Diamond Pet Food Settles for $3.1 Million

Today, January 4, 2008, Diamond Pet Foods settled with pet owners for $3.1 million.

After approximately 12 shipments of corn tainted with Aflatoxin slipped into the Diamond Pet Food Plant in Gaston, South Carolina in 2005, dozens of dogs died. Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring chemical which comes from a fungus found on corn and can cause liver failure. The FDA found Diamond did not have records of test results from that corn but it went into food sold in 23 states as the Diamond Brand or Country Value brand.

About 350,000 bags of pet food were recalled aftera New York veterinarian linked the death of a dog to Diamond pet Food. No one knows just how many dogs died or were injured nationwide.

The company has already settled with about 1,200 customers but many more have yet to file claims under the class action which started with a suit filed by plaintiff, Nicole Bass of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Pet owners have until April 15, 2008 to join the class action but they must be able to prove that they purchased the recalled pet food, did not return it to the store, and that their pet was injured as a result.

Pet owners of animals who died can be compensated for testing and treatment of aflatoxin poisoning, compensation for their pet's death and pet food up to $2,000. Owners will not be compensated for loss of affection, mental anguish, emotional suffering or the cost of burial.

Plaintiffs who want to opt-out of the settlement and file their own individual lawsuit have until March 16, 2008 to do so.

According to the settlement, the company contends that it did nothing illegal but says that it will cooperate with those injured to avoid costly time-consuming litigation.

The Diamond pet food recall preceded the 2006 pet food recall where hundreds of dogs and cats died from toxic melamine found in brands made by Menu Foods.

Click Here To Read The Diamond Pet Food Settlement

Click Here To Download A Claim Form

Click Here For The Diamond Pet Food Settlement Website

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT DATES:


February 26, 2008

Objection Deadline, postmarked or received


March 16, 2008

Exclusion Deadline, postmarked or received


March 26, 2008
at 1:30 p.m.

Settlement Fairness Hearing


April 15, 2008

Claim Form Deadline, postmarked or received

WalMart Puts Recalled Food Back On Shelves!

According to Itcmo.com : "Menu Foods has re-supplied Wal-Mart with previously recalled pet food after placing a new UPC code over the previous UPC codes. They claim that the re-shelved foods are completely safe and that the packaging is the issue, not the food inside. The decision to place new stickers over the old UPC code was reportedly made together with Wal-Mart."

Itchmo.com goes on to say, "Menu Foods said all of the contaminated food was returned back to them after the pet food recalls in March. In order to put a “safe” product back on the shelves, Menu Foods and Wal-Mart put a laminated sticker with a new product code over the original UPC on the new pouches of pet food."

"Menu Foods acknowledges that the original product code that is on the packages is on the recall list. But company officials say recalls are also tied to production dates and that all Special Kitty cat food with the new laminated product codes are safe.", according to Itchmo.com

They added that all of the Special Kitty cat food made after the recall has “QA OK” placed on the pouch.

Yet Another Pet Food Recall: Salmonella

August 22, 2007

Another Pet food recall has been issued, this time for Salmonella. Mars Pet Care Company announced the recall yesterday. The pet food is being recalled because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, which can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if there is cross contamination, in people, especially children, the aged, and people with compromised immune systems.

Recalled pet food
Product: Krasdale Gravy dry dog food
Size: 5 pound bag
UPC Code: 7513062596
Best Buy Date: July 16 & 17, 2008
Best Buy Date Location: Back of bag
Affected Stores: Various stores located in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Find Out The Secrets Behind Commercial Dog Food!

It Was Melamine! Again!

August 21,2007

The dog treats that were removed from store shelves in Wal-Mart were tested and and found to contain melamine! No recall has been issued but Wal-Mart has asked that anyone who bought the tainted treats return them to Wal-Mart for a complete refund.

Wal-Mart Removes Chinese Made Dog Treats From Shelves

August 20, 2007

Well, they're not calling it a recall but Wal-Mart has quietly pulled 2 Chinese made dog treats from its' shelves. On July 26th, the retail giant removed

Chicken Jerky Strips from Import-Pingyang Pet Product Co. and Chicken Jerky from Shanghai Bestro Trading

because of consumer complaints that the treats were making their dogs sick, spokeswoman Deisha Galberth said late Monday.

"When we took it off shelves at the end of July, we pulled it based on the customer feedback so we could do testing prior to announcing anything publicly," Galberth said. "That's why did not make a public announcement — it was still going through the testing process."

They stopped selling it but didn't bother to tell any of the poor unsuspecting customers who bought the treats and have been feeding them to their beloved dogs!
Keep Your Dog Safe - 245 Homemade Dog Food Recipes!

The FDA Needs To Change! Sign The Petition!

"Although the FDA is charged with protecting public health and the safety of the nation's food supply, the agency seems to be lost in the woods, unsure of what to do in the face of mounting complaints of sick and dying animals who ate only dry food that did not contain wheat gluten, the ingredient that the FDA 'pinpointed' as being responsible for contaminating dog and cat food." according to PETA. Peta goes on to say, "The agency continues to take a wait-and-see approach to this critical situation even though evidence from reputable laboratories strongly suggests that there may be another cause of the contamination, including a potentially excessive amount of vitamin D3 in the food, which can produce symptoms similar to those seen in animals who recently got sick or died after consuming only dry foods."

Click here to sign PETA's petition to demand changes to the FDA!

Keep your dog safe with 245 Recipes For Homemade Dog Food!

Pet Food Recall : Expands Yet Again!

July 21, 2007
More Pet Food Recalled...This time for botulism!

Natural Balance Eatables dog food varieties:

15 oz. Irish Stew with Beef Dog Food
UPC : 23633-59860

15 oz. Chinese Take Out with Sauce with
Vegetables and Chicken Dog Food
UPC : 23633-59861

15 oz. Southern Style Dumplings with Gravy
with Chicken and Vegetables Dog Food
UPC : 23633-59862

15 oz. Hobo Chili with Chicken Pasta Dog Food
UPC : 23633-59863

The expanded recall includes the products listed above with ALL “best by” and code dates. (The recall originally announced on July 18 affected only some products with “best by” dates from APR30 2009 through MAY22 2009)

For More Information, visit the Castleberry website

The FDA said that it was "not aware of pet illnesses associated with these products although we recommend that all these products should be discarded."


Will we ever know the amount of misery that can be attributed the pet food recall?

"The sad truth is that we will probably never know with any confidence the number of animals that fell victim to the pet-food poisoning," says FDA spokeswoman Julie Zawisza.

How to keep your dog safe - 245 Recipes For Homemade Dog Food

Pet food Recall : should we trust them?

More than 4 months have passed the the pet food recall began. Things have gotten pretty quiet. So does that mean that things have changed or is the public becoming weary of hearing about it?

I really don't see that much has changed, there continues to be recalls on all kinds of products from toothpaste to chili sauce. Granted, China has executed their drug and food safety chief and promises to improve its' food safety inspection. After taking a look at their record for human rights abuse, I find it hard to believe that their motives are purely financial. If they think they can get by with something for monetary gain, I'm sure they will.

