Nutro Dry Pet Food -- Isolated Reports of Problems with *Dry* Pet Food

[nicknameless]

These are anecdotal ... but if your pet is experiencing these problems, know that you're not alone.
One individual reports 9 cases of illness they've heard of locally or experienced first hand. All dogs were being fed Nutro dry food.
The FDA is also being inundated with calls about dry food.
Sunday blog entry from Dogster:

http://dogblog.dogster.com/2007/03/25/is-menus-dry-food-tainted-as-well/#more-3257

I was feeding Nutro Max small bites (DRY) to my 3 Aussies and 1 Corgi. For the last 3 weeks on and off all 4 dogs have vomited yellow bile. I did not think much of it because it was on and off…maybe they were eating snow…whatever. Then the recall…only wet?

My brother called me on Sunday on the way back from the Rescue show and his 10 yr old Sheltie spayed bitch was vomiting bile on and off for a few days and now has blood in her urine. They brought in a UA and dog is being treated for a UA infection.

Yesterday he called me and his male-13 month old German Shepherd has blood in its urine…guess what…feeding DRY Nutro Max. Another UA to vets. No infection.

The dispatcher at the police department where I work over heard me
talking to my brother…she has 2 mixes on Nutro Ultra DRY…they have been vomiting bile on and off for about 4 weeks.

A women in my obedience class…her mother has a Terrier on Nutro All Natural DRY…dog is being treated for blood in urine.

The dispatcher called the FDA today and spoke with Bill Boiven (Spelling) at 781-596-7783. She gave him all our info and he contacted me. Guess what!!! They have already started to launch an investigation on the dry dog food. They are getting millions of phone calls about this. He did tell me that the foods are processed by 2 different manufactures but this is way to coincidental.

Yes I have now put my dogs on boiled rice, hamburger and Wellness. Just thought some of you might want to know and maybe call if you are having problems. Seems to be more wide spread than wet or canned.

Nutro dry is NOT, so far, involved in the recall. And Nutro states that their dry food is not made by Menu.

[Donnachaidh]

1. DRY food?

I can see this having the wheat gluten, but they've been emphasizing that it is the WET food, particularly the cuts and gravy, that is the problem. WTF? :grr:

[nicknameless]

6. This is just *my* suspicion...

I don't think it's just wheat.

[iconoclastic cat]

13. So what the f- is it? nt

[nicknameless]

19. I wish I knew.

A common ingredient, affecting too many varieties and brands...

[iconoclastic cat]

23. Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit smoking.

I have switched one of my male cats onto Wellness, and I'm looking for a suitable substitute for Presrcip. Diet S/D, even though S/D doesn't contain wheat gluten. No symptoms here, though.

[nicknameless]

29. I've read that some Wellness is made by Menu

Can you try Natural Balance or another brand?
You might try checking this list. Look for brands not made by Menu.
(Wellness used to be listed there as being made by Menu. Then that info got removed.)
http://petsitusa.com/blog/?p=210

Lots of good experiences with raw foods in the Pet Forum.
http://search.onlynaturalpet.com/search.aspx?searchterms=raw-cat-food&click=5&gclid=CM-6jYLtkosCFRssVAodKDRIWQ

[iconoclastic cat]

40. Wellness is only canned by Menu, according to this post:

http://www.gothamist.com/2007/03/20/pet_food_maker.php#comment-1044474

i received this email from Wellness last night:

"We are aware that Menu Foods has initiated a recall. No products made by Wellness & Old Mother Hubbard are affected in any way.

Again, no Wellness, Old Mother Hubbard, or Neura products are part of this recall.

There are two very important factors in determining the quality of a food. The first is the manufacturer. In this case, Menu Foods is a top notch manufacturer that receives excellent scores for food safety and quality systems. They make a consistent product which is exactly what the company asks for. Frankly, they make product for so many companies because they are one of the best.

The second factor is formula. Ingredient selection can make or break product quality. Certain ingredients can be allergens to certain pets. Other ingredients can be sourced for either their quality or their price. Chicken ingredients, for example, can be sourced at various prices. Low ash chicken, which is better for a cat, can be sourced at a higher price. Those are the types of ingredients we use, because they are of higher quality. So I would not assume all companies are created equal. If you'd like to learn more, please call us. We have much more information where that came from!

Menu is a canning only facility. They do not handle any dry foods.

Nicole Bibeau
Specialist
Consumer Affairs"

<33> Posted by: tellsie | March 21, 2007 7:10 AM

I don't know if this has been confirmed, of course.

[nicknameless]

45. Nutro dry isn't made by Menu either.

That's another reason I'm thinking that it's not just the wheat.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

91. Nutro has different grades of dry food.

Did a little reading this morning and this is what I've gathered so far, though I'm not at all confident of the accuracy.
Nutro Max is the low end (I've fed Nutro Max Weight control to my dog since I adopted him 3 years ago-- it's what he came with so I stuck with it--and my friend's dog has always eaten the Nutro Max small bites). It mentions wheat prominently as an ingredient.
Nutro Natural Choice is the next step up and it doesn't mention (mention) wheat as an ingredient.
Nutro Ultra is the top of their line. However, it mentions salmon and other fish products and I thought I saw somewhere that that wasn't so healthy for dogs.

I really need a recommendation for an off-the shelf dog food. I understand the benefits of making my own but that's just not a good option for me right now.

[nicknameless]

116. Newman's Own (Organic), Natural Balance ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=512700&mesg_id=514096

DUer Robeson also feeds Natural Balance and recommends this site: http://search.onlynaturalpet.com/search.aspx?searchterms=Dry-Food-dogs&mf=0&__VIEWSTATE=dDw4MzU3NTY3NzA7Oz5Kwz7%2BZcvH5HDFX7IUNfSdeHK1Xw%3D%3D&ssSortingSelector%3AddlSortOptions=0%7E12%7EByRank%7E%7E0%7E0&numProdsDisplay%3AddlPageDisplay=0%7E12%7E0%7E%7E0%7E0

[orleans]

172. i'm trying to find out what company manufactures newman's own

i bought a bag of it today and it says it is distributed by newman's own, but nothing about where it is made.

i wanted to call them and ask (but no phone number on the bag), and i couldn't even find their phone number on their website! i had to email them to ask. and i haven't heard back from them yet (although it was tuesday afternoon when i emailed them)

do you know where they make their food? or what other company makes it for them?

[nicknameless]

182. I don't know who makes their ** dry ** food.

Their canned is made by Menu, but isn't part of the recall.

[Quantess]

141. How about Nutro Natural Choice for puppies?

My 6 month old has been eating it, and no symptoms.

[nicknameless]

143. PLEASE consider feeding them something else!

Do you know who NOW owns Nutro???
Bain Capitol -- An owner of Clear Channel and an investment partner with Carlyle group.

:(

[orleans]

154. how do you know that? seriously, how did you find that out? n/t

[nicknameless]

156. Research.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=512700&mesg_id=519370

Edited to add: I was looking into who now owns Nutro and recognized the name of the investment firm.
What an effing nightmare.

[orleans]

175. nice job. i've been googling about who makes newman's own

pet food and i found a webpage that says mcdonalds makes the newman ranch salad dressing!

http://www.calorie-count.com/calories/item/53950.html

[nicknameless]

176. I was just about to post some bad news about Newman's Organic canned pet food.

It's made by ... Menu.

WTF is going on??? Newman's salad dressing is now made by McDonalds???
There goes *that* image.

[orleans]

177. do you have a link for newman's & menu? n/t

[nicknameless]

178. Just this one:

http://www.petfoodexpress.com/petfood/default.asp?pageid=78&Section=About

[orleans]

184. did you see this from delmonte? they aren't connected with menu

and they have this up:
"Del Monte Pet Products Not Affected By Recall
The nationwide recall of pet foods by Menu Foods and other companies does not include any products made or distributed by Del Monte Pet Products. Del Monte does not procure any finished products from Menu Foods and does not use Menu Foods as a co-packer for any of its products. Del Monte Pet Products makes or distributes the following brands:

MeowMix®
Gravy Train®
Kibbles 'n Bits®
Wagwells®
9Lives®
Jerky Treats®
Snausages®
Cycle®
Pup-Peroni®
Gravy Train®
Milk-Bone®
Reward®
Meaty Bone®
Skippy®
Pounce®
Canine Carry Outs®
Nature's Recipe®
http://www.delmonte.com/petfoodrecall_20070319.html

[nicknameless]

198. Good.

Now if they'd only do something about their foods that include by-products.

But remember, Nutro dry (OP topic) isn't made by Menu either.
This is the scariest time for pets. Recommendations for homemade are sounding very sensible.

[catgirl]

254. Unfortunately their food is crap.

I'm going to start making my own food until this subsides. I e-mailed
PetGuard (that's the brand I use) asking if Menu Foods makes any of
their food and I haven't heard back. Their loss.

[nicknameless]

183. That's their CANNED food.

Not their dry. I don't know who makes their dry food.

[orleans]

186. that link you had for pet food express also has this at bottom of page

"Websites of individual manufacturers:

www.breeders-choice.com
www.canidae.com
www.castorpolluxpet.com
www.hillspet.com
www.us.iams.com
www.merrickpetcare.com
www.naturalbalanceinc.com
www.naturapet.com
www.naturesvariety.com
www.newmansownorganics.com
www.nutroproducts.com
www.omhpet.com
www.pedigree.com
www.professionalpetfood.com
www.solidgoldhealth.com
www.wysong.net"

so while they are warning about newman's own being produced in whole or part by menu they list newman's own as an "individual manufacturer". (that's confusing)

AVAILABLE FOR SALE ON A RESTRICTED BASIS

These are brands that are produced in whole or in part by Menu Foods but for which we have spoken to the manufacturer and been assured that:

Their products are not produced in the suspected plants.
None of their products are being recalled
They have had no reports of sick, dying, or dead pets.
Their products do not contain wheat gluten.
We are selling these brands only if a client is fully aware of the recall and the potential risk posed by feeding a product made by Menu Foods. Although we have been assured that there is no problem with these foods, we cannot and do not vouch that they are safe.

The brands included are: Nature's Variety, Wellness, Castor & Pollux, Newman’s Own Organics, Wysong, Innova

edited to add link
http://www.petfoodexpress.com/petfood/default.asp?pageid=78&Section=About

[nicknameless]

191. Yes. A lot of people were saying that they didn't want to purchase anything

that was made by Menu.

Newman's isn't part of the recall.
That's just an FYI.

I agree. It is all VERY confusing.
The OP was about dry foods, mostly Nutro -- which ISN'T made by Menu.

