On 11/19/16 we posted an article about the general concept of feeding your dog prepared processed dog foods and how they may be affecting the health and longevity of your dog. Today’s article reviews some info. about these processed foods so that you may draw your own conclusions and decide how better to feed your pet. You made the decision to take on the responsibility of owning a dog and having it as a member of your family. It is your responsibility to feed it food for their optimal health, that is digestible, that will not give them skin or digestive disorders, bacterial infections, or that is periodically subject to recalls.
Most commercial brands of dog food are over-processed, cooked at very high temperatures (destroying their nutrient value), have added by-products, grains, salt, sugar chemicals, preservatives, and artificial coloring. During the last 15 years, thanks to Monsanto, we now have the additional factor of GMO’s — wheat/barley/rice/and corn — that also have entered the supply chain for pet food. So not only is a portion of their food now genetically modified, but it may also be contaminated with pesticides and fungicides.
Dogs’ stomachs were not meant to digest grains. Some carbohydrates are okay for providing energy. However, the use of grains/carbohydrates in commercial dog foods is also a way for the manufacturer to be adding fillers. Dogs’ stomachs were made to digest meat. Dry kibble is not a natural food for dogs. Food that is laced with plastic, bacteria, and products of decomposition (by-products) are also not natural foods for dogs to be eating.
Below is a recent list of recalled dog food as provided by the FDA and DogFoodAdvisor since 2009:
- Cesar Dog Food Recall of October 2016 (10/7/2016)
- Addiction Dog Food Recall of September 2016 (9/8/2016)
- Blue Buffalo Dog Food Recall of May 2016 (5/31/2016)
- Smallbatch Pets Dog Food Recall of March 2016 (3/28/2016)
- Fromm Dog Food Recall of March 2016 (3/18/2016)
- Purina Beneful and Pro Plan Dog Food Recall (3/11/2016)
- Vital Essentials Dog Food Recall | January 2016 (1/15/2016)
- Big Dog Natural Dog Food Recall of January 2016 (1/4/2016)
- Nutro Dog Treats Recall of December 2015 (12/13/2015)
- Stella and Chewy’s Dog and Cat Food Recall of December 2015 (12/12/2015)
- Centinela Withdraws Duck Jerky Treats from Stores (12/11/2015)
- Bravo Dog Food Recall December 2015 (12/10/2015)
- Dave’s Dog Food Recall of December 2015 (12/3/2015)
- Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food Market Withdrawal of November 2015 (11/29/2015)
- Blue Buffalo Dog Chews Recall of November 2015 (11/25/2015)
- Good ‘n’ Fun Beefhide Chicken Sticks Recall October 2015 (10/26/2015)
- K-9 Kraving Raw Dog Food Recall October 2015 (10/5/2015)
- Good ‘n’ Fun Beefhide Chicken Sticks Recall September 2015 (10/1/2015)
- Dingo Dog Chew Treats Recall September 2015 (9/30/2015)
- OC Raw Dog Food Recall of September 2015 (9/27/2015)
- Nature’s Variety Instinct Dog Food Recall of July 2015 (7/24/2015)
- Bravo Dog Food Recall July 2015 (7/23/2015)
- Tremenda Sticks Dog Chews Recall (7/21/2015)
- I and Love and You Dog Treats Recall of 2015 (7/13/2015)
- Vital Essentials Dog Food Recall of 2015 (7/7/2015)
- Stella and Chewy’s Dog Food Recall of July 2015 (7/5/2015)
- Stella and Chewy’s Stop-Sale Order and Potential Dog Food Recall (7/3/2015)
- Boulder Dog Food Company Recall July 2015 (7/2/2015)
- Boulder Dog Food Company Recall June 2015 (6/19/2015)
- Himalayan Dog Chews Recall of 2015 (5/28/2015)
- OC Raw Dog Food Recall of May 2015 (5/16/2015)
- Nylabone Dog Chews Recall (4/26/2015)
- Nutrisca Dog Food Recall (2/11/2015)
- Pet International Beef Trachea Pet Treat Recall (2/11/2015)
- J. J. Fuds Raw Pet Food Recall Expands Again (2/6/2015)
- Big Bark Dog Treats Recall (2/1/2015)
- J. J. Fuds Raw Pet Food Recall Expands (1/28/2015)
