There are 11 brands with a total of 25 products included in these recalls.  We have previously announced all of these recalls here and in the Safe Pet Treats app but have provided a summary of all the recalls below.

All of the products listed have already been added to the SafePet Treats app. Be sure to download the app and enable push notifications so that you can receive instant alerts the next time a product is recalled.

Brand/Product list of recalls:

· Abound Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food in 4 lb, 14 lb, and 24 lb bags
· ANF Lamb and Rice Dry Dog Food in 3 kg and 7.5 kg bags
· ELM Chicken and Chickpea Recipe in 3 lb, 28 lb, and 40 lb bags
· Evolve Chicken & Rice Puppy Dry Dog Food 14 lb and 28 lb bags
· Natural Life Pet Products Chicken & Potato Dry Dog Food in 17.5 lb bags
· Nature’s Place Real Country Chicken and Brown Rice Dog Food in 5 lb and 15 lb bags
· Nature’s Promise Chicken & Brown Rice Dog Food in 4 lb, 14 lb, and 28 lb bags
· Nutrisca Chicken and Chickpea Dry Dog Food in 4 lb, 15 lb, and 28 lb bags
· Orlando Grain-Free Chicken & Chickpea Superfood Recipe Dog Food
· Sportsman’s Pride Large Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food in 40 lb bags
· Triumph Chicken & Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food in 3.5 lb, 16 lb, and 30 lb bags

Click here for the FDA Alert.

The post Alert to Pet Owners of Potential Vitamin D Toxicity From Dog Food appeared first on Safe Pet Treats | Pet Food Safety and Recalls.

We’re happy to announce that the True Country of Origin update is now live! Be sure to update the Safe Pet Treats app so that you can start identifying where your pet food is really made.

Update for Apple devices click here.

Update for Android devices click here.

The Safe Pet Treats app will still continue to tell you if the product has been recalled or if it contains harmful ingredients by scanning the product’s barcode and now it will also tell you the True Country of Origin!

Why did we add this feature?
Some pet food companies use labels that say Made or Manufactured in the U.S. This implies that the ingredients are also from the U.S. but this, unfortunately, is very misleading. In truth, very few companies are both U.S. Made and Sourced.

Although there are ingredient sources other than the U.S. or North American that can be of high quality, verified and inspected, in a lot of cases there is a lack of transparency and that is why we felt it so important to add this information to our app.

The details of this update.
For products made in the U.S. and Canada, we broke them down to include the ingredient source. All other countries will only list the country name.

For example, if the product was made in China, the scan result will show Made in China. But if the product was made in the U.S. or Canada, the results will show one of these options:

• United States sourced and made
• U.S. made with domestic and imported ingredients
• U.S. made with imported ingredients
• U.S. made with ingredient source not specified
• U.S. made with North American ingredients
• Canadian sourced and made
• Canadian made with domestic and imported ingredients
• Canadian made with imported ingredients
• Canadian made with ingredient source not specified
• Canadian made with North American ingredients

For brands that do not have the True Country of Origin information available on their website or if the country varies by product, we’re utilizing two additional categories:

• Multiple countries of origin and source
• Origin not available on brand website

Once the True Country of Origin becomes available to us, we’ll be sure to update the app.

We hope that you’re as excited about this update as we are. Let us know what you think by replying back to this email.

Sincerely,

Your Safe Pet Treats Team.

safepettreats.com

Safe Pet Treats is dedicated to protecting pets from recalled pet food products and harmful ingredients. Our mobile app will scan pet food barcodes and alert you if it’s not safe.

Update the Safe Pet Treats app today!

The post True Country of Origin Update appeared first on Safe Pet Treats | Pet Food Safety and Recalls.

First Impressions
Appearances matter when looking for a pet boarding facility. Start by checking on their accreditation, which means they’ve earned a high level of cleanliness, service, and expertise in caring for animals. Look for certification by the Professional Animal Care Certification Council or the American Animal Hospital Association. Take a good look around to see if everything looks and smells clean and sanitary. Ask to view animal sleeping and play areas. Are they properly ventilated and well cared for? Make sure they’re diligent about checking for immunizations and find out exactly which ones to make sure you’re in compliance.