Within the FDA there is talk of closing 7 of the 13 labs that the FDA operates. I don't know about you but I fear for the safety of my own food. I also know that if something is going to be overlooked when it comes to imports, it's even more likely to be animal feed.

For centuries, dogs and cats have trived on scraps from our tables and our trash. For some reason the pet food companies have us convinced that they are the only ones who can properly feed our beloved friends and keep them healthy (they've done an excellent job of that?). Everyone says to consult your vet when it comes to changing your pets diet, but they learn very little about feeding animals in school so most rely on the information given to them...by who...none other that the pet food companies. YOU ARE NOT A BAD PARENT IF YOU DON'T BUY INTO THE PET FOOD INDUSTRIES LIES! YOU CAN FEED YOUR DOG A HOMEMADE DIET AND HE WILL BE EXTREMELY HEALTHY!

245 Recipes For Homemade Dog Food

Pet Food Recall : Menu Foods Refusing Calls!

Menu Foods is no longer answering their phones! When you visit Menu Foods website, and try to find out about how to file a claim, this is what you'll find:

Dear Pet Owner:

Thank you for your interest in Menu Foods. Menu Foods wants to express sympathy to those pet owners whose pets have become sick or died, and to assure you that we are doing everything we can to address your concerns. It has always been our desire to compensate pet owners for reasonable expenses that we can identify as being caused by contamination of Menu Foods’ products.

On May 24, 2007, a United States federal court issued an order that, for the time being, prevents Menu Foods from having direct contact with individual U.S. pet owners. In light of the order, we regret that we cannot communicate with you at this time. As soon as the court permits, we intend to resume efforts to resolve claims directly with pet owners. We will post additional information when we are able.

If your pet ate any of the contaminated pet food and became sick or died, you will automatically be a part of a class action suit. Just keep all receipts and vet bills for proof. A federal court is overseeing a proposed class action lawsuit, but it will probably be years before it is settled.

Find out the Secrets of Commercial Dog Food

Pet Food Recall : Thousands of pets are dead

Since the pet food recall began in March, more than 5600 brands of pet food have been recalled, from store brands to premium brands. Thousands of pet owners are grieving the loss of their beloved friends. For now the scare appears to be over but how long will it last? Although it is the largest and most publicized pet food recall in history, it is by no means the first. Can we, or should we trust the commercial pet food industry?

Healthy Food for Dogs - 245 Homemade Dog Food Recipes!

Pet Food Recall : Pet Owners no longer trust FDA

July 1, 2007

Many pet owners no longer trust the government. This because since the pet food recall started in March, The FDA has made the statement that everything not on the recall list is safe only to be told the following week that another pet food has been added to the list. According to the LA Times, one such pet owner from Washington decided to have his pets food evaluated by an independent lab in Deer Park, TX. This came after he called the FDA when the pet food recall began because his pets' food was not on the list. He suspected that the food was the cause of his dear friends death and offered up some of the unopened food for testing but his offered was declined saying that it would not be necessary. The pet food was found to contain ACETAMINOPHEN!

Menu Foods disputes ExperTox's findings saying the FDA found no such findings.

That same man has paid another lab in Oregon to test for a variety of common toxic chemicals - not including melamine - and that lab found nothing. He said he is going to check with a third lab to see if they can duplicate the findings of the Texas lab.

"I'm looking for a third lab to see if they can duplicate the ExperTox results," Earl said. "The FDA didn't want to do testing…. After each recall, they'd say everything else was safe, until the next week when they came out with another recall. After a certain point, you stop believing them."

KEEP YOUR PET SAFE AND HEALTHY : 245 Recipes for Homemade Dog Food

Pet Food Recall : Many Pet Owners Are Turning To Homemade Pet Food

Many stores are reporting a drop of as much as 25% in pet food sales since the most recent pet food recall. Many pet owners are turning to their own kitchens to try to keep their pet safe. There are many good books on the market today to help you learn to feed your dog a homemade diet. Dog Food Secrets, Healthy Food For Your Dog, and Real Dogs Don't Eat Kibble to name a few.

Pet Food Recall : Melamine used by US manufacturer

The very same product that has lead to the nations largest pet food recall in history has been found to be used illegally by at least one US manufacturer of ingredients used for animal feed. The FDA alerted animal feed manufacturers that ingredients containing melamine and related compounds were found in products made by Tembec BTLSR Inc. of Toledo, Ohio, and used by Uniscope Inc. of Johnstown, Colo. . Officials said the melamine and related compounds were used to bind feed pellets for cattle, sheep and goats, or fish and shrimp.

So who can you trust?

Get the whole story : Dog Food Secrets

Pet Food Recall: Salmonella has caused at least 16 deaths!

June 7, 2007

Wal-Mart has recalled a single batch of 55-pound bags of Ol' Roy Complete Nutrion dog food is being recalled. The dog food was produced at a plant in Manassas and distributed to 69 Wal-Mart stores in several states including Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Ohio. Forty of the stores are in Virginia.

Affected bags have the code 04 0735 1 and a "best by" date of April 13, 2008. Doane Pet Care is a division of the privately held, McLean-based Mars Inc. manufacturer of candy and pet foods.

Have questions? Call 800-624-7387

If you have any of this food, you are advised to stop feeding it to your dog immediately and remember with salmonella there is a possibility of contamination to yourself just by touching it.

A list of the stores can be found at: http://www.doanepetcare.com/recall/stores.html

Feed Your Dog A Homemade Diet : Healthy Food For Dogs - 245 Recipes For Homemade Dog Food

Pet Food Recall: Acetaminophen Found in Pet Food!

June 6, 2007

ExperTox Inc., an independent lab in Deer Park, Texas, was looking for cyanuric acid and melamine in various brands of pet food submitted by worried pet owners and manufacturers, and "acetaminophen just popped up," according to Donna Coneley, Lab Operations Manager. "It definitely was a surprise to find that in several samples." The medication was found most often with cyanuric acid, a chemical used in pool chlorination, Coneley said. Varying levels of melamine, a chemical used to make plastics, also were found among the hundreds of samples ExperTox tested, she said.

The contaminants were found in foods that are not among the more than 150 brands recalled since March 16, Coneley said. The highest level of acetaminophen (2 milligrams per gram of dog food) was found in a dog food sample submitted by a manufacturer, she said. Coneley declined to identify the company but said its officials were given the results "well over a month ago."

The FDA first learned of the acetaminophen findings after concerned pet owners posted lab reports on the Internet. That company should have -- but did not -- notify the FDA.

The FDA is investigating the labs findings. "We're very interested in being able to test these samples ourselves to determine the levels of those contaminants," said FDA spokesman Doug Arbesfeld. "What's significant is these things are there. They don't belong there."

NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED AT THIS TIME!

Keep Your Dog SAFE!
Dog Food Secrets contains many great recipes for homemade dog foods!

Pet Food Recall:What's in your Dogs' Food?

Even some pet food companies are admitting that they don't always know what is in the pet food that they sell or even where it came from. So all of this time that you thought there was some kind of mystery meat in your pets food, you may have been right.

The melamine laced wheat flour that was found to have killed and sickened thousands of pets was intentionally used by many manufacturers in China to increase the readings of the tests for protein content in its products. Apparently, this practice has been going on for years, not just in pet food ingredients but counterfeiting in general has been common practice in China for decades where food safety and export regulations are lax.

