UPDATE: On October 8th, Sunshine Mills, Inc., based in Alabama, expanded their voluntary recall of dog food products for aflatoxin, a naturally-occurring mold by-product. No illnesses have been reported as of October 8th.
After the initial recall on September 2nd, an investigation revealed corn-based pet food products (produced between April 3-5, 2020) came from a single load of corn with elevated levels of aflatoxin.
The recall now includes all the brands listed below:
Hunter’s Special
Sprout
Champ
Thrifty
Top Runner
Sportsmans Pride
Old Glory
Field Trial
Whiskers & Tails
Good Dog
Paws Happy Life
Pet Expert
Principle
Retriever
River Bend
No other Sunshine Mills Inc. products are affected at this time.
For more information, including a complete list of recalled products, Lot Codes and UPC Codes, visit the FDA website.
On September 2, 2020, Sunshine Mills, Inc., issued a voluntary recall for some of their dog food products. Sunshine Mills manufactures dog food products under the brand names of Family Pet®, Heartland Farms®, or Paws Happy Life®.
This voluntary recall was issued due to elevated levels of Aflatoxin beyond acceptable limits. Aflatoxin is a naturally-occurring mold/fungus (from the growth of Aspergillus flavus on foods) which can infect pets if consumed in significant quantities.
The elevated levels of Aflatoxin were discovered through routine testing by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry with a single 4-pound bag of dog food. While no adverse health effects related to these recalled products have been reported to date, Sunshine Mills, in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, issued a voluntary recall.
The recalled products were distributed nationally in retail stores. There are no other Family Pet®, Heartland Farms®, or Paws Happy Life® products or other lot codes of these products affected by this precautionary recall.
The Sunshine Mills Products Recalled
Symptoms of Illness from Aflatoxin Consumption
Dogs that consumed any of the recalled products and are exhibiting the following symptoms should be seen by their veterinarian:
Reluctance to eat
Vomiting
Lethargy or sluggishness
A yellowish tint to the eyes or gums
Diarrhea
What to do Next
Consumers should immediately stop using any of the recalled products and return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers may contact Customer Service at Sunshine Mills at 800-705-2111, Monday – Friday from 7am to 4pm Central time or via email at customer.service@sunshinemills.com.
Kibble for dogs is convenient and offers a long shelf life. But there is much more than meets the eye when it comesto commercial dog food especially when itcomes to what is really in your dog’s food!
Keep reading to learn about the not-so-pretty facts behind thecommon meat by-products found in most kibbles.
But while dry dog food is a useful convenience in our busy lives, there are potentially serious and unseen issues when it comes to feeding your dog dry kibble as a day-to-day diet. Issues you will never see when you look at those little dried squares! But what you can’t see can hurt your dog.
The Kibble Manufacturing Process
Manufacturing kibble involves extreme pressurized steam and temperatures. This alone negatively affects the overall quality nutrition and vitamins as much as 50%! This process also kills the beneficial and natural enzymes your dog’s body needs every day.
Meat By-Products in K9 Kibble
Pet food labels are full of “meat by-products” and “meat by-product meals.” But what exactly does that mean? But even more importantly, what does that mean for your dog’s health and safety?
According to the dictionary, a by-product is “a secondary or incidental product, as in a process of manufacture.” In other words, animal by-products (also called offal) come from the leftovers – or meat processing scrap – after all the premium meat for human consumption has been removed. At the end of the day, dog food manufacturers use meat by-products because they are much cheaper to use in dog food instead of premium cuts of meats fit for human consumption.
While some veterinary organizations and even “experts” may insist there is no harm in feeding your dog by-products, you need to consider the following three points.
While it’s much less revolting for a consumer to read “meat by-products” instead of “spleen, lungs, intestines, blood and plasma” on their dog’s food label, there is no way to guarantee the consistency of the specific ingredients included as “by-products” and the actual nutrition in each product.
While meat by-products may not come from inferior or unsafe meat ingredients, most are considered unfit for human consumption. Also, most by-products are further processed into meals or powders with high temperatures which can affect the overall nutrition and protein quality of these meals or powders (just like mentioned above in the general manufacturing process).
Most meat by-products are listed generically instead of listing the source (species) of the meat. If your dog is allergic to certain kinds of meats, this could pose a very real danger for your dog if he eats meat by-products his system cannot tolerate.
While it may seem you are feeding your dog nutritious and healthy dog food from the commercials and labels, the excessive processing – more accurately, overcooking – has very negative effects on the actual nutrition your dog is – or isn’t – getting which can lead to serious, even life-threatening health issues over an extended period.
Also, another critical factor in animal by-products is how they are handled after slaughter. Much of it is not safely stored (like the premium meat for human consumption) which can lead to the presence of mold, bacteria and worse before being processed and included in dog food.
Did you also know that legally, generic meat by-products can include diseased, dying or dead zoo animals, roadkill, spoiled supermarket meat and euthanized animals? It explains how traces of a euthanasia drug was found in dog and cat foods and treats. (Admitted to by the former AAFCO, American Feed Control Officials, President Hersh Pendell via a YouTube Video.)
What Should a Dog Owner Do?
Do your own research for your dog’s specific needs, health and activity level. Finding animal or meat by-products in your dog’s food does not make it automatically bad; but it can mean it is made with cheaper ingredients.
Make sure the experts you rely on for accurate information are supported by dog food consumers just like you, not the pet food companies who have a lot of profit at stake, literally billions of dollars!
Even if you need to feed your dog a dry kibble diet, find the best one possible. Then add some fresh ingredients to boost the overall nutrition, vitamins, minerals and enzymes with these great tips from the Dogs Naturally Magazine: 15 Tips to Improve Your Dog’s Diet Today.
Below are well-known, independent experts in the pet industry who can give you the best information.
On June 15, 2020, a voluntary recall for Carnivora Fresh Frozen Patties for Dogs and Cats was issued. This recall is unique because it involves potential contamination with E. coli O157a particularly dangerous strain of E. coli bacteria forhumans.
This specific strain of E. coli can cause cross-contamination andserious, even life-threatening illnesses in humans by simply handling the contaminated product. As of June 12th, four cases of human illness have been reported in Canada. Approximately 1,803 affected units were sold in Canada starting on January 13, 2020 until the recall.
The Risk Behind E. coli O157
E. coli O157 produces a powerful toxin that damages the lining of the small intestine which may cause bloody diarrhea. According to the recall issued on the Healthy Canadians website, “some people infected with E. coli O157 do not get sick at all, though they can still spread the infection to others.”
The Carnivora Products Recalled
E. coli O157: What You Need to Know
There are hundreds of strains of the E. coli bacteria and most are harmless and live in the intestines of both animals and humans. But according to the Mayo Clinic, the E. coli O157 strain, involved in this recall of raw pet food, is not harmless and can cause severe stomach cramps, pain or tenderness, bloody diarrhea and even nausea and vomiting in some people. Most healthy adults will recover on their own within a week to ten days with rest and plenty of hydration. But if diarrhea is persistent, severe or bloody, see your doctor.
The Health Canada website also warns, “Pregnant women, those with weakened immune systems, young children and older adults are most at risk for developing serious complications (like a life-threatening form of kidney failure) and might need hospitalization.”
