Tennessee Puppy Mill Dogs Find Forever Homes
Earlier this month, the ASPCA led a multi-group raid of a puppy mill in White County, TN, resulting in the rescue of almost 300 small-breed dogs. As promised in last week’s ASPCA News Alert, public adoptions of the dogs who were transferred to the ASPCA’s New York City Adoption Center began last Friday. Thanks to loads of positive publicity, our puppy mill dog-adoption hotline was ringing off the hook with people seeking information in the days leading up to February 20.
And what an adoption day it was! “The scene at the ASPCA Adoption Center on Friday morning was nothing short of incredible,” recounts Anita Edson, ASPCA Senior Director, Media & Communications. “Lines began to form outside the ASPCA well before sunrise, with eager adopters camping out with lawn chairs and blankets as early as 5:00 A.M.! The lobby was teeming—a mix of the bustling crowd and the equally excited Adoptions staff, all ready to help place the Tennessee dogs with the best possible matches. By the end of the day, over 200 adoption forms had been filled out!”
We are thrilled to report that of the 39 eligible dogs, 38 have been adopted. The dogs will leave the ASPCA for their new homes after they have been spayed or neutered, microchipped and given the final “okay” from our veterinarians. The more than 200 dogs whom the ASPCA entrusted to animal welfare groups based in other states are doing well, too, garnering their own share of media attention and admirers eager to provide them with loving homes.
While the Boston terriers, miniature pinschers, Pomeranians, dachshunds, Chihuahuas and other rescued pups are putting their pasts behind them, the ASPCA is still working the case to make sure that justice is delivered. As with most criminal investigations of this large scale, there is much evidence to be gathered, sorted and analyzed. At this time, the ASPCA’s Field Services division is still preparing evidence in conjunction with the White County Sheriff's Department. We will keep you posted on both the legal case and the dogs’ fresh starts as New Yorkers—stay tuned for updates on some of the adopted dogs in upcoming NYC Success Stories.
February 27, 2009
February 22, 2009
Canola Oil
After reading this, I thought "WOW". While I don't use Canola oil myself I have thought about switching based on what I hear. I don't know if anyone out there uses pet food with canola oil in it but it's food for thought ... not only for our furbabies but for ourselves as well.
Canola Oil in Pet Foods; Is it Healthy?
Many different brands of dog foods and cat foods have chosen to use Canola oil in their products; several even utilize the heart healthy claim provided to Canola oil by the FDA. However, a great deal of research shows Canola oil is anything but healthy.
http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/275/1/Canola-Oil-in-Pet-Foods-Is-it-Healthy/Page1.html
February 20, 2009
Awwwwwwwwwwww
TN Puppy Mill Raid Update: Puppies Take Manhattan!
The hundreds of dogs liberated from a Tennessee puppy mill last Wednesday are ready to begin the next chapter of their lives. After spending a few days in a temporary shelter being evaluated and treated by the ASPCA's cruelty investigation team, veterinarians and behaviorists, the dogs have now been transferred to multiple humane groups for continued care and eventual placement in new homes.
Although the criminal investigation into the breeding operation is ongoing and charges have not yet been filed, relocation of the dogs is possible because the puppy mill’s owner agreed to sign over custody to the White County Sheriff’s Department, which then turned them over to the ASPCA. Initially, 285 dogs were pulled from the property—however, several of them were pregnant. A shih tzu gave birth to six puppies the day after the raid, and three more babies were born on Saturday, bringing the new total to 294.
Earlier this week, 43 of the small-breed dogs—some puppies, some adults—made the 13-hour journey to ASPCA headquarters in New York City. Many will be able to be adopted right away, although some will be best served by a longer rehabilitative stay. “It’s doubtful any of these dogs has ever been walked on a leash, and many have never been outdoors,” says Jeff Eyre, ASPCA Director of Field Operations. Potential adopters are asked to keep in mind that these dogs have led abnormal lives, and that they will require extra patience to assimilate as household pets.
Special thanks are due to all the agencies and individuals who participated in this giant effort, from the volunteers and veterinarians who came from all corners of the South to the White County Sheriff’s Department and American Humane Association, an exemplary partner that assisted in everything from rescue to assessment.
Adoptions of the White County puppy mill dogs begin today at the ASPCA Adoption Center in Manhattan 022.(424 E. 92nd Street). For more information, please call (212) 876-7700, ext. 4145.
February 17, 2009
From Susan Thixton: Two Sick Dogs and No One's Listening!
Judy’s babies, Bernadette and Wilhelmina, have been vomiting and suffering from bouts of diarrhea for the last six weeks. Judy took her girls to the vet several times, and even took a package of the Three Dog Bakery Entrée meal for her vet to examine. He told her the ingredients looked good and to continue with the food. A few more trips to the vet when she noticed a smell of rotten food on her dogs breath. Never suspecting the food was bad, until, she noticed that one of the packages was ‘bloated’ and swollen. “I pulled out a package to feed my two min pins and it was swollen and when shaken, just watery. I did not open the package and noticed that the other packages were similar.” All of the remaining packages were in various stages of bloat.
Judy left a voice mail message with Three Dog Bakery (the pet food manufacturer), their return message simply instructed her to return the remaining food packages to them – not to return them to Walmart (the place of purchase). No instruction to care for her pets, nor any information if Three Dog Bakery would investigate were provided in the message. Another follow up call from the Directory of Marketing told Judy they would test that batch of food, and contact Walmart.