It's not just the Chinese that we need to worry about. The US buyers did not check the Chinese companies manufacturing plants or operations. It has been said that they found each other on a Google search and that's as far as the inquiries into their operations went. The manufacturers appeared to have met their product standards and that seemed to be enough.

And then their are the manufacturers in this country who had no idea where the "wheat gluten" and "rice protein" (or other ingredients) that they were using in their products even came from since they got their ingredients from a US company (Wilbur-Ellis).

It just seems as though the mighty dollar seems to be taking precedent over the safety and health of our beloved pets. Feeding your dog a homemade diet just seems to make more and more sense!

Try this vet approved NEW RECIPE!!

Low Salt and Mineral Dog Food

5 ounces ground beef
1 7/8 cups instant rice, cooked
1/4 cup all-bran cereal
1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon salt substitute
1/2 teaspoon Calcium carbonate (Tums tablet or ground egg shells).
1 adult vitamin-mineral supplement (Centrum).

Bake, fry or microwave beef and do not drain fat.
Mix with all other ingredients except for the vitamin-mineral supplement.
Mix well and serve immediately.
Feed the daily vitamin-mineral supplement with the meal, give as a pill or pulverize and mix thoroughly mix with food before feeding.
Refrigerate any unused portions. Discard unused food after 3 days.
This recipe will make enough food to feed a 40lb. dog for a day.

More recipes can be found at: Healthy Food For Dogs - 245 Homemade Recipes

Pet Food Recall: Expanding Again!

This from the FDA:

Nutra Nuggets 40 Lb. Lamb Meal and Rice Formula Recalled Due to Cross Contamination

Contact:
Customer Information Center
1-866-214-6945

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-- Meta, MO-- May 23, 2007 -- Diamond Pet Foods announced that it has recalled a limited quantity of Nutra Nuggets 40 Lb. Lamb Meal and Rice Formula because of confirmatory testing that indicates the product may include traces of melamine resulting from cross contamination during manufacturing. No animal deaths have been reported.

This action is limited to Nutra Nuggets 40 Lb. Lamb Meal and Rice Formula with production codes of NLR0404A2SL, "Best Before" Oct. 9, 2008, and NLR0404B2SL, "Best Before" Oct. 9, 2008. The recalled product was manufactured at the company's Lathrop, Calif. facility. No other Nutra Nuggets products are affected.

Consumers who purchased Nutra Nuggets 40 Lb. Lamb Meal and Rice Formula with production codes of NLR0404A2SL, "Best Before" Oct. 9, 2008, and NLR0404B2SL, "Best Before" Oct. 9, 2008, should stop feeding the product immediately and return unused portions to their retailer for a full refund. Consumers may also contact the Diamond Pet Foods Customer Information Center toll free at 1-866-214-6945 for further information. The Center, which is staffed by veterinarians, is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CDT.

Real Dogs Don't Eat Kibble contains many great recipes for homemade dog foods!

Pet Food Recall : In the News Today. May 19, 2007

Bee feed is being tested for melamine affects on bees. Late last year, after commercial honey bees were fed a supplement of protein based bee feed, nearly a quarter of the bee population died without explaination. Noone knows whether the feed had been tainted or even if it has an affect on bees but it is worth studying. I'll keep you updated on any developments.

New Jersey has introduced a Bill that would make it legal for pet owners to sue manufacturers for emotional pain and suffering if their pet becomes ill or dies from the tainted pet foods. The bill is up for consideration Monday. If passed, it would set no monetary limit on damages. Hooray for them!

The FDA has deemed the pork, fish and poultry safe. Tests on the swine, fish and poultry found that melamine does not accumulate in the animals and the risk to humans consuming the meat is very low, the FDA said.

Earlier this week, Menu Foods posted claims forms on its Web site for U.S. and Canadian pet owners related to the recall after receiving "hundreds of thousands of calls" from customers. While dozens of lawsuits have been filed against Menu Foods by pet owners, the company said it will begin discussions with customers who wish to settle with Menu Foods directly, out of court.

ANOTHER PET FOOD RECALL

May 18, 2007

Chenango Valley Pet Foods, which previously recalled dry pet food, announced today it's pulling more food -- including for ferrets -- off the market out of fears they were cross-contaminated with rice protein concentrate from China.

Added to the Pet Food Recall:

Doctors Foster & Smith Lamb & Brown Rice Formula Adult Dog Food
Shop Rite Redi-Mixt Dog Food For Dogs
Lick Your Chops Kitten & Cat Food
SHEP Chunk Style Dog Food
8 In 1 Ferret Ultra-Blend Advanced Nutrition Diet
Bulk Lamb & Brown Rice Formula Dog Food
Health Diet Cat Food Chicken & Rice Dinner
Evolve Kitten Formula

Dog Food Secrets : Includes Recipes for Homemade Dog Foods!

Pet food Recall : How long has Melamine been in our pets' food?

When US Food and Drug Inspectors reached China last week to investigate the plants involved in the tainted wheat flour investigation, they found nothing to investigate. Both plants had been closed down and all equipment had been dismantled.

“We visited the two facilities, but there's essentially nothing to be found in that they are currently closed down, not operating,” Walter Batts, deputy director of the FDA’s Office of International Programs, told reporters. “There's essentially nothing, as they have determined, that is available to be seen at the facilities. They've been closed down, machinery dismantled, nothing to really get access to.”

The FDA did confirm however, that China has detained the manager of one of those companies – Mao Lijun of Xuzhou Anying.

The Los Angels Times reported that Mao Lijun’s factory has sickened people and plants for years.

“Farmers in this poor rural area about 400 miles northwest of Shanghai had complained to local government officials since 2004 that Mao's factory was spewing noxious fumes that made their eyes tear up and the poplar trees nearby shed their leaves prematurely,” the paper reported.

“Yet no one stopped Mao's company from churning out bags of food powders and belching smoke — until one day last month when, in the middle of the night, bulldozers arrived and tore down the facility.

The story added, “It wasn't authorities that finally acted: Mao himself razed the brick factory — days before the investigators from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration arrived in China on a mission to track down the source of the tainted pet food ingredients.”

So, how long has this been going on?

At a recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration press conference, David Acheson, assistant commissioner for food protection for the FDA, said melamine was seen in pet food samples as far back as early 2006. Before that, he said no one knows, or will likely ever know, if melamine was or was not present in pet food.

Why didn't it sicken our pets before?

The answer remains a mystery. It could be that it has been affecting our pets all along but noone knew what to look for. It may also be that it was only recently that when other chemicals were introduced into the mixture along with the melamine, it was then that they had a deadly affect. Either way, the fact remains that the protein results were altered, melamine contains no nutritional value. So at the very least, the question I would like answered is: Have our pets been undernourished for quite some time?

Basenji Stew

4 small parsnip
2 whole yellow squash—cubed
2 whole Sweet potatoes—peeled and cubed
2 whole Zucchini—cubed
5 whole tomatoes—
(15 oz.) can garbanzo beans
1/2 cup Couscous
1/4 cup shredded Carrots
1 teaspoon Ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon Ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon Ground cumin
3 cups Water or chicken stock
2 cups cooked chicken
Combine all the ingredients (except chicken) in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Add chicken. Place over cook brown rice or barley.