[orleans]

193. i know--but one thing just leads to another sometimes

my dog eats the dry nutro max and she spits up bile in the mornings every once in awhile

so...i'm looking for an alternative to the dry nutro

[nicknameless]

194. Well... at this point, Natural Balance is still looking good.

I don't trust Nutro at all anymore.

[nicknameless]

195. I went back and added that info to a bunch of posts where Newman's was mentioned.

"Not part of the recall"

Problem is, I don't trust Menu.

[orleans]

192. okay--this might be a correction to the newman/mcdonalds bit:

http://www.hispanicprwire.com/news.php?l=in&id=138&cha=4

according to this press release they will just be using his salad dressing

"McDonald's has chosen Newman's Own to be the exclusive supplier of salad dressings for their premium salads "

...anyway...

[nicknameless]

196. But why do they list it as being "Manufactured by McDonald's"?

Strange.

[nicknameless]

181. Very sorry -- Newman's Own **canned** food appears to be made by Menu too.

Although it ISN'T part of the recall.

See this thread's info from Pet Food Express
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=512700&mesg_id=520912

[havocmom]

15. Lots of grain in dry chow. Lots of seed grain around...

I have recipes for pet food which call for millet. Havocdad said not to get it. He now thinks it likely there has been a lot of 'grain dumping' in US markets and he doesn't trust that I can buy safe millet, which is not widely used by the American homemaker. ONLY grains from the grocery store for pet food making at our house. New rule by the man who works for the USDA. He doesn't trust 'the rat bastards running things' to be on the side of farmers or consumers. The place is run by corporate shills whose only loyalty is to bushco.

He also got email asking department workers to consider going to Iraq! They offer a 95% increase in pay at whatever grade the interested employees are at.... IRAQ! USDA field conservationists! IRAQ! :grr:

[nicknameless]

33. An invitation to go to Iraq???

Nice pay increase to cover funeral expenses. Thoughtful. :eyes:

Yep. USDA is shilling for Monsanto and all the rest.

I don't trust the grains they're putting in pet food. And I'm getting pretty suspicious of the meat meals. What else do all these products have in common?

:shrug:

[havocmom]

34. Havocdad suggests a healthy dose of fear of 'bone meal'

They grind spines of cattle along with the rest of the bone. Fine for gardens for soil enrichment, but dogs can get the same problems from infected spinal materials as humans and deer....

Dogs need a pretty good hit of calcium, but avoid bone meal these days.

[nicknameless]

35. I heard that years ago.

Someone, who normally used bone meal in his rose garden, was strongly advising people against using it because of mad cow issues.

[havocmom]

41. LOL Gotta worry about MAD ROSES

Hey, I gots ta laugh to keep from going berserk any more.

[nicknameless]

43. LOL ... I know what you mean.

The guy was very concerned about inhaling the dust from the bone meal.
Seemed like a valid point, given the indestructibility of prions.

When you plant your victory garden, beware of MAD PRODUCE.

[havocmom]

48. Not to worry, We get calcium for other sources

Our water is full of it!

I knew a woman who grew the most outstanding camelias I ever saw in Southern California. Her secret? She swore it was the quart of buttermilk she gave each bush once a month! :shrug:

There are also micro-organisms you can get to add to your soils. Havocdad did some experiments and the additive enriched soil yeilded better plants. More worms showed up too, which REALLY helps.

Local Extension Offices are a great place to start getting info. Grow food and share with your fur kids. We had a big multi-family garden project years ago. The dogs really got into it and actually started protecting the plots from pests. Of course, they took their share of the crops too. They loved those juicy balls and peas!

Peas are a good protein source. Would like to try and grow lentils but don't know if it will work in my area. Great protein source. Used it for my dog hash years ago with a dog who needed low dose of animal proteins. Potatoes cooked up and mashed are good to add to protein in lieu of some grain too. Oatmeal works. Barley is a good substitute, just read up on protein to bulk filler ratios for your beasties. Most dogs seem to do well if you just introduce slowly and really pay attention.

My old skinny dog gained back some weight, muscle mass and energy. My sister's fat dog lost weight. Her son stopped by one night before she got home from work. He thought the kettle of stuff in the fridge (waiting to be packaged and frozen from cooking the previous night) was OK, but needed salt... 'oh, and you'r outta dog food...' The dog was turning cartwheels cuz he was eating her chow!

[nicknameless]

51. Buttermilk for camellias?!

Whatever works.. LOL

That's a hilarious story about the kettle of dog food. Must have been good!

My kitty liked peas too. And asparagus. She tolerated broccoli and raw carrots I juiced.
I also added baby cereals to her food -- mostly oatmeal and barley. (Never wheat)

[havocmom]

67. Had a cat who would go nuts for Brussle Sprouts, and no, it wasn't the butter

She liked them naked! Lived to 21. New cat loves them too, so I hope for a long & healthy run!

Oatmeal and barley ARE wonderful sources of carbs to put in the pet chow. Much less likelihood of allergies, easier to digest.

I also went to the feed store once a year to get ONE POUND of uncut oats. After three years of this, the old guy there said "Lady, I gotta see this little horse of yours!" LOL Told him I put a small handful of oats at a time in some potting soil in the house to grow greens for the cats. Salad is important! Even to carnivores!

[nicknameless]

81. One pound of food per year? That would be a VERY little horse. LOL

Wow. Even I have a hard time eating brussels sprouts.

Have you heard about Jake Perry?

He's a cousin of Governor Good Hair Perry.
Anyway, he has amazing luck with kitty longevity.
His "Grandpa" kitty lived to age 34 and enjoyed eating veggies.
http://www.cnn.com/US/9702/06/fringe/oldest.cat/index.html

He was a little odd looking -- Combination of Sphinx (hairless) and Rex (curly fur)

[kerry-is-my-prez]

231. My cat used to like peas and corn - would eat corn off the cob along w/my bird.

The cat was very gentle and would let the bird perch on her head and chew on her nails and ears.

[AZBlue]

161. Lettuce throwing tomatoes at you? Radishes walking around mumbling incoherently?

Corn on prozac? Green peppers with multiple personalities?


LOL...sorry, I just needed a laugh there.

[nicknameless]

164. LOL ... I know what you mean.

Did you see that interesting little factoid? Nutro was purchased in late Dec. '05 by Bain Capitol. (Too late to edit the post. It reads '06)
They're an investment partner with Carlyle and an owner of Clear Channel.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=512700&mesg_id=519370

:(

[AZBlue]

167. Just another reason to avoid them!!!!

eom

[nicknameless]

169. Everything rethugs touch, turns to shit.

:(

[nicknameless]

165. BTW ...

My kitty was ate Nutro dry and exhibited symptoms described in the OP.

:(

[AZBlue]

166. No!

How is she/he???? I'm so sorry to hear that - good thoughts and vibes to you both!!

I'm worried - my kitty's on Hill's - she seems ok so far, but I'm thinking of switching to Natural Balance since they manufacture the food themselves. Either that or Newman's or Dr. Weil's.

[nicknameless]

168. She didn't make it.

:cry:

Reply #9 mentions Science Diet problems too
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=512700&mesg_id=512799

And http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=512700&mesg_id=514001

Maybe more? This thread is pretty big.

Newman's and Weil's sound very good. I hadn't heard that Dr. Weil had his own line of pet foods. That's great!

So far, I still think Natural Balance is good too. But I *really* trust Newman and Weil.

[AZBlue]

170. Oh, this is the same kitty you spoke of in another thread!

I'm so sorry - I didn't realize it was one in the same, I was thinking this was just a recent development with Nutro.

I know I said it before, but I'm so so sorry for your loss!!!
:cry:

[nicknameless]

173. Thank you, AZBlue.

I know I've said this before too: She was "the best baby ever"

[bluedawg12]

244. So sorry about your kitty- I have 9, I know how they can

become family. like little innocent fur-people.

[Critters2]

216. Nicknameless, I'm so sorry!!!

and angry!!

:hug:

[nicknameless]

261. Thank you, Critters

My thoughts are with your little Sophie. She's got to pull through this.

:hug:

[havocmom]

220. Oh, nicknameless, I am so sorry

PM me anytime you need a shoulder to cry on.

[nicknameless]

249. Thank you, havocmom

It was heart-breaking enough to lose her. Now this.

Hopefully the information here will help to save some lives.

[nicknameless]

185. Turns out Newman's Owned **Canned** food is made by Menu too.

Although it ISN'T part of the recall.

http://www.petfoodexpress.com/petfood/default.asp?pageid=78&Section=About

:(

[havocmom]

219. And celery stalking the corn

;)

[piesRsquare]

206. MAD PRODUCE

:rofl:

[kath]

243. Eating gelatin creeps me out for the same reason - made from cow bones.

Also worry about beef bouillion cubes, beef broth, etc.

[roody]

272. You can buy organic millet in bulk at a good health food store.

[AZBlue]

160. Some does have wheat gluten - mine does and I'm not too happy about it.

eom

[OhioChick]

2. Wasn't there also something posted here

about Iams "DRY" a few days ago, as well?

[LiberalHeart]

4. Yes...

And my cat has vomited three times in the past two days. He eats only dry Iams. But acts healthy.

I noticed a couple of days ago that his face look little, not right for him, but today he looks fine. I don't know what's going on, but am ready to start making meals for him just in case it's the dry food.

[nicknameless]

82. I sure hope you switch him to a safer food.

He may eat Iams, if that's all you're putting out for him.
According to some pet owners, their pets got sick and even died after eating it.

[nicknameless]

5. Yes, there was a website receiving reports

of pet illness and death from pet parents who were feeding Iams dry.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x502805

[nicknameless]

89. Another site has received reports of pet deaths when Iams dry was fed.

http://www.gothamist.com/2007/03/17/pet_food_recall.php#comment-1043832

[astonamous]

9. We got emails last week about Hills Science Diet too...

I wasn't able to confirm anything.

[nicknameless]

36. Do you work for a veterinary clinic?

[nicknameless]

42. Someone here reported having problems with their dog.

One of the two foods was Science Diet W/D

Did you get any emails about that one?

[Critters2]

95. My cat is sick (refusing to eat, high kidney numbers) after eating nothing but Hill's dry

I'm really thinking this is related to the food. Is there a place to report this?

[ChiciB1]

128. I've Been Feeding My Chocolate Lab Science Diet All Her Life...

I haven't had any problems with her as yet. I do cook for her though and add it to her food. Give her veggies and stuff like that. She was just at the Vet and had her yearly check-up and she's fine.

So is Science Diet a No-No?? She just turned 2 years old.

[spoony]

207. Yes, and if I listened to all these threads

there would be nothing, wet or dry or made by Menu or anyone else, that would be safe to feed my cat.