Judy next went to WalMart; she took the night manager to the pet food aisle to show him the pet food products, on the shelves ready for sale, as well in various stages of bloat. The dog food packages were swollen and apparent to be problematic. The WalMart night manager told her he could not remove the products from store shelves unless there was an official recall. She pushed on with another manager, who politely sent her on her way with a ‘thank you, we’ll check into it’.
Two sick dogs, a dog food with visible signs of a problem, and no one is listening to a concerned pet owner that is trying to prevent other dogs from becoming ill.
Judy then wrote me asking for suggestions. I realized that TruthaboutPetFood.com needs to provide assistance to pet owners in these types of problems. So, I’ve developed a special page on the website with some basic advice if you suspect a pet food is making your dog or cat sick. The page is titled ‘What to do if You Suspect a Pet Food is Contaminated’ and is linked at the top of the Home page (directly under the Search box). This page will change when additional resources become available. For those of you who have been through this process, please feel free to send me any suggestions to add. The information on the webpage is copied below.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Truth about Pet Food
Petsumer Report
www.TruthaboutPetFood.com
What to do if You Suspect a Pet Food is Contaminated
Where do you turn if you suspect your pet’s food is contaminated? Do you call the pet food manufacturer or the FDA? There are little official guidelines provided by the FDA, however here are some options for you in case you suspect your pet’s food is poisoned or contaminated.
Every suspect pet food contamination should be initially reported to your veterinarian. If you think your pet’s food is suspect of making your dog or cat sick, take your pet to your veterinarian immediately. Recount to your vet in as much detail as possible, everything your pet has consumed (treats, ‘people food’, ect) in recent days and when the symptoms first appeared. Your vet will decide if any further testing or treatment is necessary.
Stop feeding the suspect food immediately when your pet gets sick. Do not throw the suspect food away; keep the remainder for possible testing.
As soon as possible, contact the pet food manufacturer regarding the symptoms your pet has experienced. Some will ask you to send them the remainder of the pet food (don’t send them everything you have) for their own testing; if you do this make arrangements in advance for the pet food company to provide you a copy of their results. Some manufacturers will take your information and promise to return your call; some will return the call, others won’t. Lack of interest in the complaints of a customer will tell you how much the pet food manufacturer actually cares about their products and the pets of their customers.
Most pet food manufacturers will keep a portion of every batch of pet food made for a year (or so). Responsible manufacturers will investigate every complaint, working with the pet owner to determine the cause of the pet illness. If need be, the manufacturer can test the batch to determine if there is a problem.
Promptly report the incident to the FDA. The FDA website states if you consider the incident an emergency, call the agency's main emergency number, staffed 24 hours a day, 301-443-1240. Otherwise, call the FDA consumer complaint coordinator in your geographic area. Click here for a list of FDA Consumer Coordinators. Non-emergencies for veterinary products call FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine at 1-888-FDA-VETS (1-888-332-8387).
Report the incident to the place of purchase.
Responsible retailers will report the incident to their sales Reps and/or the pet food manufacturer. Many smaller retailers (such as independent pet shops) will keep track of all customer complaints and possibly even pull the product from store shelves until resolved.
Should you wish to have the suspect pet food tested, there are many private labs that will test the food for contaminants and toxins. Many veterinary colleges provide pet food testing resources, however many will need the recommendation for testing from your veterinarian. One of the best is Cornell University Veterinary School. http://www.vet.cornell.edu/about/contact.htm
A Google search (or similar Internet search) for ‘food testing laboratories’ will provide you a slew of possible independent labs. The vet school or independent lab will provide you with instructions on how to ship the food for testing.
Copies of any positive for contamination lab results should be provided to the pet food manufacturer and the FDA. Depending on the results, the FDA should investigate the incident further (ask them to do this).
Most pet food contaminations occur due to manufacturing errors. However, some contaminations can occur during warehousing of the pet food.
If laboratory test results prove positive the food was contaminated or poisoned, you have the option to consult with an attorney. Sadly, legal action is often the only way to hold a pet food manufacturer accountable.
Judy left a voice mail message with Three Dog Bakery (the pet food manufacturer), their return message simply instructed her to return the remaining food packages to them – not to return them to Walmart (the place of purchase). No instruction to care for her pets, nor any information if Three Dog Bakery would investigate were provided in the message. Another follow up call from the Directory of Marketing told Judy they would test that batch of food, and contact Walmart.
Judy next went to WalMart; she took the night manager to the pet food aisle to show him the pet food products, on the shelves ready for sale, as well in various stages of bloat. The dog food packages were swollen and apparent to be problematic. The WalMart night manager told her he could not remove the products from store shelves unless there was an official recall. She pushed on with another manager, who politely sent her on her way with a ‘thank you, we’ll check into it’.
Two sick dogs, a dog food with visible signs of a problem, and no one is listening to a concerned pet owner that is trying to prevent other dogs from becoming ill.