Healthy Food for Dogs - Homemade Recipes

Pet Food Recall : Kirkland Added To List

May 15, 2007

One more name has been added to the ever expanding pet food recall list. This time is Kirkland, made by American Nutrition and sold at Costco Wholesale Clubs.

Kirkland Signature™ Lamb and Rice canned dog food is included in this recall. It is sold as part of the Kirkland Signature Premium Dog Food 2-Flavor Variety Pack, item #38436, with a specific code on the package which reads, "Best if used by Apr 15 09."

Costco is asking it's members to stop using this product immediately and return it to any Costco for a full refund.

Find out more about the secrets of commercial dog food and get easy homemade recipes to keep your dog safe!

Pet Food Recall : This From Royal Canin USA!

May 12, 2007

Dear Pet Owners,

We deeply regret the concern and anxiety this update will cause both our loyal customers and the pet community.

Based on our ongoing investigation and extensive review of our manufacturing and quality assurances testing procedures, we recently announced a voluntary recall of eight Sensible Choice dry dog food products and seven Kasco dry dog and cat food products due to tainted Chinese rice protein concentrate.

A very limited number of Sensible Choice and Kasco products in this recent recall tested positive for trace levels of a melamine derivative, so we are voluntarily recalling the following products out of an abundance of caution.

We have received no confirmed cases of melamine related illness in pets eating Sensible Choice and Kasco products affected by this recall.

These eight Sensible Choice dry dog food products and seven Kasco dry dog and cat food products with Best By date codes between July 28, 2007 to April 30, 2008 are being voluntarily recalled:

SENSIBLE CHOICE® (available in pet specialty stores nationwide)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® Chicken and Rice Adult (Dry Dog Food)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® Chicken and Rice Reduced (Dry Dog Food)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® Lamb and Rice Reduced (Dry Dog Food)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® Chicken and Rice Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® Chicken and Rice Large Breed Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® NATURAL BLEND Adult (Dry Dog Food)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® NATURAL BLEND Senior (Dry Dog Food)
- SENSIBLE CHOICE® NATURAL BLEND Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
KASCO® (available in pet specialty stores nationwide)
- KASCO® Chunks (Dry Dog Food) - KASCO® Hi Energy (Dry Dog Food)
- KASCO® Maintenance (Dry Dog Food)
- KASCO® Mealettes (Dry Dog Food)
- KASCO® Mini Chunks (Dry Dog Food)
- KASCO® Puppy (Dry Dog Food
- KASCO® Cat (Dry Cat Food)

Based on today’s announcement, pet owners should stop feeding their pets the eight Sensible Choice dry dog food products and seven Kasco dry dog and dry cat food products listed. Pet owners should consult with a veterinarian if they are concerned about the health of their pet.

The safety and nutritional quality of Royal Canin USA pet food is our company’s top priority because we understand that the health of pets comes first. Pet owners who have questions about the voluntary recall of Sensible Choice and Kasco dry pet food products and other Royal Canin USA products should call 1-800-513-0041 or visit our web site at www.royalcanin.us.

All Sensible Choice and Kasco products have a satisfaction guarantee and the company will refund or replace the diets that are part of this recall announcement.

The hard working men and women of Royal Canin USA are continuing to do everything in our power to maintain your trust and confidence in all of our brands.

Sincerely,
Olivier Amice
President and CEO of Royal Canin USA

KEEP YOUR DOG SAFE ...Healthy Food For Dogs-Homemade Recipes

A Healthy Alternative to the Pet Food Recall

Shih Tzu Sushi

1 can salmon, canned, pink—reserve liquid
1 cup brown rice
2 cups water—plus salmon liquid
1 whole egg, hard-boiled—chopped
1/2 cup peas and carrots, frozen—or more if desired
1 tablespoon fresh parsley—chopped
2 tablespoons cod liver oil1 package Nori Sheets -- *see Note

Drain salmon, reserve liquid for rice. do not remove bones or skin, flake with fork.Defrost peas and carrots.In a sauce pan add salmon liquid, water, brown rice, cook. let cool to touch. In a mixing bowl add salmon, brown rice, chopped egg, peas and carrots, and parsley, cod liver oil. Mix well. place one nori sheet on a flat surface and spread mixture 1/4 inch over nori, leave 1/4 inch edge of nori and dampen with water. And roll. repeat till nori sheets are used, or mixture is gone.Individually wrap in plastic wrap, refrigerate till ready to serve.Cut rolls into size for your doggie.:
Nori Sheets is dried seaweed found in the oriental section of your grocery store or specialty shop. This recipe freezes well also.

Hope you find this recipe for homemade dog food useful! More recipes like these can be found at: Homemade Dog Treat Recipes

Homemade Dog Food...A Natural Choice

With the pet food recall mounting, many pet owners are turning to their kitchen to try to keep their pet safe. There are many great books out there containing recipes for homemade dog foods. Just remember to keep a few basic facts in mind when choosing the ones that are right for your dog.

First, a well balanced diet for a dog consists of 40% meat. 30% vegetables, and 30% protein. These are their needs over time, it does not mean that every recipe that you select contain these proportions.

Remember to always cook your pets meat. Many people believe that since dogs killed their prey for thousands of years and ate the meat raw that they should continue to eat their meat raw. What you need to keep in mind when making this decision is that the dog is no longer killing their prey. We are. And as we are processing it, sometimes it comes into contact with salmonella and other forms of bacteria. So although raw meat sounds like a good idea, there are other things to consider.

Some foods are toxic to dogs.
Alcoholic Beverages can cause intoxication, coma and sometimes death
Bones from Fish and Poultry can obstruct or lacerate the digestive system
Coffee, Tea or any other form of Caffeine can be toxic and cause problems with the heart and nervous system
Citrus Oil Extracts can cause vomiting
Grapes and Raisins can cause damage to the kidneys
Large Amounts of Liver can cause vitamin A toxicity (affects muscles and bones)
Macadamia Nuts contain unknown toxin which affects the digestive and nervous system.
Mushrooms can contain toxins which can cause shock and result in death
Onions and Garlic can cause anemia (many homemade recipes contain small amounts of garlic which is widely thought to be acceptable for dogs - poisonous for cats however)
Raw eggs can lead to skin and coat problems
Raw fish if fed regularly can lead to loss of appetite, seizures and sometimes death

Work your homemade dog food recipes around these basic facts.

Wendy and Jack Volhald, well known and respected dog trainers, have been making their own homemade dog foods for over 30 years. In their book, Dog Food Secrets, they share some of their recipes for homemade dog foods that have enabled their dogs to live longer and longer with each generation. According to a National Survey done by the Newfoudland Club of America, the normal lifespan of a Newfoundland in 1998 was 6.2-6.7 years. Using the recipes for homemade dog foods found in their book, Dog Food Secrets, their dogs live to be up to 15 years of age.

We all love our pets and want only the best for them. You may feel as though you can’t make your own recipes for homemade dog foods, there are many books out there to help. Just remember, we have been successfully feeding our children well balanced diets for years and with a little knowledge you can feed your best friend too. At least you’ll know what they are eating.

