Dotti Keith said,
I have
fed Purina products to my cats and dogs for over 20 years and have had cats
live to be l6, l7 and l9; their deaths being caused by brain tumors. I feed
primarily dry food with just a little canned food of the “dinner”
style (not meat and gravy) for flavor and all my animals have done great
on it.
By the
way, I was told about 50 years ago that feeding “red meat” tuna
to cats could be a danger to them. Does anyone know if this has changed?
Pet food tuna - the parts not used for human consumption - supposedly caused
kidney problems in cats.
I am
wondering where Pedigree fits into this mess. I haven’t seen that
name in either list. We use the ground chicken dinner as the treat part
of my Pomeranian meals, and they are still doing well.
I am
in awe of people who can and will cook for their pets. Heck, I can’t
stand to cook for myself and my husband! I do it, sometimes, and I can cook
reasonably well, but I sure don’t like to.
cat_woman said,
I feed
my four cats a rotation of Natural Balance, Innova, and Wellness (canned
food only). I’m so un-trusting of all of the pet food companies that
I was wondering if anyone has taken samples of their own pet food to a lab
for testing. I wouldn’t even know what to ask for, but if it’s
not too expensive, I would not hesitate to have my cat food tested from
time to time just for peace of mind. Any thoughts?
Mary Kelley said,
I have
been reading all the posts here from the beginning. Thank you everyone.
We are all in this together and I felt just a bit better knowing I have
support and some more brain power on all of this. Lisa, I hear you on working
so hard to save a kitty and then the worst possible fear comes true. My
heart goes out to you. Also thank you, Sue, for your rallying words. Country
life, back to basics and nature and much more support for Made in USA !
Sarah, I am an organic vegetarian and I use wheat gluten in my home-made
bread weekly! Has anyone researched this yet? Thank you ahead of time. I
can’t sleep and stay awake all hours of the night thinking about all
of the posts here, all of you, the sadness and the fear. I have not been
this angry about anything since 9-11.
Mealtime is such an important ritual between humans and their dogs and cats. It is hard to switch foods that you trusted and previously researched. Hard for us and hard for the animals. Then to still have doubts about your new choices is horrifying. And this seems trite but prayer may be our best avenue while we are waiting for this mess to be straightened out. I am praying for all of the animals in the world. Half the people in my small town haven’t even heard of the recall when I tell them! By the way, I used Science Diet feline lite wet and dry until the recall and have switched to Innova, but my cats don’t like the canned and spit out the chunks. There are ingredients in it like Glucosamine, Chondroitin, cranberries and garlic that they have never had and I don’t think I will stay with this. I plan to make my own. My cats are my life! I know you feel the same! Mary
Mealtime is such an important ritual between humans and their dogs and cats. It is hard to switch foods that you trusted and previously researched. Hard for us and hard for the animals. Then to still have doubts about your new choices is horrifying. And this seems trite but prayer may be our best avenue while we are waiting for this mess to be straightened out. I am praying for all of the animals in the world. Half the people in my small town haven’t even heard of the recall when I tell them! By the way, I used Science Diet feline lite wet and dry until the recall and have switched to Innova, but my cats don’t like the canned and spit out the chunks. There are ingredients in it like Glucosamine, Chondroitin, cranberries and garlic that they have never had and I don’t think I will stay with this. I plan to make my own. My cats are my life! I know you feel the same! Mary
Cindy Nevarez said,
Hi again
everyone,
To the post regarding adding E to fish oil supplement; it is the cod-liver oil supplement that you must add E with, you can supplement Omega 3 and 6 without that addition.
To the question about which food did I choose who doesn’t outsource, etc. I have just placed a large online order with Evangers. I bought a combination of 204 cans of dog/cat food to supplement my raw homemade. I like the whole ingredients, and the fact that it is human-grade and not outsourced.
To the post regarding adding E to fish oil supplement; it is the cod-liver oil supplement that you must add E with, you can supplement Omega 3 and 6 without that addition.
To the question about which food did I choose who doesn’t outsource, etc. I have just placed a large online order with Evangers. I bought a combination of 204 cans of dog/cat food to supplement my raw homemade. I like the whole ingredients, and the fact that it is human-grade and not outsourced.
Lacy said,
Hmm..Back
to Basics site looks good. I am going to give them a call. That must be
one company I skipped over. I like that they use Uncle Bens Rice and Quaker
oatmeal! Anyone know where their food is manufactured?
Teresa said,
Healthy
Pet Foods, just sharing another of the many brands to avoid.
Dear
Teresa,
Thank
you for your email and concern.
Yes,
we do source out the manufacturing of our dog and cat food. Everything under
our Lick Your Chops brand is made to our formula and specifications. No
wheat or wheat gluten is used in our formulas, and has far as has been determined,
this seems to be where the problem is.