Judy then wrote me asking for suggestions. I realized that TruthaboutPetFood.com needs to provide assistance to pet owners in these types of problems. So, I’ve developed a special page on the website with some basic advice if you suspect a pet food is making your dog or cat sick. The page is titled ‘What to do if You Suspect a Pet Food is Contaminated’ and is linked at the top of the Home page (directly under the Search box). This page will change when additional resources become available. For those of you who have been through this process, please feel free to send me any suggestions to add. The information on the webpage is copied below.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Truth about Pet Food
Petsumer Report
www.TruthaboutPetFood.com
What to do if You Suspect a Pet Food is Contaminated
Where do you turn if you suspect your pet’s food is contaminated? Do you call the pet food manufacturer or the FDA? There are little official guidelines provided by the FDA, however here are some options for you in case you suspect your pet’s food is poisoned or contaminated.
Every suspect pet food contamination should be initially reported to your veterinarian. If you think your pet’s food is suspect of making your dog or cat sick, take your pet to your veterinarian immediately. Recount to your vet in as much detail as possible, everything your pet has consumed (treats, ‘people food’, ect) in recent days and when the symptoms first appeared. Your vet will decide if any further testing or treatment is necessary.
Stop feeding the suspect food immediately when your pet gets sick. Do not throw the suspect food away; keep the remainder for possible testing.
As soon as possible, contact the pet food manufacturer regarding the symptoms your pet has experienced. Some will ask you to send them the remainder of the pet food (don’t send them everything you have) for their own testing; if you do this make arrangements in advance for the pet food company to provide you a copy of their results. Some manufacturers will take your information and promise to return your call; some will return the call, others won’t. Lack of interest in the complaints of a customer will tell you how much the pet food manufacturer actually cares about their products and the pets of their customers.
Most pet food manufacturers will keep a portion of every batch of pet food made for a year (or so). Responsible manufacturers will investigate every complaint, working with the pet owner to determine the cause of the pet illness. If need be, the manufacturer can test the batch to determine if there is a problem.
Promptly report the incident to the FDA. The FDA website states if you consider the incident an emergency, call the agency's main emergency number, staffed 24 hours a day, 301-443-1240. Otherwise, call the FDA consumer complaint coordinator in your geographic area. Click here for a list of FDA Consumer Coordinators. Non-emergencies for veterinary products call FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine at 1-888-FDA-VETS (1-888-332-8387).
Report the incident to the place of purchase.
Responsible retailers will report the incident to their sales Reps and/or the pet food manufacturer. Many smaller retailers (such as independent pet shops) will keep track of all customer complaints and possibly even pull the product from store shelves until resolved.
Should you wish to have the suspect pet food tested, there are many private labs that will test the food for contaminants and toxins. Many veterinary colleges provide pet food testing resources, however many will need the recommendation for testing from your veterinarian. One of the best is Cornell University Veterinary School. http://www.vet.cornell.edu/about/contact.htm
A Google search (or similar Internet search) for ‘food testing laboratories’ will provide you a slew of possible independent labs. The vet school or independent lab will provide you with instructions on how to ship the food for testing.
Copies of any positive for contamination lab results should be provided to the pet food manufacturer and the FDA. Depending on the results, the FDA should investigate the incident further (ask them to do this).
Most pet food contaminations occur due to manufacturing errors. However, some contaminations can occur during warehousing of the pet food.
If laboratory test results prove positive the food was contaminated or poisoned, you have the option to consult with an attorney. Sadly, legal action is often the only way to hold a pet food manufacturer accountable.
February 15, 2009
Recall of Baked Dog Treats
American Nutrition, Inc. Announces a Voluntary Recall of Baked Dog Treats
Contact:
American Nutrition, Inc.
1-800-257-4530 or
feedback@amnutrition.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Ogden, UT – February 10, 2009 –As a result of the expanded recall by the Peanut Corporation of America’s (PCA) Blakely, Georgia facility, American Nutrition, Inc. has issued a voluntary recall for certain baked dog treats containing peanut paste supplied by PCA. The Blakely PCA facility is the subject of an ongoing U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation into potential Salmonella contamination of peanut paste and other peanut products.
According to the FDA, pets with salmonellosis may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets may exhibit milder systems such as decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain while other pets may show no symptoms at all. Well animals can be carriers and transmit the bacteria to other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and exhibits these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
While the risk of animals contracting salmonellosis is minimal, there is risk to humans from handling these products. It is important for people to wash their hands -- and make sure children wash their hands -- before and, especially, after feeding treats to pets.