Security
Most well-secured boarding facilities use surveillance cameras and TV screens to keep tabs on the animals in their care. This allows attendants to come to an animal’s aid in a timely manner if something were to go wrong. Outside play areas should be carefully fenced in with no gaps or space underneath through which a small animal could squeeze, with no sharp objects in the play area and heavy objects that are well-secured.

Feeding and Medicine
Each animal should have their own food and water dishes. Find out if the facility provides food or if you’ll need to provide your own. Ask acquaintances or check online for customer reviews to see if attendants are good about carrying out any special feeding instructions, as well as administering any prescriptions while your pet is in their care. If your pet requires constant and extensive care, consider another solution if the facility isn’t able to meet your needs.

Supervision
Supervision is a very important part of the care you’ll be paying for, so be sure that the staff has all the animals in their care under regular supervision. They should have all-day and overnight staffing; if they don’t, keep looking for a facility that does. The unexpected can and does sometimes happen where animals are concerned, and close monitoring and supervision is a requirement. Staff should be fully apprised of your animal’s conditions and of any special needs, all of which should be spelled out and communicated to day and night staff members. They should be prepared to contact your veterinarian if there’s an emergency and to keep you apprised of your pet’s condition.

Exercise
Exercise is as important as feeding and sleeping for your animal. Ask how often and how extensively your pet will be exercised during his stay. It’s important that your dog or cat gets as much exercise as he does when at home, based on his nature and tendencies. If you have an athletic dog who’s used to getting a two-mile walk every day, he should get the same level of exercise while you’re away.

Cats
Cats are largely independent and self-reliant animals. If you’ll only be away for a short time, your cat can be left alone, though it’s important to make sure the litter box is clean while you’re away. If not, your cat may relieve himself somewhere else. And don’t forget to protect the furniture and wooden tables from being scratched, and put away anything a young cat might be tempted to chew on or lick, such as an electrical cord or cleaning fluids.
The last thing you want is to worry about your pet when taking a few days off for vacation. Make sure your boarding facility meets your standards and is capable of carrying out your instructions.

Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

The post Finding High Quality Overnight Care for Your Pet appeared first on Safe Pet Treats | Pet Food Safety and Recalls.

Canine DCM is a disease of a dog’s heart muscle and results in an enlarged heart. As the heart and its chambers become dilated, it becomes harder for the heart to pump and heart valves may leak, leading to a buildup of fluids in the chest and abdomen. DCM often results in congestive heart failure. Heart function may improve in cases that are not linked to genetics with appropriate veterinary treatment and dietary modification if caught early.

We recommend that you use the Safe Pet Treats app prior to feeding your pet to ensure new cautionary ingredients such as these have not been added after the last time you fed your pet.

Below is a list of cautionary ingredients the Safe Pet Treats app automatically alerts you of each time you scan any pet food barcode.

Peas
Potatoes
Lentils
Legumes
Carrageenan
By-Product Meal
Bone Meal
Animal Digest
BHA
BHT
Ethoxyquin
Sodium Nitrate
Nitrate
Propylene Glycol
PG
Corn Syrup
TBHQ
Corn
Propyl Gallate
Meat Meal
Yellow 6
Yellow 5
Red 40
Blue 2
Blue 1
Meat By-Products
Fish Meal
Menadione
Beef Tallow
Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide
EDDI

Below is the official FDA announcement:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting pet owners and veterinary professionals about reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods containing peas, lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes as main ingredients. These reports are unusual because DCM is occurring in breeds not typically genetically prone to the disease. The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine and the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network, a collaboration of government and veterinary diagnostic laboratories, are investigating this potential association.

Canine DCM is a disease of a dog’s heart muscle and results in an enlarged heart. As the heart and its chambers become dilated, it becomes harder for the heart to pump, and heart valves may leak, leading to a buildup of fluids in the chest and abdomen. DCM often results in congestive heart failure. Heart function may improve in cases that are not linked to genetics with appropriate veterinary treatment and dietary modification if caught early.