Update on the Pet Food Recall

May 10, 2007

The Chinese government has detained an unknown number of managers from Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co. Ltd. and Binzhou Futian Biology Technology Co. Ltd.. This came after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cited the two plants as those being the source of the contaminated wheat gluten.

There is a growing concern about the safety of food and drug shipments from China. The two companies that were cited by the FDA deliberately mislabeled the exported products to avoid inspection. China's former top drug regulator goes on trial later this month for taking bribes to approve drugs that had not been tested. Mississippi and Alabama have banned catfish from China after they were found to contain ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin, antibiotics banned for use in the United States. Louisiana officials said that they will begin testing all seafood imports from China for antibiotics. Maybe this needs to be a wakeup call!

For 245 Recipes For Homemade Dog Food Click Here!

Now Fish!

May 9, 2007

Since the pet food recall began, it has not only affected our beloved pets but thousands of hogs, 20 million chickens, and now an unknown amount of farm raised fish. Still, authorities say that there is no threat to humans.

The latest twist is authorities now believe that it was not actually wheat gluten and rice protein that was spiked with melamine, but wheat flour.

Dog Food Secrets

Pet Food Recall..Is An Uninformed Public Partially To Blame?

Imports Erode U.S. Wheat Gluten Industry

By ROXANA HEGEMAN
The Associated Press

WICHITA, Kan. -- Even as fears grow over contaminated imported wheat gluten in recalled pet food, U.S. production has been so eroded by low-cost imports that it can no longer supply domestic demand, domestic makers say.

Only four domestic gluten manufacturers, including two in Kansas, have survived the flood of foreign wheat gluten bought here in the last decade at prices cheaper than U.S. producers can make it.

When the United States removed quotas on gluten imports in 2000, prices plummeted by about half, said John Neufeld, chief operating officer for Dallas-based White Energy, which purchased a bankrupt wheat gluten facility in Russell, Kan.

The U.S. imports roughly 80 percent of its wheat gluten from Australia, the European Union and China, where the contaminated wheat gluten behind the recent pet food recall is believed to have originated, according to figures from the National Association of Wheat Growers. It is used primarily as an ingredient in the baking industry, in cereal and in pet food.

More than 100 brands of pet food have been recalled since March 16 because they were contaminated with melamine. An unknown number of dogs and cats have been sickened or died after eating chemical-laced pet food.

The contamination has raised alarm among industry leaders, who say the nation's growing reliance on foreign food supplies compromises national security.

"Imagine if this was a child _ instead of 30,000 pets. How about 30,000 children? Would we be thinking, 'Gosh, I am glad I saved a few cents on that loaf of bread I bought,'" said John Thaemert, a Sylvan Grove farmer and wheat growers association president.

On April 26, the government said several hundred of the 6,000 hogs that may have eaten contaminated pet food are believed to have entered the food supply for humans. The potential risk to human health was said to be very low.

The food supply chain in the U.S. is highly regulated, but those safeguards are not always in place overseas. Other countries can make low cost food products because they have lower labor costs, less expensive land and less government regulation.

Neufeld's company estimated that the U.S. consumes about 530 million pounds of wheat gluten. Government figures show that about 386 million pounds of that wheat gluten was imported, he said.

White Energy's wheat gluten facility in Russell sells its gluten primarily to the domestic baking industry. The facility produces 40 million pounds of wheat gluten annually, accounting for just under 8 percent of U.S. gluten consumption, Neufeld said. Its gluten plant has been running at capacity and has not been affected by the recent concerns over the imported gluten.

The nation's largest gluten maker, MGP Ingredients Inc., is based in Atchison, Kan., with another plant in Pekin, Ill. The company has the capacity to produce 120 million pounds of gluten in a year but the plants are running at only 20 percent of that capacity, said Steve Pickman, MGP Ingredients' vice president for corporate relations.

"We have been unable to compete effectively on a price basis with imported gluten," he said.

Pet Food Recall: FDA Announces New Website Addressing Growing Concerns About Consumer Health

May 7,2007
Check out the New Website from the FDA

Pet Food Recall: New Hope?

May 6, 2007
Perry Martos, a scientist at The University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada may have made a breakthrough in the investigation of the tainted pet food. The two unauthorized chemicals that were found in the pet food, melamine and cyanuric acid, when mixed together with cat urine, formed a mass in of crystal, in less than a second, very similar to that found in the kidneys of the affected animals. "If you can imagine an instantaneous kidney stone — that's essentially the way I would perceive it," says Martos. Scientists are now working on a way to dissolve those crystals

Meanwhile, in Washington on Wednesday, the Senate voted unanimously to standardize the nutrition labels on pet food and to fine pet food makers who don't report problems right away. The amendment also calls for a pet version of the system that now tracks human contamination that causes illness and death in people.

Try this homemade dog treat:

Cheesy Carrot Muffins

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup finely grated carrot
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a muffin tin or line it with paper baking cups. Combine the flours and baking powder and mix well. Add the cheese and carrots and use your fingers to mix them into the flour until they are well-distributed. In another bowl, beat the eggs. Then whisk in the milk and vegetable oil. Pour this over the flour mixture and stir gently until just combined. Fill the muffin cups three-quarters full with the mixture. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the muffins feel springy. Be sure to let the muffins cool before letting your dog do any taste testing! One muffin for medium to large dog, half a muffin for a toy or small dog.

More homemade dog treat recipes can be found By Clicking HERE!

ASPCA on the Pet Food Recall: "This Is Far From Over"

May 5, 2007
This from the ASPCA :“We are strongly recommending that pet parents immediately investigate, via their pet food manufacturer’s Web site or by calling them directly, where the ingredients—specifically protein supplements—are sourced from.”

Now let me see if I understand this. We are to ask the manufacturers who 1)did not inform the FDA of possible contamination of their wheat gluten until nearly a month after they found out, 2) did not pull some of their products from shelves after the FDA told them they were contaminated because they wanted to perform their own tests first, and 3) after suppliers accused one of them of putting rice protein in their pet food recipes without their knowledge or consent, that manufacturer of course denied it. And they are going to tell us the truth. And when they tell us that all of the ingredients come from the US, we are to believe them. I may have been born at night but it wasn't last night!

Dog Food Secrets -includes recipes for homemade dog foods!

Basenji Stew
4 small parsnip
2 whole yellow squash—cubed
2 whole Sweet potatoes—peeled and cubed
2 whole Zucchini—cubed
5 whole tomatoes—canned
1 (15 oz.) can garbanzo beans
1/2 cup Couscous
1/4 cup shredded Carrots
1 teaspoon Ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon Ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon Ground cumin
3 cups Water or chicken stock
2 cups cooked chicken
Combine all the ingredients (except chicken) in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Add chicken. Place over cook brown rice or barley.

For 245 Recipes For Homemade Dog Foods Click Here!

PET FOOD RECALL LIST EXPANDS...AGAIN!! May 4,2007

Check the Updated Pet Food Recall List from the FDA

For 245 Recipes For Homemade Dog Foods Click Here!