- J. J. Fuds Raw Pet Food Recall (1/23/2015)
- Jump Your Bones Pet Treats Recall (1/1/2015)
- Barkworthies Dog Treats Recall (12/25/2014)
- PetSmart Announces Recall of Certain Lots of Simply Nourish Dog Treats (10/8/2014)
- Bravo Dog and Cat Food Recall (9/26/2014)
- Kong Aussie Sticks Recall (9/26/2014)
- Pedigree Dog Food Recall Expanded (9/1/2014)
- Pedigree Dog Food Recall (8/27/2014)
- Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food Recall June 2014 (6/3/2014)
- Pet Center Dog Treats Recall (5/28/2014)
- Bravo! Dog and Cat Food Recall (5/14/2014)
- Pro-Pet Dog Food Recall (2/6/2014)
- True Raw Choice Pet Treats Recall (11/22/2013)
- Bailey’s Choice Dog Treats Recall Expanded (11/7/2013)
- Bailey’s Choice Dog Treats Recall (11/1/2013)
- Joey’s Jerky Chicken Jerky Treats Recall (9/10/2013)
- Purina One Beyond Dog Food Recall (8/30/2013)
- Iams and Eukanuba Dog and Cat Food Recall (8/14/2013)
- Dogswell Recalls Dog and Cat Jerky Treats (7/27/2013)
- Abady Dog Food Recall (6/24/2013)
- Innova, EVO, California Natural, Healthwise Dog Food Recall (6/18/2013)
- Great Life Withholds Specific Buffalo Recipe Dog Foods (5/4/2013)
- Natura Pet Widens Recall of California Natural, Innova, EVO and More (4/20/2013)
- Breeder’s Choice Recalls Active Care Healthy Joint Dog Treats (4/17/2013)
- Bravo! Raw Frozen Dog Food Recall (4/3/2013)
- BARF World Dog Food Recall (4/1/2013)
- Natura Pet Expands Recall of California Natural, Innova, EVO and More (3/29/2013)
- Iams Withdraws Shakeables Brand Dog Treats (3/21/2013)
- EVO, Innova, California Natural and HealthWise Dog Food Recall (3/18/2013)
- Warning Issued for Bravo! and Steve’s Real Raw Pet Foods (3/13/2013)
- Jones Natural Chews Recalls Woofers Beef Patties for Dogs (3/12/2013)
- Diggin’ Your Dog Withdraws Pet Treats Due to Salmonella (3/8/2013)
- Steve’s Real Food Recalled Due to Salmonella (3/8/2013)
- Hy-Vee Dog Food Recall (2/23/2013)
- Kasel Dog Treats Recall Expands to Include More Products and Retailers (2/22/2013)
- Honest Kitchen Recalls Five Lots of Dog Food (2/21/2013)
- Nutri-Vet Recalls Chicken Jerky Dog Treats (2/21/2013)
- Kasel Recalls Multiple Brands of Dog Treats Due to Salmonella (2/20/2013)
- Nature’s Variety Dog Food Recall February 2013 (2/15/2013)
- Hartz Recalls Contaminated Dog Treats (1/26/2013)
- Publix Chicken Tenders Dog Chew Treats Recall (1/11/2013)
- IMS Trading Group Withdraws Chicken Jerky Dog Treats Due to Drug Residue (1/11/2013)
- Milo’s Kitchen Recalls Chicken Jerky and Chicken Grillers Dog Treats (1/9/2013)
- Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch Chicken Jerky Treats Recall (1/9/2013)
- Claudia’s Cuisine Dog Candy Voluntary Product Withdrawal (12/7/2012)
- Nature’s Deli Chicken Jerky Dog Treats Warning Expands (12/6/2012)
- Priority Total Pet Care Dog Treats Recall (11/21/2012)
- Charlee Bear Dog Treats Recall (11/2/2012)
- Wellness Dog Food Recall October 2012 (10/30/2012)
- Yoghund Frozen Yogurt Dog Treats Recall (10/18/2012)
- Boots and Barkley Pig Ears and Dog Treats Recall (10/17/2012)
- Nature’s Recipe Dog Treats Recall (10/13/2012)
- Nature’s Deli Chicken Jerky Dog Treats Recall (10/4/2012)
- Dogsbutter Peanut Butter for Dogs Recall (9/28/2012)
- Boots and Barkley Bully Sticks Dog Treats Recall (9/22/2012)
- AvoDerm Dog Food Recall (9/11/2012)
- Bil-Jac Dog Food Recall (8/24/2012)
- Nature’s Variety Dog Food Recall July 2012 (7/12/2012)
- Pedigree Dog Food Recall (6/30/2012)
- Diamond Issues Yet Another Dog Food Recall (5/18/2012)
- Solid Gold Dog Food Recall (5/8/2012)
- Apex Dog Food Recall (5/7/2012)
- Diamond Dog Food Recall Summary (5/6/2012)
- Canidae Dog Food Recall (5/5/2012)
- Wellness Dog Food Recall May 2012 (5/5/2012)
- Natural Balance Dog Food Recall 2012 (5/5/2012)
- Kirkland Dog Food Recall (5/5/2012)