Seriously, are we to suppose every single molecule of pet food in this country is tainted? It's getting a little out of hand.

[Critters2]

217. For me, it's not just about it being tainted

There are ethical issues here, issues of globalization and stewardship. I will NOT give Menu Foods another dollar of my hard earned money, so I need to know what is and is not made by them.

I've settled on Pet Promise as a good alternative. They make their own foods and name the sources of their meats and grains...

petpromiseinc.com

[nuxvomica]

3. Have others besides Menu imported from the same supplier?

I'm wondering if anyone's tracing whether other manufacturers imported the bad wheat gluten from the same supplier as Menu.

[astonamous]

7. I'm staying away from anything with wheat gluten in it...

I called the Natural Balance company yesterday. They are one of the companies that manufacture pet food at their own plant and nothing is imported. All their products are human grade and I have been feeding that brand to my dogs for a while now. Their dry dog food doesn't have any wheat or corn.

[havocmom]

8. Our big boy did not like the new bag of same brand he had always loved.

Bag is different. Kibble looks different. He was acting like he was being punished when he went to his food bowl. Only ate as last resort. Three days of his views on the chow and the big bag went in the trash. I cooked up a bunch of 'dog hash' and will continue to do so. Not trusting his health/life to the corporate bastards who put profit above all else.

Folks, there are books out there with info on pet nutrition and recipes. Get them and do a little cooking/freezing. I made food when my last dog got old and the Science Diet chow the vet told me to get damned near killed her. My sister started making chow for her old hound and the dog got a whole new lease on life.

Also, let's take this a bit further and get DAMNED serious about monitoring what the KIDS are eating! Cut the processed stuff down as much as possible. Sure, cooking takes time, but so does dealing with health and behavior problems. (And, yes, many food additives have been shown to trigger allergies which may be the root of other problems. Had the good fortune to work with a doctor who paid attention to what institutionalized kids were fed and how they behaved. Amazing what tweaking the diet can do for behavior. Look into it)

The ease of trade, decrease in regulations and failure to actually do what few inspections are still allowed has made us a Third World Nation. The rich corporations are dumping poisons in our air, water, foods. Profit is more important than life to the people who gain political power making an act about having morals.

Time to clean the mess. It is ALL related. War, selling poisoned grain for foods...
all related to $$ as the only thing of value.

[nicknameless]

10. Was it Nutro?

[iconoclastic cat]

17. Nutro is a super-Republican donor, btw. nt

[nicknameless]

31. Thank you. That says it all.

[InvisibleTouch]

79. Yes they are.

Which is one reason I don't use the brand, even though they have a "breeder's discount" program.

[nicknameless]

83. Did that company sell a couple years back?

It looked like they didn't care much about their ingredients anymore.

Just curious. It was hugely obvious when P&G bought Iams.

[havocmom]

84. There was an interesting post last night about their STOCK sales

Sure looked like somebody sold a bunch of stock before the news about the contamination broke!

Edited to add link to that thread
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x510721

[nicknameless]

86. That was interesting. I'd like to see what trading looked like starting in November.

They've admitted getting complaints as far back as December.

[InvisibleTouch]

85. Don't know about Nutro...

...I haven't really followed their history, whether they used to be owned by someone else or not. When I look at their ingredients list, the first ingredient is a meat meal rather than a whole meat source, which doesn't speak well for them. (But at least it's not a grain!)

I do know about the Iams sale to P&G - P&G being one of the worst offenders in animal rights abuses that you can find. I don't know how much it's affected the quality of their food, which still has a whole meat as its first ingredient - but I would guess they're using cheaper grains and other ingredients, in order to lower the price.

[nicknameless]

87. When Iams got bought out by P&G, the ingredients instantly degraded in quality.

By-products instead of higher quality meats.

[nicknameless]

137. Nutro was BOUGHT by Owners of Clear Channel in 2006!!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=512700&mesg_id=519370

[havocmom]

22. Nope. It was not.

I will not serve ANY commercially prepared pet food at this point. They will do ANYTHING to make just a penny more in profits. If I could live only on foods I can grow on my tiny lot, I would. Am looking for some acreage. We both know how to grow food. We know how to can. I have had it with the shit going on.

People here have teased me about my insistence that gardening is a POLITICAL act. Well, it is and I suggest everyone get into it. Even if it is just some leaf lettuces in a box in a window, learn how to provide at least some of your own food. This is just a warning of things to come.

GROW FOOD. TEACH CHILDREN TO GROW FOOD. Make it fun, cuz it is. It is a good way to teach a lot of science and it instills a sense that the way things are is not what kids have to accept. Make them PROVIDERS instead of just consumers!

Gardening is a political act. Pretty soon, it may well be a matter of survival as well.

Learn, do, teach. Start NOW!

[GreenEyedLefty]

27. Good for you!

I'm having DH build some raised beds for me this spring. I plan to grow as much as I can manage this year.

[havocmom]

39. In my experience, most dogs LOVE peas! They are easy to grow

so long as one starts them soon enough -they are a cool season crop. People in the south may be able to grow them by planting late summer for fall harvests. And peas will help fix nitrogen which makes everything else grow better.

Folks, make friends with your local county extension service. Look into gardening groups in your areas. LEARN and experiment. If at first you don't succeed, tweak and experiment again.

When I lived in Tucson, I planted clover as a ground cover around tomatoes. Keep the soil cooler and moist, cut down on water loss via evaporation and it also provides nitrogen, which tomatoes LOVE.

Oh, and most dogs will tolerate, if not just LOVE, tomatoes added to their dog hash! IF your dog isn't used to tomatoes, I would advise adding small amounts to diet to let their tummies get used to it. Dogs need vitamins and tomatoes provide C & A. My dogs have always stolen tomatoes off vines... mmmm, they love those 'juicy balls'!

[leftchick]

50. also buying locally grown produce is an option

I love going to my local farmers market and buying produce and dairy (no hormones ever) products there.

[havocmom]

57. BRAVO! Support local growers as much as possible.

People you have personal relationships with and are neighborly to are less likely to try and poison your chow! Plus, better for the environment to not haul so much food so far.

Keep local farmers going. Support them. Help them protect the land. They are under horrible economic strains. The guys bushco put in charge of the USDA are not on the side of local producers, nor are they good to the field agents who try and keep the local producers viable.

Farmers Markets are a great way to go. Also, some grain producers are doing the added value thing and selling finished grain products instead of just trucks of grains going to mega-processors. Look into the flours and cereals you can buy from such groups. There are several in my state who sell online.

We have more ranchers selling beef/lamb to consumers directly too. Instead of feed lot meat where the critters are in such horrible conditions they are STUFFED with antibiotics just to make it up the ramp to slaughter, you CAN find range fed, hormone/antibiotic free meats if you look around a bit. We have some lucky steers around here who spend their last days on the range instead of packed shoulder to ass in feed lots. There are producers who actually try to offer safe food. It costs a bit more, but look at the alternatives.

REAL eggs are mighty good too. Find someone with hens and buy something really worth eating!

Say no to the global corporate food pushers.

[Critters2]

73. Find local growers by going to localharvest.org

[havocmom]

80. great tip!

DUers? Put your shopping money where your mouth is! :woohoo: We got us a movement!

[Critters2]

70. I belong to a CSA! I shop at the Farmers Market. I'll start growing

some of my own this season, too. May start preparing food for my pets, too.

[havocmom]

72. Good on ya!

Sophie will be so happy you love her enough to fix supper! ;)

[InvisibleTouch]

218. I totally agree. n/t

[LiberalHeart]

12. That's what happened with my cat's food several weeks ago.

He wouldn't touch it. I got the same product, same variety, and he dove right in with his usual vigor. Dry Iams.

[iconoclastic cat]

18. Sorry, but Iams was unsafe even before the rat poison!

I recommend switching.

[LiberalHeart]

24. Okay, done. But unsafe how?

[iconoclastic cat]

30. Well, they use a lot of chemicals, which the test on animals as well.

I could go on about this, but here's a good Anti-Iams blog:
http://www.iamscruelty.com/introduction.asp

[havocmom]

25. Russian roulette with food now. Just peachy, huh?

Hmmm, which bag is bad and which is good....

Fucking bastards... no one will be held responsible either.

America, this is a wake up call. See how 'safe' bushco has made us? Anything for profits and by the way, look how easy it is to poison foods...

What's in your kid's lunch? Can't really feel secure anymore, can we?

[whistle]

11. Why would wheat gluten from China be imported to Canada, the

...world's largest exporter of wheat grain? That's what puzzles me

[havocmom]

26. then sent to be made into food in Kansas, another place with some wheat.

There are no nations, only corporations and they will move anything anywhere if it raises profits a penny.

[nuxvomica]

28. I'm guessing it's cheaper

China's undervalued currency plus cheap shipping costs may make it a cheaper buy. Some enterpising journalist should follow this story as an example of the economics of globalization.

[havocmom]

46. BINGO! If they had SEED grain to sell cheap... Globalization:

One world, where only maximum profits have value. Piss on people, animals, air, water. Go for the best Quarterly Report, CYA and never look back. We will make ourselves extinct in no time.

[sandnsea]

88. "sat on the open market"

There was a blog link a few days ago, by a vet. He referred to wheat sitting on the global market for a long time, speculated in India, got infested with rats and had to be sold cheap so China bought it. The peculiar question is whether any of their own people are eating it and if not, how can it be that we ended up with this poisoned wheat. Then there was that article about Russia refusing to buy from India until they cleaned up their act on food. This is going to happen to people sooner or later, it's only a matter of time.

[qanda]

14. A couple of weeks ago, out of the blue

Our dog started peeing every 10 minutes. We thought it might be her age, she'll be 12 this year, or perhaps a bladder infection. During the same time, she also vomited up something that at the time I thought was bile-- it was a mess to clean up. She has since gotten better, but when I heard about the dog food it did make me wonder if that had anything to do with it. She eats nothing but Purina One, which is dry.

[iconoclastic cat]

20. qanda, I'm not a vet, but those two sound a lot like the kidney symptoms.

You may want to get your dog's kidney function checked out.

[nicknameless]

21. Excessive thirst and urination can be signs of kidney problems

I hope she's okay.

[iconoclastic cat]

16. Has this been posted at Pet Connection and other places?

If not, it should. And more info should be gathered.

[Holly_Hobby]

32. Thanks for posting this

If we can figure out how to feed balanced meals to our families, we certainly can figure out how to feed our pets. It's time to throw out the bags and cans of poison and feed wholesome, unprocessed food. Both for humans and pets.

Someone upthread posted about growing your own food. It's a good idea to prepare. We can't trust the gov't to protect us from food processors. Buying local is a good idea too.

