Side widget
Params:
source: the website source
open: [true | false] if the widget is open at the beginning (default true)
pet: [dog | puppy | cat] show a dog/cat picture (default dog)
Example:
<script id="petcoachAskAVetSideWidget" open="true" pet="dog" source="my-site" type="text/javascript" src="http://widgets.petcoach.co/scripts/sidewidget.js"></script>
5 Things You Should Know About Pet Food Recalls
In 2007 what is still likely the biggest pet food debacle in history occurred, when pets became seriously ill after eating certain brands of commercial pet food. Because there is no central reporting mechanism in the U.S. to track pet deaths, the exact number of affected animals is unknown, but estimates range from a few hundred to many thousands. Since then, there have been multiple recalls of pet food due to suspected contamination, but luckily none as big as the one in 2007. What’s a pet owner to do? How can you make sure the food you feed your beloved pet is safe? Unfortunately no method is foolproof, but read on to find out what you need to know to make the best possible choices when it comes to feeding your pet.
How is pet food regulated, anyways?
How is pet food regulated, anyways?
In 2007 when the pet food contamination problem was discovered, lots of people woke up and wondered just who was certifying that their pet’s food was safe. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has a hand in things, making sure that the ingredients used in pet food are “generally recognized as safe” (abbreviated GRAS).
In addition, there’s a group called the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) that determines the nutritional requirements for all commercially produced pet foods. If you read the label of your pet food bag, it will indicate that the food meets AAFCO guidelines. That’s the minimum requirement, and it just means that the food has been formulated to contain the components of what AAFCO says a healthy food should contain.
Which things contaminate pet food?
In the 2007 incident the contaminant was a chemical called melamine. It was in wheat gluten, corn gluten, and rice protein that was sourced from China. Melamine has legitimate uses in all kinds of products, from fire retardants to dinnerware. It’s believed that it was added to these components of pet food in order to artificially inflate their protein content.Jerky treats that were manufactured in China have come under close scrutiny because of illnesses and deaths in thousands of dogs. To date, the exact ingredient that causes the illnesses has not been found, but there are reports of dogs experiencing gastrointestinal disorders, liver disease, and kidney disease after consuming these treats. Awareness surrounding dangerous ingredients and poorly manufactured pet foods has drastically decreased the incidents of recalls in recent years. Lately most recalls have involved the detection of the bacteria that causes salmonella, a severe gastrointestinal infection, in dry pet foods. To date no animals have been sickened by these foods, but there is a concern that people who handle the food can become exposed to the bacteria through their skin.
In the 2007 incident the contaminant was a chemical called melamine. It was in wheat gluten, corn gluten, and rice protein that was sourced from China. Melamine has legitimate uses in all kinds of products, from fire retardants to dinnerware. It’s believed that it was added to these components of pet food in order to artificially inflate their protein content. Jerky treats that were manufactured in China have come under close scrutiny because of illnesses and deaths in thousands of dogs. To date, the exact ingredient that causes the illnesses has not been found, but there are reports of dogs experiencing gastrointestinal disorders, liver disease, and kidney disease after consuming these treats.
Awareness surrounding dangerous ingredients and poorly manufactured pet foods has drastically decreased the incidents of recalls in recent years. Lately most recalls have involved the detection of the bacteria that causes salmonella, a severe gastrointestinal infection, in dry pet foods. To date no animals have been sickened by these foods, but there is a concern that people who handle the food can become exposed to the bacteria through their skin.
This is all pretty scary…maybe I should just feed my pet what I eat
That’s definitely not a good idea. Not only does “people” food tend to be much higher in fat that is typically good for dogs, it’s not appropriately balanced for pets either. Dogs and cats need a very specific ratio of calcium and phosphorus to ensure normal bone density. Unless they’re eating bones, which I don’t recommend for multiple reasons, they’re never going to get that appropriate amount they need. Another example of this is taurine. Taurine is an amino acid that cats do not have the ability to make in their bodies. Without it, heart disease, immune system problems, and vision deficiencies can arise. Commercial cat foods must contain appropriate amounts of taurine; an improperly formulated homemade diet does not.
OK, how about if I cook meals especially for my pet?
This is certainly possible, although most people barely have time to cook for their families these days, much less for their pets. But if you’re committed and decide this is something you want to do, be sure that you’re using a recipe that is balanced for your pet. A good resource for this is the University of California at Davis’ website called BalanceIt.com.
What’s the best way to stay up to date about pet food recalls?
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has a Twitter feed that’s dedicated to letting the public know as quickly as possible when pet foods are being recalled. The Twitter handle is @AVMARecallWatch, or you can click on the link below to see the feed without going through Twitter:
https://twitter.com/avmarecallwatch
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