- Diamond Dog Food Recall Expands Again (5/4/2012)
- Diamond Dog Food Recall Widens (4/30/2012)
- Diamond Dog Food Recall Expanded (4/26/2012)
- Diamond Dog Food Recall (4/6/2012)
- Petrus Dog Food Recall (12/28/2011)
- Arrow Brand Dog Food Recall (12/12/2011)
- Advanced Animal Nutrition Recalls Dog Food (12/9/2011)
- River Run and Marksman Dog Food Recall (12/7/2011)
- Iams Recalls Puppy Food (12/6/2011)
- Iams Recall Mysteriously Removed by Retailer (11/27/2011)
- FDA Issues Dog Treats Warning (11/18/2011)
- Recalled Soy Possibly Linked to Dog Food (10/7/2011)
- Merrick Recalls Dog Treats (8/9/2011)
- Bravo Recalls Pig Ears Dog Chews for Salmonella (6/1/2011)
- PrimeTime and KC Beefhide Pig Ears Recalled (5/18/2011)
- Diggers Natural Treats Recalled for Salmonella (5/18/2011)
- Pig Ears Recalled Due to Possible Salmonella (5/4/2011)
- Jones Natural Chews Pig Ears Recall (3/9/2011)
- Merrick Pet Treats Recall 2011 (1/30/2011)
- Kroger Dog Food Recalled for Aflatoxin (12/19/2010)
- Blue Buffalo Dog Food Recall (10/8/2010)
- Hartz Naturals Real Beef Dog Treats Recall (9/5/2010)
- Merrick Expands Dog Treats Recall (8/16/2010)
- Merrick Expands Recall of Dog Treats (8/4/2010)
- Eukanuba and Iams Dog Food Recall (8/1/2010)
- Merrick Dog Treats Recall (7/6/2010)
- Pro-Pet Vitamin Recall Expanded (7/5/2010)
- Pro-Pet Vitamin Supplement Recall (6/23/2010)
- Natural Balance Dog Food Recall 2010 (6/19/2010)
- Nature’s Variety Dog Food Recall March 2010 (3/9/2010)
- Nature’s Variety Dog Food Recall February 2010 (2/14/2010)
- Merrick Dog Treats Recall 2010 (1/15/2010)
- Pet Carousel Dog Treats Recalled (12/10/2009)
- PetsMart Updates Salmonella Recall (11/10/2009)
- FDA Recalls Pet Carousel Treats (11/6/2009)
- PetsMart Recalls Dentley’s Beef Hooves (11/5/2009)
- Wysong Dog Food Recall October 2009 Update (11/4/2009)
- Wysong Dog Food Recall October 2009 (10/13/2009)
- Nutro Dog Food Recall (10/4/2009) These recalls (both voluntary by the manufacturer and mandatory by FDA) cover a range of different problems: presence of plastic; bacterial contamination; ingredients present below the levels guaranteed on the label; ingredient concentrations well above the label guarantee; presence of excessive moisture and or mold; the presence of unapproved antibiotic and antiviral agents; rancidity of product (high levels of peroxide) …. well you get the idea. While dogs are well known for their habit of hiding their bones in the dirt and allowing Nature to help decompose the meat that is still present, the presence of salmonella and other contaminants can be harmful to the dog — causing diarrhea, cramping, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bleeding and fever. When bacterial contamination is present in the commercial dog foods, you run the risk of having not only a sick dog but also contaminating your hands and kitchen from coming into contact with the contaminated food. The point being made is that while in theory a factory should be able to provide an exactly repeated balanced diet under careful quality control, that is not always the case. Perhaps with some extra work on your part, you can produce a well-balanced dog food using only quality ingredients. This will be the subject of Part III on this topic of dog food. One of my favorite subjects to photograph underwater is sharks. This photo below was taken at 120 feet along a canyon near very deep water where sharks like to form up and then swim into shallower water to feed during the afternoon. Unfortunately this guy was 15 feet away. So he was beyond the effective range of the strobe lights. That is why the color in the water appears very blue. These larger sharks are usually very shy and afraid to allow divers to approach them, unlike what you may be led to believe in the movies.
Black tip shark at 120 feet depth off of Belize