[nicknameless]

38. Another day. Another outrage. :o(

[gollygee]

37. My cat eats Science Diet dry

and I've been keeping up on this because I'm worried. She's very picky - we've tried to change her food before and she won't eat anything else.

[nicknameless]

110. There have been reports about Science Diet as well:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=512700&mesg_id=512799

[havocmom]

44. Here's a place to start to take charge of your pet's food bowl and other health issues

I recommend this book, old or new edition, highly. All sorts of great info and easy to follow recommendations for making food, treats for your companions on four feet. Recipes, first aid, health discussions... just plain good to have handy





Enlist the help of the kids (yours or borrow some) to make dog biscuits. We had a grand time making and giving them to our illustrious panel of guest dog tasters! :) The panel gave two paws up all around. Kids loved it. We had fun on a rainy day and I found a biscuit my big boy actually likes. Play with the recipes a bit. Life should be fun and food shouldn't kill.

[nicknameless]

47. "... food shouldn't kill."

There's a concept! Even the human food supply is a disaster in this country.

Two paws up, huh? Sounds like a great day all around. :)

Pitcairn's books are very popular with my vet.
I like this one too

[havocmom]

52. Re human food supply being a disaster: early days of bushco junta admin...

Congress gutted some rules regarding labeling requirements for Nation of Origin on our food stuffs. At THAT time about 40% of what you found on the store shelves was imported. Now? Who knows. But I bet the number has gone up. That puts us at risk in so many ways...

For starters, if you hate multi-national oil companies holding your car fuel tank hostage, consider BIG AGRA global corps doing same for your belly... and your kids/grandkids.

Seriously, we all need to learn to grow food on postage stamp size plots and the kitchen table.

[nicknameless]

56. I totally agree.

The junta deregulated the hell out of everything, defanged the regulatory agencies, and filled them with shills.

I'm afraid gardening will become a necessity soon.

[magellan]

53. Here's another recommended book on preparing homemade food

Home-Prepared Dog & Cat Diets: the Healthful Alternative

We've had this book since 2001 when our dog suffered and subsequently died of chronic renal failure brought on by heart medication and diuretics. (The vet didn't do labs to check kidney function.) It has recipes for puppies/kittens, adults and special needs pets (diabetes, gastrointestinal problems, allergies, etc).

I use it now for one of our dogs. The other is on Hill's Prescription but I'm working on moving her off that using this book.

[havocmom]

58. Thanks for the suggestion! We might consider a thread of such info

Once people get over thinking it odd to make pet food, things will go better ;)

Somebody PM me if such a thread gets started. Don't wanna miss anything while I'm at work! If nobody starts one in the meantime, I will try to get one going tonight and PM all you good DUers with a link for input!

[FlaGranny]

49. I have been feeding

the Nutro Ultra dry and wet to my dog for a LOOONNNGG time. She gradually was getting more and more lethargic, lost her interest in playing, etc. I wasn't even thinking about the food. She is 11 years old next month and I thought she was showing her age and she has a bit of arthritis. She always gets good results on her physicals and blood work. After all this recall stuff, I have her completely on Blue Buffalo food - it has no wheat or soy. They use barley and brown rice as the carbs. Over the last week or so, the life is coming back into her. She isn't running out of energy on her walks and is playing again.

It breaks my heart and really really pisses me off that I've been feeding her a high-end, expensive food that has been making her sick. I don't really know if the dry food has any toxins. Will wait and see. I do suspect though that she has an allergy to wheat or soy. I understand that those are two of the ingredients most likely to cause allergies. She's always had a problem with runny eyes and a lot of licking of her feet. Both are much improved after a week off the Nutro Ultra dry, which does contain wheat and soy.

[nicknameless]

54. I hope you hang onto the Nutro food, just in case it's needed for some reason.

Lot numbers or production dates, samples, etc...

I'm so glad your dog is okay and getting better.

[FlaGranny]

60. I don't have the bags

from the dry food any more. When I buy a bag of dry food I dump it into an airtight plastic container and throw away the bag. The wet food I had on hand has all been taken back to the store for a refund.

I threw out the loose dry food. I didn't want to take a chance of her getting any more of it. I had 2 different kinds in there too, one regular and one "lite." That would probably have messed up any inspection of the food.

It is wonderful and amazing to see her playing again.

[nicknameless]

64. I'm so glad to hear she's better. Thank god.

[havocmom]

55. Glad to hear she is better! Yep, wheat allergies are getting worse

People and critters both seem to be suffering. Time to rely on other grains. Barley is great, for now. I have no doubt massive scale corporate farming and global traders will screw that up someday too...

Monsanto is NOT our friend.

[ellie]

145. Thanks FlaGranny

for the Blue Buffalo recommendation. I went tonight and bought it for my dog and four cats. They all seem to like it.

[orleans]

199. but blue buffalo has whole garlic cloves and i thought garlic was toxic

to dogs?

http://www.bluebuff.com/products/dogs_senior.shtml

http://www.entirelypets.com/toxicfoods.html

[ellie]

222. I read that too

I e-mailed the company to ask them about it. I read on another site that the amounts in pet food are not considered toxic, but I will do more research. I may have to switch my cats back to Cat Cow dry and make the dog ground beef and rice. This is getting ridiculous.

[ellie]

241. UPDATE: Blue Buffalo e-mailed me back

I e-mailed them about my garlic concerns and here is what they e-mailed back to me:

Thank you for taking the time out to write us. And thank you for your
interest in BLUE. In response to your email, our cat foods do not
contain garlic or onions. We originally had it in there when we first
formulated our foods (this was before it was known to cause harm to
cats). We did take it out however we had some bags that were already
printed that we had to get through so you will still find bags out
there that say it on the list but I can assure you that it does not contain
it.

> In numerous clinical studies, garlic has been
> clinically proven to have beneficial health properties
> for animals such as a potent antioxidant, anti-cancer,
> antibacterial and viral, antiseptic and as an
> immunostimulant.
>
> In addition it has been proven to lower cholesterol
> levels, lower blood pressure, help control diarrhea,
> and is a sources of beneficial vitamins, minerals and
> important phytonutrients.
>
> While numerous chat rooms and written papers and
> articles are discussing the potential toxicity effects
> with onions (and now with garlic) these are really
> anecdotal discussions and there is no definitive proof
> that a specific dose of garlic that is toxic for
> animals.
>
> the real truth is that many food derived nutrients
> that are fed at high levels can be toxic. The best
> example is vitamin A, an essential and beneficial
> vitamin will cause toxicity if fed at high levels.
>
> Another example is the feeding of baby food to cats
> that contains onion powder, which has resulted in
> anemia. It is believed that processed powdered onions
> contains more concentrated levels of toxic ingredients
> such as sulfoxides which can lead to fragility of the
> red blood cells.
>
> The important point to remember is anemia that is
> secondary to feeding onions (and garlic) is totally
> dose dependent. The more onions or garlic that is fed
> the more possibility of problems. One study that
> incriminated onions as the cause of anemia said that a
> 50-pound dog would have to eating 6-8 ounces of
> onions/day.
>
> Blue Buffalos formulas are made with fresh garlic
> because fresh garlic has more of the naturally
> occurring phyto-nutrients, antioxidants and beneficial
> nutrients than other more processed forms. More
> importantly, the levels of garlic selected for blue
> buffalos formulations is the level that has
> been researched and tested in thousands of animals
> over the past 20 years and found to be beneficial for
> the health and well being of animals.

Best regards,

Samantha Wuhrer
The Blue Buffalo Company
[phone] Ext 11

[Gidney N Cloyd]

59. Oh, boy. That's the exact stuff I'm feeding my friend's dog while I'm >

dog-sitting last week and this coming week. He was throwing up on Sunday and it looked yellowish and thin but I didn't think much of it since throwing up is one of the things dogs do best. Now he's getting finnicky and eating the scraps in his bowl and leaving the Nutromax small bites lying there long enough for my dog to swipe it.

I was going to restock on the way home today, too. Maybe I should switch brands????

[nicknameless]

61. PLEASE switch!!!

[nicknameless]

62. I've been recommending Natural Balance, because I know it contains good ingredients

and is made in their own facility.

[BearSquirrel2]

151. Natural Balance ...

Gotcha. I've been on Nutro Beef and Rice for a LONG time because they touted the lack of animal byproducts. Last time I bought it the product had obviously changed.

A fundie buys the company, guts it's principles and ruins the product. No more Nutro for my dog. Sounds like Natural balance is where it is at.

Thanks for the info.

[Nikki Stone1]

157. Why do fundies have no concern for the public safety?

:shrug:

[BearSquirrel2]

257. Is that a challenge?

Is this a challenge. Do we really have to talk about why people on the right are unconcerned with the quality of our food supply, the cleanliness of our air and water and the quality of our healthcare?

It's the uber-industrialists that are the ones who are actually destroying these things. You can produce products without environmental damage but then you have to clean up your own mess and that costs more money. Naturally, the religious fundamentalists have no horse in this race. But they are political allies of the people who wish to continue polluting the environment and the food supply. Ergo, they parrot the talking points of their political allies and vote accordingly.

Honestly, I probably shouldn't have said "fundies", but the way I see it there is really little difference. Fundamentalism is part and parcel with the authoritarian mindset that craves for imperators and fuhrers as opposed to presidents. Once you enter the big "Republican Tent" you are part of the tent, you have bowed to their authority structure. It's a bit like becoming a Borg.

It's very obvious from the lack of organization on the left that the same is not true for progressives and liberals.

[nicknameless]

159. We're supposed to trust a Carlyle investment partner & owner of Clear Channel

with our pets' health???
It looks like that purchase went through back in Dec. '05.

You're very welcome!

[havocmom]

63. Get some oatmeal and ground beef or turkey

grab some eggs and search this thread for books with recipes. Powdered milk and/or Parmesean cheese is good calcium supplement. Pinch of parsley or a can of tomatoes for vitamin A & C. In a hurry, you can come up with chow to hold things until you get to the book store for a reference on nutrition and recipes for critters.

Doesn't take long to cook up some dog hash and put in small containers to freeze. You could save a critter's life at this point.

They were SO SLOW to admit there was any problem at all and now the list keeps growing. Assume it's all dangerous and boycott the lot!

[havocmom]

65. Gettin some great info in this thread! Need more Rs and kicks thru the day!

Can somebody thread sit after I go to work here in a couple hours?

[Akoto]

66. Okay, folks, I need some advice.

I've been feeding my dogs Nutro dry food. This warning has scared me off a bit.

Is there any store-bought brand that IS safe for my dogs?

