From the monthly archives:

July 2007

In a federal court in Miami a nationwide class action lawsuit was filed against pet food companies. It alleges the pet food industry misleads consumers about the ingredients in cat and dog food.

An example of ‘false advertising’ that is given is the advertisement of dog food as though it is people food when in reality the proteins inside the bag are coming from leftover hooves, chicken feet, feathers, heads and bones considered inedible by people.

Another complaint is the usage of the confusing term ‘meal’. It sounds good and most dog owners don’t know what this means exactly. Attorney Jeffrey Maltzman says that meal comes from a rendering plant that grinds up leftover parts, or diseased or sick animals unfit for human consumption, and it is superheated.

Questions arise whether the dreaded 4D’s are still present in cat and dog food. 4D’s is an industry term that stands for dead, diseased, dying and disabled animals. These are eligibly used in pet food. The fifth D stands for drugged.

Unexplained today is the reason why pentobarbital is found in dog food. A spokesperson from Pet Food Institute said their members “have certified that they do not use any dogs or cats in their products”.

As we have seen lately on this blog, several actions are taken by pet food companies to improve pet food safety and quality assurance. However, many stories are told about what’s ‘really’ in dog food.

WHO IS TO BELIEVE?

Have a look at this commercial movie by John Albrecht, a holistic dog food manufacturer’s point of view:

John says cereal grains such as corn, wheat and soy should not be in pet food as these are highly indigestible by dogs placing stress on the organs. Also these grains are known allergens. In cheap dog food these ingredients are often the main ingredient.

I was surprised to see that the number one ingredient in a dry dog food I bought at the vet’s was ‘cereals’. It wasn’t even specified what kind of cereals were present! At the moment I’m feeding my dog a different product where meat is the number one ingredient. The label also claims this is meat approved for human consumption. And as I can tell from what comes out of my dog, the you-know-what, I conclude he is now absorbing the nutrients from his food. With the cereal-rich dog food his dung was too soft and appeared unhealthy.

Not all dog food manufacturers and dog food brands are equal. There are huge differences in both quality and price. Not all are bad but you have to get yourself informed about dog food so you are able to make the right decision. Visit BestDogFoodGuide.com and learn how to choose the best dog food for your canine companion.

PS I’m not feeding my dog Life’s Abundance, the advertised product in the movie and I’m not affiliated with either company.

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Advertising Complaints Against Cat and Dog Food Manufacturer IAMS (revised)

July 27, 2007

Ad watchdog Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld 2 complaints against Iams. Iams is the pet food division of Proctor & Gamble, a large multinational firm based in Ohio (US). The complaint was filed by competitor Hills Pet Nutrition (Colgate-Palmolive Co).
ASA is an organization set up by the advertising industry. It’s task is to make [...]

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Beat That Marketing Buzz! Learn about Dog Food Labels

July 26, 2007

When one designs a new product one should always have the customer or consumer in mind. This is perhaps lesson 1 in doing business. But several dog food manufacturers seem to think YOU are their target audience, the consumer! Why else would they come up with dog food names such as:

Irish Stew with Beef
Chinese Takeout [...]

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Nutritional Defiency Risk When Feeding Home Made Dog Food

July 25, 2007

There appears to be a trend in home made dog food and canine cuisine classes. Surely this can be tied to the massive recall that started in March 2007 that involved multiple brands. It certainly feels safer to use ingredients that you buy at regular grocery stores selling human food.
It’s perfectly fine to supplement commercial [...]

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Debut of Wellness CORE Natural Dog Food: a High Protein & Grain Free Dog Food

July 25, 2007

Knowledge of pet nutrition is increasing every year and not all experts agree with each other on how certain data should be interpreted. One group supports the ‘scientific assembly theory’ where a diet can be scientifically engineered. Composed of all required nutrients, coming from a range of different sources and on a mathematical level everything [...]

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Botulism Fear in the US – Recall of ‘Natural Balance’ Canned Dog Food

July 24, 2007

At least 4 people have been taken to hospital in Indiana and Texas because of botulism poisoning associated with eating Castleberry’s Hot Dog Chili Sauce.
The food was produced by Castleberry’s Food Company of Augusta, Georgia, and distributed across the nation. This company is now voluntarily recalling every product (about 80 types) manufactured on a specific [...]

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A Bit of Tender, Love and Care for Dogs

July 22, 2007

I feel the urge to inform you why it has been silent for a few days here at Dog Food Blog. I have been busy with dog food but it doesn’t show in the online world (yet) . The reason is that I’m working on an e-book that is a complimentary gift to [...]

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Top 5 Dog Food Companies

July 16, 2007

For years there has been little change in the top players in the dog food industry. The list of top dog food manufacturers typically only changes due to acquisitions and mergers.

Mars Inc. (Mars Petcare)
Nestlé SA (Nestlé Purina Petcare)
Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G Petcare)
Colgate-Palmolive (Hill’s Pet Nutrition)
Del Monte Foods Co.

For more information about market [...]

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Dog Food in the Age of the Genome

July 14, 2007

Is there one species on earth that is as diverse as the dog? Look at pet cats; they come in more or less the same size and shape. The same is true for sheep, goats and cows. But then consider these AMAZING DOGS. From little Chihuahua’s to giant Great Dane’s, from Hairless Chinese Crested to [...]

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K-9 Genetics Designs Ultra-premium Dog Food For Each Unique Dog

July 12, 2007

EntreMetrix Inc, a business development company in California, just launched a new nutritional genomics portfolio company called K-9 Genetics Corp. This new company will develop personalized wellness programs within the ultra-premium dog food and treats industry. This includes products like Personalized Chow, Personalized Treats and all kinds of functional foods that are nutritionally balanced to [...]

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The Dance of The Dog Food Dollars

July 12, 2007

It’s now 4 months after the largest recall in US history started and many cat and dog food products still are missing from store shelves.
According to Petco, US’ number 2 pet food chain, only 15% or recalled brands are available today and they expect half of them to be available by the beginning of [...]

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Pet Food Traceability – How To Improve Pet Food Safety

July 11, 2007

These days, unfortunately, pet food safety has become a very hot topic. As seen in the latest recall, customers want control and many dog owners turned either to holistic dog food or started making their own dog food. Still, according to a survey held by Pet Food Institute inquiring US pet owners, 70% of consumers [...]

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Dog Food; a Quick and Nutritious Take-Away Meal for You?

July 11, 2007

Nutrition experts have compared 15 pet food brands with 30 common dishes served to humans on key measures such as fat, salt and sugar levels.
Ceasar dog food has 4.4 g fat per 100 g and Gourmet Gold cat food has just 2.9 g of fat per 100 g. The unhealthiest food on test appeared to [...]

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About Double-Edged Swords in Dog Food

July 9, 2007

Swords in dog food? Well, not literally of course though stuff appearing in dog food that should not be there is not as rare as we would like.
In the wake of the recent dog food recall in the US at least 50 class action lawsuits have been filed. Also, Assembly Deputy Speaker Neil Cohen proposed legislation A.B. [...]

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Vitamins in Dog Food – Vital or Fatal?

July 2, 2007

No doubt about it, vitamins are essential for a healthy happy dog. But as is true for everything in life; too much of anything can hurt. As Paracelcus (1493-1541) postulated: “It’s not the substance that defines what is toxic and what isn’t, but the amount“. Though we do not generally consider vitamins as toxins, intake [...]

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