The following items manufactured by American Nutrition, Inc. are subject to this recall:
American Nutrition Vita Bone Flavors Large Dog Treats (48oz. box)
UPC 0 12623 73480 4, Best Before: All Dates prior to JAN 18 10
American Nutrition Vita Bone Flavors Medium Dog Treats (24oz. box)
UPC 0 12623 73241 1, Best Before: All Dates prior to JAN 18 10
American Nutrition Vita Bone Flavors Small Dog Treats (24oz. box)
UPC 0 12623 73240 4, Best Before: All Dates prior to JAN 18 10
American Nutrition Vita Snacks Peanut Butter (3oz. plastic bag)
UPC 0 12623 81315 8, Best Before: All Dates prior to 01/18/10
Farm Style Small Assorted Dog Biscuits (5 lb. plastic bag)
UPC 0 78601 90205 4, Best Before: All Dates prior to 01/18/10
Hill Country Fare Small 5 Flavor Dog Biscuits (4 lb. plastic bag)
UPC 0 41220 52080 0, Best Before: All Dates prior to JAN 18 10
Hill Country Fare Small Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits (4 lb. plastic bag)
UPC 0 41220 17538 3, Best Before: All Dates prior to JAN 18 10
Integrity Small Assorted Dog Biscuits (4 lb. plastic bag)
UPC 0 64237 14639 8, Best Before: All Dates prior to 01/18/10
Northwest Royal Small Dog Biscuits Assorted Flavors (5 lb. plastic bag)
UPC 0 71357 00337 2, Best Before: All Dates prior to 01/18/10
Mill Creek Premium Large Assorted Dog Biscuits (20 lb. box)
UPC 0 78601 95106 9, Lot Codes: 001A7xxx to 018A9xxx
UPC 0 78601 95105 2, Lot Codes: 001A7xxx to 018A9xxx
Premium Smarty Dog Biscuits Assorted Flavors Small (4 lb. plastic bag)
UPC 0 41512 04609 4, Best Before: All Dates prior to JAN 18 10
Springfield Prize Multi-Flavor Dog Biscuits (26 oz. box)
UPC 0 41380 14169 3, Best Before: All Dates prior to JAN 18 10
Springfield Prize Multi-Flavor Dog Biscuits (4 lb. plastic bag)
UPC 0 41380 13965 2, Best Before: All Dates prior to 01/18/10
Western Family Biscuits Multi-Flavor (10 lb. box) --UPC 0 15400 06229 9 , Best Before: All Dates prior to JAN 18 10
Western Family Biscuits Multi-Flavor (18 oz. box)
UPC 0 15400 03886 7, Best Before: All Dates prior to JAN 18 10
Next Gen Pet Products Small Assorted Biscuits (30 lb. box)
Lot Codes: 001A7xxx to 018A9xxx
Small Assorted Dog Biscuits-Bulk (1/25# box)
Lot Codes: 001A7xxx to 018A9xxx
Western Family (Canada only) Small Dog Biscuits 4 Assorted Flavors (2 Kg. plastic bag)
UPC 0 62639 29585 1, Best Before: All Dates prior to 01/18/10
Yeaster Small Assorted (30 lb. box)
Lot Codes: 001A7xxx to 018A9xxx
Consumers who purchased the recalled items should discontinue use immediately and return items to the store location where they were purchased or destroy any remaining product.
No other products other than those listed above are part of this recall. For more information on Salmonella, please visit the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov/salmonella.
Consumer safety is important to American Nutrition, Inc. The company sincerely regrets any inconvenience this may cause our valued customers. For additional information, please contact American Nutrition at 1-800-257-4530 between 8 A.M. and 5 P.M. Monday through Friday, Mountain time.
February 14, 2009
What I learned about cat food ingredients
And this also holds true for dog food. When I started reading labels of the "top brand" pet foods, I didn't like what I read.
This is what I got from Susan's pet food newsletter. I changed brands ... yes, it costs more but I'm more comfortable with my choice.
‘Wheat Gluten’, ‘Corn Gluten’, or ‘Rice Gluten’. These three ingredients were the bad boy pet food ingredients of 2007. Tainted glutens were found to be the cause of thousands of dogs and cats becoming ill and dying. It is not that glutens themselves are toxic to pets – these ingredients have been used in pet foods for years.
The problem was the source or manufacturer of the glutens – imported from countries with far less quality standards than in the US. The majority of glutens used in the US pet foods are from imported sources. These imported glutens contained added chemicals that caused crystals to form in the kidneys of dogs and cats.
Not only is it important to avoid dog foods and cat foods (and dog and cat treats) that contain glutens because of the possibility of dangerous added chemicals, it is important because they add no real quality nutrition to the food. Glutens are used as a thickener AND as a source of protein in pet food. Adult maintenance dog foods must provide a minimum of 18% protein, adult maintenance cat foods must provide a minimum of 26% protein. If the meat source of the pet food does not provide enough protein, glutens are often added to boost the protein level of the pet food.
The best nutrition for your pet comes from a meat protein pet food not from a gluten protein. Avoid dog foods and cat foods (and treats) that contain ‘corn gluten’, ‘wheat gluten’, or ‘soy gluten’.
‘By Products’. By-products have never been the cause of a pet food recall, but they are definitely ingredients you want to avoid feeding your pet. To give you an understanding of by-products, I’d like to compare this pet food ingredient to pies – you know, the dessert! How many different types of pies you can think of? There are apple pies, cherry pies, chocolate pies, meringue pies, meat pies, mud pies, pie in math, cow pies (yuck!) – I think you get my point. Now imagine if you purchased yourself a prepared ravioli dinner at the grocery and you looked at the ingredients and you see ‘pie’ listed as the first ingredient in your dinner. Hmmm, pie in ravioli – what kind of pie? You wouldn’t know if it was apple pie or mud pie or even cow pie. All you would know is that your dinner contained ‘pie’. Considering ‘pie’ could be anything from apple pie to cow pie – my guess is that you wouldn’t be having ravioli for dinner. Same thing with by-products in pet food.
AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials – the organization responsible for all animal feed manufacturing rules and regulations) defines by-products as “meat by-products is the non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals. It includes, but is not limited to, lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, livers, blood, bone, partially defatted low temperature fatty tissue, and stomachs and intestines freed of their contents. It does not include hair, horns, teeth, and hoofs. It shall be suitable for use in animal food. If it bears name descriptive of its kind, it must correspond thereto.”
