The Pet Food Recall – a tragic situation
A lot of us were very surprised that one manufacturer was producing so many different brands, labels, price points all including one very inexpensive ingredient – wheat gluten.
Things we can begin to do:
Research companies who make the products you are buying.
Read pet food labels; learn about the listed ingredients.
The AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials) definition of gluten is: “the tough, viscid nitrogenous substance remaining when the flour or wheat or other grain is washed to remove the starch”.
Let’s learn as much as we can from this widespread tragedy to protect our pets and try to evoke change in an industry that has become full of using off-cast foods.
Remember to tell your elderly neighbors or family members who may not be aware of the gravity of this situation. Help them be sure they are not feeding a recalled product since the list of brand names is extensive.
Most of the grains or grain-parts (wheat, corn and soy) that are included as a protein source instead of meat are hard to digest and sometimes even trigger allergies. Watch for alternative protein sources such as meats and rice which are easier to digest and sometimes cause less allergic reactions.
Things to consider as you research pet food:
How do they respond to a basic customer service question?
How do they respond to a question about nutritional value of an ingredient?
Do they use whole food or organic ingredients?
What are there features that set them apart from other pet foods?
What are the company’s values?
Is the company privately owned? Are they willing to disclose who they are owned by?
Will they disclose if they make their own products or contract out the manufacturing to another vendor?
Pet owners must sort through the great marketing and pretty packages and take the time to understand the best option available for their budget. Unfortunately, there are products on the shelves that are sub-standard.
As more pet parents begin to learn about the quality of their pet food, maybe the industry will be forced to use better quality ingredients in pet food products.
Please consider taking your pet to the veterinarian if you pet has consumed any of the products on the recall list. Please do not wait for the symptoms to begin to show. Since this is a type of poisoning, if treatment can be received before kidney failure begins, it may be possible to keep your pet from going into kidney failure. With an exam, bloodwork and a urinalysis, the veterinarian may possibly be able to detect a problem and treat it before it is too late.
