Contaminated Pet Food Could Be Making Kids Sick

A new government report suggests that contaminated pet food may be more dangerous to the health of humans than originally thought. Between 2006-2008, a salmonella outbreak sickened 79 people and sent 11 to the hospital. Over half of those infected were age 2 or younger. What is unique about this outbreak is that it is the first time a salmonella outbreak in humans has been specifically linked to contaminated pet food.

While we all know that young children love to put everything they encounter into their mouths, there is no evidence that the children who became infected with Salmonella actually ate the contaminated pet food. What is more likely is that they touched dirty pet food dishes or a contaminated pet (stool samples tested positive for salmonella in pets that showed no symptoms even though they had eaten the tainted pet food) and then put their hands in their mouths.

According to the Associated Press, the outbreak was blamed on salmonella bacteria found in several brands of dry dog and cat food produced at a Mars Petcare US plant in Everson, Pa., including Pedigree and Special Kitty. The plant that manufactured the food was officially closed in 2008 after the source of the contamination could not be identified.

Since the cooking process typically kills salmonella germs, it is thought that contamination occured after the cooking process when the foods are sprayed with flavor enhancers. In my opinion, this could help explain why high quality pet food rarely if ever are found to be contaminated with salmonella. High quality foods depend on quality ingredients to give their foods taste and do not use flavor enhancers.

A study published in the medical journal Pediatrics makes the following suggestions to help reduce infection risks in young children:

_washing hands after contact with pets, pet food and pet bowls.

_routinely cleaning pet food bowls and feeding areas.

_keeping children younger than age 5 away from pet food and feeding areas.

_cleaning pets’ food and water dishes in a separate sink or tub, not in the kitchen or bathtub.

_avoiding bathing infants in the kitchen sink.

Why I Consider Fancy Feast’s New Appetizers Extremely Unappetizing

As a general rule, I do not like to make disparaging comments about competitors products - I worry that it can look like sour grapes. However I just saw a commercial for Fancy Feast’s (they make cat food) new “appetizers” and I got so annoyed that I felt a need to share my annoyance with the general public.

Without question there a number of good cat foods on the market - Fancy Feast just does not (in my opinion) happen to be one of them. My very general rule of thumb is that one should never buy grocery pet food (as with every rule - there are a few exceptions as I happen to believe that both Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods supply decent quality pet food). Fancy Feast uses low-quality ingredients such as animal by-products (e.g. chicken by-product meal which consists of the dry, rendered, clean parts of the carcass of slaughtered chicken such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, and intestines).

Now I have to give the company a teeny tiny bit of credit because the are actually using quality proteins in their “appetizers.” However that is the first and last quality ingredient (for quality wet cat foods I highly recommend Innova, Wellness, and Natural Balance). The commercial however solely focuses on the fact that they are using “whole proteins” and “no by-products” in these new “appetizers.” If they are so proud of  this fact and believe it is such a positive thing (which it is) why on earth aren’t they discontinuing the use of by-products in their regular dry and wet foods?

My second complaint is that in this day and age of overweight pets and with diabetes on the rise in dogs and cats alike, why on earth would a pet company that claims to care about pets bring to market a product that actually encourages cats to eat more?! An appetizer by it’s very nature is something that is eaten before the meal - so now Fancy Feast buyers are encouraged to feed their cat more than ever. From this action it has become clearer than ever to me that Fancy Feast (and Purina - makers of Fancy Feast) absolutely do not have your pet’s interest at heart.

I would love to hear your thoughts.

3 Ways to Help Your Pet Beat the Heat

Last weekend it was hot. Okay not as hot as on the East Coast, but hot for the Bay Area - and I decided Jade was desperate for a walk. The front of my house has two driveways divided by about 30 feet of lawn (a friend of mine claimed that the second driveway was for speedboat storage); I put Jade on a leash and we walked down the “boat” driveway, parallel to the front lawn, and back up the driveway in which we actually park - and right back to the front door. And nothing, not even treats, convinced Jade that we should go for a longer walk. I opened the front door, he dashed inside, flopped down on the tile inside the front door, and began snoring. Which leads me directly to suggestion number one for helping your pets beat the summer heat.

