Will food ever be safe? (pet food recall expanded)

St. Pete Times ^ | April 28, 2007 | IVAN PENN

[dawn53]

What's a pet owner to do? You check the recall list and the product you feed your pet isn't there.

So you keep using the same pet food.

But then, as it has several times already, including late this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announces an expansion of the recall list. With almost 5, 600 products listed, you search again. And your brand has been added.

[Caramelgal]

People that know a whole lot about nutrition say that dogs and cats don’t need rice or grains because they are carnivores.

I could be wrong but I think the reason grains are added to cat and dog food is no only that it helps the dried kibble keep its shape, but for the roughage. In nature a carnivore is going to ingest some fir, feathers, skin and even some bone along with the meat. I’m not catching wild birds and mice for my kitties to eat, and while my kitties would kill a mouse if one got inside they’d rather “play” with it to death than eat it.

If the issue is protein, I know in humans, we get a good amount of protein from non-meat sources, bean, rice, legumes and even some vegetables are excellent sources of protein, but I think in cats the issue is getting enough taurine which comes from animal tissue.

I’m interested in making homemade cat food, but I’m not sure what that involves. Are they going to do well if I feed them just cooked chicken, tuna or salmon? In general dogs are willing to eat whatever you eat but cats are generally more picky and don’t like sudden changes in their diet.

If I ask my vet, she’s probably going to want to sell me the prescription Science Diet since my male has had some bouts with cystitis.

Any suggestions?

[mom4kittys]

I wish I could help, but Arizona Carolyn is the nutrition expert around here on FR. You can google Anitra Frazier, holisticat and I think a Dr. Pitcairn? along with the word recipe. These people are the foremost professional experts on animal health and nutrition.

[rxgalfl]

It’s not only vitamins. Rx drugs come from China and India. This is how Walmart could afford their $4 ‘script program.

First all, Walgreens and Target are offering the same program. Second of all, WalMart has the buying power to get discounts from their wholesaler (McKesson being an educated guess). Don't assume things and make people fear getting their meds from WalMart (or any other chain pharmacy which offers a discount plan) just because in your book selling meds and potatoes is the same thing.

[rxgalfl]

What that major show failed to show you was the fact while it is true that a lot of meds produced in India and China are substandard and even fakes, one of the things which works for our safety is the tough regulation of importing prescription meds into US. It is not linked as much to our safety than it is to the lobbying work done by drug manufacturers (which incidentally I don’t think them to be the Antichrist but quite the contrary) which limits and makes it almost impossible the distribution and sales of foreign made meds.

[rxgalfl]

People that know a whole lot about nutrition say that dogs and cats don’t need rice or grains because they are carnivores.,

Dogs are actually omnivores and cats are obligate carnivores. If you compare the cat food available on the market you will see listed as the main ingredients carbohydrates from many sources (wheat, rice, corn) and then somewhere at the end (which means low percentage) the proteins. My brother's cat is diabetic and they are feeding her Purina DM. I checked the bag (since we have 2 cats ourselves) and the listed ingredients are as follows: beef, liver, trout, fish meal, beef tallow, wheat flour, soy proteins. No wonder most house cats are meatballs.

[Muzzle_em]

I cook thighs in a pressure cooker and the meat literally falls off the bones. I don’t give her bones.
Gizzards are good too.

[Arizona Carolyn]

Hi, been gone.... definitely agree with mom4kittys join the holisticat list and follow their lead rather than the lead of your vet... when it comest to nutrition, vet’s receive so little training and are trained by Science Diet (Hills) and Purina, there is no alternative presented to them... the holistic lists are more reliable IMO for diet...

[Westlander]

http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2006/10/23/walmarts_drug_deal.php

[rxgalfl]

So where does it say China? :) Please understand that I am not a WalMart defender or accuser, I am just stating pharmacy facts. It is my profession!

[Caramelgal]

definitely agree with mom4kittys join the holisticat list and follow their lead rather than the lead of your vet...

Thanks. I already checked out the holisticat website and printed out some stuff, I guess I’m going off to the health food store and doing some home cooking. I’ll let you know what happens.

As a side note, while I have great respect for vets, having once wanting to be one before realizing that it’s easier to become an MD than a veterinarian, but about 6 years ago my oldest female (Zelda) suddenly started losing weight, threw up everything she ate, was panting, had labored breathing and was very hyperactive.

A trip to my vet, an exam and some blood tests revealed she had Hyperthyroidism. The doc prescribed an oral medication but soon after, she started losing all the hair from her face and ears and her ears and face were blood red, full of scabs and very hot to the touch. I started doing some research on line and found a support group for people with cats with the same condition. What I found was she was having an allergic reaction to the medication. I took her back to the vet’s the next morning. She was seen by a different vet who told me she thought she had ear mites. She didn’t have ear mites and I explained to the doc what I thought was happening and gave her a printout of some information I found on allergic reactions. She left me and Zelda in the exam room while she went back to her office and came back saying “I think you’re right”. I was referred to a specialist who gave her Radioactive iodine therapy. It worked and she’s been happy and healthy ever since, although I did have to call her “glow in the dark kitty” for a while. I’m not sure what would have happened if I hadn’t done some research on my own and accepted the second vet’s first answer.

[TASMANIANRED]

I’m cooking for mine until I’m sure ..

Love them too much to loose them stupidly.

[TASMANIANRED]

My Mom used to give the dogs a treat when her bacon grease was getting to nasty for frying chicken.

Gravy on old dried up bread.

They worshiped her.

[conservative cat]

My dogs started getting sick on Purina One. It has not been recalled, but I stopped feeding them it. Ours did have corn gluten, which has been suspected as a problem.

[NRA2BFree]

I had to take my two cats to the vet. The vet did blood work on my little boy, because he throws up, has diarrhea and is lethargic. The vet said so far there is no kidney damage, but I’m still worried. It seems like everyday they come out with another company who has had to recall their food. I think it’s just a matter of time before they recall Friskies, which is what they eat. It’s really scary. They’re like little kids. They’re so dependent on me to feed them and keep them safe. It’s hard to do when the food they’re eating makes them sick.:o)

[gracesdad]

If I catch a dog in my garbage can or chasing my cats, it’s off to the pound for that mutt.

[Arizona Carolyn]

I think we are all in the same boat trying to find a reliable vet these days. I have been so angry at the lack of proper care mine gave our cocker who had Cushings I haven't been back. Thankgoodness my girls are doing well without him....

I think you'll find your cats will thrive on homecooking. We once had a black Persion that lost all her fur and was a mess, I started grinding beef heart, chicken livers and gizzards and (the worst of all) kidneys... we put the mixture into meal-sized packages and that was her diet going forward.. she thrived... at the time there was no internet or alternative info available on cats or dogs, so I went by a healthfood book I had at the time and improvised, there is so much more help available, now...

[Dr. Scarpetta]

bump!

[EdReform]

We've been feeding our dog a mix of Innova Evo and Old Mother Hubbard Wellness Chicken Super5Mix. Both are recommended in the book I mentioned in reply 24 above.

[blam]

Looks like many of us have dodged a bullet with our pets.

[windcliff]

ping