The underlying cause of DCM is not truly known but is thought to have a genetic component. Breeds that are typically more frequently affected by DCM include large and giant breed dogs, such as Great Danes, Boxers, Newfoundlands, Irish Wolfhounds, Saint Bernards and Doberman Pinschers. It is less common in small and medium breed dogs, except American and English Cocker Spaniels. However, the cases that have been reported to the FDA have included Golden and Labrador Retrievers, Whippets, a Shih Tzu, a Bulldog and Miniature Schnauzers, as well as mixed breeds.

Diets in cases reported to the FDA frequently list potatoes or multiple legumes such as peas, lentils, other “pulses” (seeds of legumes), and their protein, starch and fiber derivatives early in the ingredient list, indicating that they are main ingredients. Early reports from the veterinary cardiology community indicate that the dogs consistently ate these foods as their primary source of nutrition for time periods ranging from months to years. High levels of legumes or potatoes appear to be more common in diets labeled as “grain-free,” but it is not yet known how these ingredients are linked to cases of DCM. Changes in diet, especially for dogs with DCM, should be made in consultation with a licensed veterinarian.

In the reports the FDA has received, some of the dogs showed signs of heart disease, including decreased energy, cough, difficulty breathing and episodes of collapse. Medical records for four atypical DCM cases, three Golden Retrievers and one Labrador Retriever, show that these dogs had low whole blood levels of the amino acid taurine. Taurine deficiency is well-documented as potentially leading to DCM. The Labrador Retriever with low whole blood taurine levels is recovering with veterinary treatment, including taurine supplementation, and a diet change. Four other cases of DCM in atypical dog breeds, a Miniature Schnauzer, Shih Tzu and two Labrador Retrievers, had normal blood taurine levels. The FDA continues to work with board certified veterinary cardiologists and veterinary nutritionists to better understand the clinical presentation of these dogs. The agency has also been in contact with pet food manufacturers to discuss these reports and to help further the investigation.

The FDA encourages pet owners and veterinary professionals to report cases of DCM in dogs suspected of having a link to diet by using the electronic Safety Reporting Portal or calling their state’s FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. Please see the link below about “How to Report a Pet Food Complaint” for additional instructions.

The post FDA Dog Food Alert – July 2018 appeared first on Safe Pet Treats | Pet Food Safety and Recalls.

Choosing a Pet

There’s more to bringing home a pet than just a quick trip to the pet store. You need to first and foremost decide on the best pet for your home and your family. Ask yourself these questions first:

• Is my home big enough for the kind of pet I want?
• Does anyone I live with or who regularly visits have pet allergies?
• How much time do I have to care for my pet? For example, if you travel a lot, a dog might not be a good fit.
• How much am I willing to spend on my pet annually? Keep in mind things like annual vet visits, hospital emergencies, spaying/neutering your pet, food and pet supplies, grooming, and boarding. Read AVMA’s article on money tips for pet owners.
• What kind of activities would I like to do with my pet? Do you want an animal that keeps you active, such as a dog, or one that you can sit back and observe, like fish?
• What is the lifespan of my pet?
• Who will care for my pet when I’m not available? You may want to hire a regular dog walker to take your dog out while you’re at work.

If you’re getting a pet for your child, there are more things to keep in mind, such as educating your child on how to safely handle a pet. You may want to consider a service pet for the family if your child has a disability. Read more about different pet options for children at ChicoER Lifestyle.

Once you select a pet, you may also need to choose a breed, particularly for fish, reptiles, and dogs. Understand the characteristics and common temperament of each breed. Which fits best with your lifestyle and home?

Finally, you’ll have options on where to get your pet. You can visit a pet shop or go to an adoption or rescue agency. With dogs, you can also go to a breeder. Read how to find a responsible breeder at American Kennel Club.