Pet Food Recall Expanded

May 3, 2007
Menu Foods has expanded its pet food recall to include products that do not contain the ChemNutra Wheat Gluten but were manufactured at the same plants during the same period because of possible cross contamination. Here are the links to the expanded list:

Menu Foods Expanded Recall - US
Menu Foods Expanded Recall - Canada

Pet Food Recall : May 2, 2007 NEW ALERT!

The alert now includes ALL VEGETABLE PROTEIN PRODUCTS FROM CHINA: wheat gluten, rice gluten, rice protein, rice protein concentrate, corn gluten, corn gluten meal, corn by-products, soy protein, soy gluten, proteins, and mung bean protein. Read FDA Alert

245 Recipes For Homemade Dog Foods

Pet Food Recall - Before melamine there was Urea

May 1, 2007
Before melamine there was Urea. Chinese producers have admitted that they have been spiking US shipments for years. Urea is another Nitrogen-based chemical that has been used to fool US Companies into thinking that they were getting high quality protein products. Urea was used until it started making some animals ill.

Guarding against contaminated products being imported has become quite a problem. According to the Commerce Department, the pet food industry now imports 7 times the amount of animal feed it did in 2000. Wheat gluten and rice protein come in the form of a powder and chemicals like melamine can easily be mixed in (whether intentional or unintentional) and not be detected by the FDA because they are not on its battery of tests.

The FDA oversees a trillion dollars worth of products annually, this includes about half of all imports. The agency regulates about 25% of every dollar that is spent by American consumers annually, so it is impossible for the agency to inspect more than a fraction of all imports. About 99% of all food imports are not inspected.

Lawmakers are calling for an overhaul of the FDA but what do we do in the meantime?

So are any of us safe? It's not looking very promising...especially for our beloved pets.

Try This FREE Recipe for Homemade Dog Food!

Shih Tzu Sushi
1 can salmon, canned, pink—reserve liquid
1 cup brown rice
2 cups water—plus salmon liquid
1 whole egg, hard-boiled—chopped
1/2 cup peas and carrots, frozen—or more if desired
1 tablespoon fresh parsley—chopped
2 tablespoons cod liver oil
1 package Nori Sheets -- *see Note
Drain salmon, reserve liquid for rice. do not remove bones or skin, flake with fork.Defrost peas and carrots.In a sauce pan add salmon liquid, water, brown rice, cook. let cool to touch. In a mixing bowl add salmon, brown rice, chopped egg, peas and carrots, and parsley, cod liver oil. Mix well. place one nori sheet on a flat surface and spread mixture 1/4 inch over nori, leave 1/4 inch edge of nori and dampen with water. And roll. repeat till nori sheets are used, or mixture is gone.Individually wrap in plastic wrap, refrigerate till ready to serve.Cut rolls into size for your doggie.

Note: Nori Sheets is dried seaweed found in the oriental section of your grocery store or specialty shop. This recipe freezes well also.

Healthy Food For Dogs - 245 Recipes For Homemade Dog Foods

Pet Food Recall - Will We Ever Know The Truth?

Producers of animal feed all over China have been secretly supplementing their pig, poultry and fish feed with melamine and then selling it to unsuspecting farmers for years. It is used as a cheap filler that disguises itself as protein in tests but provides no nutritional value. Melamine is prohibited in any food in the US. The FDA has banned all shipments of wheat gluten from China after about 14,000 reports of animals sickened by the tainted product.

China's food safety regulations have come into question for years. Scandals have involved everything from fake baby milk formulas and soy sauce made from human hair to instances where cuttlefish were soaked in calligraphy ink to improve their color and eels were fed contraceptive pills to make them grow long and slim.

No one knows how the melamine got into the wheat gluten and it is not believed to be paticularly toxic, so the question is how it became so fatal in the pet food.

Dog Food Secrets

Pet food Recall - Absolute Craziness!!!!

What is going on? The latest twist is that the pet food that was recalled and removed from store shelves was marked as "salvage" and that is the food that was passed along to the hog farms and fed to the hogs that are now quarantined! The hogs will be destroyed, said the US Government, and the owners will be compensated.

Now for the really scary part...
Wilbur-Ellis began importing rice protein from China in August 2006. The company did not become aware of the contamination until April 2007. The FDA determined that the rice protein was used to produce pet food and a portion of that pet food was used to produce animal feed. At this time the FDA has said that their is no evidence of harm to humans associated with the processed pork products...but if any evidence surfaces they will take appropriate action. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Why not make your own : 245 Healthy Recipes For Homemade Dog Foods

Pet Food Recall - Harmony Farms Joins Recall - Finally!

American Nutrition Inc. became the final of the five pet food companies that Wilbur-Ellis supplied with tainted rice protein to join the FDA pet food recall on friday."It appears that ANI had been adding the unauthorized rice protein concentrate to Harmony Farms products for some time and only told the company when the FDA was about to conclude that some of ANI's rice protein concentrate (supplied by Wilber-Ellis) was contaminated with melamine," said a statement on the Harmony Farms site.

Dog Food Secrets (Includes Recipes For Homemade Dog Foods)

Get The Facts: What's Really In Pet Food

Have you seen the article at The Animal Protection Institute ? The facts are eye-opening, to say the least! The report explores the differences between what consumers think they are buying and what they are actually getting. Here are a few tidbits:

"What most consumers don't know is that the pet food industry is an extension of the human food and agriculture industries. Pet food provides a convenient way for slaughterhouse offal, grains considered 'unfit for human consumption,' and similar waste products to be turned into profit. This waste includes intestines, udders, heads, hooves, and possibly diseased and cancerous animal parts."

"Dogs and cats are carnivores, and do best on a meat-based diet."

"Most dry foods contain a large amount of cereal grain or starchy vegetables to provide texture. These high-carbohydrate plant products also provide a cheap source of 'energy' - the rest of us call it 'calories'. Gluten meals are high-protein extracts from which most of the carbohydrate has been removed. They are often used to boost protein percentages without expensive animal-source ingredients. Corn gluten meal is the most commonly used for this purpose. Wheat gluten is also used to create shapes like cuts, bites, chunks, flakes, and slices, and as a thickener for gravy. In most cases, foods containing vegetable proteins are among the poorer quality foods."

"Today, the diets of cats and dogs are a far cry from the variable meat-based diets their ancestors ate. The unpleasant results of grain-based, processed, year-in and year-out diets are common. Health problems associated with diet include: Urinary tract disease, Kidney disease, dental disease, obesity, chronic digestive problems, bloat, heart disease, and hyperthyroidism."

"Many nutritional problems appeared with the popularity of cereal based commercial pet foods. Some have occured because the diet was incomplete. Although several ingredients are now supplemented, we do not know what future researchers may discover that should have been supplemented in pet foods all along."

If you think that your pets' food is not cereal based because of the ingredients and the order in which they are listed.....think again. You NEED to read this report.

Pet Food Recall - Some Answers?