So, with respect to pet food – a by-product is a catch-all ingredient name. All left over meat materials from the human food industry are clumped into one ingredient name – by-product. There is NO certainty of what you are feeding – one batch of pet food might be more intestine by-products while the next batch of pet food might be more liver or bone by-products. There is NO way of knowing what is actually contained in the pet food ingredient by-product (the pet food manufacturers themselves couldn’t tell you exactly). Avoid dog foods and cat foods (and treats) that contain By-products of any kind …Chicken By-Products, Beef By-Products, Chicken By-Product Meal, Beef By-Product Meal, and so forth.
‘Meat Meal’, ‘Meat and Bone Meal’, or ‘Animal Digest’. These three ingredients are similar to by-products. AAFCO defines Meat and Bone Meal as “the rendered product from mammal tissues, including bone, exclusive of any added blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings, manure, stomach and rumen contents, except in such amounts as may occur unavoidably to good processing practices.” Again, a catch all ingredient name for the left-over parts of animals used for human food. No consistency to what is contained in these ingredients (all three of these pet food ingredient definitions are similar) – no way of knowing what is actually in your pet’s food. Avoid dog foods, cat foods, and dog and cat treats that contain ‘meat meal’, ‘meat and bone meal’, or ‘animal digest’.
‘Animal Fat’. In 2002 the FDA tested many different brands of dog food (cat food was not tested) for the presence of the drug pentobarbital. Many brands of dog food tested positive to contain the drug. Pentobarbital is the drug used to euthanize dogs, cats, cattle, and horses.
How can the drug that is used to euthanize animals be found in pet food? The answer – euthanized animals are rendered (cooked) and the end ingredients are placed in pet food. It has long been rumored that euthanized dogs and cats (from animal shelters and veterinarian offices) is the major source of the pentobarbital in pet food. However, no one has been able to prove or disprove this rumor to date. The FDA/CVM (Center for Veterinary Management) developed testing methods on two separate occasions to determine the species source of the drug. No results have ever been determined. The pet food manufacturers adamantly deny they use rendered dogs or cats – but NO clinical evidence has ever been released to confirm the pentobarbital is from euthanized cattle and horses in pet food as they claim.
However, the one thing the FDA/CVM has determined through their testing is the pet food ingredient ‘animal fat’ is the most common ingredient to contain pentobarbital. In other words, if you are feeding a dog food or cat food (or treats) with the ingredient ‘animal fat’ in the ingredient listing – you are (more than likely) feeding your pet euthanized animals. Not every batch of pet food tested that contained the ingredient ‘animal fat’ has proved to contain pentobarbital – but why would any pet owner want to take the chance? Avoid dog foods, cat foods, and dog and cat treats that contain the ingredient ‘animal fat’.
‘BHA’, ‘BHT’, ‘TBHQ’, and ‘Ethoxyquin’. These pet food ingredients are chemical preservatives and you might have to look through the entire ingredient list to find them. It is worth the look because there is plenty of clinical evidence to associate all four of these chemical preservatives with cancer and tumors (simply do a Google search on any one of these chemicals). All four of these chemical preservatives are rarely used to preserve human food and if so, are used in quantities far less than what is allowed in pet food. Avoid any dog food, cat food, or dog and cat treat that contains ‘BHA’, ‘BHT’, ‘TBHQ’, and ‘Ethoxyquin’ on the label.
‘Corn’, ‘Wheat’, ‘Soy’. While there is no scientific evidence that proves these ingredients are dangerous to pets – they are potentially dangerous ingredients associated with recalls in the past (1995, 1999, and 2005). These grains are highly prone to a deadly mold (aflatoxin). It is suggested (by AAFCO) that all pet food manufacturers test grains for the mold, but as recalls of the past have proven – that doesn’t always happen. I do not think these ingredients are as risky as others mentioned above, but they are ingredients I avoid for my own pets.
There is more to selecting a true healthy pet food for your dog or cat than avoiding the above mentioned ingredients. This is just a start - based on pet food history, AAFCO ingredient definitions, science and opinion of many pet food experts including myself. There are many quality pet foods available that do NOT use the above ingredients and that add health promoting ingredients to their foods and treats. Continue to learn as much as you can about what you are feeding your pet and ALWAYS read the labels!
All rights reserved PPC Publications
This is what I got from Susan's pet food newsletter. I changed brands ... yes, it costs more but I'm more comfortable with my choice.
‘Wheat Gluten’, ‘Corn Gluten’, or ‘Rice Gluten’. These three ingredients were the bad boy pet food ingredients of 2007. Tainted glutens were found to be the cause of thousands of dogs and cats becoming ill and dying. It is not that glutens themselves are toxic to pets – these ingredients have been used in pet foods for years.
The problem was the source or manufacturer of the glutens – imported from countries with far less quality standards than in the US. The majority of glutens used in the US pet foods are from imported sources. These imported glutens contained added chemicals that caused crystals to form in the kidneys of dogs and cats.
Not only is it important to avoid dog foods and cat foods (and dog and cat treats) that contain glutens because of the possibility of dangerous added chemicals, it is important because they add no real quality nutrition to the food. Glutens are used as a thickener AND as a source of protein in pet food. Adult maintenance dog foods must provide a minimum of 18% protein, adult maintenance cat foods must provide a minimum of 26% protein. If the meat source of the pet food does not provide enough protein, glutens are often added to boost the protein level of the pet food.
The best nutrition for your pet comes from a meat protein pet food not from a gluten protein. Avoid dog foods and cat foods (and treats) that contain ‘corn gluten’, ‘wheat gluten’, or ‘soy gluten’.