Tip #1: Provide Your Pet With a “Cool” Room

Designate one room in your house to be a “cool” room. Last year the Bay Area experienced record breaking highs, and I began reading stories in the newspaper about animals who had died from heat exhaustion in their homes. You don’t need to air condition your entire house to keep your pet safe. Instead, pick one room and make it as cool as possible. Put up blackout curtains to block out the heat of the sun; install a window air-conditioning unit and leave it running on hot days (keep the door partly closed so that all the cool air does not simply escape); if you have a pet who is extremely prone to overheating, consider purchasing a cool bed for your pet to sleep on (my favorites are those made by K&H manufacturing).

Tip #2: Exercise At Dawn and Dusk

Dusk and dawn are the coolest times of day and your pet is least likely to overheat at these times. Personally, I don’t believe “dawn” is a time that any normal human being should actually be awake, so I take advantage of the long daylight hours and head out for a walk around 6:30 or 7pm when I get home from work. And try to avoid blacktop and pavement and stick to grass and dirt trails - paved trials, even in the evening, can be so hot they can actually burn your pets’ paws. A good rule of thumb: if it’s too hot for you it’s too hot for your pet.

Tip #3: Ensure Your Pet Has Access to Water Fresh Water At All Times

Ensuring your pet has access to fresh water is never so important as during hot times. Pets are especially prone to dehydration in hot weather. Dehydration can lead to permanent organ damage and even death. The simplest way to prevent dehydration is to ensure your pet always has access to fresh water. In addition to fresh water, you can give your dog the occasional frozen treat. Fill a Kong with water or diluted chicken broth and place it in the freezer. Once the liquid is frozen, give it to your pet (outside is best) for a doggy version of a Popsicle!

How do you help your pet beat the heat?

IAMS Recalls Prescription Cat Food

IAMS seems to be having some problems with its cat food. In June, IAMS was forced to recall some types of its canned cat and kitten food because of a vitamin deficiency. Over the weekend, IAMS parent company Proctor and Gamble announced that it was voluntarily recalling two lots of its Veterinary Formula Renal (Multi-Stage Renal) because of possible salmonella contamination.

Salmonella is a catch-all phrase for over 2,500 types of bacteria, and is the most common cause of food poisoning. In humans, symptoms can include abdominal cramping, vomiting, diarrhea and vomiting. In severe cases, salmonella can ultimately lead to death if left untreated. Pets with salmonella may exhibit decreased appetite, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. If your pet has consumed the recalled food and is exhibiting any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

The recalled products are the 5.5lb bags of IAMS Veterinary Formulas Feline Renal and have lot codes of 01384174B4 and 01384174B2. Lot codes can be found in the lower right hand corner on the back of the bag. These particular formulas are sold through veterinary clinics throughout the United States.

If you have purchased the recalled food, please do not feed it to your animal. Please dispose of the product and call P&G toll-free at 877-894-4458 (Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST) for a product refund.

Protect Your Pet On the 4th of July

What comes to mind when someone says “4th of July”? Fireworks? Picnics? Backyard BBQs with friends and family? For us humans, the 4th of July is usually a fun and relaxing holiday; for our pets however, it can be one of the most stressful times of the year. Even normally calm pets can become anxiety-ridden by the thunderous booms and bright lights generated by fireworks. The Humane Society says it is quite typical at this time of year for shelters to receive what they term “4thof July dogs.” These are dogs that have run off after being scared by a fireworks celebration. The good news is that by taking a few simple precautions, you and your pets can both have a wonderful holiday. Please note that while these tips are written with dogs and cats in mind, many of them apply to small animals such as birds, rabbits, and ferrets.