Bringing Your Pet Home

Once you’ve selected a pet, you’ll need to prepare your home. This could be as simple as setting up a space for your pet and stocking up on food and supplies.

For cats and dogs, you’ll need a vet visit and vaccinations, as well as other equipment. It’s best to spay or neuter cats or dogs to prevent overpopulation. Fixing your animal can also help calm your pet’s behaviors.

Finally, some states require that dogs have a license, so check the laws in your state. Your pet provider should be able to help you. Additionally, you may want to consider training your dog to make life more manageable. Check out the Humane Society’s tip sheet on positive-reinforcement training for dogs.

Before bringing home a dog, you’ll have to do a few more tasks, including:

• Establishing rules for your pet and your family to keep everyone safe.
• Preparing to housetrain him.
• Setting up an area of his own.
• Preparing your friends, family, and neighbors for your new pet.
• Making sure your home is free of puppy or dog hazards, and making sure your dog can’t escape anywhere.

If you are bringing home a rescue dog, you may need to take extra care. These dogs may be anxious and skittish. As Kim Hormby of The Bark explains, “Their lives have been turned upside-down, they are scared and are often coming out of a situation that was intimidating and uncomfortable.” This will be a time of adjustment, so be patient. Try crate training to give him a safe place and buy him toys and treats to make him feel welcome.

Getting a pet is a big responsibility and one not to take lightly. But if you plan ahead and use some of the tips in this article, you’ll be able to manage it and enjoy a new member of your family.

Article written by OurBestFriends.pet

The post A Guide to Owning Your First Pet appeared first on Safe Pet Treats | Pet Food Safety and Recalls.

A pet owner in Texas recently had two pet food products tested in a lab after she suspected something was wrong with the food. The pet owner then submitted the lab results to Susan Thixton, a reputable and well known Pet Food Safety Advocate that runs a pet food blog called truthaboutpetfood.com.

Pentobarbital was discovered in the two products that were tested and according to the FDA “pentobarbital is routinely used to euthanize animals, the most likely way it could get into dog food would be in rendered animal products. Rendered products come from a process that converts animal tissues to feed ingredients. Pentobarbital seems to be able to survive the rendering process. If animals are euthanized with pentobarbital and subsequently rendered, pentobarbital could be present in the rendered feed ingredients.”

The two products have not been recalled but because of the reputable source, we felt that it was important for us to share the news with other pet owners. We have also added these two products to the Safe Pet Treats app so if you come across these products at the pet store, the app will warn you and tell you it is not safe.

The following products tested positive for pentobarbital:

Party Animal CocoLicious – Beef/Turkey – LOT #0136E15204 04

Party Animal CocoLicious – Chicken/Beef – LOT #0134E15 237 13

To see the full lab results please visit truthaboutpetfood.com.

The post Drug used to euthanize animals found in dog food appeared first on Safe Pet Treats | Pet Food Safety and Recalls.

Health

There are a couple of health issues you should be aware of with Chihuahuas because they can affect your dog’s diet. The first is hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. This issue is especially likely to appear in small breed puppies. Symptoms to watch for include loss of appetite, lethargy, low energy, trembling, unfocused gaze, uncoordinated gait, fainting, and seizures. Most puppies will grow out of this problem as they get older and their bodies begin to better regulate their blood sugar levels but some adult Chihuahuas can continue to have problems with hypoglycemia, especially if they are very small. Feeding your puppy 4-5 small meals per day can help offset the low blood sugar problems. Sometimes a snack or a little Karo syrup between meals will also help.

Chihuahuas can also have dental problems like many Toy breeds. They may experience some crowding of their teeth. This makes it harder to clean their teeth which leads to more plaque and tartar and eventually to more dental disease. Chihuahuas can start to lose teeth at an early age. Regular home care for your Chihuahua’s teeth is particularly important, along with having your vet check your dog’s teeth.

Feeding your Chihuahua

While it may be tempting to feed your Chihuahua food from your plate or give him anything he wants to eat, it’s important to remember that he has the same dietary needs as other dogs despite his small size.