What to do Next
Consumers should immediately stop using any of the recalled products and contact the retailer where they purchased the products for a full refund or exchange. Consumers may contact Carnivora Pet Food 888-665-0856, Monday – Friday from 8:30 am-4:30 pm CST or via email at: carnivorarecall@carnivora.ca.
Thankfully it’s been pretty quiet when it comes to product recalls for our beloved pets.
But on Monday, March 23rd, the FDA published a new recall for Whole Capelin Fish Pet Treats made by IcelandicPlus LLC of Fort Washington, PA. The recall was issued because some of the fish “exceeded the FDA compliance guidelines for fish larger than 5 inches.” While there have been no reports of illness as of the date of publication, Icelandic+ is cooperating with the recall because of a possible health risk.
The FDA has determined that salt-cured, dried, or fermented un-eviscerated fish larger than 5 inches have been linked to outbreaks of botulism poisoning in humans between 1981 and 1987 and again in 1991.
Icelandic Plus says that as of March 23rd, “there have been no reported illnesses of dogs, cats or people in connection with the recalled product.” In addition, there are no positive test results for Clostridium botulinum (botulism poisoning) in connection with the Capelin product.
The recalled product comes in a:
Clear plastic tube (2.5 ounces); or
Clear plastic bag (1.5 or 2.5 ounces)
Both the tubes and packages are printed with either:
Icelandic+ Capelin WHOLE FISH, PURE FISH TREATS FOR DOGS; or
Icelandic+ Capelin PURE FISH TREATS FOR CATS.
The recalled UPC codes are:
8 5485400775 9;
8 5485400711 7; and
8 5485400757 5.
The recalled lot numbers are 02/2020 to 02/2022.
The Entire USA is Included in the Recall
The recalled product was shipped to distributors for sale to independent retail pet specialty stores throughout the USA.
Botulism Poisoning: What You Need to Know
The botulism toxin can cause severe symptoms including death in both animals eating tainted products as well as people handling the contaminated product or coming in contact with exposed and tainted surfaces.
Common symptoms of botulism poisoning include:
Dizziness;
Blurred or double vision;
Trouble speaking, swallowing or breathing;
Muscle weakness;
Distended abdomen; and
Constipation.
Pets or people experiencing any of these symptoms should seek immediate medical help.
What to do Next
Consumers should immediately stop feeding any of the recalled products and return it to the store where it was purchased for a refund. Consumers may contact the company at 857-246-9559, Monday – Friday from 8am-5pm EST.
Yesterday, on March 26th, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to dog owners to avoid feeding 3 separate lots of Darwin’s Natural Raw Dog Food.
(NOTE: All 3 lots were manufactured in October/November of 2018.)
After a consumer complaint, the FDA collected and tested samples from 3 lots and all tested positive for salmonella.
These frozen dog food products are manufactured by Arrow Reliance Inc., doing business as Darwin’s Natural Pet Products. Products are sold online direct to consumers.
UPDATE: The company just issued a public response to the FDA’s warning; it can be read here.
The Recall: The Affected Products/Lots:
Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Chicken Recipe with Organic Vegetables for Dogs
Package: 5309(11)181019
Manufacture Date: October 19, 2018
Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Chicken Recipe with Organic Vegetables for Dogs
Package: 5375(11)181106
Manufacture Date: November 11, 2018
Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Turkey Recipe with Organic Vegetables for Dogs
Package: 5339(11)181026
Manufacture Date: October 26, 2018
What You Should Know About Salmonella
Salmonella poses a risk to animals ingesting the affected product (including dogs and cats) and can also be transmitted to humans. Pets infected with salmonella may display symptoms including:
Fever;
Lethargy and shock;
Diarrhea (which may last up to 3-4 weeks or longer);
Vomiting;
Weight Loss;
Dehydration; and
Mucus and/or blood in stool.
People infected with salmonella can also have:
Diarrhea;
Fever; and
Abdominal cramps.
For some people, their diarrhea may be severe enough to require hospitalization.
What to do Next
Consumers should contact their veterinarian if their dogs have consumed any of these recalled products and are exhibiting any of the symptoms listed above. Also, contact your own doctor if you are feeling any symptoms of salmonella.
The affected product should be thrown away immediately.
Consumers should thoroughly wash their hands after handling any affected products or cleaning any potentially contaminated surfaces including freezers/refrigerators where the product was stored, bowls, utensils, bedding, toys and floors.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition (of Topeka, KS) expanded its voluntary recall of January 31st to include canned dog food products due to the presence of elevated levels of Vitamin D. Specific lots of Prescription Diet and Science Diet dog foods are included in the expanded recall and were distributed to both retail pet stores and veterinary clinics throughout the U.S.
According to Hill’s, no dry foods, cat foods or treats are affected by these recalls.
Why the Recall
Hill’s originally received “a complaint in the United States about a dog exhibiting signs of elevated Vitamin D levels.” The recall was expanded after a detailed review isolated the issue to a vitamin premix from an American supplier.
The Recall: What Products and What’s Being Done
For a complete list of recalled products (including both the January 31st and March 20th recalls), click here.
According to an email sent to veterinarians on March 20th, Hill’s Pet Nutrition has:
Expanded the availability of their consumer call center to 7 days a week (800-445-5777).
Promised to begin collection of affected products from stores, clinics and shelters beginning March 21st.
Promised to pay for:
Diagnostic screening for Hypervitaminosis D for any pet who has consumed the recalled food;
Continued diagnostic testing and medical treatment for affected pets until they are back to normal.
What You Should Know About Elevated Levels of Vitamin D
Dogs who eat elevated levels of Vitamin D may exhibit the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Excessive drooling
Weight loss
When consumed at very high levels, dogs can face serious health issues (including potentially life-threatening) including renal (kidney) dysfunction.
What to do Next
Consumers should immediately contact their veterinarian if their dogs have consumed this recalled product and are exhibiting the symptoms listed above.
The affected product should be thrown away immediately or returned to the purchase place for a full refund (unopened products only).
Consumers with any questions should contact Hill’s Pet Nutrition (Consumer Affairs) at 800-445-5777 (Every Day from 7am-7pm CST) or via email at ContactUs@HillsPet.com for more information.
An in-depth look by Susan Thixton of TruthAboutPetFood.com at the past ten years of Pet Food and Treat recalls and what we can learn.
A Decade of Recalls
During the past ten years (January 1, 2009 to November 4, 2018) did you know there’s been 173 pet food recalls posted on the FDA website?
BUT wait; that’s NOT the whole story!
Those 173 recalls represents the number of recall Press Releases issued, NOT the total number of actual pet foods recalled. In addition, some recalls count as “one” recall even though multiple products may actually be involved in the “one” recall.
The Recalls: What’s Actually Included?
The recalls over the past ten years have included the following categories:
59 Treat Recalls
48 Raw Recalls
45 Kibble Recalls
17 Canned Recalls
3 Dehydrated Recalls
1 Cooked, Sold Frozen Pet Food
What Should YOU do Next?
Education is the best defense in keeping your pets safe and healthy.
Learn more about the last decade of recalls at TruthAboutPetFood.com. Learn about the specific causes for the recalls and which ones pose the greatest risk for your pet. (Hint: Salmonella, Listeria and E.coli rank at #1.)
