The Dog Food Comparison Blog

The Mars Petcare USA company announced a recall in November of certain of its cat and dog food products.

That recall recently has been renewed and expanded. Currently, the following pet food products are on a recall list:

- Berkley & Jensen Bistro Blend Premium Cat Food

- Berkley & Jensen Small Bites and Bones Dog Food

- Ol’Roy Complete Premium Dog Food

- Ol’ Roy Puppy Complete Premium Dog Food

- Complete Nutrition Premium Dog Food

- High Performance Premium Dog Food

- Meaty Chunks & Gravy Premium Dog Food

- ShopRite Crunchy Bites, Bones & Healthy Squares Dog Food.

Additionally on recall are these cat foods made by the Mars Company:

- Special Kitty Original Premium Cat Food

- Gourmet Blend Premium Cat Food

- Kitten Premium Cat Food

All of the above listed products were manufactured at the Mars Petcare plant in Allentown, Pa. They were sold in BJ’s Wholesale Club, ShopRite Supermarkets and Wal-Mart locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire, plus other eastern states.

Mars Petcare also announced that they have a new state-of-the-art testing facility in the works that should be open sometime in mid-2009. Theoretically, once this facility is online, the danger of recalls will be greatly reduced – Again, that’s Theoretically.

Meanwhile, the cause of this ongoing recall is a finding of Salmonella in tests done by the United States Food and Drug Administration. So far there have been no cases of human or pet illness caused by Salmonella associated with these products, but the risk continues.

According to the FDA, there are steps one can and should take whenever dealing with prepared pet foods. While dogs and cats are at risk of Salmonella infections, certain people are at greater-than-usual risk also. Those particularly at risk include children and the elderly, as well as anyone whose immune system has been compromised by disease or some underlying condition.

To reduce your risk, the FDA suggests that you follow these procedures:

- Wash your hands with hot water for at least 20 seconds both before and after handling any pet foods.

- Wash pet food bowls, dishes and implements with soap and hot water after each use.

- Do not use the pet’s bowl as a scooping device, rather, use a clean spoon or scoop that is kept only for this use.

- Dispose of any old or spoiled pet food in a safe manner, such as in a securely tied plastic bag that is then placed in a covered trash receptacle.

- Do not flush it down your toilet or throw it outdoors.

Storage of pet foods is also important. The FDA recommends that any leftover canned food be stored in a refrigerator. It’s probably best to pick up any leftover canned food after 20 minutes.

All dry products should be stored in a cool, dry place. The best way to store dry pet foods is in their original paper container, rolled down to eliminate air as much as possible, then placed into a plastic container with a tight-fitting top. This method has the additional advantage of helping to preserve the vitamins and minerals in the food.

Dog Food Comparison

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Many people wonder if it is ok to feed their dog table scraps.  The funny thing is that dogs have been eating this way for thousands of years.  Their are some precautions that need to be taken however.  Here is an article that may be helpful to you when it comes to feeding your dog from the table.

Home Made Dog Food – Can I Feed My Dog Table Scraps?
By C. J. Burke

Many people confuse a complete homemade dog food diet with table scraps. Although many holistic veterinarians generally favor table scraps they urge you to make sure they are nutritionally wholesome and they are plain. A dog’s digestive tract is geared for simpler food than we eat.

So you can feed your dog table scraps but first try sharing a little of what you are having each day with your pet, along with the food you are already feeding them. This will give them a little variety and help you determine if you want to switch to a totally homemade diet. Always decrease the volume of commercial food you feed by the amount of table scraps you are adding to their diet. Once you determine if you want to switch over to a total homemade diet for your dog then you should learn as much as you can about proper nutritional levels.

But for now, if you want to start adding some natural food to your pet’s diet these are a few things to be aware of:

5 Foods to Avoid:

1.)Onions are toxic to dogs. No onions whatsoever.

2.)Left over fat and remnants. No Bacon or bacon grease. There are high levels of nitrates in bacon and the high heat used to cook bacon creates many other harmful compounds.

3.)Stay away from rich foods like ham, sauces, and limit the cheese you feed your dog.

4.)No spicy, salty or fried foods. No spicy chili, pepperoni or luncheon meats.

5.)NO sweets, cookies or cakes. Definitely NO CHOCOLATE. Certain compounds in chocolate like theobromine and caffeine are toxic to dogs and cause vomiting, excessive urination, hyperactivity, fast breathing ,weakness and seizures/

6 Foods You Can Feed Your Dog:

1.) Almost all vegetables are good, especially carrots and anything in the broccoli family, green beans, alfalfa sprouts, and leafy greens. Dogs like to chew on raw carrots and that helps to keep down the tartar on their teeth. Asparagus is also good and sometimes dogs will eat these like they are treats. You can add some potatoes to their diet and lentils and split peas are an excellent choice.

