We Cannot Take Pet Food for Granted

Have we finally opened our eyes?

Are we ready to take our pet food industry to task?

Have enough pets died that we are willing to take some interest in what is going on?

These are some important questions to ask yourself, if you are a pet owner.

This last pet food disaster took a major toll on a number of our beloved pets, but are you aware that there have been other times with some equally bad results?

In 1995 Nature's Recipe dry dog food had a disaster involving vomitoxin. In 1998 Doane Products had a dry food that was involved in a dog food disaster that contained an aflatoxin.

In 2003 a dry dog food contained a problem that is still unidentified, which made some dogs sick and killed others that made by Go! Natural.

Then in late 2005 Diamond Pet Foods had a recall for some dry dog foods that contained the aflatoxin and now our recent recall that killed many pets for wet and dry food containing a rat poison found in the wheat gluten.

What can a person do and whom do you trust?

Everyone who is interested in pets has said for as long as I can remember, "buy the best quality food you can afford."

Unfortunately, this latest recall included some of what we had considered the better brands.

Reading labels and buying products that contain "whole foods' is important. Watch out for such words on a product label that says "wheat gluten, wheat bran, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten and animal by-products."

Look for labels that when they advertise meat they say, chicken or turkey and not poultry. Products that state they are made of meat should state what that meat is, beef or lamb. Some labels say meat or meat by-products which can be anything but what you are expecting.

The whole foods should be listed as the top ingredients on the can or package label, watch out for fillers as some companies use peanut hulls, cereal and even beet pulp.

What are some other things you should be aware of?

Believe it or not, store your dry food in the package it came in, it will stay fresher and you will have the date and code information on it should you need it.


Do not feed your dog any food that seems suspicious, smells funny to you or looks strange. No matter how new the can or package is. Call the company to report it.


Should your dog vomit or get diarrhea after eating its regular dry or wet food. Keep track of the date and feeding time, mark it down so that you will remember.


If your dog consistently seems reluctant to eat a particular food, stop feeding it to him/her. It could have something wrong with it. Most pet products have a telephone number on the package, call the number to see if there are any other complaints. Make certain you give the date and other code numbers to the company. Some might just have an address and you will have to research to find the phone number, do it.


Call your vet to discuss symptoms and have your call noted on your records


Much of what happens lies in your hands. If you feel that there is a serious problem and no one seems to be taking you seriously, ask to speak to someone else. If the company seems not interested in your suspected problem, avoid that product completely.


A company that has pride in its pet food product will be willing to go the extra mile to help you feel comfortable with their product and their interest in your pet.

Having learned that the recent disaster was due to Chinese wheat gluten that contained some rat poison you cannot but wonder if there are any other inspections or tests that should be made on imported products. I know the American Association of Feed Control Officials and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have established certain label regulations and do enforce compliance of

Keeping our pets healthy is very beneficial not only to the pet, but to our pocketbooks. If the only time you need to visit the veterinarian is for yearly check ups and necessary shots you are saving money. Nutrition is very important in keeping a dog healthy, proper quality food that contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals is a good way to start. If this article has been of benefit, please visit my web site and blog at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com