Organic Pet Food May Benefit From Recall

[shaniqua6392]

This is great news. We should all try to eliminate the use of commercial pet foods. The commercial pet food manufacturers are purchasing wheat that has rat poison in it from CHINA rather than from American farmers. I am sure we grow wheat in our own country. This is sickening. It is really easy to feed your pets a raw diet. We have both our German Shepherds on a raw diet and they love it. They also have sparkling white teeth BTW from chewing the raw meat. Check it out for your pets too.

http://www.njboxers.com/faqs.htm Raw Diet Information

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17741239/ Link To Article On Organic Food For Pets

[valerief]

1. How many people are going to think about human food containing wheat?

I'm glad I buy organic for myself. And don't tell me U.S. wheat-containing food for human consumption doesn't contain any Chinese wheat. That can change in the blink of eye, like the removal of our right of habeas corpus.

[shaniqua6392]

3. I know what you are saying.

I am not sure what any of us are eating any more. How ridiculous that we can not use products grown in our own country. I am certain our farmers would love more business. I don't know why they put wheat in pet food anyway. They do not need any grains. Just raw meat and some veggies. It is actually easier to feed our pets safely than it is to feed our families safely. Not a good feeling when you sit down at the dinner table and watch your family eat the salad you prepared for them.

[iconoclastic cat]

2. Yep, I was feeding one of our cats Sci. Diet,

but I'm switching to Innova.

[Bluestar]

5. Hooray--Switched my cats to Wellness about 2 months ago

More and more people need to be aware of what kind of garbage is in commercial pet food. They put corn syrup and wheat products in it to get the pets hooked on carbs so that they don't want real food. Then the pets become obese, diabetes sets in, etc.

Can human food be far behind? Gluten is not good for anyone, pets or humans. I have developed a gluten intolerance and it has caused all kinds of health problems for me and there are millions more just like me walking around not knowing that gluten is damaging their body. I am just expressing my opinion, so please, no flaming.

[AZBlue]

13. No flame here - gluten's not healthy.

I have a co-worker who found out a year ago that she has the same intolerance. She was so sick for a while and no one could figure it out. Now she's cut wheat out of her diet, but it's hard on her - and there are related complications that continue even after that. Between gluten and trans fat and modified corn syrup it's no wonder we're all achey, tired, fat and sick!!

[Critters2]

23. Wellness pays Menu Foods to manufacture some of its foods

info here...http://petsitusa.com/blog/?p=210

So, Wellness isn't an option anymore, at least for me.

[Bluestar]

44. Thanks for this information

I am going to check it out. I have been using the "grain-free" wet food which, by definition, should not include the gluten product. But you never know. I am beyond trusting any company at this point.

[Shallah Kali]

34. I have celiac so wheat is bad for me and the 1 in 133 who have it. barring this and allergy, it's OK

I wish more people with symptoms would be tested. I feel so much better since going gluten free except when I have screwed up and ate something contaminated. I ate some rice recently that I forgot I hadn't checked with the company and boy did I pay. I wish the FDa would treat gluten like the major allergens and force companies to state if it is in their product or even in the same plant with it. I really and truely get sick of having to email or phone every single company knowing that they can change at any time without warning and I will be sick again.

[shaniqua6392]

6. Innova has canned pet food that is made by Menu Foods.

My daughter and I have been researching these companies because we still feed our two cats commercial pet food. Here is one of the links you could use to trace the foods. It seems like Merrick is the only one who makes their own stuff in their own plant. We are still in the process of researching, but try here to get started. www.petconnection.com and www.petfoodexpress.com

[Shoelace]

8. over 1,000 pets died!

that is what one of the links in your post is reporting. Doubt we'll hear that number from the media but that is really terrible. Thanks God I've been using organic pet food for several years now. Or, I just make my own with organic products.

[shaniqua6392]

9. The media is saying 15 pets died.

I also noticed that the yahoo.com article and the fox news article on the rat poison does not mention the fact that Menu Foods is buying the wheat for the food from CHINA. Only MSNBC and CNN said it in their news story and on their websites. I think it is important that pet owners know that their pet food contains products made in China. They will never tell us the true number of pets that have died. Then you would have to figure that they delayed telling us about it for a few weeks. There are many people who had pets die of kidney failure in January and February that did not even know this food could have been the culprit.