2.) Fruits are very healthy. Try different types and see which ones your pets like. AVOID GRAPES. Although grapes may not be toxic to all dogs there is no definitive information to enable us to tell which dogs will get sick and die after eating grapes.

Vegetables and fruits can be pureed in a blender then let them sit a day or two before feeding.

3.)Pasta is O.K. but WITHOUT the spices and tomato sauces.

4.)A little bit of good olive oil is O.K. It’s actually good for your dog’s skin.

5.)Low-fat, plain yogurt. You can give 1 tablespoon per twenty-five pounds of weight. You can feed it two to five times a week. Just like for us yogurt has beneficial bacteria known as acidophilis.

6.) Eggs are an excellent source of protein. You can add an egg or egg yolk twice week for each 25 pounds of weight. Dog’s seem to like lightly scrambled eggs added to their meal.

Remember that all animals are individuals, with individual tastes and sensitivities. Make sure that what you are feeding your pet is not causing allergic reactions. Always check with your veterinarian before adding table scraps to your pets diet.

If you are ready to learn more ways to feed your dog the best possible diet then start by reviewing some of the best sources to give your dog a [http://www.naturallypets.info ]complete and nutritious homemade diet

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Reading the Dog Food Review at Ask Susan Peters I found
this information that she gives about: ORIJEN ADULT Dog Food from Acana Pet Foods

First, here is a list of the ingredients

INGREDIENTS

Deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, russet potato, lake whitefish, chicken fat, sweet potato, whole eggs, turkey, salmon meal, salmon and anchovy oils, salmon, natural chicken flavour, sunflower oil, sun-cured alfalfa, dried brown kelp, carrots, spinach, peas, tomatoes, apples, psyllium, dulse, glucosamine Hcl, cranberries, black currants, rosemary extract, chondroitin sulfate, sea salt.

HERBS

Chicory root, licorice root, tumeric root, funugreek, marigold flowers, sweet fennel, zea mays, peppermint leaf, chamomile flowers, dandelion, summer savory, rosehips.

MINERALS

Iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate.

PROBIOTIC MICROORGANISMS

Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product.

VITAMINS

Mixed tocopherols (source of vitamin E), choline chloride, vitamin A, vitamin D3, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin B12, folic acid, biotin.

Here is what her review said

    * Animal Digest – Plus 1 point = No Animal Digest
    * Corn – Plus 1 point = No corn
    * Wheat – Plus 1 point = No wheat
    * Soy – Plus 1 point = no soy
    * Gluten – Plus 1 point = No gluten
    * Extra Goodies – Plus 1 point = Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal
    * By-Products – Plus 1 point = No by-products
    * Animal Fat – Minus 1 point = Chicken Fat
    * Pet Food Recalls – Plus 1 point = No Recalls Acana Pet Foods
    * Class Action – Plus 1 point = No Class Action Acana Pet Foods

Dog Food Rating for ORIJEN Dog Food

Total Score = 9/10

Read the labels! Every pet food should be up to these standards!

Negatives found:
I don’t like the use of “natural flavor” because the pet food companies don’t tell us where this flavor comes from it is safe to assume the flavor is of the animal the product is supposed to taste of. Chicken flavor comes from chicken manure. Potatoes are a bad deal since pets don’t need potatoes in their diet this is another cheap filler. Animal fat is a bad deal because the fat is usually obtained from restuarant grease and other less desirable locations. Animal fat is used to get pets to eat a product that the pet would not normally have a desire to eat.

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Sadly, you just can’t be to careful about where you are getting your dog’s food.  The safest way is to make it yourself from ingredients that you are confident in.

Since March 16, 2007, more than 150 brands of pet food have been voluntarily recalled by a number of companies. Types of pet foods recalled include:

• moist (packaged in pouches) dog food & cat food

• canned dog food & cat food

• dry dog food and cat food

• dog treats

• dry ferret food

For a full listing of recalled pet food products, see www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/petfoodrecall/

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Of the top 10 most common reasons why dogs need veterinary treatment listed by Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) “Most could be helped or minimized by a change in diet” according to VPI field veterinarian Dr. Cori Gross.

These 10 most common health problems for dogs in descending order of frequency are:

Ear infections

Skin allergies

Pyoderma (hot spots)

Stomach upsets

Intestinal inflammation/diarrhea

Bladder disease

Eye infections

Arthritis

Hypothyroidism

Sprains

When it comes to feeding your dog, the quality of the food is more important than most people think.  Many people try to economize by feeding their dog the most inexpensive food they can find.  Unfortunately for you and your dog this is a false economy.  The problem with this is that a dog needs certain proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients to have optimum health.

