They keep adding new things to the recall list all the way down to Jerky Treats! Although our kibble hasn't been added to the list, I am getting kinda leary! I'm not sure I feel comfortable feeding it to them right now. We use Purina Pro Plan. I make 2 pots of diced up chicken and rice for them each week as well. They have this with their breakfast and dinner. Last night I made a huge pot of chicken and rice, but added carrots and green beans as well. In the past, out Vet has told us veggies were good to give them. I thought maybe with the protein, carbs, and veggie nutrients they would be okay to eat this mix for a few weeks until we can figure out whats going on with all of the recalls and still get the nutrition they need. After all that, my question is: Are you doing anything differently regarding the way you feed your pets in light of the recalls? Thanks for your input!
I'm almost out of dog food and I am scared to buy any more because of all the recalls, now they've added dry food. I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet, possibly make my own temporarily.
I've checked the recall. I'm not doing anything differently. Neither Mattie nor Shelby's food have been recalled.
I just read an article in today's N&O about possibly using Gluten free food or making your own at home. I think I need to call Dr. Smith...
What kind of chicken do you cook up for your pets? Food Lion has drumsticks on sale. I might get some of those to boil (and take the bones out, of course) with some rice and veggies. My dogs will think they have died and gone to heaven! :-D
I usually do a whole, cut up chicken. I didn't have time last night, so I used one of those HUGE (Sam's size) cans of chicken breast...a little pricey. I de-skin my chicken and am very selective after I boil it as to how I debone. I strain the broth to make sure there are no little bones in the broth (choking hazard) and I use the broth. When I debone I remove all visible fat and any leftover skin. I want to make it as lean as possible for them. Drumsticks will work as well. My babies sit beside me when I am deboning...its funny. I also cheated last night because it was so late and used canned veggies. Because of the high sodium content, I rinsed them off before adding them. A good place to get inexpensive rice is Dollar General on the Hispanic food aisle. Huge bag for around $3. I spoke with my Vet about giving them chicken and rice daily. They don't even consider this "table food" because its also used when a pet has had any kind of tummy problems. The first time we gave it to my little guy was when he was a baby and was throwing up. Doc told us to withold food for 24 hours, then feed small portions of chicken and rice for 2-3 days. It started something! He wouldn't eat plain kibble after that!
Before today, I didn't sweat this recall for my own pets - None of them eat dog food. For the past nine years, I have made their food (human grade) - after carefully learning about dog nutrition BTW - All 4 are healthy, have white teeth - even at 9 years of age and no cleanings - and none are overweight, except for the little guy who should be 10.5 lbs and weighed in at 12 - he eats treats like the big dogs do... I usually give them treats from Three Dog Bakery (internet) along with making them, but have purchased the Chicken Jerky from BJ's -- not the Dingo brand that got recalled - for salmonella contamination - but still not taking any chances - dumped them all. It's summer (almost) and warm enough for them to enjoy homemade frosty paws - Container (lg) PLAIN yogurt - 5 TBS Creamy Peanut Butter 2 TBS Honey Fold it in to yogurt - don't overmix ---I use a wisk --it should look swirly - like vanilla fudge ice cream does. I get dixie cup sized containers and lids in 250 count from the restaurant supply - but if you have less than 4 dogs, it's economical to buy the gladware or other brand 3-4 oz size reusable containers Spoon mixture into cups, place lids on and freeze for a few hours. Then serve...they keep in freezer for a while - I usually use up a batch per week. My guys all know how to hold the cup between their paws and they lick away! Much less expensive than the 3.00 or so most stores charge for 4 Frosty Paws and I control the ingredients...no fillers or other crap in them. This recall is making me sick - so many clients had their dogs and cats on food that's been recalled. One thing I hate to think about too much, but I'm paranoid anyway. . .what if this was an intentional contamination? ie: terrorists know how Americans are with their pets...look at American TV and it's proof...shows, ads, books, companies making billions of $ per year in the pet industry.... What if this contamination of wheat in China is the testing point for contamination of food for humans? I know it sounds far-fetched, but so did commercial jets flying into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. . .Go ahead and razz me for it if you want, but nothing these days would surprise me. Think the whole family will go Low Carb - even rice scares me as most of it comes from China...doesn't it? Wolves in the wild don't munch on wheat or rice, I'm sure my mutts will grow accustomed to getting the carbs in their diet from sweet and white potatoes.