[AZBlue]

14. Thank you! I'm also starting to research it, so these links are useful!

eom

[iconoclastic cat]

18. Really? I can't find that info about Innova/Menu Foods connection anywhere. nt

[Critters2]

30. Here

http://petsitusa.com/blog/?p=210

[seemunkee]

19. We feed our dogs Merrick

They get both wet and dry. The wet food has solid chunks of meat and cut vegetables. Looks as good as any canned stew for humans.

[mod mom]

47. funny,

my son's name is Marek so reading your post made me laugh.

[iconoclastic cat]

20. Natura (maker of Innova) released a statement denying it:

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?s=d9097b15ac80b24e8a48d1d954bf372a&t=119886&page=2

[Critters2]

25. Denying they've been recalled, not deying they're made by Menu Foods

I won't feed my pets foods using grains ingredients imported from a country with lax standards.

[Dover]

48. Thanks. That's good to know, even if they don't use the wheat/gluten...n/t

[InvisibleTouch]

4. Another raw feeder here, but...

...I also use some organic and premium kibble. I like Organix, Wellness, and Newman's as brands, among a couple of others, and I just found this link today:

http://www.petpromiseinc.com

I don't know anything more about this company than what I've seen on their web site, though I joined their "community" for the newsletters and updates. When I next order pet food, I'm going to order a small bag and see if my pack likes it. If they're sincere about their philosophy, I very much like it - sustainable farming and free-range meats, no fillers and by-products, no 4-D meats, etc. Check them out, and see what you think.

[glitch]

7. Newman's was the only dog food my dog with colon cancer could digest.

Even the high end organic and Hill's I/D gave her the runs. I swear by it, and use their cat food now for my cats too.

[Critters2]

11. This is what my cats eat

I have friends, family farmers, who belong to the Organic Valley farmers co-op. One of my friends e-mailed me last summer to tell me that this pet food company was buying his bison for dog treats. So, I looked into the company and started ordering their food (through petfooddirect.com--can't get any local places to carry it). I at least know where their meats come from. My cats like and are doing well on it.

My dog is allergic to eggs, so gets a vegan food, but I've checked on their sources (nlpp.com) and they say they use locally-sourced wheat, grown in Kansas. How innovative is that?!


edited for spelling

[InvisibleTouch]

15. Thanks for that info!

Good to have a first-hand account. I've gotten to the point where I don't believe anything any of the big companies say anymore, without extensive proof. "Natural?" "Organic?" "Human-grade?" How do we really know? At some point we're just taking their word for it, because there really isn't a government oversight on this stuff.

[kestrel91316]

10. Rather than just focusing on ORGANIC ingredients, we need to

DEMAND that the pet food producers use LOCAL INGREDIENTS: in this case, that means US-sourced. NO IMPORTED CRAP.

[Critters2]

12. Why I feed my cats this....

petpromiseinc.com

I have friends who raise bison this company buys for dog treats. So, I feel good about it. As much as one can.

[originalpckelly]

16. I know, I've dropped Iams for my doggy...

I bought a nice sack of organic dog food today and it's got normal ingredients. I wasn't that much more than what we usually pay either, and to have him eating actual food is worth it.

[Critters2]

17. Is it possible to get a list of all the foods Menu Foods makes

regardless of whether they're recalled or not? A parishioner just told me Purina is recalling Mighty Dog because it was made by Menu Foods, even though it's not being recalled by Menu. This seems wise, because that wheat might be in any of their foods.

My pets eat foods that say they do their own manufacturing, but it would be nice to see a full list of those made by Menu Foods, since, apparently brand names really mean nothing.

[Hun Joro]

21. Absolutely. I just ordered some Wysong Uretic

Been feeding Hill's Prescription Diet CD because one of my cats has had recurring urinary tract infections. I sure hope they'll eat this new stuff. Shipping costs make it pretty expensive.

[Critters2]

22. Thanks for this info.

I've been feeding Hill's C/D, too, and am looking for an alternative.

[Hun Joro]

24. I don't know anything about its effectiveness

in preventing FUTS, but I think Wysong is an ethical company. Good luck with it.

[arikara]

26. One of our cats was on S/D and then C/D after developing crystals

I hated giving it to him because its overpriced junky food. We finally switched gradually to a couple of much higher quality brands - Nature's Logic rabbit based, and Innova. He hasn't had any problems now for a couple of years.

