Is Pet Food Killing your Pet?

Pet owners across the nation had recently experienced the heart-stopping, lump in your throat moment when you thought that perhaps you were feeding your beloved pet poison! Pet brands that you have known and trusted are coming forth and voluntarily recalling tainted pet food and treats, now seemingly in alarming numbers. More and more brands and types of foods are being disclosed, and for pet owners, this is very scary. Some pet owners I know are refusing to purchase commercial pet foods and are making their dogs and cats homemade meals from ingredients that they can control. Although this is perhaps the best way to ensure your pet is getting untainted foods, it may not be nutritional enough to maintain your pet’s stamina, coat, vital organs, and health unless you are working with a qualified pet nationalist. Because dogs and cats are different species than humans, they require a different balance of nutrition to maintain their optimal health.

It may not be feasible for all pet owners to go the natural route when feeding their pets. Many familiar brand names are listed in the recall, including well-known Iams, Eukanuba, Hills Diet, Science Diet, Alpo, Mighty Dog, Purina, Proctor & Gamble, and store brands, such as WalMart, Winn Dixie, Food Lion, Publix, Wegmans, and others. Fortunately, the Food and Drug Administration has set up a hotline for pet owners who have questions regarding the recent recalls and have web links you can visit to get the latest information on the tainted pet food crisis. There is also a number to call to report if your pet has become victim to the recent poisonings. Pet owners whose pets have consumed any of the listed pet foods and showing symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy, and extreme thirst are being told to take them to the veterinarian immediately.

The recall is mainly for ‘cuts and gravy’ food sold in cans and pouches. Also, be notified that some treats are now being recalled too. Many articles written on the pet food recall indicate that tainted wheat gluten added to many dog and cat food foil pouches and cans is the ingredient that is causing the sicknesses and deaths. Like many pet owners, I am now scrutinizing the ingredients in not only the dog food I buy but also the treats.