Did you know that some causes behind the recalls even pose health risks to YOU, the pet owner?! (Including infants and children 5 years and younger; adults aged 65 and older; AND people with weakened immune systems.)
Remember, your pet is depending on you to be his advocate and educated consumer!
What you don’t know can hurt your beloved pet!
(Again, we thank Susan Thixton for this in-depth expose about what we can learn from the past ten years of Pet Food and Treat recalls.)
The recall was issued after an investigation of complaints from 3 pet owners for Vitamin D toxicity after consumption. The investigation revealed a formulation error led to the elevated levels.
The Recall: What and Where
The recall specifically involves:
4 lbs Nutrisca® Chicken and Chickpea Dry Dog Food
Bag UPC: 8-84244-12495-7
15 lbs Nutrisca® Chicken and Chickpea Dry Dog Food
Bag UPC: 8-84244-12795-8
28 lbs Nutrisca® Chicken and Chickpea Dry Dog Food
Bag UPC: 8-84244-12895-5
(Note: Nutrisca Chicken & Chickpea wet dog foods are not impacted by this recall.)
A Best By Date of February 25, 2020 – September 13, 2020 is found on the back or bottom of the bag.
The recalled product was distributed to retail nationwide.
What You Should Know About Elevated Levels of Vitamin D
Dogs who eat elevated levels of Vitamin D may exhibit the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Excessive drooling
Weight loss
When consumed at very high levels, dogs can face serious health issues including renal dysfunction.
What to do Next
Consumers should immediately contact their veterinarian if their dogs have consumed this recalled product and are exhibiting the symptoms listed above.
The affected product should be thrown away or returned to the purchase place for a full refund.
Consumers with any questions should contact Natural Life Pet Products at 888-279-9420 (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm CST) or via email at ConsumerServices@Nutrisca.com for more information.
Natural Life Pet Products (St Louis, MO) is voluntarily recalling its Chicken & Potato dry dog food in 17.5 lb bags. The recall was issued for the presence of elevated levels of Vitamin D.
Why the Recall
The recall was issued after an investigation of complaints from 3 pet owners for Vitamin D toxicity after consumption. The investigation revealed a formulation error led to the elevated levels.
The Recall: What and Where
The recall specifically involves:
The 17.5 lbs Natural Life Chicken & Potato Dry Dog Food
A bag UPC of 0-12344-08175-1
A Best By Date of May 29, 2020 – August 10, 2020 (found on the back or bottom of the bag)
The recalled dog food was distributed to retail stores in:
Alabama
California
Florida
Georgia
North and South Carolina
Tennessee
Virginia
What You Should Know About Elevated Levels of Vitamin D
Dogs who eat elevated levels of Vitamin D may exhibit the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Excessive drooling
Weight loss
When consumed at very high levels, dogs can face serious health issues including renal dysfunction.
What to do Next
Consumers should immediately contact their veterinarian if their dogs have consumed this recalled product and are exhibiting the symptoms listed above.
The affected product should be thrown away or returned to the purchase place for a full refund.
Consumers with any questions should contact Natural Life Pet Products at 888-279-9420 (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm CST) or via email at ConsumerServices@Nutrisca.com for more information.
Bravo Packing, Inc. (of Carneys Point, NJ) has issued a voluntary recall for two products: Performance Dog in the 2-lb and 5-lb plastic sleeves. The recall was issued for potential salmonella contamination.
Why the Recall
The recall was initiated after an FDA inspection collected and tested a sample which tested positive for salmonella. No human or animal illness has been reported to date.
The recall specifically involves:
Performance Dog Frozen Raw Pet Food in 2-pound and 5-pound plastic sleeves with the Manufacture Date Code of 071418. (This code is printed on the cardboard boxes containing the plastic sleeves, NOT on the individual sleeves. There are NO unique ID numbers of the sleeves.)
If customers purchased either of these recalled products after July 14, 2018, the FDA recommends throwing the product away to protect the health of your dog and yourself from potential contamination from salmonella.
Note: Performance Dog typically works with Tefco, a Brooklyn, NYC distributor which fulfills orders to brick-and-mortar retail stores and to consumers directly.
What You Should Know About Salmonella
Salmonella poses a risk to animals ingesting the affected product (including dogs and cats) and can also be transmitted to humans. Pets infected with salmonella may display symptoms including:
Fever;
Lethargy and shock;
Diarrhea (which may last up to 3-4 weeks or longer);
Vomiting;
Weight Loss;
Dehydration; and
Mucus in stool.
What to do Next
Consumers with any questions should contact Bravo Packing, Inc., at 856-299-1044 (Monday-Friday, 6am-2pm EST or Saturday, 4am-9am EST) or via their website at http://www.BravoPacking.com.
Steve’s Real Food (of Salt Lake City, UT) issued a voluntary recall on September 7th for 3 separate product lots: Turducken Recipe dog food (5-lb bags), Quest Emu Diet cat food and Quest Beef Diet cat food (both in 2-lb bags) for potential salmonella or listeria contamination.
Why the Recall
The recall was initiated after a routine sampling by the Washington Department of Agriculture positively revealed the presence of the bacteria. Subsequent testing by the Company resulted in negative results for both salmonella and listeria. No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall specifically involves:
What You Should Know About Salmonella
Salmonella poses a risk to animals ingesting the affected product (including dogs and cats) and can also be transmitted to humans. Pets infected with salmonella may display symptoms including:
Fever;
Lethargy and shock;
Diarrhea (which may last up to 3-4 weeks or longer);
Vomiting;
Weight Loss;
Dehydration; and
Mucus in stool.
What You Should Know About Listeria Monocytogenes
Listeria monocytogenes poses a risk to both animals ingesting the affected product and humans (if they do not thoroughly wash their hands after coming into contact with a contaminated product). Pets infected with listeria may display symptoms including:
Mild to severe diarrhea;
Anorexia;
Fever;
Nervous, muscular and respiratory system issues;
Abortion;
Depression; and
Shock and even death.
Infected animals can also serve as sources of infection to other household animals and humans.
What to do Next
Consumers with any of the recalled products should immediately return it to their retailer, where it was purchased, for a full refund. Consumers with questions can contact Steve’s Real Food at 888-526-1900 (Monday-Friday: 9am-4pm Mountain).
G & C Raw, LLC (of Versailles, OH) issued a recall on August 6th for two of their products, 1-lb containers of Pat’s Cat Turkey Cat Food and 2-lb containers of Ground Lamb Dog Food for potential Listeria contamination.
Why the Recall
The recall was initiated after a routine sampling by the Ohio Department of Agriculture revealed the presence of the bacteria. No illnesses have been reported to date.
The affected products are not being produced or distributed until the investigation has been completed and the source of the problem identified.
The recall specifically involves:
PAT’S CAT TURKEY CAT FOOD
(30) 1-lb clear plastic containers
Lot #WWPKTF051618
Distributed in OH, MI, IN, PAN, KY, NC and GA through direct delivery
GROUND LAMB DOG FOOD
(40) 2-lb plastic container
Lot #MFF022718
Distributed in OH, MI, IN, PAN, KY, NC and GA through direct delivery
What You Should Know About Listeria Monocytogenes
Listeria monocytogenes poses a risk to both animals ingesting the affected product and humans (if they do not thoroughly wash their hands after coming into contact with a contaminated product). Pets infected with listeria may display symptoms including:
Mild to severe diarrhea;
Anorexia;
Fever
Nervous, muscular and respiratory system issues;
Abortion;
Depression; and
Shock and even death.