[havocmom]

69. At this point, I wouldn't bet a pet's health on ANY of it

It is just not that hard to rustle up some grub for the dog. Books with nutrition and recipes are out there. You can get what you need at the store where you get your food.

Took so long for the first story to break and the list keeps growing. I love my big mutt too much to trust the bastards at this point. What is listed as safe today may well join the list tomorrow. Too many bad experiences out there and the manufacturers have shown NO interest in protecting anything but profits at this point. Fuck 'em and make supper for your furry pals.

[Quantess]

138. Home-cooked dog food sounds wonderful,

but not everyone has the time!
And, who has time to do it right!?
I've cooked meals for dogs before, such as when we ran out of dog food and hadn't gone shopping. For me, making food delicious for a dog is pretty easy, but the way I make it, it's greasy and/or fattening, not enriched with vitamins like commercial food is, and likely to cause loose stools. I think it would be a challenge to make home-cooked dog meals healthy and delicious.
Thanks for the idea, though.

[havocmom]

215. nine day supply took me 30 minutes with just what I had in the house

I had some ground meat, spuds, hot cereal to cook, lentils & barley I keep to make soups, some eggs, milk, cheese, butter and olive oil (ONE TABLESPOON of each of those fats). I added the contents of a few Vitamin E capsules, a can of tomatoes for vitamin C.

THIRTY MINUTES.

If you can't spare 30 minutes a week, you might not really have time for a dog and for your dog's sake, maybe it would be fair to consider giving it to someone who has some time. Dogs aren't houseplants. ;)

[Quantess]

236. For the sake of kicking the thread, I'll reply.

Thank you for the dog food cooking idea. I'll think about it.
As for the last paragraph of your post: was that really necessary? Assuming that because someone would prefer not to spend time making their own dog food, that they don't have time for a dog. Are you aware how rude and presumptuous that sounds?
As a matter of fact, my puppy gets a lot of quality time with me and/or my boyfriend.
I'm not trying to start an argument, but please think twice before saying that to someone, for future reference. ;)

[nicknameless]

74. Here's a list of foods that weren't being recalled ... as of a few days ago.

I don't know if there are problem foods on this list or not. I'd avoid the ones marked as being made by Menu.
http://petsitusa.com/blog/?p=210

But remember -- Nutro dry is NOT made by Menu, and it's the one being reported as causing illness (etc?) in the OP.


Natural Balance is supposed to contain "human grade" ingredients, and it's made in their own facility.
It's also pretty easy to find.

Newman's Own is organic. :thumbsup:

[Robeson]

78. Here's a site for natural cat foods, many of human grade quality....

...I use Natural Balance for my cats, and it can be bought at Super Petz. Many health food stores and organic food stores also carry some of these brands. I know Wild Oats carries some also, or you can order them on-line... http://search.onlynaturalpet.com/search.aspx?searchterms=Dry-Food-Cats

[Critters2]

100. This site has some good info

as to which foods are made by Menu Foods, which are not, which are made at different plants, etc.

http://www.petfoodexpress.com/petfood/default.asp?pageid=78&Section=About

[nicknameless]

187. I need to clarify -- Newman's Own **Canned** food is made by Menu.

Although it ISN'T part of the recall.

http://www.petfoodexpress.com/petfood/default.asp?pageid=78&Section=About

I don't know who makes their dry food.

[Critters2]

68. My Sophie's back in the hospital again

Stopped eating, has high kidney numbers. Only 7 years old. She's never eaten any of the listed foods, just Hill's dry, and the occasional can of Petguard organic as a treat. I've ordered Pet Promise (my younger cat, who has a tendency to be overweight but otherwise healthy, has been eating their healthy weight formula for a year or so), and threw out all the Hill's this morning. I'm convinced it's the Hill's that's making her sick.

Anyway, I'm back to worrying about her again.

[havocmom]

71. Damn, Sending good vibes for her.

People, just don't take the risk. At this point, who can be sure ANYTHING is safe.

And use this to argue with the wingers that REGULATION IS IMPORTANT! INSPECTIONS ARE IMPORTANT! PUNISHING CORPORATE CRIMINALS IS IMPORTANT! When only $$ matters, NOTHING is safe. NOBODY is safe.

There is a VERY BIG LESSON in all this. It's all connected to the mindset of the corportists and their stooges in politics.

Let THEM eat the dog food!

[Critters2]

75. Thanks!

How can anyone NOT see that this is connected to globalization and the corpratocrats. They're importing WHEAT to KANSAS!!

[havocmom]

77. Wheat to Kansas! Yep, there's a big red flag right there.

If I were a wheat farmer, I'd be heading my John Deere toward D.C. and figuring on gathering a crowd along the way!

[Critters2]

94. Me, too!! This borders on treason, imho! nt

[nicknameless]

76. Reports of problems with Science Diet in post #9

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=512700&mesg_id=512799

Please hang onto the Hills container if you can(?)

[nicknameless]

155. I hope Sophie gets well very soon.

Poor little thing.

:( :hug:

[AZBlue]

163. I'm so sorry! Sending good thoughts and vibes to both of you!!!

Was she eating dry or wet?
I hope all turns out well and she's back to normal in no time!!

[Ioo]

90. NUTRO MAKES IT'S OWN DRY FOOD.

It is not made at the Menu food plant. Nutro makes it own food.

Before we panic, lets make sure that this is not another issue, or these animals are not off and eating food elsewhere.

http://www.nutroproducts.com/

This recall applies to certain wet food only.
No dry Nutro pet foods, biscuits or treats are impacted by this matter and no other canned or pouch products are subject to this recall. Nutro's dry dog and dry cat foods are produced at Nutro's company owned manufacturing sites in Tennessee and California

[Critters2]

97. This is more than just a matter of ingredients

It's a matter of trust and integrity. Nutro has been presenting itself as a "premium" food, with only the best ingredients. Well, apparently they weren't using those best ingredients in all of their foods. To me, this is a violation of Nutro's customers' trust. Technically not fraud, I suppose, but close to it. I won't buy anything from ANY company on the recall list. If they want my business, they can't be cutting corners in making food for my furbabies!!

[TZ]

98. Yes, I felt the same about Iams

for my furbabies. God I hope that yet another type of food isn't involved. The problem for me is I am just as distrustful of our food supply. Don't want to feed themrae meat that could make them sick and I don't cook. I also am paranoid about my cats eating wild animals like birds infected with stuff like WNV. For the time being my compromise is Fancy Feast wet cans for my picky eaters, with dry Max cat as nibbles in between. AND I keep a sharp eye on their health. I don't know any better compromise at this point. Its all just too confusing:cry:

[nicknameless]

106. This has nothing to do with the Menu recall. That is stated in the OP.

[ellie]

92. I feed my dog Nutro

and last week he was sick, too. His throw-up was yellow. I can't believe this. If I poisoned my dog, even accidently, I will never forgive myself.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

93. What kind of Nutro?

Same as the original post?

[ellie]

96. Nutro Max

I didn't know it was lowest on their list. I was just thrilled he liked it. He is kind of a picky eater and I don't know what he ate before I got him. I rescued him last year.

[soulcore]

99. I wasn't at all worried before

since all my Russian Blue will eat is Purina Cat Chow. Won't touch wet food, won't even drink milk.

Any word on Purina brand dry foods?

[Critters2]

101. No recalls of Purina Dry. Mighty Dog is being recalled, tho. nt

[soulcore]

104. Thanks.

I wonder if this will get attention when the contaminated food is for human consumption.

[gulfcoastliberal]

102. Hard to believe pet owners still buy any product made by Menu.

Stop buying their crap!

[Critters2]

103. I agree! Protect your companions, and hold these people responsible! nt

[nicknameless]

107. Nutro *dry* is Not made by Menu, according to Nutro.

[Critters2]

108. Yeah, but I won't buy from any company that uses Menu Foods

as a manufacturer of any foods. Incompetence and malfeasance have consequences.

[nicknameless]

109. I see what you mean. And I agree.

Did you read about Menu's director's illustrious past?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x496517

[Critters2]

112. OMG!!! Just when I think I can't get any more angry, I learn something else

about the company making 95 brands of pet foods!!!!

What's the next level beyond furious?! :grr:

[nicknameless]

114. Critters, I really am worried because this doesn't appear to be just a Menu issue.

I have a feeling that there are other contaminants causing this.
It is showing up in products that Menu isn't making.

[peacebuzzard]

105. I have also been using Nutro products for my dogs

I have 6 dogs ranging in size from 15 pounds to 100 lbs and all are on the Nutro Natural Choice Senior Small bites which I have alternated with the Nutro Ultra Holistic Brand. I am infuriated that this company is passing itself off as using premium products and meanwhile share the facilities with many commercially lower cost dog food. I have spent a good percentage of my pay checks on what I thought would be a premium high grade food.

I have been out-of-town during this newsbreak, but was able to keep my pet sitter from feeding the Ultra Holistic "cuts and gravy" style (senior) and I am taking the cans (all cans on hand including the Natural Choice Senior) back to the store.

I have called the manager several times from out of town with my dismay. I have just opened 70 pounds worth of the Senior Bites and Holistic formula and will ask if I can return those too. I need to find a substitute.

Thanks for all who are contributing to this thread.

Two of my pooches have in the past thrown up a yellowish bile, and now I am fully alert to this story. I just got in from the airport and in time for their feeding, which I gave them the dry formula. I did not feel good about feeding them from the questionable company.

This is placing a dilemma in my life trying to decide how to proceed with their meal planning. I travel out of town for most of the month and rely on a pet sitter for their mealtime.

Thank goodness my out of town traveling comes to an end at the end of this year. I think I will be preparing their meals myself later this year but will be switching to a more natural fare in the meantime.

[nicknameless]

113. Here are two brands I still trust.

Newman's Own is organic.

Natural Balance is supposed to contain "human grade" ingredients, and it's made in their own facility.
It's also pretty easy to find.

I'm glad your dogs are okay and that you found this thread.

[peacebuzzard]

153. thanks. The Pet Store refunded my purchases so I exchanged

for the Natural Choice vegetarian formula, dry and cans and I picked up Natural Balance Organics in dry and treats. My pack of rescues enjoyed it!

I will see how the meal reception will be tomorrow. Also, since I had discarded the bag the Nutro came in, the manager said he would exchange the dry I have in the feed containers since I have the receipt. So, tomorrow will be another exchange day. The store personnel said that lots of refunds were transacted.

[nicknameless]

188. I just found that Newman's Own **Canned** food is made by Menu.

Although it ISN'T part of the recall.

http://www.petfoodexpress.com/petfood/default.asp?pageid=78&Section=About

I don't know who makes their dry food.
I just wanted to clarify that.

Pet food stores must be going nuts with this.