By Andrew Bridges
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON --

First, cats and dogs were sickened and died after they ate pet food contaminated with an industrial chemical. Then, it was disclosed that hogs were fed the same pet food, raising concerns that the chemical had entered the human food supply.Some questions and answers about the contamination, the massive recall that followed and the risks to people and animals:

Q: What chemical tainted the food?
A: Traces of melamine, a nitrogen-rich chemical used in a variety of industrial processes, were found in the pet food. Its most common use is to make resins, which in turn can be molded into products like counter tops and kitchen utensils, including plastic dinnerware sold as Melmac. It also is both a contaminant and byproduct of several pesticides, including cyromazine, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Q: Is melamine toxic to animals?
A: Melamine appears to have caused acute kidney failure in animals that have died or been sickened after eating foods laced with the chemical. Previously, the only known risk was to rodents. When fed to male rats in high doses, melamine indirectly caused tumors by forming stones that irritated the lining of the bladder, according to a 2002 United Nations Environmental Program report. The report concluded its toxicity to mammals is low.

Q: How many pets have died after eating contaminated food?
A: No one knows. Estimates run from a few dozen to several thousand dogs and cats. The FDA has confirmed only about 15 pet deaths.

Q: What about people?
A: The 2002 UN report concluded the potential risk posed by melamine is low. However, the UN based that conclusion on the slim chance that consumers would even come into contact with the chemical.

Q: Has melamine been found in any human foods?
A: No. However, the FDA is beginning to test wheat gluten, rice protein concentrate and at least four other vegetable proteins imported for use by firms that make human food, including pizza dough and infant formula, and those that manufacture animal feed.

Q: What's the connection to human food?
A: State and federal investigators are looking at hog farms in at least six states that were supplied with salvaged pet food distributed before it was known to be contaminated with melamine. It wasn't immediately clear which farms had hogs that actually ate the contaminated pet food, though the urine of animals has tested positive for the chemical in California, North Carolina and South Carolina. Some hog farms have been placed under quarantine. A poultry farm in Missouri also may have received some tainted food.

Q: How many brands of pet food were recalled?
A: Companies have recalled more than 5,500 varieties of pet food and treats, sold under more than 100 brands.

Q: What advice has FDA given pet owners?
A: The agency recommends checking if a pet's food has been recalled. Any recalled food should not be used. A complete, searchable list is available on the FDA's Web site . If a pet suffers a loss of appetite, lethargy or vomiting, the FDA suggests owners contact a veterinarian.

Q: How did the melamine get into the pet food in the first place?
A: Two vegetable proteins tainted with melamine were imported from China and used in pet foods sold in North America, while a third was used in southern Africa. In the United States, melamine has shown up in wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate. The protein-rich ingredients were used to produce the now-recalled brands of pet foods and treats by U.S. and Canadian companies. And in pet products sold in South Africa and Namibia, the third vegetable protein ingredient, corn gluten, also has been found to be contaminated.

Q: Why would melamine show up in those ingredients?
A: The Food and Drug Administration suspects melamine was used to spike the vegetable proteins to make them appear to have more protein than they actually did. Adding a nitrogen-rich contaminant like melamine would skew the results of tests to make an ingredient register as more protein-rich than it really is -- and allow it to sell for more money.

Q: Who imported the tainted ingredients and where did they go?
A: All three vegetable proteins tainted with melamine were imported from China. Two companies are known to have imported tainted ingredients: ChemNutra Inc. of Las Vegas bought wheat gluten, and Wilbur-Ellis Co. of San Francisco purchased the rice protein concentrate. Both companies in turn sold the wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate to pet food manufacturers or distributors that supply such companies. The FDA does not believe either ingredient went directly to any company that used them to make human food.

Q: Why weren't the ingredients tested for melamine?
A: Until the recent and ongoing recalls, regulators did not consider melamine a likely contaminant of food meant for either people or animals. Nor were the vegetable proteins considered at risk for contamination. The FDA is now testing a variety of vegetable proteins, used to make everything from infant formula to energy bars, for the chemical.

Q: What else is the government doing to ensure the safety of the food people and pets eat?
A: The FDA is inspecting factories and warehouses and analyzing both raw ingredients and finished pet foods as part of its efforts to track down all the contaminated product. Agency inspectors also plan to visit plants in China where the suspect ingredients were made. Along with the USDA and state officials, the FDA is investigating cases where contaminated pet food was fed to hogs and poultry. The FDA is also fielding consumer complaints as well as calls from veterinarians. And agency criminal investigators continue to monitor the situation.

Q: What about Congress?
A: Lawmakers have begun a series of investigations into how the FDA polices the safety of the nation's food supply. Legislative proposals include the creation of a single food agency. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, has called for an audit of the nation's food safety system. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., has said that unless the FDA improves how it handles food safety investigations she would seek to withhold the paychecks of top agency officials.

Source: Food and Drug Administration, federal and state departments of agriculture, Congress, Environmental Protection Agency, various companies.

245 Recipes for Homemade Dog Foods

Sign The PETition

The Proposition
“I support effective regulation of the manufacturing, testing, labeling and marketing of all pet food. I call upon all governments to act on all aspects of this issue IMMEDIATELY and to keep the public informed.”

Pet Food Recall; Melamine Enters Human Food Supply

Melamine may have found it's way into the human food supply through hogs that were fed melamine-contaminated pet food. Hog farms in California, North Carolina, New York and South Carolina have been identified and an additional farm in Ohio is being investigated. All of these farms received "salvaged" pet food containing melamine.

The farm in California caters to individuals buying entire hogs and all of those consumers have been alerted. According to the FDA, the farms in the other states had not yet distributed any of the tainted pork. All of the animals are being quarantined and are being tested.

PRESS RELEASE - April 24, 2007

PRESS RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Tom McPheron Phone: 847-285-6781 Cell: 773-494-5419
e-mail: tmcpheron@avma.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 24, 2007

LiveSmart Weight Management Chicken and Brown Rice Dog Food Recalled Due to Potential Melamine Contamination
SCHAUMBURG, Ill.

—

LiveSmart Weight Management Chicken and Brown Rice dog food was recalled by its manufacturer SmartPak on Friday, April 20. SmartPak is the fourth of five manufacturers that received potentially contaminated rice protein concentrate supplied by distributor Wilbur-Ellis. According to the SmartPak Web site, less than 1,200 pounds of product had left the company's facility prior to the recall and SmartPark notified every affected pet owner via telephone and email (see the SmartPak Web site).

The other pet food manufacturers that received potentially contaminated rice protein concentrate imported from China by the Wilbur-Ellis company included: Blue Buffalo Company, Natural Balance Pet Foods, and Royal Canin. Dr. Stephen Sundlof, director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine at the FDA, said that FDA tests were positive for melamine in a product by a fifth pet food manufacturer, but that manufacturer has elected to conduct private tests prior to recalling its product. Results are expected to be known within a day.
Melamine-contaminated wheat gluten was the source of the initial pet food recall issued on March 16, 2007. That recall has resulted in the recall of hundreds of dog and cat foods produced by Menu Foods.

In the wake of these recalls, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reminds pet owners to continue to consult the AVMA listing of recalled pet food and discontinue feeding pets any food that has been recalled. The AVMA advices that any animal that is showing symptoms such as loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and changes in urination—common symptoms after consumption of recalled pet foods—should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

A comprehensive AVMA Pet Food Recall List is available at the AVMA Pet Food Recall Website. This list contains all recall information that has come to the attention of the AVMA, but it is not guaranteed to be complete. The AVMA encourages all concerned to contact the specific manufacturer regarding the status of any particular pet food or treat.