Infected animals can also serve as sources of infection to other household animals and humans.
What to do Next
Consumers with any of the recalled products should immediately return it to G & C Raw, 225 N. West Street, Versailles, OH for a full refund. Consumers with questions can contact the company at 937-827-0010 (Eastern) or by email at GCRawDogFood@yahoo.com.
Dave’s Pet Food (Agawam, MA) has issued a voluntary recall (in cooperation with the FDA) of a single lot of their 95% Premium Beef dog food cans.
Why the Recall
The recall was initiated by Dave’s Pet Food after the FDA analyzed one lot of the product and it was found to have elevated levels of thyroid hormone. The analysis was conducted by the FDA “after receiving a complaint that four dogs consuming it were found to have low Free T4 (fT4) and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH).”
The product was distributed along the East Coast of the USA and sold in pet stores and e-commerce websites. No other products (or other products manufactured by Dave’s Pet Food) are impacted.
The recall involves:
A single batch (of 548 cases);
The 13 oz., 95% Premium Beef canned dog food;
The UPC Code: 85038-11167; and
A Date Code: 08/2020.
What You Should Know About Beef Thyroid
Elevated levels of beef thyroid hormone (which occurs naturally), may cause the following symptoms in dogs:
Increased Thirst & Urination;
Weight Loss;
Increased Heart Rate; and
Restlessness.
If high levels are consumed over an extended period of time, symptoms may increase in severity and include vomiting, diarrhea and rapid or labored breathing. If your dog has consumed any of these recalled products and is showing the symptoms listed above, immediately discontinue feeding the treat and contact your vet.
What to do Next
Consumers with any of the recalled products should immediately stop feeding it to their dogs. Consumers may receive a refund or coupon for replacement product by contacting Dave’s Pet Food at 888-763-2738 (between 9-5pm EST Monday through Friday).
U.S. citizens can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.
Are antlers a safer option to other chews on the market?
Are all antlers the same?
How are antlers “graded” and what does it mean?
Dogs are natural chewers. Whether it’s a puppy exploring his new world through his mouth, or adult dogs chewing to release pent-up energy and/or stress, most dogs enjoy this instinctive behavior.
While almost anything is better than your K9 destroying your expensive leather shoes or couch to indulge their need to chew, are all chew treats created equal (and safe)?
When even more information came out about all the potentially deadly chemicals used to mass-produce rawhide in China, “safe” choices became even further limited for canine guardians. (Not to mention numerous horror studies about rawhide pieces becoming stuck or causing obstructions requiring surgery to save a dog.) Click here to learn the harmful truth behind making rawhide.
Are Antlers a Safer Option?
So, what about something more “natural,” like antlers from wild deer or elk?
Like most subjects about dog health, “expert” opinions about whether antlers are a completely safe chewing option falls between both ends of the spectrum. From slick marketing campaigns raving about the wonders of antlers for your dog’s chewing pleasure to so-called dog experts decrying even the thought of offering an antler to your dog to chew. While the controversy rages on, educate yourself on the pros and cons of antler chews for your dog.
Factors to Consider
Deciding whether an antler chew is good (or not) for your dog involves a number of factors, including:
What kind of chewer your dog is;
Your dog’s current dental health;
The “grade” of antler you are planning to give your dog to chew; and
The supplier/distributor of the antler chews and whether they sell cheaper, low-grade or inferior products.
When you know better, you can make better choices for what to safely offer your dog to chew. Knowing your own dog is the first place to start. Is your dog a heavy or aggressive chewer? The chewing needs or habits are vastly different for a Chihuahua versus a Rottweiler. Smaller teeth and jaws cannot stand up to extremely hard objects like antlers.
Also, consider your dog’s current dental health. Have they suffered from dental issues that would rule out giving them hard items to chew?
Symptoms of gum disease like receding gums, bone loss, gingivitis and periodontitis? Gum disease can make teeth unstable and incapable of standing up to chewing. (Did you know that gum disease, is five times more common in dogs than in humans?)
If you have determined your dog’s dental health and chewing needs can tolerate hard chewing, keep reading to learn more about antler chews.
What IS an Antler?
Antlers come from moose, caribou, elk, reindeer and deer. Typically, elk antlers are the easiest ones to find.
It’s also believed that antlers do not splinter or chip as easily as some other bones or toys. While antlers may seem similar to “horns” … they are actually different. Cow horns are made from a substance call keratin; similar to our nails and hair. They also have a lining of bone inside them.
Antlers, on the other hand, are made from real bone and cartilage with a marrow core. They are actually a bony outgrowth of the animal’s skull. Since they are actual bone, they are also very hard. Antlers are typically shed each year allowing a new set to grow in their place. Antlers (unlike processed bones or rawhides) also offer nutritional value in the form of:
Calcium
Protein
Chondroitin Sulfate
Glucosamine
Collagen
Magnesium
Iron and Zinc
For dogs fed a raw diet, bones are important to their diet. But, it is not necessary for them to eat very hard bones (like antlers or weight-bearing leg bones).
Grading Antlers: What it all Means
Antlers are “graded” on five different levels. Before you buy any kind of antler for your dog to chew, below is what you need to know first.
Grade A+ Antlers
These are the highest quality and most pristine antlers, previously reserved for high-end craft and artisan use. They constitute less than 5% of all antlers each year. Only a few stores and distributors are focused on selling antlers of this caliber.
Grade A Antlers
These antlers comprise the top 10-15% of all antlers each year. They have been shed during the current – or previous – year. These antlers will appear a little more on the light-brown side; as they have been freshly shed and have had only minimal exposure to the elements.
Grade B Antlers
This grade of antler comprises the bulk of all antlers sold online by the “high-end” brands. These antlers are easily recognized as they will be white from sun bleaching which also means they are dried out. They may also show visible marks of rodent chewing. These antlers are approximately one to two years old. While they may be sold by well-established brands, it does not mean they are “safe dog chews.” While they are not the worst of the antlers, they are definitely not the safest for your dog based on their age and being dried out which means they could splinter or chip much more easily.
Grades C and D
The final two grades are combined together because, for all intents and purposes, these antlers are “junk” and definitely not safe for your dog. These antlers are not only white from years in the sun and exposure to the elements; but there is also a white powder that can be easily scraped off the surface. In addition, the antler has almost a coral-like porous crystalline structure to it, due to having lost too much moisture. This makes it even more susceptible to breaking, splintering or chipping even with minimal effort. These antlers are commonly sold in the big-box pet stores and outdoor sports stores.
A Few Final Cautions
Make sure any antler product you buy and give to your dog is sourced from the USA (preferably from organically raised animals). Note: China does chemically process and ship antlers to the United States.
Also, make sure you buy the right size antler for your dog (one that cannot be easily swallowed).
Do not give puppies any kind of antlers to chew on. (The high protein content can cause stomach upset and diarrhea.)
And finally, if you do decide to give your dog an antler chew (or any other chew as well), always supervise them to keep them safe! No chew product is 100% safe and healthy for every dog. Digestive or dental issues, possible choking (in the mouth or throat) and intestinal obstructions are always a risk.