‘By Products’. By-products have never been the cause of a pet food recall, but they are definitely ingredients you want to avoid feeding your pet. To give you an understanding of by-products, I’d like to compare this pet food ingredient to pies – you know, the dessert! How many different types of pies you can think of? There are apple pies, cherry pies, chocolate pies, meringue pies, meat pies, mud pies, pie in math, cow pies (yuck!) – I think you get my point. Now imagine if you purchased yourself a prepared ravioli dinner at the grocery and you looked at the ingredients and you see ‘pie’ listed as the first ingredient in your dinner. Hmmm, pie in ravioli – what kind of pie? You wouldn’t know if it was apple pie or mud pie or even cow pie. All you would know is that your dinner contained ‘pie’. Considering ‘pie’ could be anything from apple pie to cow pie – my guess is that you wouldn’t be having ravioli for dinner. Same thing with by-products in pet food.
AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials – the organization responsible for all animal feed manufacturing rules and regulations) defines by-products as “meat by-products is the non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals. It includes, but is not limited to, lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, livers, blood, bone, partially defatted low temperature fatty tissue, and stomachs and intestines freed of their contents. It does not include hair, horns, teeth, and hoofs. It shall be suitable for use in animal food. If it bears name descriptive of its kind, it must correspond thereto.”
So, with respect to pet food – a by-product is a catch-all ingredient name. All left over meat materials from the human food industry are clumped into one ingredient name – by-product. There is NO certainty of what you are feeding – one batch of pet food might be more intestine by-products while the next batch of pet food might be more liver or bone by-products. There is NO way of knowing what is actually contained in the pet food ingredient by-product (the pet food manufacturers themselves couldn’t tell you exactly). Avoid dog foods and cat foods (and treats) that contain By-products of any kind …Chicken By-Products, Beef By-Products, Chicken By-Product Meal, Beef By-Product Meal, and so forth.
‘Meat Meal’, ‘Meat and Bone Meal’, or ‘Animal Digest’. These three ingredients are similar to by-products. AAFCO defines Meat and Bone Meal as “the rendered product from mammal tissues, including bone, exclusive of any added blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings, manure, stomach and rumen contents, except in such amounts as may occur unavoidably to good processing practices.” Again, a catch all ingredient name for the left-over parts of animals used for human food. No consistency to what is contained in these ingredients (all three of these pet food ingredient definitions are similar) – no way of knowing what is actually in your pet’s food. Avoid dog foods, cat foods, and dog and cat treats that contain ‘meat meal’, ‘meat and bone meal’, or ‘animal digest’.
‘Animal Fat’. In 2002 the FDA tested many different brands of dog food (cat food was not tested) for the presence of the drug pentobarbital. Many brands of dog food tested positive to contain the drug. Pentobarbital is the drug used to euthanize dogs, cats, cattle, and horses.
How can the drug that is used to euthanize animals be found in pet food? The answer – euthanized animals are rendered (cooked) and the end ingredients are placed in pet food. It has long been rumored that euthanized dogs and cats (from animal shelters and veterinarian offices) is the major source of the pentobarbital in pet food. However, no one has been able to prove or disprove this rumor to date. The FDA/CVM (Center for Veterinary Management) developed testing methods on two separate occasions to determine the species source of the drug. No results have ever been determined. The pet food manufacturers adamantly deny they use rendered dogs or cats – but NO clinical evidence has ever been released to confirm the pentobarbital is from euthanized cattle and horses in pet food as they claim.
However, the one thing the FDA/CVM has determined through their testing is the pet food ingredient ‘animal fat’ is the most common ingredient to contain pentobarbital. In other words, if you are feeding a dog food or cat food (or treats) with the ingredient ‘animal fat’ in the ingredient listing – you are (more than likely) feeding your pet euthanized animals. Not every batch of pet food tested that contained the ingredient ‘animal fat’ has proved to contain pentobarbital – but why would any pet owner want to take the chance? Avoid dog foods, cat foods, and dog and cat treats that contain the ingredient ‘animal fat’.
‘BHA’, ‘BHT’, ‘TBHQ’, and ‘Ethoxyquin’. These pet food ingredients are chemical preservatives and you might have to look through the entire ingredient list to find them. It is worth the look because there is plenty of clinical evidence to associate all four of these chemical preservatives with cancer and tumors (simply do a Google search on any one of these chemicals). All four of these chemical preservatives are rarely used to preserve human food and if so, are used in quantities far less than what is allowed in pet food. Avoid any dog food, cat food, or dog and cat treat that contains ‘BHA’, ‘BHT’, ‘TBHQ’, and ‘Ethoxyquin’ on the label.
‘Corn’, ‘Wheat’, ‘Soy’. While there is no scientific evidence that proves these ingredients are dangerous to pets – they are potentially dangerous ingredients associated with recalls in the past (1995, 1999, and 2005). These grains are highly prone to a deadly mold (aflatoxin). It is suggested (by AAFCO) that all pet food manufacturers test grains for the mold, but as recalls of the past have proven – that doesn’t always happen. I do not think these ingredients are as risky as others mentioned above, but they are ingredients I avoid for my own pets.