[Tsiyu]

111. My fridge is busted, so until that changes

I can't really cook up big batches of food and it sucks.

I took a gamble today when I got horse grain at Tractor Supply and bought some more Retriever brand puppy chow. It's corn and barley based, which isn't great, but it has never made the dogs sick in the past. The cats love it as well. They are scarfing some up as we speak. I only bought small bags and checked for Wheat gluten first.

What to do?

if anyone has heard any bad stories about Retriever brand ( I think it is TSC's own house brand) let me know. Their Dumor horse grain is EXCELLENT, as is their scratch grain and poultry feed, and from the looks of this puppy kibble, it's fresh and "clean" looking," but I'm scared to death watching them eat it!

Can't wait til I get another fridge so I can make it myself, commercial dog and cat food be damned....

And I agree with the above posters: grow your own and watch what the kids are eating. The bastards who allowed this shit into our animals' feed are no different than the bottom-line asses who manufacture our people food.

[nicknameless]

135. I've never heard of that brand.

I sound like a crack in the record (remember those? ;) ), but I keep recommending Newman's Own (organic) and Natural Balance.
Other brands may be fine. I don't know.

Frightening reports, have come out about these dry foods: Iams, Nutro, and Science Diet.
Maybe Eukanuba too? Post #119
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=512700&mesg_id=518641

[nicknameless]

189. Turns out Newman's Own ** Canned ** food is also made by Menu.

Although it ISN'T part of the recall.

http://www.petfoodexpress.com/petfood/default.asp?pageid=78&Section=About

*Sigh*

[nicknameless]

115. Can this thread please get some more recs?

The Greatest page is packed and this one is near the bottom.
Higher visibility might save a life.

[nicknameless]

117. *** Vet Poison Control Center suspects OTHER TOXINS involved ***

It may not just be a rat poison problem.

http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/27/pet-food-recall-vet-poison-control-center-suspects-other-toxins-involved/

Some news - and a caution - from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, which has seen a huge increase in call volume since the Menu pet food recall was announced. The ASPCA’s veterinary toxicologists “have been carefully analyzing data from these calls,” and are drawing some troubling conclusions:

Today the ASPCA reports that, based on these data, clinical signs reported in cats affected by the contaminated foods are not fully consistent with the ingestion of rat poison containing aminopterin that, according to Menu Foods, is at the “root” of the contamination issue.

“We’ve seen reports coming in from all around the country that animals that were eating the contaminated foods are definitely suffering from renal failure,” said Dr. Steven Hansen, veterinary toxicologist and senior vice president with the ASPCA, who manages the ASPCA’s Midwest Office, including the APCC. “But the data that we’ve been collecting do not conclusively prove this connection, which is why we strongly recommend that those involved in the investigation continue to search for additional contaminants.”

Full report here: http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=press_032707_2

[TZ]

121. Oy vey, this is very very bad

At this point the only thing to do is just keep an eye on the pets for any changes in behavior. Its seems nothing is safe and since some of us can't do the natural foods thing in reality, especially if our pets are picky eaters thats about the best thing about this along with trying to avoid the implicated Menu food brands.:scared:

[nicknameless]

123. Exactly.

Home cooked, if people can manage it, or maybe organics like Newman's Own.

VERY scary. :(

[Critters2]

223. Newman's Own uses Menu Foods as a manufacturer.

So, it's off my list, too.

[nicknameless]

190. And it turns out that Newman's is made by Menu too.

Although it ISN'T part of the recall.

http://www.petfoodexpress.com/petfood/default.asp?pageid=78&Section=About

:(

[Der Blaue Engel]

118. My kitties are now eating AvoDerm Select Cuts

(They were eating IAMS pouches and dry.)

Anybody heard anything negative about AvoDerm? I got the name from a list of wet food not containing grain fillers posted by someone here earlier this week, but all these new reports are making me very nervous. The kitties are dubious about the new food. :(

[nicknameless]

125. Some AvoDerm is made by Menu.

Check under Breeder's Choice
http://petsitusa.com/blog/?p=210

[Der Blaue Engel]

127. Thanks

It says the only products manufactured by Menu are the 3 oz cans...and that's what I bought. But I don't know if they mean all of the 3 oz cans or some particular brand in a 3 oz can.

This is totally freaking me out. I have no idea what to feed them now. I wanted to make my own but can't afford a meat grinder at the moment so I thought this would do in the meantime. I think I saw Natural Balance at the pet store...guess I'm off to get that. (The cats are really going to think I've gone crazy, not to mention I'm upsetting their digestion with all this sudden switching.) :banghead:

[nicknameless]

130. Look at those cute fur kids. They'll forgive you for protecting them.

:)

[Der Blaue Engel]

131. Thanks!

:)

[TZ]

132. cutie pies indeed

okay you might want to try if they are picky a little bit of Fancy Feast at least as a treat. It does have some wheat gluten but its not at all associated with Menu, and it doesn't look like the typical gravy and cuts stuff that Iams (which I used to use) sells. From what I can tell vets think its an okay brand. At least you can give them a little treat anyway.

[live love laugh]

119. My dog was vomiting bile -- eats Eukanuba dry. I switched for

a few days to ground beef and rice but that poo is icky to clean up so I switched back to dry. Now I am afraid. Guess I'll have to deal with the bad poo.

[nicknameless]

126. Eukanuba is a P&G product.

You might want to try a better brand, like Newman Organics or Natural Balance.

[live love laugh]

129. I'm going to the pet store tomorrow. Thanks. nt

[Gloria]

120. California Natural, Innova dry...not made in Wellness' facilities...

Natura Pet products, Excellent foods, no corn, wheat....

I feed my 3 boys California Natural Reduced Calorie Lamb and Rice (Brown).....that's all that's in it except the vitamins vit. E to preserve the oil.

Made in the USA in their own facility....They make cat and dog food.

They have a "Comparison Wizard" which you can use to compare different brands of food with their products....



http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=home-tab

[TZ]

122. I saw about this company on TV tonight....

and saw one of the owners EATING the wet food they make. Talk about puting your money where your mouth is!:wow:

[PhilipShore]

134. I guess that is good PR

:rofl:

[rumpel]

245. our Vet has been recommending Innova

and said any grain based foods, which the majority of dry foods consist of, is not good for the dogs. Corn, main ingredient in Pedigree for example is often the source of allergies he sees...

but it is a little pricey for us right now...

[havocmom]

124. More Rs & Ks please!

keep it up there, DUers, we need to make sure EVERYBODY sees it. Good info here.

[nicknameless]

133. Did you see this?

"Other toxins" suspected

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=512700&mesg_id=518594

[nicknameless]

136. Nutro was BOUGHT by BAIN CAPITOL in 2006!!! Owners of Clear Channel !!!

One of the owners of Clear Channel Communications Inc.
They also deal with the likes of Carlyle Group.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2973934

http://dealscape.thedealblogs.com/2006/01/hungry_for_more.php

In other buyout news, The Deal reported this morning that Boston-based Bain Capital LLC evidently bought control of natural pet-food company Nutro Products Inc. in late December, with neither company releasing a formal statement.

A source put the price at nearly $1 billion for a company that, analysts said, barely shopped itself if it even did so at all. — Carolyn Murphy

[nicknameless]

158. BTW -- The buyout occurred in December 2005. This report is from January '06

[Shallah Kali]

180. if I had known that I would have stopped feeding my cats nutro

I was trying to feed them something a bit better than the typical crap pet food that didn't cost an arm and a leg. now I am trying to find a good catfood recipe that I can try at home. I won't do raw and I want enough vitamins and minerals in it so I know my furkids won't be malnourished.

[nicknameless]

259. That is some very telling information, isn't it?

Hmmm... Would I trust pet health to people like that?...

Cooking for your furkids sounds like an outstanding idea.

:thumbsup:

[EFerrari]

139. Kick. How come I can only rec this thread once?

:kick:

[nicknameless]

140. More recs could save a life or two ... Please?

[Kool Kitty]

146. K & R.

I feed my cats Newman's and Pet Promise. They like both.

[nicknameless]

150. Thank you, Kool Kitty!

Hug your fur kids

[Kurovski]

142. K&R.(nt)

[nicknameless]

144. Thank you!

:hi:

[Kurovski]

148. Anytime, nn.

:hug: This story is so full of heartbreak, and if the press were on it properly, so much more could be avoided.

It also speaks to the issue of food standards being loosened in the Republican era, which is the standard for THEM.

You've been great on posting info, nn, thanks for that.:thumbsup:

[nicknameless]

152. Hopefully this info will help to save some lives.

:hug:

Nutro was (almost secretly) bought out by Bain Capitol -- An investment partner of Carlyle group and owner of Clear Channel.

How sleazy is that!
Think they knew people would recognize them as probably being untrustworthy?

:nuke:

[Rhiannon12866]

147. K&R. This is a national tragedy and is being downplayed by the media.

I saw my vet today and asked him about this and told him what I'd learned on DU (he's one of us and has given advice to pet questions on DU). He explained the hoops that anyone has to jump through to report the death of a pet from this poisoned food. The pet has to have been treated by a vet, and the vet has to absolutely ascertain that the animal died from renal failure because of the food that he/she was given. The owner has to provide the container of the actual food that the animal was given and the pet has to have a complete autopsy, and the vet has to provide tissue samples, backing up his contention that this pet died of renal failure due to bad food. No wonder that the deaths because of this recall are being underreported. Who wants to go through all that when they have just lost their pet, and this is expensive, plus, vets are very busy, trying to save the pets that they can... A very sad commentary on the responsibility of those who produce pet food in this country. ;(

[nicknameless]

149. OMG. No wonder.

:(

We really need to get the word out then. How in the dark would we be without blogs?

Thank you for the vote!

[Rhiannon12866]

214. You're welcome, my friend.

Unfortunately, most people get their information from the media. We're extremely fortunate to have DU, and members like you and kestral who are keeping us up to speed on this. I explained what I learned at the vet in more detail via PM.

Rhiannon:hug::yourock:

[havocmom]

252. Thanks for the info, Rhiannon12866! Thank your DUer vet too!

Hope we keep the latest info and links up as I am relying on DU to keep track of it all so I can provide my patron base links to clear, concise, current info on this issue.

DUer are the best!

[Rhiannon12866]

271. You're welcome, havocmom! Sorry that I missed your post!

And I sure agree with you! We're getting our information from DU, since the media is vastly underreporting the number of deaths and doesn't keep up all that well with this, but you read what my vet says is the reason. *sigh* When my house mate saw this thread, he did a search to see if there was one here on Alpo, which his dogs gets, and sure enough, he found one! All the cans in the cupboard which contain wheat gluten are going in the trash, even though the numbers didn't match up. And, today, I made chicken and rice for my little guys, even though their foods weren't on any list *yet*. I'll just feel better about it until this whole horrific mess is resolved...:scared:

[dysfunctional press]

162. isn't this how we end up with a planet of the apes???

all of the cats and dogs get killed off, so monkeys become the big pet...and things just go downhill from there.