Check with your veterinarian first before giving your dog any chew product.
Merrick Pet Care (Amarillo, TX) has issued a voluntary recall of five production codes of their beef treat products. The recalled products include: Prime Patties Real Beef Recipe, Sausage Cuts Real Beef Recipe, Real Beef Jerky, Real Beef Sausage Cuts and Real Steak Patties.
Why the Recall
The recall was initiated by Merrick after the FDA shared a consumer complaint of their dog’s health being temporarily impacted after eating Merrick Backcountry Great Plains Real Beef Jerky, 4.5 oz. The dog fully recovered after the treat was no longer fed.
According to a press release from Merrick, “we have not received any similar reports to date from consumers about issues with these products.”
These treats are distributed in the United States through pet speciality, grocery and online retailers with limited distribution in Canada.
The limited recall includes only the production codes listed below (production codes are listed on the lower back of treat bags):
What You Should Know About Beef Thyroid
Elevated levels of beef thyroid hormone (which occurs naturally), may cause the following symptoms in dogs:
Increased Thirst & Urination;
Weight Loss;
Increased Heart Rate; and
Restlessness.
If high levels are consumed over an extended period of time, symptoms may increase in severity and include vomiting, diarrhea and rapid or labored breathing. If your dog has consumed any of these recalled products and is showing the symptoms listed above, immediately discontinue feeding the treat and contact your vet.
What to do Next
Consumers with any of the recalled products may receive a refund by:
Contacting Merrick at 1-800-664-7387 (between 8-5pm Central Time Monday through Friday);
Below are the latest recalls since our last blog post.
K9 Natural Ltd
On April 13th, K9 Natural Ltd of New Zealand voluntarily recalled four batches of its K9 Natural Frozen Chicken Feast (the 2.2 and 11lb bags) that were imported to the United States in June 2017. The recall was issued due to potential Listeria monocytogenes.
The recall involves:
K9 Natural Frozen Chicken Feast (2.2 lb bags):
Shipped to distributors/pet speciality retail stores in WA, CA, TX and CO with the batch #170517 and an expiration date of 17NOV2018.
K9 Natural Frozen Chicken Feast (11 lb bags):
Shipped to distributors/pet speciality retail stores in WA, CA, TX, CO and PA with the following batch numbers:
#150517 (expiration date of 15NOV2018)
#160517 (expiration date of 16NOV2018)
#170517 (expiration date of 17NOV2018)
There have been no reports of illness.
Customers with questions may contact the company via phone at 1 888 345 4680, M-F 8am-5pm PST & EST and S-S 14 &15 April 2018 8am-5pm PST & EST or email info@k9natural.com.
For the third time, another recall was issued on two Vital Essentials products: Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Toppers and Vital Essentials Frozen Beef Chub Entree for Dogs due to potential Salmonella contamination.
Salmonella can infect both dogs, cats and humans.
The recalled products can be identified with the following information:
Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Toppers: Lot #13815, Best by 06/04/19
Vital Essentials Frozen Beef Chub Entrée: 5 lb., Lot #13816, Best by 12/27/18
Customers may notify their retailer for a replacement or refund or contact the company at 920-370-6542.
OC Raw Dog of Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, issued a voluntary recall of approximately 1,560 lbs of their Chicken, Fish & Produce Raw Frozen Canine Formulation due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The affected products were manufactured on October 11, 2017 with a Lot number of 3652 and a Use By Date of October 11, 2018.
The recalled Lot #3652 was shipped and sold to Independent Speciality Retailers in the following states: CA, CO, FL, MD, MN, PA and VT.
NOTE: Another recall was also issued by OC Raw Dog for its Freeze-dried Sardines because the product exceeded FDA size restrictions (of 5 inches). (The FDA has determined that salt-cured, dried or fermented un-eviscerated fish larger than 5 inches have been linked to outbreaks of botulism poisoning between 1981 and 1987 and then again in 1991.)
We try our best to keep our readers informed with the latest recall information (here on our blog and on our Twitter/Facebook pages); unfortunately that’s not always possible. To stay informed with the latest recalls, subscribe to one (we recommend all) of the recall alerts below.
(Note: We’ve been trying to publish this post since February. But with the constant barrage of recalls, it’s been almost impossible to stay up-to-date with all the information.)
The last few months have been nothing short of frightening when it comes to recalls and our beloved pets. Unfortunately, we’ve all become a bit immune to seeing recall announcements here and there. But as the few months have clearly shown, recalls are on the rise particularly with the bacterial contamination of Salmonella which can infect dogs, cats and humans.
Recent recalls include products made by:
J.M. Smucker Company: Gravy Train, Kibbles ‘N Bits, Ol’ Roy & Skippy
Northwest Naturals
Vital Essentials
TruPet
Smokehouse Pet Products
Redbarn Pet Products
Raws for Paws
Darwin’s Natural Pet Products
Blue Ridge Beef
J.M. Smucker Company: Milo’s Kitchen Dog Treats
Blue Buffalo Company
Radagast Pet Food
Steve’s Real Food
Raw Basics
An Update on the Deadly Chinese Jerky Treats
Keep reading to learn more about each recall.
J.M. Smucker (Dogs & Cats)
In early February, traces of pentobarbital (a drug used to euthanize cats, dogs and horses) were found in Gravy Train canned dog food. The findings came out of an ABC station’s investigation (WJLA in Washington, DC). The investigation found pentobarbital in 9 out of 15 cans (or 60%) of Gravy Train dog food. Over months of testing and re-testing, WJLA News tested a total of 62 samples of dog food.
The Smucker Company (Orrvile, OH) later expanded the recall to include certain lots of Gravy Train, Kibbles ‘N Bits, Ol’ Roy and Skippy wet dog food products.
(UPDATE: A day after the story broke on February 8th, a class action lawsuit was filed against Big Heart Brands Gravy Train for advertising, misrepresenting and selling contaminated dog foods.)
Near the end of February, Northwest Naturals of Portland Oregon, issued a recall for its 5lb frozen Chicken and Salmon pet food chubs (sealed plastic tubes) due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
While no pet or human illnesses were reported, Listeria monocytogenes poses a risk to both animals ingesting the affected product and humans if they do not thoroughly wash their hands after coming into contact with a contaminated product.
Again at the end of February, Carnivore Meat Company of Green Bay, WI, recalled 73 cases of Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Nibblets Entree for Dogs pet food due to potential Salmonella contamination.
The affected product was distributed through both independent and online retailers, Chewys.com and Amazon.com. Salmonella can infect both dogs, cats and humans. The contamination was found following the Michigan Department of Agriculture’s collection of a single batch, retail sample that tested positive. There have been no reports of illness.
Another recall during the last week of February included a limited recall from TruPet of Milford, OH, for their “Treat Me Crunchy Beef Delight” 2.5 oz pet treats due to possible Salmonella contamination.
On February 19th, the FDA announced a recall of Beefy Munchies dog treats by Smokehouse Pet Products of Sun Valley, CA. The recall included all sizes and package types (including individual bags, resealable bags and plastic tubs (labeled “Beefy Bites”) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
The recall was issued after routine sampling and testing by the Colorado Department of Agriculture revealed Salmonella in two 4-oz packages.