Without these nutrients you dog will likely have health problems and you will end up spending all the money you saved on dog food (and more) on veterinary bills instead.  And you and your dog will have to suffer the effects of his or her poor health.

Take the time to compare ingredients and make sure your dog is getting the best quality dog food possible.  (See the post on comparing dog food ingredients for how to make comparisons of various dog food brands.)  Do your dog and yourself a favor by making sure he is getting the nutrition he needs to live a long and healthy life.

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According to pet health experts, bad human habits, like eating too much, consuming food with poor nutritional value and exercising too little, are contributing to what is being called an animal obesity epedemic.  There is a need for owners to put their dogs on diets and exercise programs.

One of the main problems with obesity in our dogs is that they can end up with the same obesity-related diseases we humans get including: diabetes, cancer, liver disease and heart diseases. Owners think they are pampering their dogs when in fact they are shortening their lives.

One family learned this lesson with their seven-year-old Jack Russell terrier when they realize he was more than double his recommended weight.  He was so heavy he could hardly walk and spent most of his day sleeping.  After putting him on a strict diet for a year he lost 46 pounds.  Their dog is now playful and energetic dog, swims and goes on walks.

Other dog owners have had similar success helping their companions lose weight and improve in health.  The best strategy is to not let your dog get overweight in the first place, because putting a dog on a diet is not without it’s drawbacks.  Dogs on a diet may become craky like their human counterparts do when going on a diet.  Dogs often become aggressive or hyperactive and may bark incessantly to compensate for the reduction in available food.

The benefits, however, outweigh the negative aspects of helping your dog lose weight.  A very common problem of dogs that are overweight is diebetes.  This is compounded by the fact that many dog food producers add sugar and other sweeteners to their poor quality food to cover up the bad taste.  These sweeteners are something that a dogs digestive system was never meant to deal with and can increase the possibility of dog diabetes.  Again, keeping your dogs weight down and providing high quality dog food that is high in quality protiens and low in other additives will help keep your dog healthy and strong for years to come.

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The food she is using has to be ordered and the delivery is very unreliable. As she will get ill if she doesn't eat correctly, I get concerned when I have to feed her regular dog food. Is that anything I can substitute the chow with when necessary? Lean chicken, fish, etc. She receives two insulin injections a day, and is healthy otherwise.

Talk to your vet,and explain the problem to them.Your vet will be able to give you a good idea of what is safe to substitute if you run out of your regular food.He could also advise you if different food would cause the need to adjust daily medicine requirements.

ugh!! i dont remember….

It is

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/

good site to compare all the popular brands, and a lot of brands you've never heard of!

not to be taken literally. just for comparison

Depends on the food. Quarter pounder or beneful, give me a quarterpounder.

A double whopper with cheese or Timberwolf Organics, mmmm timberwolf organics.

It depends on the ingredients. If it's cancer vs heart disease, it's a tough call. We all know fast food isn't good for us on a daily basis, yet we give our dogs the same stuff every day. Better make sure its good.

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention nearly half the pets in the U.S. are overweight or obese. The association states that 43% of all dogs are overweight and that 13 percent are obese.  Not surprising since many dog owners are overweight themselves and many dogs do not get the exercise necessary to maintain good health.  Couple this with the poor quality of dog foods that are often purchased and you have a recipe for weight problems.

Veterinarians agree that the main contributors to making animals fat are “eating too much and lack of exercise — just like in humans.”  Overfeeding can occur with the dog’s regular food or with getting to many additional treats.  When giving treats to a dog, the dog’s regular diet should be cut back accordingly.

Health risks related to dog obesity include:

Arthritis, ligament injuries, spinal disc problems, hip dysplasia, heart failure, diabetes, kidney failure, blindness, liver disease, pancreatitis, cancer, respiratory difficulties and heat stroke.

Many dog owners don’t even realize their dog is overweight. If you can’t easily feel your dog’s ribs underneath a padding of fat and no waistline is showing, the dog probably needs to lose some weight.

Older dogs that move less don’t need as much food as active dogs and the feeding chart on the dog food package should be used only as a loose guideline.  If you dog needs to loose weight, cut back a little and help him or her to get more exercise.  If you give treats use treats that are low in calories, such as carrots, ice cubes or green beans.  If you do choose to use commercial dog treats, pay special attention to the ingredients to make sure that you are not making things worse.

Remember that your dog values your attention just as much as a treat, so spending time with you exercising will make him just as happy and much healthier.  An added benefit will usually be better behavior on your dog’s part and he or she will live longer, be healthier (which will save money on health care) and be a more enjoyable companion.

Additional Dog Health Resources

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