Pet Food Recall – Are Pet Food Manufacturers Killing Your Animals on Purpose?

<p>By Kelly Marshall

The prevalent recall of pet food has created a huge fright to all dog and cat owners who rely on commercial brands to feed their pets. Throughout the country, contaminated pet food has caused many dogs to become very ill, while a huge number of them have died.

In March, Menu foods, a Canada based manufacturing company, recalled more than 90 brands of “cuts and gravy” moist foods (both dog food and cat food) after more than 14 pets died from eating them. A few weeks later, the same company added 20 more of their brand to be taken off store shelves.

It was later revealed that wheat gluten, an ingredient found in the said pet foods, was contaminated with rat poison. The risk of Salmonella contamination has also been a major cause of a recall for two popular brands of pig ear dog treats.

When Food Is Kills Your Pets, Something Must Change

Cases of toxic pet foods date back to December of 2005, when many dogs died and dozens fell ill after eating kibble manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods. It was later discovered that the food was contaminated with aflatoxin; a naturally occurring chemical produced from fungus and can be found on crops such as wheat, corn, rice, and beans. This chemical is also toxic to domestic animals, livestock, and even in human beings. More pet food recalls during this past ten years has also involve the risk for Salmonella contamination.

Pet Food Recall – Are Pet Food Manufacturers Killing Your Animals On Purpose?

All pet owners want what’s best for our beloved pets, especially when it comes to the foods they eat. Our goal is to give them only the healthiest food available to make sure that they will live a long and healthy life. What if the so-called “healthy pet foods” that are being sold in stores are not as reliable as we think?

So, what do we do when we can no longer rely upon the food manufacturers who are supposed to provide pet owners with safe and healthy foods for our animals?

Are These So-Called Pet Food Companies Breaking The Law?

FDA regulations say that pet foods have to be manufactured similar to the way human foods are manufactured. So, they should be processed under a sanitary environment, do not contain any harmful ingredients, accurately labeled, and safe for our pets to eat.

All pet food manufacturers are expected to act in accordance with these regulations to make sure that the food is safe and healthy …But due to limited resources, the FDA can only check pet food issues after consumer complaints are made or if the FDA has a reason to believe that there is a threat to animal health. So, a recall is then announced by the FDA or the manufacturer if a contaminated product is found. Finding out that your dog has been poisoned is devastating. This is why I recommend that all pet owners keep abreast to current news relating to food recalls.

About the Author: Provided by Kelly Marshall from Oh My Dog Supplies – the largest choice of dog feeders online, visit http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/elevated-dog-feeders/

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Dog Food Allergy

<p>By Mike Lee

If you’re allergic to any kind of food, then you already have a good idea how uncomfortable it is. At its worst, it’s even dangerous. So you can probably imagine how terrible dog food allergy can be for your pet. Dog food allergy is said to be the third most common form of allergy in dogs; but despite this, it remains that there is no one particular cause of this condition.

Some believe that ingredients like wheat and soy negatively affect dogs, while others think that certain proteins are the culprits. Nevertheless, you should be on the lookout for any signs of dog food allergy in your pet.

The most common sign of dog food allergy is excessive scratching. If you notice your dog scratching a lot or constantly gnawing at parts of his body, you must first check if it is being caused by fleas. If not, then you can assume that allergy is causing it. Other symptoms may include vomiting and diarrhea.

To check for dog food allergy, the food trial test is implemented. This involves modifying your dog’s diet for a period of time, usually under the supervision of a veterinarian who can make the observations and diagnosis, as well as any additional tests.

You should gradually introduce a different set of food, alternating it with your dog’s usual food items until he gets used to his new diet. You should observe your dog’s condition for about twelve weeks; and if he improves, that means a change in diet is needed.

It was believed that a combination of lamb and rice was the best option for dogs suffering from food allergy; but nowadays, this idea is rebuffed, particularly because commercially-produced lamb-and-rice dog food mixes contain substances that can further aggravate dog food allergy. Veterinarians suggest other options, like fish or rabbit. Homemade dog food is the better alternative, provided they’re well balanced.

If you find that your pet has a case of dog food allergy, don’t fret; it’s not the end of the world for your furry friend. This simply means that he just requires food that is different from the kind you usually feed him. In time, you’ll be able to find the perfect food that will keep your dog healthy and prevent dog food allergy from acting up.