In early March, Redbarn Pet Products of Long Beach, CA, expanded its original recall (of February 9th) to include all lots of their Bully Sticks under the brand names of Chewy Louie, Dentley’s and Good Lovin’.
The presence of Salmonella was revealed through testing by the Colorado Department of Agriculture. The investigation led to a raw ingredient from a single supplier as the source. The affected products were distributed in pet speciality and grocery retail stores nationwide.
In early February, approximately 4,000 pounds of Ground Turkey Pet food were recalled by Raws for Paws of Minneapolis, MN because of the potential presence of Salmonella.
Both the 1- and 5-pound chubs (sealed plastic tubes) were including in the recall. The affected product was distributed throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and through online mail orders.
Two illnesses were reported in connection with this recall. The recall was issued after testing by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture returned positive results.
Another early February recall involved two Darwin’s Pet Food products (of Tukwila WA):
ZooLogics Chicken Meals with Organic Vegetables for Dogs; and
ZooLogics Turkey with Organic Vegetables Meals for Dogs.
Testing revealed the presence of Salmonella. According to Gary Tashjian, the Founder of Darwin’s Pet Products, customers who received these meals were notified directly. Darwin’s Natural Pet Products are sold exclusively through a subscription service directly to their customers.
Just a few days ago, the recall was expanded to include a total of four lots of products. The following products were also added to the recall with the potential of Salmonella and E. Coli (0128):
Natural Selections Chicken with Organic Vegetables Meals for Dogs; and
Natural Selections Duck with Organic Vegetables Meals for Dogs.
Again, just a few days ago, another recall was issued, this time for Blue Ridge Beef (BRB) of Eatonton, GA. The recall involves one lot of its BRB Complete Raw pet food because of the potential presence of both SalmonellaandListeria monocytogenes. The affected product is sold in 2-pound chubs (sealed plastic tubes) and are frozen. The recall only affects the following states:
Florida
Georgia
North and South Carolina
Tennessee
The contamination was revealed after samples were collected and tested by the FDA.
To learn more about the Blue Ridge Beef recall, click here.
NOTE: On March 2nd, Blue Ridge Beef also issued a recall for one lot of their Kitten Grind Raw Pet Food again for the potential contamination of both Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Click here to learn more about this recall.
J.M. Smucker Company (Milo’s Kitchen Dog Treats)
Just a few days again, the J.M. Smucker Company issued another recall for two specific lots of Milo’s Kitchen dog treats. The treats potentially contain elevated levels of beef thyroid hormone. Dogs ingesting elevated levels of beef thyroid hormone may exhibit symptoms like increased thirst and urination, weight loss, increased heart rate and restlessness. While these symptoms may resolve themselves once the affected product is no longer fed, prolonged consumption can result in serious vomiting, diarrhea and rapid and/or labored breathing.
Earlier this month, Blue Buffalo (Wilton, CT) issued a recall of one lot of its BLUE Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Red Meat Dinner Wet Food for Adult Dogs because of the possibility of elevated levels of beef thyroid hormones.
Dogs ingesting elevated levels of beef thyroid hormone may exhibit symptoms like increased thirst and urination, weight loss, increased heart rate and restlessness. While these symptoms may resolve themselves once the affected product is no longer fed, prolonged consumption can result in serious vomiting, diarrhea and rapid and/or labored breathing.
The Portland, OR company, Radagast Pet Food, Inc., is recalling two lots of their products as of March 20th due to the potential of Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
The two recipes being recalled include:
Rad Cat Raw Diet Free-Range Chicken; and
Rad Cat Raw Diet Free-Range Turkey.
Listeria monocytogenes poses a risk to both animals ingesting the affected product and humans if they do not thoroughly wash their hands after coming into contact with a contaminated product.
Earlier this month, Steve’s Real Food (Cottonwood, UT) issued a recall for its Raw Frozen Dog Food Turkey Canine Recipe after testing positive for Salmonella.
The affected lot (52 cases) involved their frozen 5-pound bags of turkey nuggets. They were distributed to retail pet food stores in the following states:
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Iowa
Kansas
Florida
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
North Dakota
Nebraska
New Jersey
Nevada
New York
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
To learn more about the Steve’s Real Food recall, click here.
Raw Basics
Another frozen raw pet food issued a recall on March 6th. Raw Basics of Pleasant Prairie, WI, recalled its 5-pound boxes of Tucker’s Raw Frozen Pork-Bison Dog Food for potential Salmonella contamination.
The presence of Salmonella was revealed after testing done by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. The contamination was isolated to one lot of 108 boxes (540 pounds) and distributed to pet specialty retail stores in Minnesota, Georgia, Kansas and Pennsylvania.
It’s happened again, this time in Oklahoma with a 4-year-old Yorkie.
Within hours of eating of chicken jerky dog treats with “all natural farm fresh ingredients” sourced from China, Zoe was dead.
It’s been over 11 years since imported food and treats from China have been harming – and even killing – our pets. Yet the treats still sit on store shelves for unsuspecting customers to buy and feed to their pets.
If you thought someone is looking out and protecting both you and your beloved pets, think again. If you’re looking for obvious information and disclosures about the treats you buy, think again too.
Read ALL the print, especially the tiny print buried on the back of the package (as illustrated below with the treats that killed Zoe, sold at Walmart).
With no answers from the FDA’s years-long investigative research, but with pets still being sickened and dying, become your own best advocate and learn all you can about what you feed your pet. Until safety takes precedent over profits, your pet’s health is in potential danger.
We try our best to keep our readers informed with the latest recall information (here on our blog and on our Twitter/Facebook pages); unfortunately that’s not always possible. To stay informed with the latest recalls, subscribe to one (we recommend all) of the recall alerts below.
Just Food for Dogs has issued their first-ever recall after a report from a customer of vomiting and diarrhea after her dogs ate their Turducken product.
In a detailed email from Founder, Shawn Buckley, it was confirmed that one batch of Turducken special (made in their West Hollywood kitchen and code dated: WH 11/18/18) did test positive for Listeria. The dogs who were affected were switched to another food and made a full recovery, without veterinarian intervention, within a day.
Why the Recall
The returned Turducken food was tested and subsequently confirmed the presence of Listeria. The source of the contamination has been traced to the human-grade green beans used in the Turducken recipe.
Based on these preliminary results, Just Food for Dogs is voluntarily:
Expanding the Turducken recall to all batch dates.
Recalling two other recipes containing green beans:
Beef & Russet Potato; and
Fish & Sweet Potato.
Notifying the FDA as the contaminated green beans may also affect the human food supply.
Severe disease from Listeria in dogs is rare. In fact, Listeria is of more concern to humans. Healthy dogs may experience no signs from listeria contamination, but elderly or weakened dogs may experience vomiting and/or diarrhea.
What to do Next
Consumers are urged to properly dispose of any affected product.
Consumers may also email (support@JustFoodForDogs.com) or call (866-726-9509) Just Food for Dogs for an immediate refund. Shawn Buckley can be reached directly at shawnb@JustFoodForDogs.com or 949-378-2927.
As is typical throughout life, not all things are created equal.
Including the dental products being created and advertised for our beloved family dogs; and what you don’t know could hurt your dog!
Over the next few weeks, Cold Noses News is going to reveal the SEVEN ingredients you NEVER want to find in YOUR dog’s dental product; regardless of what the experts, gurus or even professionals may tell you.