• If you are going to a fireworks display, leave your pet at home. Even well-socialized dogs can become frightened and possibly aggressive when confronted with large crowds and thunderous explosions.
• Keep your pets indoors. A stressed or anxious dog can become destructive, so make sure to “dog proof” the area where your dog will be while you are gone. Leave out two or three favorite chew toys; chewing is a natural way for dogs to relieve anxiety. Even if your dog typically spends his days outside, he should be kept inside during the evening and preferably overnight. Outdoor dogs have been known to escape by digging their way out of yards or to become dangerously entangled in their chains or leashes. If you have an indoor/outdoor cat, consider keeping him or her inside for the night.
• If your pet has a history of being frightened by loud noises, consult your vet about using an appropriate sedative. I am a personal fan of the all-natural product Pet Calm.
• Ensure your pet is wearing identification tags. An ID tag is the absolute best way to ensure that a lost pet will be returned. If you are traveling with your pet, write your temporary contact information on a piece of masking tape and wrap it around your pet’s collar, or use a paper luggage tag (like those you can pick up at the airport).

IAMS Recalls Canned Cat Food

Yesterday, Proctor and Gamble (makers of IAMS, Eukanuba, and the new owners of the Innova pet food brand), issued a voluntary recall of its ProActive Health canned Cat and Kitten Food (all varieties). This product contains insufficient levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1), an essential vitamin for cats.

According to the IAMS website, “early signs of thiamine deficiency may include loss of appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss.  In advanced cases, signs may include ventroflexion (downward curving) of the neck, wobbly gait, falling, circling and seizures.” If your cat has been fed this food and/or is displaying any of these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately. If caught early, thiamine deficiency is usually highly treatable.

The food involved in this recall is Iams ProActive Health canned and Kitten Food - all varieties of 3oz and 5.5oz cans with dates 09/2011 to 06/2012. If you have purchased any of the recalled product, please discard it immediately; do not feed it to your animals. For further information or a product refund call P&G toll-free at 877-340-8826 (Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST). And please help spread the word.

Pet Industry Trends - Cats

While there are numerous new trends in dog toys (at least going by what I saw at the Global Pet Expo), the cat world is still sorely lacking in novelty. The vast, vast majority of what I saw at Global (and this hasn’t changed much over the past few years) for cats fell into one of three categories: toss and bat toys (usually variations on toss-able fake mice), inexpensive wand toys (the kind that look like your child won them at an arcade - you know, where you earn tickets and can redeem them for cheap toys?), and assorted cat furniture (I happen to LIKE cat furniture, but these are sorely lacking in the elegance that it always seems to me that cat furniture needs to possess). It’s times like these that I become immensely proud of Petlane’s exclusive cat products (like our Kitty Chianti and Kitty Calisthenics) as it becomes totally clear that Petlane is in fact setting a new standard for cat toys - especially as our toys are designed to meet the physical, intellectual, social, and emotional needs of cats. All that being said, there were several new “themes” that I saw emerge at this year’s show (I use the word “theme” instead of “trend” deliberately because I think these concepts are still relatively new, and I cannot say with certainty that they will catch on - although I hope for cats’ sake they do!)

1) Electronics - The newest (and in many cases the most interesting) new cat products were not human powered, but batteried powered. I believe, for example, that self-cleaning litter boxes are here to stay. These litter boxes automatically sweep the litter every time a cat exits, moving the waste into an isolated container until the human comes along and empties it. There are some real benefits to these litter boxes, especially for multi-cat households. The downside is that there is usually only one type of litter that will work with each box, and cats can be picky about their litter. I still haven’t made up my mind about whether or not the CatGenie - The World’s Only Self-Flushing, Self-Washing Cat Box will catch on. I would love to hear your thoughts on this after you’ve checked out the website.

Electronic toys are also becoming more popular. Laser toys (where cats go absolutely nuts chasing a red dot) have been around for sometime, but there are definitely some marked improvements. Several companies for example have laser pointers where the base is large enough to sit on a counter and all you have to is flip a switch. The laser randomly shines around the floor and wall, and turns itself off after a set amount of time. This is a wonderful concept for people who have cats who like to play at odd hours (or who need to distract cats who insist on sitting on their keyboard every time they sit down to write a blog posting). Human powered and cat powered toys are not going anywhere fortunately. Interactive play promotes bonding between cat and human, and is also a lot of fun. However, it’s nice to have options!

2) Quality Cat Furniture - Yes I know I ranted at the beginning of this post about the lack of quality cat furniture. Apparently, a few smaller pet product vendors feel the same way I do. Although we saw our share of cheap cat furniture, there were some really exquisite ones at the show. From cat trees to scratching posts, more smaller suppliers are working on offering cat trees, beds and scratching posts that are appealing to the cat and extremely pleasing to the human eye.