Small breeds like Chihuahuas actually use up more energy per pound of body weight than larger dogs. However, they have very small stomachs so they can’t eat a lot at one meal. That’s why it’s a good idea to buy a dog food that is made specifically for Toy/small breed dogs. These foods are usually formulated to have more calories and nutrients per ounce than dog foods made for bigger dogs. (You should always read dog food labels to see what’s in the food; see how many calories the food has, and make comparisons with other foods.)

You can look for good dog foods that have a named meat or meat meal as the first ingredient. Most good dog foods will have 2-3 kinds of meat protein in the first several ingredients. It’s up to you whether you prefer a food with or without grains. Many people today try to avoid foods with corn, wheat, and soy. Some dogs do have food allergies or sensitivities to corn and/or wheat, and these ingredients have been over-used in the past in dog foods as filler ingredients. However, there are some dog foods with other grains such as oatmeal and barley that are of very good quality. If you prefer a grain free dog food, many of these foods use lots of peas and lentils. Some dogs do have trouble digesting these ingredients. You may need to try a few different foods before you find one or two that suit your Chihuahua.

You should also look for named fat sources such as chicken fat. Avoid artificial preservatives such as BHA and BHT. Avoid artificial colors, sugars, and flavorings.

Kibble or canned?

Canned foods are typically more expensive per ounce than kibble so they are not always an option for people with large dogs. However, they can be a practical choice for people with Chihuahuas and other small dogs. Canned foods usually have more protein and fat, on a percentage basis, than kibble. This makes them very tasty to dogs. They are less likely to have a lot of carbohydrates or filler ingredients.

If you’re buying canned dog food you do need to pay attention to the preservatives. Some foods use hardly any. Guar gum and other gums are common and relatively safe. Carrageenan is also found in many canned foods. It’s been used for a long time and it’s found in many human foods in the United States as well. However, there is some European research that raises questions about its use, especially in baby formulas. The suggestion is that it’s associated with stomach disorders.

View our app here or download it from the App Store or Google Play to help you identify other potentially harmful ingredients. This caution will be displayed on your phone when you scan a pet food product that includes one of these questionable ingredients.

Best foods for Chihuahuas

Some of the foods we like for Chihuahuas include:

• Orijen (See our video review here)
• Acana
• Wellness CORE Dry Formula Small Breed
• Artemis Fresh Mix Small Breed Adult
• Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Adult Deboned Turkey & Oatmeal Recipe
• Wellness Simple Small Breed Salmon & Potato Formula
• Fromm Family Small Breed Adult Gold
• Earthborn Holistic Small Breed
• AvoDerm Small Breed

Some of these kibbles include grains and some are grain free. Check the ingredients and percentages to see which foods look best for your dog.

Some Chihuahuas will eat kibble and some need to have their kibble spruced up a bit with some canned food to make it more appealing.

Many of the brands mentioned above also have good canned formulas. Wellness, Nature’s Recipe, Merrick, and Canidae all have canned foods that have been recommended by people with Chihuahuas.

The post What’s The Best Food For Your Chihuahua? appeared first on Safe Pet Treats | Pet Food Safety and Recalls.

Why are dogs fat?

There are various reasons to explain why our dogs are overweight today:

• Too much food;
• Not enough exercise;
• Too many snacks and treats;
• Health problems for some dogs.

By far the biggest reason dogs today are overweight is simply because they are being fed too many calories. The vast majority of commercial foods today, whether canned, kibble, in pouches, freeze-dried, or any other formula, have plenty of nutrients and calories. The AAFCO minimum requirement for fat in an adult dog’s maintenance diet is a mere 5 percent (Table 3). This figure is so low that even most low-calorie or weight control dog foods contain higher percentages of fat. Even in a growth and reproduction diet (all life stages), the minimum fat percentage is only 8 percent. You may find this percentage in some low-calorie or weight control dog foods. Any good adult dog food you buy will likely have more than 8 percent fat.

Which foods have the most fat?