[yurbud]

171. Did you see the episode of the Sopranos when they disposed of Richie?

that's where pet food comes from.

[nicknameless]

174. It would be a deserved fate for these bastards ...

but it would make the pets sicker, I'm afraid.

[nicknameless]

179. *** UPDATE *** OTHER BRANDS MADE BY MENU *** UPDATE ***

http://www.petfoodexpress.com/petfood/default.asp?pageid=78&Section=About

Other **CANNED** foods made by Menu, but NOT included in the recall, include:
Nature's Variety, Wellness, Castor & Pollux, Newman’s Own Organics, Wysong, Innova

These are brands that are produced in whole or in part by Menu Foods but for which we have spoken to the manufacturer and been assured that:

* Their products are not produced in the suspected plants.
* None of their products are being recalled
* They have had no reports of sick, dying, or dead pets.
* Their products do not contain wheat gluten.

We are selling these brands only if a client is fully aware of the recall and the potential risk posed by feeding a product made by Menu Foods. Although we have been assured that there is no problem with these foods, we cannot and do not vouch that they are safe.

AVAILABLE FOR SALE WITHOUT RESTRICTION

We are selling without restriction any brand that is not made by Menu Foods at all.

The brands included are:

* Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul
* Canidae/Felidae
* Breeder's Choice/Pinnacle (except for Chicken and Oats formula which is made by Menu)
* Natural Balance
* Solid Gold
* Triumph/Evolve
* Merrick
* Kal Kan (Pedigree, Cesar, and Whiskas)

[Pierogi_Pincher]

197. Kick, and thank you. n/t

[Kurovski]

200. Good night kick.(nt)

[nicknameless]

201. Good night, Kurovski

:hi:

[and-justice-for-all]

202. Blue Buffalo is good and unaffected by recall....

..and its availiable everywhere.
www.bluebuff.com

[nicknameless]

208. Thanks!

:thumbsup:

[nuxvomica]

213. Kick

I'm currently treating my cat with an antibiotic for a bladder infection. He had the bloody urine symptoms a week go Friday but his urine sample showed high levels of bacteria, he eats only Fromm's dry and Whiska's Temptations or baby food for treats, and his condition has responded to the antiobiotic. Nonetheless, the timing is disturbing. If there's any silver lining to all this perhaps it's that folks are paying closer attention to what goes in their pet food.

:kick:

edit: sorry. meant to reply to OP.

[melnjones]

273. I recommend it.

best food I've found anywhere.

[piesRsquare]

203. MENU FOODS DOES NOT MAKE DRY FOOD!

From Menu Foods' website, Consumer FAQ about the recall: http://www.menufoods.com/recall/FAQ_Consumer.htm

Question-and-Answer #8 (emphasis added):

I feed my pet dry food. Is dry pet food safe?

Menu Foods only manufactures wet pet food in cans and foil pouches. Dry pet food is not part of the Menu Foods recall.


Updated pet food recall info: http://2blackcats.wordpress.com

[nicknameless]

205. IT IS CLEARLY STATED IN THE OP THAT THIS IS *NOT* CONNECTED TO THE MENU ISSUE!!!

Edited for punctuation.

[nicknameless]

204. Excerpt from PetConnection blog: Another case of Nutro dry and sick pets.

http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/03/27/pet-food-recall-abc-news-breaks-it-wide-open/#comment-14226

My 12 year old dog had severe seizures earlier this month, first time (does run in this family, might not be food related at all). However, due to that and the recall, I quit feeding Nutro dry kibble, and began feeding only home cooked meals.

It made me start thinking of my dogs general health. Both had been lightly vomiting froth/liquid at times, with upset tummies, over the last couple of months frequently (which I and the vets had stupidly excused, since we take long walks, and they are a hunting breed that could be getting into little things everywhere, never lasted long…but never went away entirely). Also, they did eat the Nutro, but not like when we first switched over a couple of years ago. In fact, they had become reluctant to eat it.

Since I quit feeding Nutro dry food, there has been NO vomiting. Zero. The vomiting stopped the minute I stopped the dry kibble (despite the sudden change in diet, which didn’t result in any stomach or other upset, which I had expected). Their coats are softer already. I am thankful they are alive right now, and feel like the worst person that I never questioned the food as a possible problem until the recall of wet food. I believe there is something in the dry kibble as well that shouldn’t be there as well.

[autorank]

209. K&R Thanks for this.

Feed the hoard dry food...Science Diet and Purina Yogurt flavored tiny bits.

No wet food.

The information on this has positively sucked. Listing the food the way they did turned into
a circular folly of not finding much. I truly resent them for this. Didn't they read the Johnson and
Johnson case study?

[nicknameless]

211. Tylenol? I thought about that too.

What did it take J&J? A matter of *days* to start a recall?

Some bad experiences with dry Science Diet too. See post #9
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=512700&mesg_id=512799

And http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=512700&mesg_id=514001

There may be others on this thread? (It's kind of long)

Thanks for the vote, Auto. :hi:
Hug your fur kids.

[orleans]

210. k&r n/t

[nicknameless]

212. Appropriate cartoon -- Snoopy.

[Duer 157099]

221. Who makes the Costco brand (Kirkland) dry dog food, I wonder?

I know they usually just rebrand some major brand, but anyone know which one it is?

My dog has vomited bile a couple times in the past couple months, but I didn't think anything unusual about it. And I haven't checked her pee (she pees in the grass, how do I see if there's blood in it??)

[Iceburg]

224. Diamond ... better read this Vet Medicine Assoc advisory from Jan 2006

Dog Food Aflatoxin Advisory
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/whatsNew/aflatoxin.asp

[Duer 157099]

226. Wow, thanks -- but I think that problem won't apply

from that site:

"The actual source of the aflatoxin is from a lot of corn grown under drought-stricken regions of the Southeastern U.S."'

I try to only buy dog food that does not contain corn (eg, lamb/chicken and rice), so hopefully this wouldn't be a problem.

But it's good to know who the actual manufacturer is, in case the other recall widens.

thanks!

[FlaGranny]

229. When she squats to pee

slip something under her to catch the urine. You can use a cut-down paper cup or a white lid from a jar. You'll be able to check the color and clearness of the urine easily. I recently had to catch a sample for a full workup and that's the way I did it. The dog never knew it happened. :)

[Duer 157099]

232. LOL... that sounds like what I figured I'd have to do

Hmmm... she's gonna think I've gone nuts,lol

[nicknameless]

239. I've been looking at blog pages for info about problem foods.

I haven't found any other reports about pets getting sick after eating Kirkland dry.
I hope she's okay.

[Critters2]

225. My dad just told me he's switching to Fromm cat food

Made in Wisconsin. He knows some farmers who grow products they use. I'd never heard of it before, but they say they don't use Menu Foods at all...

http://www.frommfamily.com/contact-recall-info.php

[Duer 157099]

227. Have we determined that Purina One dry (lamb/chicken/rice) is OK?

I might go back to that if so.

[nicknameless]

263. I haven't been able to find stories about pets getting sick from eating Purina One dry ALONE.

(That doesn't mean that stories about it aren't out there, or that the food is okay)

It seems that people, who have reported Purina as a food their sick pet ate, also write that their pet ate other foods as well.

Here are a couple:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Cat_Food_Recall_Is_Your_Cat_Sick

47. Comment by Sherri -- 4 days ago

I don't see Fancy Feast or Purina Cat Chow on the recall list and Wishy ate this almost exclusively. He fell ill 2/23 (fine that morning), started vomiting, urinating, diarrhea. Spent the weekend in the animal clinic (dehydrated), given fluids by IV, then we lost him on 2/27. The clinic kept asking if he could have gotten into any poison. I don't see Fancy Feast on the recall list, but yet I can't help thinking that must have been the culprit. We're out over $1500, but I would gladly pay that again if he would have lived (he was 9 years old).


73. Comment by Brenda -- 1 day ago

My god, this is insane. I have no idea what to feed my cat. She was eating fancy feast and purina one dry food. she vomited and she never does. so i don't know about this food, even thou its not on the list, it seems other people were having problems with it. sorry to all the people who have lost their cats, just devasting..... I would totally sue!!!!! please do sue, don't let them get away with murder.

Again, pet expert, Susan Peters has recommended against buying BRANDS that are included in the recall, because dry foods contain the same ingredients as wet foods.

While not much of Purina is being recalled, there are plenty of accounts of pets getting sick after eating various Purina products.
In particular: Mighty Dog, Moist & Meaty, Beneful
Purina One is supposed to be superior to other Purina products, but that isn't saying much.
By-products are allowed to contain disgusting ingredients...

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FKA/is_3_61/ai_54017841

The "animal protein" in many pet foods is made up of: diseased meat, road kill, contaminated "material" from slaughterhouses, fecal matter, pets which have been euthanized with sodium pentobarbital, chicken and turkey feathers, and the waste from milling room floors.

Sources of these "animal proteins" are diseased, drugged, and euthanized animals (including other cats and dogs). These carcasses go to receiving plants, where the hide (sold to a tannery), skin, fats, and meat are removed. The "meat" from these animals can be sold for pet food (sometimes along with tags and flea collars in place), after being marked as "unfit for human consumption."

If this "meat" arrives at the receiving plant already decomposing, it's sent to a rendering plant, along with road kill. Also "fine" for pet food is condemned material from slaughterhouses -- animals that died on their way to slaughter, diseased animals or parts, diseased blood, hair, hooves and paws, horns, stomach contents, heads, mammary glands, unborn calf carcasses, processed animal waste from the floor of the slaughterhouses along with litter material from the floor, and, again, euthanized companion pets.

[nicknameless]

266. It's too late to add this clarification to my other reply:

The stories *that I could find* about Purina and Purina One causing problems, also mentioned that the pets were being fed other things as well.

Exceptions (Again, just in stories I've found) were Mighty Dog, Moist & Meaty, Beneful AND Purina Little Bites.
These foods by themselves, seemed to result in sickness, according to pet parents.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

228. I've been feeding my cats Purina One dry cat food - they've been ok.

I'm just going to stick to that.

[Iceburg]

230. I now know that my beloved springer died of dog food poisoning...

last summer she took suddenly ill and we ruhed her off to the vets. They kept asking if she had perhaps got into something poisonous. I said it was impossible as we don't keep anything like that around the house. We had her tranfused but she could not pull through and died four days later.