There is more to selecting a true healthy pet food for your dog or cat than avoiding the above mentioned ingredients. This is just a start - based on pet food history, AAFCO ingredient definitions, science and opinion of many pet food experts including myself. There are many quality pet foods available that do NOT use the above ingredients and that add health promoting ingredients to their foods and treats. Continue to learn as much as you can about what you are feeding your pet and ALWAYS read the labels!
All rights reserved PPC Publications
February 13, 2009
My brothers and sisters saved!!!
Breaking News: ASPCA Leads Raid of Tennessee Puppy Mill
The ASPCA’s best and brightest are currently on the ground in White County, TN, managing operations of a puppy mill raid that began Wednesday morning, February 11. Our forensic cruelty investigation team, led by Dr. Melinda Merck, ASPCA Senior Director of Veterinary Forensics, is evaluating dogs and collecting evidence for the future criminal prosecution of the puppy mill’s owners. Members of the ASPCA Disaster Response team and several of our legislative professionals are also assisting at the site.
More than 285 small-breed dogs—including Boston and Jack Russell terriers, Pomeranians, shih tzus, Chihuahuas, poodles, miniature pinschers and schnauzers—were recovered from multiple buildings on the raided property. According to Dr. Merck, the dogs are suffering from a general lack of basic care, such as little to no food or water, feces-encrusted pens and lack of proper ventilation in enclosed areas. Conditions such as matting, sores, mange, poor teeth and abscesses are widespread. Dogs in critical condition were examined immediately on the scene and in the Mobile Animal CSI Unit, and those needing emergency care were transferred to local veterinarians who have volunteered their services.
Local officials became concerned about this particular puppy mill last September after a visitor to the property—someone who had intended to purchase a dog—alerted the White County Humane Society to the poor conditions of the animals. The White County Sheriff’s Department began a formal investigation, ultimately enlisting the ASPCA’s support for this week’s raid. Other parties assisting in the rescue include American Humane Association, Nashville Humane Association, several local veterinarians and PetSmart Charities, which provided the majority of sheltering supplies and an emergency relief vehicle.
Back in June, the ASPCA assisted in the raid of a puppy mill in Lyles, TN—the state’s largest raid to date. Thankfully, the Tennessee General Assembly is taking action to address the state’s puppy mill problem—last week, a consumer protection bill addressing large-scale commercial breeders was introduced in the Senate; introduction of a House companion bill is expected soon.
How can you help to ensure a safe future for dogs like these? When you donate today, you will help us in all of our life-saving efforts, including ones like the puppy mill raid in Tennessee.
To learn more about the White County raid, please visit our blog to see pictures of the puppies we rescued.
February 12, 2009
How to Understand Pet Food Label Ingredients – the basics
This article is so long I thought I'd just post the link for anyone who's interested in reading it. Keep your furbabies safe and loved!
http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/254/1/How-to-Understand-Pet-Food-Label-Ingredients--the-basics/Page1.html
http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/254/1/How-to-Understand-Pet-Food-Label-Ingredients--the-basics/Page1.html
Ewwwwwwwwwwwww
Now I have never heard of this brand of treats for dogs but thought I'd copy over what I received in my email in case anyone out there is interested.
Pup-Peroni Dog Treats kicks off an $8M Advertising Campaign
Del Monte Foods, producer of Pup-Peroni Dog Treats announces an $8 million national ad campaign. You decide about the quality of this soon to be highly advertised pet treat.
Pup-Peroni Dog Treats is about to be advertised on televisions everywhere; Del Monte Foods is spending the largest amount of money ever on the treat. The new commercials “will highlight consumers’ strong conviction that their pets can communicate and empathize with them.”
“This program also underscores the company’s commitment to making strategic investments in our key brands and to driving growth,” said Bill Pearce, Del Monte’s chief marketing officer. http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfranci...2/daily69.html
Is Pup-Peroni the right treat for your dog?
Here are the ingredients listed on the www.pupperoni.com website for the ‘Original Beef Flavor Pup-Peroni:
Beef, Meat by-Products, Soy Grits, Sugar, Liver, Salt, Propylene Glycol, Garlic Powder, Caramel Color, Natural Smoke Flavor, Potassium Sorbate (used as a preservative), Sodium Nitrite (for color retention), Red 40, BHA (used as a preservative), Onion Extract.
The highlighted ingredients explained further:
Meat by-Products. This is a rendered meat ingredient commonly used in ‘grocery store’ type pet foods and treats. The FDA determined this ingredient to be a probable source of pentobarbital, a lethal drug used to euthanize animals. Thus, this pet food/pet treat ingredient more than likely contains rendered euthanized animals and the lethal drug used to kill them.
Propylene Glycol. Known risk to cats and toxic to small children. Controversial ingredient in pet foods/pet treats.
Garlic Powder. Controversial ingredient; some dogs cannot tolerate garlic. Cousin to onions which is toxic to dogs.
Sodium Nitrite. Chemical used to destroy the botulism bacteria; linked to lung disease.
Caramel Color and Red 40. Science has shown common food colors are linked to tumors and cancer.
BHA. Scientifically linked to cancer.
Onion Extract. Onion is toxic to dogs.
Having more information on the ingredients of Original Beef Flavor Pup-Peroni Dog Treats, would you give this treat to your dog?
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Truth about Pet Food
Petsumer Report
www.TruthaboutPetFood.com
Pup-Peroni Dog Treats kicks off an $8M Advertising Campaign
Del Monte Foods, producer of Pup-Peroni Dog Treats announces an $8 million national ad campaign. You decide about the quality of this soon to be highly advertised pet treat.