We’ll teach you what names and terms to look for on the label for each ingredient as well as the very real and potential effects each can have on your dog.
Don’t be Fooled
As you search for an effective – and safe – product for your dog’s dental health, don’t be fooled by pretty labels, fancy advertising, “healthy” images or even these buzz words below:
100% Natural
All-Natural
Organic
Safe
Healthy
Non-Toxic
Botanical
Vet-Approved
Recommended by Vets
Your Dog’s Health Depends on You
Always do your research first to ensure any claims are actually true, for your peace of mind and more importantly, for the well-being of your dog.
Note: the researched information we will be presenting over the next few weeks is only a singular look at each of these seven individual ingredients and does not address the potential for compounded negative effects/reactions when one – or more – of these ingredients are combined.
Also keep in mind, the smaller the dog, the greater – and faster -the adverse toxic reaction(s).
And finally, dogs with pre-existing conditions, compromised health or immune systems could face even greater danger from these ingredients.
So, bookmark this page (or better yet, follow us) and learn about the seven ingredients you never want to find in your K9’s dental product.
Toxic Ingredient #1
So, let’s get started. The Number One ingredient you never, ever want to find in your dog’s dental product is … alcohol.
Some K9 dental products contain as much as 25% alcohol
Bottom line, alcohol is toxic to dogs. All dogs. Always. EVEN when the label says “Natural Derived Alcohol” … naturally derived or not, it’s toxic. Period.
So here’s what you should look for and avoid:
Please share this post (and the ones that follow) with friends, neighbors and family who love and own dogs. Keep your dog safe from dental products (or any products) that contain toxic ingredients.
It’s Pet Dental Health Month; do you show your dog regular dental love?
Halitosis (bad breath) – whether it’s human or canine – is often the brunt of some really bad jokes and equally rude gestures! But just like humans with bad breath, your dog’s nasty breath could actually be a symptom of something much more serious going on with their health.
An oral bacterial infection (associated with bad breath) can eventually spread to other parts of the body (through the bloodstream) and cause serious – even potentially irreversible – damage to major organs including the kidneys, liver and heart. Left unchecked, this damage could lead to premature death of your dog.
Tooth Decay & Gum Disease Starts Early
The research is shocking; approximately 80% of all dogs begin to show tooth decay and gum disease/inflammation (gingivitis) by the tender age of 3! The steps below will help prevent K9 dental issues.
Preventative Dental Care
Annual Check-ups and Cleanings: Get your dog’s teeth (and gums) checked – and cleaned (a treatment called prophylaxis) – at least once a year by your regular vet. Annual check-ups can also catch the early signs of dental problems which could cause – or be caused by – other serious health issues.
Recommended Dental Products: Your vet can recommend the best dental products, treats or diets for your dog and their history. Raw bones (size-appropriate) are a great option for your dog (NO cooked or rawhide bones). Raw bones are also rich in calcium (promoting strong teeth), probiotic bacteria (the “good” bacteria) and enzymes. Probiotic bacteria/enzymes work to maintain healthy bacterial flora keeping harmful bacteria (which cause gingivitis) under control. (ALWAYS supervise your dog when they are chewing bones.)
Regular K9 Dental Care Starts at Home
Periodontal disease begins when bacteria combines with food particles and forms plaque on the teeth. Left untreated, plaque hardens into tartar (that yucky hard brown stuff you can’t wipe or brush off). Daily cleaning helps remove these food particles; but even cleaning several times a week can help maintain good dental hygiene and reduce potential issues.
Use a child’s toothbrush, finger brush, single-use pet dental wipe or a natural dental spray (like the one made by Bark5.com). Do use human toothpaste; only use pet-specific/formulated products that do not contain alcohol or the artificial sweetener, xylitol (both are very toxic to dogs).
The holidays are fast approaching which means dog owners will be looking for dog-sitters to watch over their furry family members.
But, before you hand over the keys to your kingdom (and K9s), make sure you know exactly what you (and your dog) are getting into! Don’t leave this important decision to the very last minute, you could come to regret it.
Below are some 8 due diligence tips you MUST do first:
Did the potential sitter come recommended by a friend or family member? Great! STILL get testimonials from other previous clients.
Always set up a face-to-face meeting with you AND your dog to make sure you both feel at ease with the potential dog-sitter. Make sure you’re meeting the actual dog-sitter, not just the owner of the dog-sitting business.
Are they acting in a professional manner? Do they offer you a contract that spells out exactly what they will do … and what they need from you as well? Are they are asking specific questions about the kind of care you’re seeking and making notes?
Do a trial run; have the potential sitter watch your dog for several hours or a day (at least once or twice) before you leave for an extended period of time. Notice how your dog acts/reacts around them; these are all clues about what you – and your dog – can expect.
Do they have the appropriate insurance or bonding to protect you and your property?
Do they have current First Aid certification? Ask to see it. Remember, you’re relying on them to protect your dog especially if something unforeseen happens.
Ask about any specializations they offer … do they specialize in small breeds? Big or giant breeds? It makes a huge difference with their comfort level and how well they can deal with your specific dog.
Does your dog have special needs? Make sure the person you’re looking to hire can comfortably handle those special requests (giving medication or shots, dealing with an arthritic/fearful/blind or deaf dog, etc.).
By taking the time to find and get comfortable with a potential dog-sitter, you will increase the chances of a pleasant and successful experience of bringing a caretaker into your home and your dog’s life.
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Own a dog business? Let us write K9-exclusive content for you. We make it EASY to give your dog-guardian clients the content they want (building brand awareness and loyalty for your business).
Today, Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall of a limited number of CESAR® Classics Filet Mignon Flavor product. This includes both individual units, as well as, those offered in flavor variety multi-packs.
Consumers are encouraged to discard any affected product or return it to their retailer for a full refund/exchange.
According to the company, “while a small number of consumers have reported finding the plastic pieces; to date, we have not received any reports of injury or illness associated with the affected product.”
This is some great news to see this addressed in the mainstream media!
This coming Thursday, September 22nd, the Dr. Oz Show will host a segment entitled, “What’s Really in Your Pet Food and Does It Matter?”
Synopsis from the Dr. Oz website:
“You love your pet, but do you love what you’re feeding them? The guy People magazine calls the “sexiest beast charmer” breaks it all down. See what’s really in your pet’s food and when it’s okay to serve your pet table scraps.
On September 8th, Addiction Foods of Seattle, WA, announced it was doing a recall of two of its canned dog foods; New Zealand Venison & Apples Entree and New Zealand Brushtail & Vegetables Entree.
The voluntary recall was done in response to Addiction’s testing which identified:
elevated levels of Vitamin A; and
a slight variance in calcium / phosphorous ratios.
The limited quantities of affected product was shipped to select distributors and online retailers between February 11, 2016 and March 19, 2016.
No other Addiction Pet Food products are affected by this recall.
To learn more details about this recall and the specific UPC Codes, Lot Numbers and Expiration Dates, click here to go to the Dog Food Advisory website.
It’s been a PAW-some summer here at Cold Noses News in Lake Tahoe; although it does seem it went a bit fast when we weren’t looking!
We hope each and every one of you had an incredible, safe and happy memory-filled summer as you begin to ease back into the routine of school and fall activities.