Menu
is one of the dominant manufacturers in the country, probably doing over
60% of the private label canned foods.
Menu
in New Jersey, as well as another manufacturer in Texas, make our canned
pet foods.
The Lick
Your Chops canned cat and dog food is a pate style food, not the sliced
and diced styles that are on recall.
None
of our products are affected by the recall and are safe to use.
Sincerely,
Ralph
M. Gagliardi
Marketing Director
Healthy Pet Foods, Inc.
Marketing Director
Healthy Pet Foods, Inc.
Jaycee said,
This
is a letter that I received from Natura Products today:
“Veronica
Moreno wrote:
Upon the announcement of the Menu Foods canned food recall, Natura has received thousands of calls and e-mails from customers regarding the safety of our canned foods.
Upon the announcement of the Menu Foods canned food recall, Natura has received thousands of calls and e-mails from customers regarding the safety of our canned foods.
To assure
our customers that no Natura products are involved in this recall, we have
produced a short online video statement to explain why our products are
insulated from any exposure to the problems that caused the recall. In addition,
we clarify our current relationship with Menu Foods and share our plan of
initiating even stricter Quality Control guidelines at Natura manufacturing
plants and that of Menu Foods to ensure our canned food remains the healthiest
on the market.
We ask
that you take a moment to view this video - www.naturapetcare.com
- and forward the link on to anyone concerned about the quality of their
pet’s food.
Thank
you for your attention to this matter and to your dedication to Natura.
Sincerely,
Peter Atkins
Co-Owner and Co-Founder, Natura Pet Products ”
Peter Atkins
Co-Owner and Co-Founder, Natura Pet Products ”
Here
was my response:
“Hi
Veronica,
Please
pass this along to Peter Atkins.
Regardless
of your strict quality control measures, the simple fact remains that you
still do business with Menu Foods. I wish for not a single penny more of
mine to go to them. They support companies that support animal testing in
horrid conditions, including Iams. Look Here: www.iamscruelty.com/menuphotos.asp.
Do you really want to continue to support this brand?
We must
stop supporting companies that use menu foods for anything.
To put
money in Menu foods pockets, even indirectly, supports inhumane treatment
of animals, often contradicting individuals companies own policies on animal
tesing, including your own.
I am
boycotting any company using menu foods! Not just affected products.
I hope
that you understand and that you will consider finding a new, better manufacturer
for your canned foods that does not test on animals. It would show a lot
of integrity in your brand. Apparently, Wysong is already reconsidering
using Menu for their canned foods due to the large number of boycotts and
concerns due to association with the company; I think you would benefit
from doing the same. http://wwwzevocalamari.blogspot.com/2007/03/wysong-update.html”
I know
it might not make a difference, but I have to stand behind my personal beliefs.
Blue
Buffalo, upon their initial product launch, signed a contract with the Green
Group, who in turn signed a contract with Petsmart. Do more research, and
you will find out that the CEO and the VP run a marketing company, not a
true grass roots company that strictly deals with dog and cat food. Like
I said, I like their ingredients and I think it is a good food that is at
a good price. I just personally don’t wish to line the pockets of
companies like PetCo and WalMart and PetSmart as long as they are also lining
the pockets of Menu Foods. That is my decision, and I realize not many people
here will agree with it, but I feel good about it.
I didn’t
see anything on my local news about it the recall today. It’s really
sad.
Lacy said,
Looking
at the back to basics ingredients, they use corn. I heard corn isnt good
for pets. Is that true? Plus I just dont trust grains in pet food.
Kristine said,
I’ve
been adding a pouch of Nutros chunks and gravy style food to our dogs dry
food for months. Stopped as soon as I saw it on the recall. None of our
dogs have shown any signs of sickness. Now using Avaderm or canidaie canned
to mix in their dry food.
cat_woman said,
I have
to agree with Jaycee about boycotting companies that use Menu foods. After
looking at the links in the above posts I am truly saddened that so many
companies use them. We are paying top dollar for wholesome nutritious food
and it feels like a slap to the face to find out what’s really behind
the facade.
Jaycee said,
Sadly,
there will only end up being a handful of companies that aren’t tied
to Menu foods in any way. What if these foods end up not working for my
pets’ individual health concerns? I want to make the best decision
on what to feed my pet, but I also have an emotional responsibility of boycotting
brands that are tied to Menu Foods. It’s really a tough call, so at
least I can feel good about supplementing as much homecooking as I can.