Veterinarians should report all cases of illness and death linked to a recalled pet food by calling the FDA's State Consumer Complaint Coordinator. A list of these coordinators is available at the FDA Consumer Complaint Website. For more information, please visit the AVMA web site.

Pet Food Recall - It's Time We Act...

It's been more than a month since the massive pet food recall began and dog and cat owners are even more confused than ever. The FDA began recalling more than 60 million cat and dog food products on March 17th and the list seems to be growing every couple of days! Brand name and cost don't seem to factors in keeping your pet safe.

The ingredient list now includes wheat gluten, rice protein and corn gluten!

U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today sent a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner asking (?) him to identify the companies that recieved the tainted rice protein shipments from China. The companies have, as of yet, refused to institute a recall. They are asking (?) the FDA to require them to trace and recall any pet food that may have been contaminated with the rice protein product.

In the U.S. alone, estimates are, there are 68 Million dog owners and 73 Million cat owners. Maybe we all need to Contact our Senator and Congressional Representative and DEMAND that something be done to protect our Pets!

In the meantime, I, personally, am afraid to buy any commercial pet foods. I have included a few recipes for homemade dog foods on this site but if you would like some more, Healthy Food For Dogs - Homemade Recipes , contains 245 recipes!

The Most Devastating Pet Food Recall In History!

The largest and quite possibly the most devastating pet food recall in history contains both wet and dry pet foods. Procter & Gamble, Nestle', Hill's Pet Nutrition, Del-Monte, Natural Balance, Royal Canin USA, Store Brands (including Ahold, Kroger, Safeway, Wal-Mart, PetSmart, Pet Valu, and many, many, more), are only some of the companies involved in this voluntary recall. Estimates as of April 10th, are 39,000 cats and dogs have been affected (I'm sure this is a very conservative figure!)!

The tainted wheat gluten was apparently imported between November 3, 2006 and January 23, 2007.

U.S. Health officials are warning pet owners that the contaminated pet foods are still being sold in some stores! FDA officials conducted approximately 400 checks of retail stores and discovered some companies have not removed all of the recalled products.

I have listed several recipes for homemade dog foods below. If you would like more recipes, I have found this ebooks to be very helpful : Dog Food Secrets Revealed

Keeping Your Dog Safe - Free Recipes For Homemade Dog Foods

So now they are saying that it may have been INTENTIONAL! Can you believe it! Imported ingredients may have been intentionally spiked with an industrial chemical to boost their apparent protein content (what some people won't do for a buck!). The FDA is investigating this theory among others as to how melamine, contaminated in at least two ingredients used to make over 100 brands of cat and dog food, could have gotten into the foods. It has been found, so far, in wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate from China. The FDA is planning to go to China to inspect 3 plants where the melamine got into the products.

A third U.S. Company has recalled pet foods made with the tainted ingredients. Problem is this list is changing daily and they are not telling consumers until it's too late for many pet owners!

The only way to keep your dog safe with the way the pet food recall is being updated daily is to make your own dog food. I have been fortunate enough to find several ebooks containing healthy recipes for homemade dog foods. You can't just feed your baby "table scraps" because they don't necessarily contain the needed vitamins and minerals for your dog and not all dogs can eat the rich foods that many of our recipes contain.

Here are a few recipes for homemade dog food that you might find useful:

Apple Crunch Pupcakes

2 3/4 cups water
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoons honey
1 medium egg
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup apple, dried
1 tablespoon baking powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix water, applesauce, honey,egg and vanilla in a small bowl. Combine flour, dried apple and baking powder in another bowl. Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until well blended. Pour into greased muffin pan. Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes. Store in an airtight container. Makes 12-14 pupcakes.

Basenji Stew

4 small parsnip
2 whole yellow squash—cubed
2 whole Sweet potatoes—peeled and cubed
2 whole Zucchini—cubed
5 whole tomatoes—canned
1 (15 oz.) can garbanzo beans
1/2 cup Couscous
1/4 cup shredded Carrots
1 teaspoon Ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon Ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon Ground cumin
3 cups Water or chicken stock
2 cups cooked chicken

Combine all the ingredients (except chicken) in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Add chicken. Place over cook brown rice or barley.

Boo's Biscuits

3 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 cup Quaker oats
1 cup milk
1/2 cup hot water
2 beef or chicken bouillon cubes
1/2 cup meat drippings

Dissolve bouillon cubes in hot water. Add milk and drippings and beat. In a separate bowl, mix flour and oatmeal. Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients and mix well. Press onto an ungreased cookie sheet and cut into shapes desired. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour. Turn off heat and leave in the oven to harden. Refrigerate after baking.

Bulldog Banana Bites

2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup powdered non-fat milk
1 egg
1/3 cup ripe, mashed banana
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 beef bouillon cube
1/2 cup hot water
1 tablespoon brown sugar

Mix all ingredients until will blended. Knead for 2 minutes on a floured surface. Roll to 1/4 “ thickness. Use a 2 1/2” bone shaped cookie cutter (or any one you prefer). Bake for 30 minutes in a 300 degrees oven on ungreased cookie pans.

Cheesy Carrot Muffins

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup finely grated carrot
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a muffin tin or line it with paper baking cups. Combine the flours and baking powder and mix well. Add the cheese and carrots and use your fingers to mix them into the flour until they are well-distributed. In another bowl, beat the eggs. Then whisk in the milk and vegetable oil. Pour this over the flour mixture and stir gently until just combined. Fill the muffin cups three-quarters full with the mixture. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the muffins feel springy. Be sure to let the muffins cool before letting your dog do any taste testing! One muffin for medium to large dog, half a muffin for a toy or small dog.

Puppy Formula

4 ounces Carnation EVAPORATED milk
4 ounces FULL FAT natural, plain yogurt
1 tablespoon Mayonnaise
1 egg yolk
1 dropper full of human baby pediatric liquid vitamin, no fluoride

Blend together!

Shih Tzu Sushi

1 can salmon, canned, pink—reserve liquid
1 cup brown rice
2 cups water—plus salmon liquid
1 whole egg, hard-boiled—chopped
1/2 cup peas and carrots, frozen—or more if desired
1 tablespoon fresh parsley—chopped
2 tablespoons cod liver oil
1 package Nori Sheets -- *see Note

Drain salmon, reserve liquid for rice. do not remove bones or skin, flake with fork.Defrost peas and carrots.In a sauce pan add salmon liquid, water, brown rice, cook. let cool to touch. In a mixing bowl add salmon, brown rice, chopped egg, peas and carrots, and parsley, cod liver oil. Mix well. place one nori sheet on a flat surface and spread mixture 1/4 inch over nori, leave 1/4 inch edge of nori and dampen with water. And roll. repeat till nori sheets are used, or mixture is gone.Individually wrap in plastic wrap, refrigerate till ready to serve.Cut rolls into size for your doggie.
Note: Nori Sheets is dried seaweed found in the oriental section of your grocery store or specialty shop. This recipe freezes well also.

Hope you find these recipes for homemade dog foods useful!

More recipes like these can be found at: Homemade Dog Treat Recipes