Most premium dog foods today, especially grain free kibbles, will have a fat percentage of 15 percent and higher. Very often grain free dog foods or foods that have higher amounts of meat will also have higher percentages of fat. So, while the food can be beneficial for your dog in terms of having good quality ingredients such as meat protein and avoiding certain grains, the high-fat content can put unhealthy pounds on your dog. These foods can be very high in calories.

Many premium dog foods today use multiple forms of fat among their ingredients, too. For example, a food may list chicken fat, salmon oil, fish oil, and flaxseed oil in the ingredient list. Presumably, the salmon oil, fish oil, and the flaxseed oil are present for specific purposes such as adding omega-3 and other nutrients to the food. But, together with the chicken fat, this can raise the fat percentage in the food. These are desirable ingredients, to be sure, but you need to pay attention to the overall fat percentage in the food.

It’s usually a good idea to choose a food that has a fat percentage between about 12-17 percent. Some performance dog foods may have a slightly higher percentage of fat but these foods are for active working dogs, such as hunting dogs, who will be burning off the calories. Foods that have a fat percentage higher than this will probably make your dog gain weight.

Carbs

Many grain free dog foods can also be high in carbohydrates as well. Even though these foods do not have some of the grains that people may want to avoid, such as corn and wheat, they often substitute other carbohydrates such as potatoes and sweet potatoes which contribute calories to the food.

Foods that use grains, whether they contain corn or not, can also be high in carbohydrates which add calories to the food.

Depending on how many carbohydrates are in the dog food, these ingredients can add weight to your dog. Dogs don’t have a nutritional need for carbs (and neither do humans) but most dog foods do contain at least some carbohydrates. They supply a source of energy. But they can be problematic if there are too many in the food and your dog is not burning them off. It’s usually a good idea to choose a dog food that has low to moderate carbs so your dog can use them up with exercise.

Snacks and treats

Your dog’s snacks and treats are most likely to be empty calories. Many snacks are made from wheat so you should be sure to check the ingredient list – especially if your dog has any allergies or food sensitivities. Many dog lovers don’t realize that the calories in treats can quickly add up. One little treat can contain 15 calories or more. If you are going to give your dog treats and snacks, you should deduct those calories from your dog’s daily allotment of calories. Otherwise, you are simply adding extra calories to his diet. Treats shouldn’t make up more than about 10 percent of your dog’s daily calories. Otherwise, you risk causing an imbalance in your dog’s nutrition.

The way you feed your dog matters

The way you feed your dog also makes a difference in his weight. Most dogs do well eating two meals per day instead of one large meal. Eating two meals per day is also preferable to leaving food down for your dog to eat all the time (“free feeding”). Leaving food down all the time encourages dogs to snack throughout the day which has been shown to lead to obesity. Instead, measure your dog’s meals, put the food down and encourage your dog to eat. Leave the food down for 15-20 minutes then remove it. Believe it or not, this can make a big difference in your dog’s waistline.

Exercise

It may seem obvious, but you can help your dog avoid becoming overweight or obese by making sure that he gets regular exercise every day. Different breeds/types of dogs require different amounts of exercise, but every dog can use some basic exercise for muscle tone and good health. This is one of the best ways to help your dog stay fit and healthy and avoid becoming overweight.

As your dog ages, his food and exercise needs will change. He probably won’t stay slim and fit forever. But if you help him stay active and keep a good weight while he’s a mature adult dog, his older years will be that much easier for both of you. Staying fit will help your dog avoid many health problems throughout his life and into old age.

The post Your Dog Doesn’t Have To Be Fat appeared first on Safe Pet Treats | Pet Food Safety and Recalls.

What you need to know about Rottweilers
Rottweilers may have a scary reputation but the ones I’ve met have been sweethearts. With family and friends Rotties are playful, loving, devoted dogs. They are versatile, intelligent, even clownish at home. Yes, they can guard the ol’ homestead, but they can do so much more. They have been used for herding, as guide dogs, for search and rescue, and even for pulling carts.