I just received another personal email back from Natura:
Good
Afternoon Jaycee,
I can
completly understand were you are coming from in not wanting to support
a company that deals with meu foods. Did you get a chance to watch the video
that I forwarded to you? This is a video form our Vice President. This video
explains our relationship with menu foods now and also what the future has
in store for Natura Pet Products. I do hope that you have a chance to watch
this video clip. Thank you again for contacting Natura Pet Products. www.naturapetcare.com
Please
feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if you need any additonal
information.
Veronica
Moreno
Natura Pet Products
800-532-7261″
Natura Pet Products
800-532-7261″
I was
surprised at the personal reply; it really seems like they are paying closer
attention. Keep sending Natura your comments! The more they receive, the
more likely they will cease business with Menu Foods! I wonder if she passed
my email along to the VP?
Gary said,
Jaycee
said - “I just personally don’t wish to line the pockets of companies
like PetCo and WalMart and PetSmart as long as they are also lining the
pockets of Menu Foods. That is my decision, and I realize not many people
here will agree with it, but I feel good about it. ”
I understand.
I don’t shop at Wal-Mart because of their direct actions against humans.
But, ALL pet food stores sell brands that do business with Menu, Iam’s,
etc. That’s just the way it is. It can’t be avoided. If you
are going to boycott Petsmart, Petco, and Wal-Mart for selling brands that
do business with Menu, you will need to boycott virtually every pet food
retailer. You will have to find a pet food company that sells directly to
consumers.
Evy said,
Corn
has been so bashed around by now, I have to fight the innate sense of futility
in once again trying to explain why this is such a great ingredient in dog
food.
#1 Raw
corn is different from cornmeal, the actual ingredient used in making dog
food. From a scientific study of broad spectrum grains (they weren’t
just testing rice and corn) the corn was only 1.3% less digestible than
rice!! The industry has done a terrible twist and spin on the ‘fact’
that rice is more digestible than corn, playing to the consumers perception
of munching down corn on the cob.
#2 If
corn is presented on a label more than once, then yes, I would be suspect
of that.
#3 I
read online soooo many times that corn is a bad source of protein. Let me
clarify a misunderstanding here. Corn gluten meal (not corn meal) is very
very high in protein and sadly used in far too many cat foods to pump up
the protein while keeping the ash down. Corn is not used as a protein source
in dog food.
#4 Over
60% of the naturally occurring fat in cornmeal is the powerful antioxidant
Omega-6 aka linoleic acid. It really has helped many of my customers dogs
shed far less due to how saturated the hair follicle becomes.
IF people
would quit parrotting what they read online (trying not to sound sarcastic
here, but too many people believe something seen often enough online is
God’s truth), and IF people would understand the science of nutrition
more fully, and IF people start realizing that trusting a company is just
as important (if not more) than what a label (that can be very deceptive)
says - but we don’t live in Walgreen’s Perfect World.
I am
saddened to see companys above stating that there is no corn in their food.
The corn was not the culprit with the Diamond recall, it was that the corn
was not tested. While I can understand a company feeling the need to say
they don’t use wheat in their food products (considering wheat for
now is at the root of the current recall, but not necessarily the culprit)
I don’t think that corn not being in their foods should be stated.
Used
in proper amounts (and yes, corn being the first ingredient means more meat
can be in the food - check out my website’s meat/grain ratio chart)
corn is awesome!!
How could
my ‘corn based dog food’ (and it’s not corn based and
corn ain’t cheap either) create so many wonder testimonials if it
were so bad?? And how could so many high profile law enforcement agencies
trust my product?
Sigh.
First,
trust a company.
Second,
check the label, but be cautious since you aren’t getting a glimpse
into the quality of those ingredients.
Third,
trust your own eyes on the results you see on your own pet.
I wasn’t
trying to start a pet food company nine years ago - I was just trying to
make sure that my dog and my students were covered. Now that I *am* a pet
food company, I’m so glad I know my manufacturer so well and can sleep
well at night with two very healthy pets.
[…]
So … what to feed instead? As we’ve said, this is a far trickier
issue. Over on PetSitUSA they’ve confirmed with each of the companies
and brands on their list that they are not recalled, along with any comment
the companies have made about the recall. Check out this list. […]
Dolores Williams said,
To those
still feeding foods manufactured by Menu Foods recalled or not I have two
word for you.
CROSS
CONTAMINATION
Laura said,
good
list you forgor bule spa selcelt not made by menu no wheet or glutin very
good small compney and hostic and natural
Lacy said,
Wow,
the honest kitchen seems like the closest thing to homecooking!! Does anyone
know anything more about this company??
Lydia said,
According
to www.purina.com in
an announcement dated today:
“All
Purina brand cat food products; all other Purina brand dog food products
— including Mighty Dog canned products; and all Purina brand treats can
continue to be fed to your pets with complete confidence.”
Hope
this helps!