We rarely talk about ourselves (preferring to speak “dog” instead!), but we’re so grateful for all the progress and growth-spurts we’ve experienced this summer, we wanted to take a moment and share the milestones with you.
Moose, our Senior Great Dane
Our “old man” Moose, turned 8 this July and thankfully he’s still going strong! Our little gal, Bella (aka The Princess), will be turning six in October and still rules the roost with an iron paw!
We posted our first guest blog on the Fetch! Pet Care website in honor of National Holistic Pet Day on August 30th. Click here to read the post, “Tips for Caring for Your Pet Holistically.” Please share it to help educate more pet and dog owners on how to incorporate holistic living into their pet’s daily life.
Our popularity continues to grow on Twitter … we just passed 6,300 followers (we must have blinked!) and are now halfway to 6,400! We love knowing people like our content enough to take the time to follow us.
We also joined Instagram and enjoy sharing our love for dogs with even more people; follow us at www.instagram.com/coldnosesnews.
We created our first K9-exclusive direct mail piece for Pooch Perks (a Miami-based monthly dog treat and toy subscription box service for dogs).
We are working with a South Carolina veterinarian with a huge heart, Dr. Julie Buzby, to help spread the word about her wonderful product, ToeGrips, that is literally changing the lives of dogs with mobility and traction issues.
We’ve updated the look and branding of our monthly newsletter to feature your business … like the sample below for our client, Red and Howling.
Among others, we have joined with Pooch Post (an Irish monthly dog treat and toy subscription box service serving Ireland and the UK); True Leaf Pet in Canada (offering hemp-based dog chews for joint, calming and antioxidant support); andMedi-Crunch (The Premium Treat for Medication™ with a 95% success rate) in providing their clients with our K9-exclusive content and newsletter.
And finally, we are hard at work on a new product, a digital version of our monthly Cold Noses Newsletter, for the general public. Watch for information on how to subscribe soon.
While we are sad to see summer temperatures, water fun and weekend BBQs slowly slipping away, we ARE looking forward to cooler temperatures, pumpkin pie, and new partnerships with dog businesses, dog-preneurs, dog-lovers and dog-owners as we continue to create and offer the best in K9 news!
Got an idea or suggestion for a K9 topic you’d like us to cover? Email us at Bobbie@ColdNosesNews.com or comment below and let us know!
At Cold Noses News, we are always working our paws to the bone to figure out how to best serve you, our readers!
So here’s our question: if our K9-exclusive newsletter was offered to you, the dog-lover (not just to business owners), would you be willing to pay a small fee to receive it each month in your inbox? And … what if we told you that each month, in addition to the useful content, there would ALSO be a valuable coupon that would more than cover the monthly cost?
The July issue of our K9-exclusive newsletter will be out next week!
In this issue, we’re going to continue talking about how to effectively protect your K9 companion and give them the best possible life. Topics will include summer and water safety, ear mites and how to plan for your dog’s care after you’re gone.
And of course, a tasty, healthy treat recipe!
Own a dog business or service and not yet using print in your marketing strategy? Our unique and low-cost newsletter is a simple way of making clients feel “catered-to” and “looked-after” with the information they need to make the best, informed decisions for their K9 fur-kids.
And, there’s no quicker way to build trust and brand loyalty than doing a little bit extra for your customers!
Hand-out it at your retail POS (in exchange for an email address especially from tourists visiting you for the first time) or use it to reach potential new customers at local events, through direct mail or cross-promote with other related businesses, instead of using a boring (and expensive) brochure. (Those are just a few ideas of how to use this versatile marketing tool; we’ve got more!)
(Looking for other K9-exclusive, original digital content? We can also create eNewsletters, blogs, web content and social media posts for you too. Just ask.)
Coming Soon … a DIGITAL version of our popular dog-exclusive, monthly newsletter!
If you own a dog business and have been considering emailing a newsletter to your current, and potential clients (with exclusive content for dog-owners and dog-lovers), we want to hear from you!
What eMarketing software/platform do YOU use?
Just let us know by commenting on this post (if “Other” please specify which platform).
Private equity firm CVC Capital Partners and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board have agreed to acquire the holding company for Petco Animal Supplies Inc. at a cost of $4.6 billion.
A joint statement said CVC and the Pension Plan Investment Board will purchase Petco Holdings from its current group of investors in a deal expected to close in early 2016.
If you have a brick-and-mortar dog business or offer canine services, this holiday season is the time to RAMP UP your marketing instead of coasting through to the end of the year. The potential to get the word out about YOUR business will NEVER be better!
Holidays mean increased foot traffic to your retail K9 business … bringing both current customers and potential new ones. If your business is in a high tourist area, potential out-of-town customers are learning about you for the first time. Don’t let them forget you after that one-time purchase; especially if you have an online store they can patronize after they return back home from vacation.
The Cold Noses monthly Newsletter is marketing-made-easy for the dog business owner!
If you offer canine services, the holidays are often the most critical time for customers needing a helping hand with daycare, grooming, dog walking or pet sitting. And if they are busy, so are their friends! So it’s a great time to get new referrals for the services you offer. Offer an extra takeaway and ask them to give it to a friend.
In addition, what are you doing to really help your customer this holiday season? In addition to the products you sell and the services you provide? People become loyal customers when you HELP them with time-sensitive, season-specific information they need to know to keep their pets safe and healthy.
Simply put, people remember people who help them. So this holiday season, offer great products and services, out-of-this-world customer service and some kind of physical takeaway that reminds them to come back for more!
The Cold Noses Newsletter, the only monthly ready-to-print-and-use marketing tool for the dog business owner!
The Cold Noses Newsletter is the first – and only – completely done-for-you, ready-to-print-and-use monthly tool to gather emails at the cash register, cross-promote with other local dog businesses and serves as a reminder of your business … all without blatant, in-your-face sales pitches.
staple in most households with dogs. So much so that in just 2019, 
While it may seem you are feeding your dog nutritious and healthy dog food from the commercials and labels, the excessive processing – more accurately, overcooking – has very negative effects on the actual nutrition your dog is – or isn’t – getting which can lead to serious, even life-threatening health issues over an extended period.
On April 13th, K9 Natural Ltd of New Zealand voluntarily recalled four batches of its K9 Natural Frozen Chicken Feast (the 2.2 and 11lb bags) that were imported to the United States in June 2017. The recall was issued due to potential 
For the third time, another recall was issued on two Vital Essentials products: Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Toppers and Vital Essentials Frozen Beef Chub Entree for Dogs due to potential 
We try our best to keep our readers informed with the latest recall information (here on our blog and on our Twitter/Facebook pages); unfortunately that’s not always possible. To stay informed with the latest recalls, subscribe to one (we recommend all) of the recall alerts below.
Again at the end of February, Carnivore Meat Company of Green Bay, WI, recalled 73 cases of Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Nibblets Entree for Dogs pet food due to potential 
Redbarn Pet Products
Darwin’s Natural Pet Products
Again, just a few days ago, another recall was issued, this time for Blue Ridge Beef (BRB) of Eatonton, GA. The recall involves one lot of its BRB Complete Raw pet food because of the potential presence of both 
Just a few days again, the J.M. Smucker Company issued another recall for two sp
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Radagast Pet Food (Cats)