Rottweilers are big dogs and they can have a few health issues. They can weigh between 75-130 pounds, with males at the top end of the range. They are between 22 and 27 inches tall with a lot of bulk. They look strong and powerful and they are.

Rottie health issues
Many Rottweilers tend to put on weight as they get older so you should watch their calories and measure their food portions. It’s important for these dogs to continue to get exercise even as they age. Most Rotties are very active as puppies and young adults but, like many of us, they can start to slow down as they get older. Keeping your dog active as a senior can help him stay healthy and fit.

Like many other large breeds, Rottweilers can have some problems with hip and elbow dysplasia, especially as they get older. These issues can lead to arthritis and other joint and mobility problems. Rottweiler puppies can benefit from a large breed puppy food that encourages slow growth. Slow growth as a puppy has been shown to help many dogs avoid hip dysplasia and other joint problems later in life. Keeping your Rottweiler fit and slim throughout his life can also help him avoid hip dysplasia and arthritis. Overweight and obese dogs are much more likely to have joint and mobility problems as they age.

Some people like to feed adult Rottweilers a large breed dog food. These foods often have slightly fewer calories than regular dog foods to help keep dogs slimmer. They also often have added glucosamine and chondroitin which may help with joint problems like arthritis. (Note that the evidence is inconclusive about whether these supplements really work, but many dog lovers believe they do.) However, pet food companies really can’t add enough glucosamine and chondroitin (or other joint supplements) to make a big difference to a dog. If you would like to get benefits from these supplements, it’s a good idea to buy them separately at the drug store or online and add them to your dog’s diet.

Some of the best large breed dog foods include:

• Fromm Large Breed Adult Gold
• Now Fresh Grain Free Large Breed Adult Recipe

Good large breed puppy foods include:

• Fromm Large Breed Puppy Gold Formula
• Canidae Life Stages Large Breed Puppy Duck Meal, Brown Rice & Lentils Formula Dry Dog Food

These are just a few suggestions. There are lots of other good foods for large breed adults and puppies.

Bloat (gastric dilatation and volvulus) can occur in Rottweilers occasionally but it’s not considered common. Bloat occurs when the dog’s stomach fills up with air, putting pressure on the organs. The stomach may twist or rotate (called “torsion”) which cuts off circulation. This is an emergency situation. A dog can die if he doesn’t get to the vet immediately for help. Feeding your dog several small meals per day instead of one large meal is believed to help avoid bloat. Some people also use a slow feed bowl to try to prevent their dog from eating too fast and gulping air while they eat.

I’ve never heard of a specific dog food that can help prevent bloat but if you are concerned about this problem, you might consider a food for sensitive digestion. These foods tend to break down more easily so they would be less likely to create any gas in the dog’s stomach.

• Canidae Salmon
• Wellness Simple

These are all foods that could be good choices for dogs with a sensitive digestive system.

Rotties may have allergies, like any dog, but they don’t seem to be any more common than with other dogs.
Cancer is a problem in the breed and a frequent cause of early death. Food may or may not be related to cancer. About the best you can do is probably try to avoid foods with any known carcinogens. Feeding better quality, more “natural” foods is a good choice.

Rottweilers do seem to have a shorter lifespan than other breeds of similar size. They are currently estimated to live between 8 and 10 years. The American Rottweiler Club, the AKC parent club for the breed in the United States, is currently conducting a program to study longevity in Rottweilers to try to improve the health and well-being of the breed. You can find out more about the program and how to participate on the site.

Summary
Look for good quality dog food for your Rottweiler with good meat protein, no fillers, and avoid artificial colors, preservatives, and sweeteners, Consider a large breed food for your puppy or adult Rottie. And, if you are concerned about bloat or if your Rottie has any digestive problems, look at some of the foods for sensitive digestion. Rottweilers are wonderful dogs that make great family pets. I hope the information here is helpful as you consider choosing a food for your Rottie.

The post The Right Food for Your Rottweiler appeared first on Safe Pet Treats | Pet Food Safety and Recalls.