And my Aussi shepherd has had all sorts of problems for months -- throwing up yellow bile a few hours after she eats her dry dog food, a couple of seizures, and now a thyroid problem.

Enough with these F%$#ing greedy corporations ... I will never buy dog food again.

[Critters2]

233. I am so sorry, Iceburg. nt

[Quantess]

242. Last summer--no, there was no problem then.

So your beloved Springer became sick last summer. No, it was probably something else.

But, what does your Aussie eat? Whatever it is, it sounds bad.

[Iceburg]

246. My aussi was eating Nutro, and more recently PC Nutrition1st

dry food, with occassional supplements of sardines and ground turkey. She vomitted yellow bile on a fairly regular basis while on both dry dog foods. I quit giving her manufactured treats in the past year and instead give her slow-baked beef marrow bones which she LOVES. We also have a organic vegetable garden from which she freely grazes in the summer -- digs up her own carrots, pucks her own peas and even has the occasional green pepper.

For the past 4 days I have been giving her what I eat with more emphasis on protien and she has yet to throw up or have diareaha. I have ordered some dog-specific cook books and will provide her with a more scientfic and measured diet as I acquire more knowledge. Certainly it was not the best way to transition to a new diet but choosing the alternative (continue feeding her a commercial brand) given her unrelenting symptoms seemed downright irresponsible.

While 4 days is too soon to judge the success of such a bold move ... no yellow bile for four days and sleeping through the night is to me a VERY good early sign.

[Quantess]

262. I am so sorry to hear about your cute dog being sick.

She looks a lot like my aussie-mix puppy. My 6 month old boy is finicky about his dog food. He's super cute and he looks a little like her, except no tinfoil hat, however, my pup does enjoy chewing leftover flavor from tinfoil wrap. Yes, my pup loves gardening too.

[Iceburg]

265. Thanks...but on the good news front since switching to a home-cooked

diet 4 days ago she has yet to throw-up...now that is a new world record. Right now I am just winging it with her diet while I await the arrival of more scientifically based diet recommendations. But even now I am astounded at how well she has responded.

I suspect Murphy is not a pure Aussi even though she was billed as one. (She doesn't have the traditional blue-eye, but that was a plus as she would have looked to much like another Aussi that we had.) We rescued Murphy from a dubious petshop when she was a babe. She was the runt of a litter and was on the verge of being adopted by someone who was going to leave her alone for 12 yours a day. Having experience with other Aussies we knew that would be the worst thing that could happen to her -- as they are the most active and affectionate breed I have encountered and love to be with you 24/7.

Ms. Murphy is truly amazing at what she has taught herself -- she can pick up three items at a time (say a ball and two frisbies); she spontaneous started rounding up the dog collars, and fetching my hiking boots for our woodland walks --she actually picks up "the pair" and brings them to me -- the thing is I never taught her any of this-- she just figured it out on her own. She even tries to put the collar on our other beloved fur dotter BJ. By night she thinks she is a tiny lap dog content in her mamas arms. I laugh in amazement and amusement at her every day.

[nicknameless]

268. Congratulations, Iceberg!!!

:bounce:

Home-cooked food for pets is an outstanding solution!
Every story I've read, about pet parents switching to home cooked diets, has reported great results. :)

[Iceburg]

270. Day 6 and all is going well... my fur children are delighted

with the new regime. They love watching Mom cook just for them.

I posted more detail about their previous problems and the unexpected death of our other fur dotter 5 years ago (that in hind sight may have been food initiated) on this thread

[Iceburg]

274. Day 11 and both fur dotters are doing well on their new homemade diet

I can't believe the remarkable turn around. Not once since changing to homade food have they thrown up the nasty yellow bile that we had almost become compacent about due to the frequency.
Next week they both will receive a thorough health assessment (full CBC, ALKP, ALT, BUN, Creatinine, Glucose, Full panel T4/TSH) so I have a baseline from which to monitor there state of health.

My kitchen looks like a pet food factory, but my girls are delighted with the changes.

[nicknameless]

276. That is fantastic news, Iceburg!

Congratulations to you and your girls. :woohoo:
:toast:

[Kurovski]

234. Kick.(nt)

[kerry-is-my-prez]

235. Nutro is on the recalled list .Here's a link to the recalled foods & to the safe foods

http://www.downing-frye.com/animalsandpets.htm

[nicknameless]

237. The OP is about *DRY* food problems .... Only wet food is on the recall list.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

238. egads! now we have to worry about dry too....

guess I'll be staying away from the dry food from those companies too.

[nicknameless]

240. Yes. The FDA is said to be getting many calls about dry foods causing sickness too.

One pet expert, Susan Peters, wrote:
"I would not suggest feeding any of the brands on the recall list. The companies use the same stuff to make the dry that they use in the wet. The dry has other fillers mixed in an may not cause as much trouble. We'll be seeing reports about the dry food, too. (I'm sure)"

http://hubpages.com/hub/Dog_Food_Safe_To_Feed_After_The_Dog_Food_Recall

[Rhiannon12866]

247. Exactly what brands AREN'T on the recall list?!

I ran across an advertisement for a refrigerated fresh food on Dogster the other day, so I searched for the closest place that sold it and was told that it wasn't available yet in my part of the country. :-(

I told you what my vet said about the wheat gluten which is causing the problem, and why. I would think that you'd be safe if you'd just avoided any food that contained it. My friend only uses dry and her three cats and two dogs are fine...:shrug:

[nicknameless]

248. There are a few ...

http://petsitusa.com/blog/?p=210
That's the list of canned foods not on the recall list.
But some are made by Menu.

Still ... some pet parents are reporting sickness from foods not made by Menu.

It is NOT conclusive that wheat is the only culprit.
A lot of the Nutro contains NO wheat.

I'm pretty much at the point of thinking that cooking for pets is the most sensible answer, at least until this is all figured out.


Hi Rhiannon :hi:

[Rhiannon12866]

250. Thank you so much! I'm definitely going to pass this on!

My friend in rescue (who is responsible for my having Meneken and Sara) switched her dogs' food back in January and they got sick, even though the particular varieties they were given aren't on the list. *sigh* They only vomited for several days, but they're older dogs and one isn't well, anyway, so she was frightened by this, and then the pet food recall story came out, so she naturally feels terribly guilty. *sigh* She's switched their food, yet again.:-(

My guys have been fine, as have my friend's pets, but I agree that cooking for your pets is the most sensible option. My vet has had me cook for my pets when they've been unwell, either to get them to eat or if they needed to be on a bland diet, so I'm used to it.:shrug:

I just checked the cupboard and there's one can in there of the food that my SO's dog eats that is the meat cuts in gravy. It's not a brand that is on the list, but he's avoided giving this to him, anyway. I checked the ingredients and this can contains wheat gluten, while the food that I gave him this morning does not, so I'm going to tell him to just throw this can away. These are scary times, since we can't rely on anything being safe.:scared:

Hi, nicknameless and thank you!:hi::hug:

[nicknameless]

251. Here's the post about other possible contaminants being involved:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=512700&mesg_id=518594

These surely are scary times.
I'm so glad to hear that your little guys are doing well.

:hug:

[havocmom]

253. Thanks for keeping us up with the latest links, nicknameless

As I mentioned up-thread, I am trying to keep info available for my patrons and this thread is really helpful in that effort.

:hug:

[nicknameless]

260. Glad to do it, havocmom

Here are what I feel are the main points:

*** The FDA has been receiving MANY complaints about dry food.

*** Menu is said to NOT make dry food.

*** The testing lab has indicated that they believe that more than just wheat is involved.

*** Pet expert, Susan Peters recommends against feeding all BRANDS involved in the recall, because they use the same ingredients in the dry food as they do in the wet food. (Plus fillers)



Thank you for helping other people to find this info. :hug:

I have gone from seeing dogs being walked throughout the day in my neighborhood to only seeing THREE dogs yesterday.

:(

[Rhiannon12866]

256. Damn!

I told you what my vet said, that this particular poison causes renal failure, but he said that it's not used in this country, only in Europe and China. He said that the rat poison that is used over here causes liver failure, instead. I reminded him that I previously had a pet rat. He treats very small animals, as well. *sigh* And these sure are scary times. I guess I'm fortunate that my little guys are very picky eaters...:shrug:

Thanks for asking about them. Meneken is doing okay, per the vet, and Jack's incisions, from his surgery two weeks ago, are looking fine and he's gained a pound. Also, neither of them ate much this morning. Maybe that's just as well, considering what we're learning, and I did talk to the vet about their particular foods and he said we're okay, but there is always more bad news. I also gave chicken to Meneken and cheese to Jack. It's always a trauma to get my guys to eat and I usually try anything...:-(

[orleans]

255. nutro website says there is no recall on the dry foods by them n/t

[nicknameless]

258. I know. But parents are saying that their pets are getting sick after eating it.

The FDA is being flooded with complaints about dry food.
The problem has NOT been narrowed down to wheat alone.

And pet expert, Susan Peters, recommends avoiding the BRANDS involved in the recall.

17. Comment by AskSusanPeters -- 6 days ago

I would not suggest feeding any of the brands on the recall list. The companies use the same stuff to make the dry that they use in the wet. The dry has other fillers mixed in an may not cause as much trouble. We'll be seeing reports about the dry food, too. (I'm sure)

This thread has NOTHING to do with the Menu recall. It's about pets getting sick from eating dry food. Nutro, etc.

[nicknameless]

264. FDA REVEALS TOXIN FOUND IN PET FOOD SAMPLES

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x538952

[PhilipShore]

267. How many dry foods contain wheat gluten?

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/03-30-2007/0004556993&EDATE=
">Link

Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Single Product, Prescription Diet(TM) m/d(TM) Feline Dry Food, Only Product Containing Wheat Gluten

This is the only product Hill's currently sells in the United States and Canada that contains wheat gluten from any supplier. No other Hill's Prescription Diet® or Science Diet® products are affected by this voluntary recall.

[nicknameless]

269. What if the problem isn't just with the wheat gluten?

Nutro states that their dry foods don't contain wheat gluten.
http://www.nutroproducts.com/mfrecall.asp

So what's making these pets sick ... and worse?

[nicknameless]

275. Numerous stories of pets sickened by Nutro at this link:

http://hubpages.com/hub/PET_FOOD_RECALL_NUTRO_DRY_DOG_FOOD

[nicknameless]

277. And more here:

http://www.topix.net/forum/business/food-science/T3EK47EJQRHL4K9OQ

And http://www.clearwatertribune.com/Weekly%20Articles/03-29-07/03-29-07%20Pet%20Food.htm