BTW - until the 1930's pet food companies did NOT exist. What do you think pets ate prior to that? Duh! Nothing against vets, I love them and consider a couple as my "FRIENDS" - but remember one thing - DVM's, as well as MD's spend a small percentage of their study on nutrition. They have a LOT to learn in those years of study, it's not thier fault - they don't control the cirriculum. Once they graduate, and work in practices, they are subject to the 'brainwashing' of pharmacutical companies as well as pet food distributors... Holistic medicine, which was once scoffed at, is now embraced as so many people have lost their furry loved ones to various forms of cancer and kidney disease. Just some food for thought.
Nope, not far fetched. We actually talked about this a little in my Sunday school class this past weekend. It really makes you think, doesn't it?
It would be reassuring at least to know how the wheat gluten got contaminated, and if they are sure they have removed all the contaminated food from the market. Hate to think it could have been intentional.
I agree with you, Zoo. I'm having a hard time putting Frontline on my dogs. It's poison that is going into their skin... what is it going to do to my dogs in the long run?? I have been using it, but only once every 2 - 3 months (even less in the winter) instead of monthly like it is prescribed, and my dogs don't have fleas or ticks. I know Frontline wants to sell their more of their product, but is prescribing it monthly at the expense of health? :? Also, heartworms... they've gotta be prevented, but is there another way to do it? I haven't researched holistic medicine for animals so I don't really know what is out there.
My dogs have NEVER used frontline or Advantix etc....all are long-haired and have doggie door so they go out on their own - wooded area next to my house. Nightly, I crush a clove of garlic and mince it - and sprinkle it over their food (one large clove for three 50 lb range dogs and the little guy.) then I sprinkle about 1/8 tsp of brewers yeast on top of that...the little guy gets a smidge....that's it - no fleas....never saw one and their groomer Bark N Bath - never mentioned seeing a flea. Of course, hubby has spotted fleas on his socks leaving work- he works outside mostly...so he removes socks outside! LOL humans have fleas! Anyway, once a month, flea season, I take a coffee can and place 20 Mule Team Borax (laundry isle) in it and shake it about like carpet freshner...wait a half hour and vacuum - it will kill any fleas present - though don't ever see any or see scratchy dogs. Our indoor/outdoor cat had a limited flea problem, from bedding down in her house with a possumn - I sprinkled her bedding two days later shook it out and washed it....possumn hasn't been back, Dr. Lash gave me a one shot thing of Frontline - I made her stay outside for a couple of days...which she prefers...and then brushed the heck out of her. No signs of fleas anymore on her, it was the first time in 10 years we put anything topical on her...she's about 15. . .but had no choice...she typically just gets brewers yeast...garlic isn't supposed to be great for cats...at least someone told me that and it stuck... BTW - all of my dogs take heartworm preventative monthly all year long...that disease has to be worse than what the preventative can do PLUS it is very wide spread...can't risk not giving it to them.
Wow, really great info. I hate putting frontline and advantix on my babies but didn't realize I could use anything else. Any idea how much garlic and brewer's yeast I'd need to put in their food? I have a 13 lb. Peek-a-poo and about the same weight Cock-a-poo. The Peek-a-poo is about 8 years old, but the cock-a-poo is just a puppy..almost 4 months old. Would love to be able to control fleas on them naturally. I take them for a ride on the golf cart every evening that it's nice outside and they love to get off and run in the fields and "hunt bunnies" in the edge of the woods. Any info you can give me would be most appreciated!