All joking aside, cats do have a reputation of being harder to please than dogs. There are not nearly as many choices when it comes to premium quality cat foods compared to dog foods. There has probably been more research into canine nutrition than feline nutrition but that’s quickly changing. In the last few years cat lovers have had more and better choices of foods for their cats which is good to see.

A cat’s diet

When it comes to picking the right food for your cat there are some things you need to know about cats and their diet.

1. Cats are obligate carnivores meaning they must have meat in their diet. Dogs need meat protein, too, but cats really have to have it because they cannot convert some nutrients in their body. They have to come from meat.
2. Cats have to have some nutrients such as taurine, vitamin A, arachidonic acid and other things added to their food (unless they are eating a raw diet) because they cannot synthesize or convert these nutrients in their body. Any cat food labeled “complete and balanced” should contain these ingredients.
3. Cats cannot tolerate the higher levels of carbohydrates that are found in dog foods. They are lacking the genetic adaptations to digest starches that dogs have evolved. Good cat foods should have few carbohydrates.

You can see a good comparison of the cat and dog digestive systems (with diagrams) on this Waltham site.

AAFCO

There are a few other things you should know before you try to select a good cat food. The powers that be at AAFCO (Association of American Food Control Officials) (Table 4) who set the recommended percentages for various nutrients recommend that adult cats have a minimum of 26 percent protein; kittens should have a minimum of 30 percent protein. They suggest that both adult cats and kittens should have a minimum of 9 percent fat in their diet. You should check for these figures on any cat food you are considering. Most experts recommend a higher protein percentage that is closer to what a cat would eat if he were catching his own food. This would place the protein percentage from approximately 40 to 55 percent (dry matter basis – figured with the moisture content removed). Likewise, the fat percentage would also be a little higher.

Questions before choosing your cat’s food

Before deciding on your cat’s food there are a few questions you need to consider.

Wet or dry?

Believe it or not, this is an important, serious question if you have a cat. If you have a dog, feeding canned or dry food usually comes down to a matter of cost. It can be very expensive to feed a big dog canned food. With cats, this can be a health question. Many experts today recommend that cat lovers feed their cats canned/wet food instead of dry because wet food contains much more moisture. Cats fed a dry food may not get enough water in their diet. Many cats can be prone to forming crystals in their urine and urinary tract stones. They are more apt to form these crystals and stones with a dry diet than with a wet food that has more moisture to flush their system. Dry cat food is still popular but if you feed a dry food you need to make very sure that your cat is getting plenty of water.

How old is your cat?

AAFCO has nutritional adequacy statements for foods that pass their minimum standards. These statements say that a food is for growth, maintenance, or all life stages. You should choose a food that is appropriate for your cat’s age. If you have a kitten, buy a food for growth or an all life stage food. If you have an adult cat, choose a maintenance food or an all life stage food. These are minimum nutritional standards and some people dislike AAFCO but this is the best system we have. (Note that if you have a senior cat you should choose food carefully. Some foods have lower protein for seniors when a senior cat may need higher protein. Likewise for fat. Choose food for your senior cat on an individual basis.)

Does your cat have any special needs or health problems?

If so, you may need to talk to your veterinarian. Your vet can advise you about foods needed for some health conditions. In some cases a cat may need a prescription diet. These foods tend to be expensive. Your vet may be able to recommend a commercial food that you could feed instead or advise you on how you could make a similar diet for your cat yourself.

Summary

To sum up, cats really are different than dogs. Consider the following when choosing a food for your cat:

• Foods that are high in meat proteins;
• Foods that are low in carbohydrates;
• Look for the nutritional adequacy statement for your cat’s life stage (kitten, adult, all life stages)
• Make sure the food is “complete and balanced”
• Think about choosing canned/wet food;
• If you choose dry food, make extra sure that your cat drinks plenty of water;
• Talk to your vet if your cat has any health problems or special needs.

If you follow these suggestions, your cat should appreciate your efforts.

The post How to choose the right food for your cat appeared first on Safe Pet Treats | Pet Food Safety and Recalls.