What would you like to see different or new in the world of cat toys?

And the Pawscar Goes To…

Yes I know - I’m a little late with this blog posting. However, you have to consider that this is coming from the writer who did not actually watch the Academy Awards this year, but who still has it recorded on her TiVo because there is always the possibility that she might actually watch them before next year’s award ceremony.

You know that disclaimer “No Animals Were Harmed” that you see at the end of movie credits where animals are featured in a film? Movies that earn that seal of approval have been closely monitored by the American Humane Association. Founded in the late 1800’s, American Humane works to protect the rights of both children and animals. The organization also gives its own, unofficial, nod to the Oscars by presenting Pawscars to animals featured in films that have received the American Humane’s “No Animals Were Harmed” title.

This year’s winners included a Mastiff named Uno who Best Newcomer Actor for her role in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, a Bull Mastiff took Best Cameo for his part in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, and the Na’vi, the computer generated horses (although real horses were used as models) featured in Avatar, won for Best Alien Animals.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day With Your Pet!

St. Patrick’s Day (named for the saint who is thought to be responsible for driving all the deadly snakes out of Ireland and into the sea) is celebrated around the world! What do you think of when you think of St. Patrick’s? Green clothing? Shamrocks? Leprechauns? Corned beef? Green beer? However you choose to celebrate, here are some fun (and safe) ways you can include your pet:

1) Tie a green bandana or decorate your pet’s leash or collar with shamrocks. I don’t recommend costumes as many pets find them extremely hot and uncomfortable. If your dog typically wears clothing, there are a ton of St. Patrick themed clothes out there that are designed to be worn on a daily basis (keep on eye out anyway to make sure your pet does not overheat). 

2) Bake special dog-friendly or cat-friendly treats and dye them with food coloring! Please refrain from sharing your treats - especially any alcoholic ones - with your pets. Ethanol (found in almost all drinkable alcohol) causes vomiting, loss of coordination, disorientation and stupor. In severe cases, coma, seizures and death can occur. Many human foods (like sausages, corned beef, and cabbage) can also give your pet a very upset stomach.

3) Take your pet leprechaun hunting! Attach your decorated leash to your dog and head outside for a walk! This is a great way for both you and your pet to work off some of those St. Patrick’s Day celebration snacks. Just remember that Shamrocks will not bring your pet luck. According the ASPCA, Shamrock, or Oxalis species, contains oxalic acid, which has the potential to produce kidney damage.

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Nature’s Variety Expands Pet Food Recall

Last month, Nature’s Variety voluntarily recalled its Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet for dogs and cats with the “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10 because of possible Salmonella contamination. The products affected were chicken medallions, patties, and chubs.

Yesterday (Monday, March 8th) Nature’s Variety announced that they were expanding their recall to include Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet with the “Best If Used By” date of 10/29/10, Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet with the “Best If Used By” date of 11/9/10 and all Chicken Formula and Organic Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diets for dogs and cats with any “Best If Used By” date on or before 2/5/11. The “Best If Used By” date is located on the back of the package above the safe handling instructions.

If you have purchased one of the affected products, please return the unopened product to your local retail store to receive a complete refund, or to exchange it for another variety. If your package has been opened, please dispose of the raw food in a safe manner by securing it in a covered trash receptacle. Then, bring your receipt (or the empty package in a sealed bag) to your local retailer for a complete refund or replacement.

The products listed above have been recalled because of possible Salmonella contamination. Salmonellarefers to a type of bacteria that is most commonly found in animal feces. Food can become contaminated with Salmonelladuring the slaughter and processing of an animal, when food is handled by a person infected with Salmonella, or by cross-contamination from the environment (birds/frogs passing by) or unsanitary food handling practices.

Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if there is cross contamination caused by handling of the pet food, in people as well. Children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems are the most at risk. If you have handled the recalled food, monitor yourself for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. On rare occasions, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Animals can be carriers with no visible symptoms and potentially infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product, even if he or she is showing no symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

If you have additional questions about the recall, please call Nature’s Variety Customer Care line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-374-3142.