Pup-Peroni Dog Treats is about to be advertised on televisions everywhere; Del Monte Foods is spending the largest amount of money ever on the treat. The new commercials “will highlight consumers’ strong conviction that their pets can communicate and empathize with them.”
“This program also underscores the company’s commitment to making strategic investments in our key brands and to driving growth,” said Bill Pearce, Del Monte’s chief marketing officer. http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfranci...2/daily69.html
Is Pup-Peroni the right treat for your dog?
Here are the ingredients listed on the www.pupperoni.com website for the ‘Original Beef Flavor Pup-Peroni:
Beef, Meat by-Products, Soy Grits, Sugar, Liver, Salt, Propylene Glycol, Garlic Powder, Caramel Color, Natural Smoke Flavor, Potassium Sorbate (used as a preservative), Sodium Nitrite (for color retention), Red 40, BHA (used as a preservative), Onion Extract.
The highlighted ingredients explained further:
Meat by-Products. This is a rendered meat ingredient commonly used in ‘grocery store’ type pet foods and treats. The FDA determined this ingredient to be a probable source of pentobarbital, a lethal drug used to euthanize animals. Thus, this pet food/pet treat ingredient more than likely contains rendered euthanized animals and the lethal drug used to kill them.
Propylene Glycol. Known risk to cats and toxic to small children. Controversial ingredient in pet foods/pet treats.
Garlic Powder. Controversial ingredient; some dogs cannot tolerate garlic. Cousin to onions which is toxic to dogs.
Sodium Nitrite. Chemical used to destroy the botulism bacteria; linked to lung disease.
Caramel Color and Red 40. Science has shown common food colors are linked to tumors and cancer.
BHA. Scientifically linked to cancer.
Onion Extract. Onion is toxic to dogs.
Having more information on the ingredients of Original Beef Flavor Pup-Peroni Dog Treats, would you give this treat to your dog?
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Truth about Pet Food
Petsumer Report
www.TruthaboutPetFood.com
February 11, 2009
Red 40 and Yellow 5
Maryland may become the First to ban Food Dyes
Maryland Legislators are considering prohibiting behavior disrupting food dyes such as Red 40 and Yellow 5. Foods containing these dyes, also common to pet foods and pet treats, could be required to provide warning labels if the Maryland legislation is passed. http://www.cspinet.org/new/200902061.html
The Center for Science in the Public Interest reports that “Health experts have been concerned about the impact of food dyes on learning and behavior since the 1970’s.” Senior nutritionist David Schardt states that based on 30 years of evidence, “the FDA should have banned the dyes years ago and responsible manufacturers could have stopped using them voluntarily.” Schardt will testify before Maryland lawmakers.
Despite scientific evidence linking many common food dyes to behavior problems in children, no scientific research is available to link these same food dyes frequently used in grocery store and pet store dog and foods to behavior problems in pets. Most pet owners would assume that the same findings would be discovered in pets consuming Red 40 or Yellow 5 or other known risk food dyes as has been proven with children over 30 years.
The pending Maryland legislation does not state if pet foods and pet treats would be included and thus if pet foods will be required to provide warnings if they contain food dyes. Maryland pet owners will keep their fingers crossed that lawmakers did not forget their pets. Regardless, always read the ingredient list for every food or treat you provide your pet. Avoid foods and treats that contain dyes.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Truth about Pet Food
Petsumer Report
www.TruthaboutPetFood.com
Maryland Legislators are considering prohibiting behavior disrupting food dyes such as Red 40 and Yellow 5. Foods containing these dyes, also common to pet foods and pet treats, could be required to provide warning labels if the Maryland legislation is passed. http://www.cspinet.org/new/200902061.html
The Center for Science in the Public Interest reports that “Health experts have been concerned about the impact of food dyes on learning and behavior since the 1970’s.” Senior nutritionist David Schardt states that based on 30 years of evidence, “the FDA should have banned the dyes years ago and responsible manufacturers could have stopped using them voluntarily.” Schardt will testify before Maryland lawmakers.
Despite scientific evidence linking many common food dyes to behavior problems in children, no scientific research is available to link these same food dyes frequently used in grocery store and pet store dog and foods to behavior problems in pets. Most pet owners would assume that the same findings would be discovered in pets consuming Red 40 or Yellow 5 or other known risk food dyes as has been proven with children over 30 years.
The pending Maryland legislation does not state if pet foods and pet treats would be included and thus if pet foods will be required to provide warnings if they contain food dyes. Maryland pet owners will keep their fingers crossed that lawmakers did not forget their pets. Regardless, always read the ingredient list for every food or treat you provide your pet. Avoid foods and treats that contain dyes.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Truth about Pet Food
Petsumer Report
www.TruthaboutPetFood.com
February 10, 2009
Some of my friends have asked ...
"are you still posting from the pet food newsletter you get?"
I have to admit that I have been lax in doing this. Now that the 2-3 months of sadness that I experience each year have passed, I will restart. One never does know who reads my blog, what they may find useful, or maybe something I post will save a life.
More to follow.
Maryalice
I have to admit that I have been lax in doing this. Now that the 2-3 months of sadness that I experience each year have passed, I will restart. One never does know who reads my blog, what they may find useful, or maybe something I post will save a life.
More to follow.
Maryalice
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