday threats to your animals.

This is from an article they sent recently :

1. Xylitol – This sweetener is used in sugar free chewing gums and candies, and is available in a powdered form for use in baking. In people, this five carbon sugar alcohol is used in diabetic dietetics and does not impact insulin levels. However, xylitol is a strong promoter of insulin release in dogs leading to hypoglycemia. Common presenting clinical signs in affected dogs include vomiting, weakness, ataxia, seizures, and collapse. In 2007 ACVIM Research Abstracts, Dr. Lyman and Dr. Bichsel discussed toxic effects seen with ingestion of 150 mg xylitol/ kg of body weight; consisting of hypoglycemia and hepatic failure. That is about 680 mg xylitol for a 10 pound dog. (A teaspoon of xylitol weighs about 5 grams)

2. Macadamia Nuts – Macadamia nuts consumption by dogs has been associated with toxic clinical signs consisting of hind leg weakness, depression and tremors. However, no mortality has been reported.

3. Grapes & Raisins – Grape and raisin ingestion has been reported to cause renal toxicity in dogs. The specific mechanism is not known with clinical pathologic findings related to acute renal failure.

4. Chocolate – Another beloved human treat that can make pets ill. It can contain high levels of fat, and methylxanthine. The darker the chocolate, the higher the potential for clinical problems, which include vomiting, diarrhea, panting, increased thirst and urination, arrhythmias, and tremors/seizures. According to ASPCA Poison Control, "As little as 20 ounces of milk chocolate or 2 ounces of baking chocolate can cause problems for a 10 pound dog."

5. Easter Basket Grass – Although not exactly a human snack, this festive artificial turf surrounding candy and goodies is especially attractive to kittens. It is often played with and eaten and can cause intestinal obstruction or act as a linear foreign body.

Information taken from Wellness newsletter. http://app.bronto.com/public/?q=message_preview&t=0&fn=Key&id=bprmhzutvibvqrhgdmdvikloeadobif

U.S. Attorney Indicts U.S. and Chinese Companies in Pet Food Scandal

According to a report by Pet Product News International, three companies are facing federal charges in relation to the distribution of a contaminated pet food ingredient that might have cost more than 4,000 dogs and cats their lives.

Recently, a federal grand jury indicted a U.S. food importer and two Chinese firms for their roles in manufacturing and distributing contaminated wheat gluten that sickened thousands of pets. ChemNutra of Las Vegas and its executives, husband and wife team Steve and Sally Miller, are facing 27 charges, including 13 misdemeanor charges alleging they "delivered adulterated food, which contained melamine," 13 misdemeanor charges alleging they "introduced misbranded foods into interstate commerce," and a felony wire fraud conspiracy charge alleging that the Millers and ChemNutra participated in a conspiracy to defraud the companies that purchased some of the Chinese-firm manufactured wheat gluten by "concealing material facts from those purchasers."

The full story can be found: http://www.petproductnews.com/headlines/us-attorney-indicts-us-and-chinese-companies-in-pet-food-scandal.aspx

Personally, I think the more that is done to help prevent this crisis from happening again, the better. The fact that they are accused of concealing material facts from purchasers tells you right there the intent.

Tainted food killed 224 pets in latest tally

Vets have only been able to confirm fraction of claims!

According to a Rueters article last week, U.S. health officials received thousands of complaints earlier this year about pets killed by contaminated pet food, but veterinarians said they had been able to confirm just 224 deaths.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it received 17,000 complaints of related pet deaths, although it had confirmed just 16.

A survey posted on the Internet, and widely publicized by the American Veterinary Medical Association, attracted just 500 responses and of those, only 348 cases of pet sickness met the criteria for kidney failure caused by the contamination, the team at Michigan State University found.

“It is easy to think that every death or every sickness is occurring because of the pet food problem,” Wilson Rumbeiha, who worked on the study, said in a telephone interview.
But when strict criteria were applied, it appears that far fewer deaths could be blamed on the pet food.

The deaths from contaminated pet food may have been caused by mixing two compounds —
melamine and cyanuric acid, Rumbeiha said.
“Separately, those two compounds are pretty harmless,” Rumbeiha said.
“But when combined, they form crystals which can block the kidneys. And, unfortunately, these crystals don’t dissolve easily. They go away slowly, if at all, so there is the potential for chronic toxicity.”

Rumbeiha and colleagues designed a questionnaire to determine how many animals had become ill or died from eating bad food. They found 348 cases that met the criteria for what he called kidney disease caused by the compounds — 235 cats and 112 dogs.

Almost all the cases were in the United States, with the other 2 percent from Canada.
The first analysis covers responses received through June — more vets submitted cases through October, and Rumbeiha said his team is now analyzing those. He said vets in all 50 U.S. states and from across Canada had filled out the survey.
“The good news is we are not seeing any new cases,” Rumbeiha said.