About the Author: Prolong your dog’s life and know the life-saving secrets that most dog-lovers will never know about detecting bad dog food and solving dog health problems at http://www.20daypersuasion.com/dogs-exposed.htm

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I Want To Eat Premium Pet Food

<p>By Lori Matthews

I have a written a few articles on premium dog food and premium cat food. Some articles even have included the importance of supplements, treats and even the bones you give as a reward. So you can only imagine how important it is to feed our pets the proper nutrition. This nutrition comes daily from the food we decide to give them. It is extremely important to feed premium, quality foods for their health and in some cases their mental well being.

This article is especially important to me because of the recent pet food recall including dog and cat food. Please visit your vet immediately if you see any signs that may appear “abnormal” behavior. It may have nothing to do with what they ate but it is better to be safe than sorry.

As I write this article on March 25, 2007, the recall has widened to include all wet food as a safety precaution regardless of the date code, reports the Globe & Mail. Retailers have been asked to remove all of these foods. The “recall” list can be found by visiting menufoods.com/recall/.

As you may or may not have heard there has been a huge pet food recall on numerous brands of dog and cat food that may contain aminopterin, rat poison. Yes, rat poison. At this time there is no news as to how it got into the food. It has been reported this has been the cause of at least 16 deaths as well as more that are very ill and receiving treatment.

What can separate the premium food from mainstream?

Unfortunately, current pet food regulations allow manufacturers to use ingredients that you would never knowingly give to your dog or cat. In fact, you may be shocked to learn what some brands of pet food really contain. For example: the use of by-products (feet, bones and intestines, etc.), chemical preservatives (BHA and BHT) and grains that are often difficult to digest (corn, wheat, gluten and soy), which are often used as a protein source instead of meat.

Be Aware of Undesirable Ingredients

By-products – basically this is what is left over when the good cuts of meat are taken for humans. Bones, intestines, heads, feet, tendons, ligaments and other body parts are known as by-products.

Grains like soy, corn, corn gluten and wheat gluten are often used as protein sources; however, they are generally inferior and difficult to digest.

Chemical Preservatives like BHA, BHT and ethoxoquin can be very harmful to pets.

Freshness – Large manufacturers make pet food in tremendous batches that can last for a very long time, so you may be feeding food that is six months to a year old.

These are only some things to stay away from. Look to see if your dog or cat food contains vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and bacteria cultures to name a few.

Remember, what your vet recommends as premium dog food might be the farthest thing from healthy.

About the Author: Lori Matthews studies health, nutrition and wellness. She enjoys writing articles on health for both people and pets. Please visit her site containing information on Lifes Abundance quality, premium dog food.

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No More Tainted Pet Food: Using Homemade Dog Food Recipes For A Healthier, Happier Pet

<p>By Jennifer McVey

There are many places to find dog food recipes if you are considering making your pet’s food. There are also important points to think about when you make their food like sticking to the recipe, talking to a veterinarian, and paying attention to how your dog reacts to the food.

Two common places to find dog food recipes are on the Internet and through your local veterinarian. The Internet is not always trustworthy though. You cannot be sure that someone who posted their own idea for a dog food recipe is the right meal for your dog. Some of the factors might include the type of dog that they have and the types of foods in the recipe. If the dog food recipes are coming from a credible place on the internet like an animal shelter, a veterinarian, or some other place you can trust then you most likely are safe to use the recipe.

The best place to find dog food recipes is through your local veterinarian. Your vet already knows your dog best. He or she knows their digestive tract and what kinds of foods you can start your pet off with and how you can transition your animal from traditional dog food to homemade food. Many veterinarians already have recipes they can give to you so you can go home and make your pets food. Working with your vet ensures the health of your animal.

Switching your dog over to homemade dog food is a big transition. Your animal may not take the food change very well at first. For instance, your dog may not seem as if they like it or they might not be eating as much. You will notice a change in their stools. Your animal may vomit for a couple of days because their digestive tract is not used to healthy food. Be sure during the transition your dog is getting plenty of water. One thing that might be recommended is that you slowly break your dog into the new dog food rather than do a total change at once.

When you make homemade dog food, even the vet will tell you not to change the recipe. You might think you are being creative or making your pet happy by adding bacon grease to the mixture, don’t. You also should not substitute foods within a dog food recipe. Stick to the recipe. If the recipes are too expensive for you then you might not be able to afford feeding your dog homemade foods. Many people have made their animals very sick by not properly cooking the foods to save time or substituting foods to save money. For your dog’s health, stick to the recipes.

Dog food recipes are fantastic when you find them from the right sources. You should only trust your veterinarian or a reliable source for a recipe and you should follow it exactly. The purpose of making homemade dog food is for your dog’s health. So you should follow the recipes and pay attention to how your pet responds.

About the Author: Learn about making homemade dog food and more dog food secrets at http://www.saferpetfood.com

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