He was an abused SPCA rescue and is a very high strung, nervous boy. I think the crystals were caused by a combination of stress and the grocery store kitty treats my husband was giving him. We cut out the treats and work hard to keep his stress level down and he's been good.

[Critters2]

28. Both the companies you name pay Menu Foods to make their stuff

which makes me hugely uncomfortable. I'm trying to avoid anything made by Menu Foods. It's amazing how difficult that is!

[arikara]

35. It does make you wonder

When you see so many of the foods being made by the same company. Does that mean that they're all of the same quality and full of diseased meats etc? I'm thinking its time to start making it from scratch. I'm going to start looking for recipes.

[Critters2]

37. I'm leaning that way, too

Just ordered Wysong, because I thought it was safe, when I saw this...

http://www.petfoodexpress.com/petfood/default.asp?pageid=78&Section=About

According to this, Wysong, Innova, even Newman's Own Organics is made by Menu Foods. Yep, time to start cooking for the critters!

[arikara]

42. Maybe I missed it, but

I can't find anywhere that says Nature's Logic is made by Menu. I sent them an email.

Innova claims they use human grade meats free of hormones, antibiotics and pesticides, as well as chemical preservatives such as BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin. They say they aren't affected by the recall.

[Hun Joro]

32. He's beautiful. I love black cats.

[arikara]

36. Thanks!

I love black cats too, and he is the sweetest, gentlest little guy.

[iconoclastic cat]

43. Yeah, that's our problem, too--urinary tract infections. nt

[Lurking Dem]

27. My cat LOVES the Wysong Uretic

and he refused to touch anything but the Iams he had gotten at the cattery.

He only has one working kidney and was prone to crystals and is now producing very acid, crystal free urine.

Wysong has an amazing site filled with PDF's about feeding and cat nutrition. They have supplements for raw diets and dried raw foods that are free of nasties.

Another great product is a chewable supplement called UT Strengthfrom Vetri-Science.

[Critters2]

29. This is great info! Thank you!! nt

[Hun Joro]

31. Thanks, that's good to know.

I am leery of chewable supplements because my experience with them is that my cats love anything new at first, but quickly decide they aren't going to touch it. And any time I have to give anything forcibly, my cats find those other-dimensional hiding places that no human can ever find, and I become concerned that they will begin to hate me. :(

[Lurking Dem]

33. My cat won't "chew" anything

that apparently hasn't been approved by the Secret Society of Russian Blue Illuminati.


He refuses all people food but loves the smell of most citrus, especially grapefruit.

I have to give him the supplement the old fashioned way. Shove it down his throat.

I haven't had to give him any in awhile and the new diet seems to be keeping his urine acid enough.

[MzNov]

38. Check out Flint River Ranch everybody

and Paul Newman again, is totally organic.

http://www.flintriver.com/Default.htm

[Critters2]

40. Newman's Own Organic uses Menu Foods as manufacturer

Here's an interesting site someone pointed me to:


http://www.petfoodexpress.com/petfood/default.asp?pageid=78&Section=About

Check out the section entitled "Available for sale on a restricted basis".

[MzNov]

41. Newman's too. oh groan

[liberalEd]

39. Why does the alternative to commercial have to be RAW?

Geez, can't we have something between?

[Codeine]

45. Not wheat -- Wheat gluten.

Wheat gluten, also called seitan, is a product that the Chinese make by the metric shitload. The scale of production by the Chinese makes importing it cost-effective, but please don't think it's just plain old wheat we're importing.

[mod mom]

46. My first dog was a 15 lbs terrier, before kids and I made her own food but now

I have 2 kids and two big dogs 85 and 65 lbs. I don't love them less, of course, but don't have the same time. They eat dry dog food supplemented with organic vegetables (carrots and broccoli when I'm making lunches, 1/2 eaten bananas and apples from the kids, and cut up veggies when I'm making dinner. They also clean our plates. For holidays and birthdays they get special meals and homemade dog cookies, but making them food everyday doesn't sound feasible.

As far as raw bones, etc (we're vegetarian so I don't serve meat in my home accept dry dog food), I tried that after an article I read in BARK. My elder dog Aja was 3 at the time and Whisper had just turned 1. Aja took her bone and buried it and came for Whisper's. A major dog fight ensued with blood and saliva everywhere. There had been no problems before this. They had to both go to the vets and limped around for about a week and a half. It was the last bone they've ever had.

I use apple cores to keep their breath and teeth clean (when you have kids-you have alot of uneaten apple.