For two small dogs mince up a clove and use half of it, save the other half for the next day - a pinch of brewers yeast will be ample for each one (like a pinch of salt - about 1/8 of a tsp. split between them) Also - some have mentioned how they boil meats for their dogs.... I have found it much easier to grill meats, OR place in foil packet and bake it, so that it more or less steams. If you think about it, boiling removes much of the taste and a lot of the nutrients...I have NEVER boiled their meat - except when I make them chicken soup - (in the winter months, my guys eat soup about once a week) I make it like you would for humans, but without added salt, use low sodium chicken broth, diced carrots, diced potatoes and a bit of celery. I skim off the fat from the top after removing skin etc...They also like Pea Soup - homemade - because my little guy is allergic to meat and is vegetarian (eats seafood, eggs and cheese for his protein) I make the pea soup with vegetable broth. For ease of de-boneing - for when I don't have time, I buy ground turkey or ground chicken and grill it in burger form for my dogs. The big dogs also eat ground Bison or Buffalo I get from BJ's. . .good stuff!! Veggies...I tend to stay away from canned - between the sodium and lack of nutrient value - I buy fresh or frozen and - they like many of the fresh veggies raw (washed well, as if for human consumption) and chopped up. Frozen ones, I cook, drain and cool. Broccoli, asparagus, green beans, carrots (mine like their carrots grated and raw - 3 of them like baby carrots as treats) and raw spinach are their favorites. I ALWAYS suppliment them with a PetTabs brand vitamin daily just to be certain they are getting all of the nutrition they need. They have bloodwork done yearly and have ALWAYS been smack in the middle of the range they should be - so I'm certain their diet is quite beneficial for them. Yeah, we go all out for them, but they are my kids. They eat much healthier than hubby and I, and probably most children in the county. . .I suppose we should eat what we prepare for them, rather than just taste test it (which we always do - to make certain it is "fit for a dog")
Hey, Zoo...how did you like Elvis and Lisa's treats I left for you to give them today? The love Snyder's PB pretzel sammies! We have stopped giving all kibble and dog treats until we are sure there won't be anymore recalls. I'm going to buy a box of wholegrain cheerios today...we used them in puppy class for treats years ago. I am taking your tidbits of info as to what they will eat for the next few weeks. I give Pet Tabs as well.
Thanks so much for the info Zookeeper! I appreciate all the extra feeding suggestions as well. You've been a tremendous help to me! Have a great day and a wonderful Easter coming up!
Wow Zoo, I want to be one of your dogs! :mrgreen: About the veggies in your dogs' diet. I have noticed that one of my dog eats grass like crazy when I take her out. You think that is from eating dry dog food only? It sure seems like dogs need some greens in their diet by the way she chows down on grass! One more thing. Are you booked up for petsitting the week of July 4? I might need you, unless my eldest is home to take care of the critters... should I go ahead and book now and then cancel (with plenty of notice!) if he is going to be here?
PIRATEGIRL - the babies love those pretzel sandwiches! My guys used to like Cheerios, but now favor Honey Bunches of Oats w/ Almonds . . .they get that about twice a week, when I'm too lazy to cook cheese omelets for them. CURIOUS - YVW - Happy Easter to you too! READY - Yes, I can pencil you in for the days and you can cancel...EASY to erase them - impossible to add them once it fills up - have 4 slots per day open at the moment - so room for you - PM me with the dates - if you cancel, I'll have a list of people waiting, so it won't effect me at all. As far as the grass eating, lots of dogs graze. There are a lot of different opinions on it ranging from - 1- wolves killed prey and ate the stomach contents - which contained grasses 2- it helps their digestion 3 - when their stomach is upset they eat it to induce vomiting 4 - it just tastes good, so they eat it Personally, I think it may be a combination of all. Three of mine will munch on grass occasionally. The little one never touches the stuff - but he eats a host of veggies to begin with - so maybe he has his fill. I have met a number of dogs who graze like cattle - they appear quite healthy and owners report no ill effects from it and that they do it all the time. JENNIFERS - Yeah, lots of friends and family members say if people can come back in pet form they want to be my dog. Cracks me up in the store when I buy the boxes of frozen Salmon and Talipia filets (individually packaged) for Frankie - people in checkout lines have inquired if it's good, and since neither hubby or I eat anything but shell fish, I say, I don't eat it, it's for my dog. I think they are certain I'm nuts! Happy holiday to you all - Busy weekend coming up work-wise. Quincy goes to Glendale-Kenly Elementry tomorrow for Field Learning Day - I think it's our 5th year going - It will be his last, as he's getting up in years and will retire in the Fall.
