Dog Food Recalls – A Dog Owner’s Nightmare

If there’s anything that drew pet owners together and caused great concern, it was the news of the dog food recalls in March 2007. And it wasn’t just dog food that was affected by unfavorable ingredients that were included in these products; even cat food was hit as well. Read on for more information about the dog food recalls and why they were a necessary step.

One of the biggest manufacturers of pet foods recently acquired a different supplier for one of their ingredients. It was around this time that reports of kidney failure and symptoms of the illness were reported among cats and dogs across the country. Some of these symptoms included vomiting, exhaustion, and frequent drinking and urination. As a result, they pulled their products from the market to undertake an inquiry into the matter. It was found that the gravy-thickener, wheat gluten, imported from China, contained the chemical melamine, which is used in the manufacture of plastics and which was added to the wheat gluten to make protein levels seem enhanced.

After the initial dog food recalls, traces of melamine in yet another ingredient, rice gluten, were discovered just a month later, leading to further recalls. Other melamine-related compounds have since been found, along with cyanuric acid, which is used in pool chlorination. Corn gluten, imported by South African pet food firms also from China, has likewise tested positive for melamine and has been blamed for the deaths of about 30 dogs due to renal failure. It was reported in May that corn gluten had reached Canadian soil as well.

As if all that wasn’t enough, in June, ExperTox, Inc., a Texas-based laboratory, detected lethal amounts of the pain reliever, acetaminophen, in pet food being tested for melamine and cyanuric acid. Several other pet food companies have also recalled their products after an undetermined number of animals were either downed or even killed. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) puts the death toll at roughly 1,950 cats and 2,200 dogs.

Such staggering statistics, and those numbers were released back in late April. The extent of the chemical outbreak is confounding and has even led people to question whether or not humans are safe. So far, officials are quick to point out that none of the contaminants have been detected in human food. What can you, the pet owner, do? Observe your dog closely. If you recognize the symptoms of kidney failure as mentioned above, do not hesitate to take him to the vet at once.

Do your own research and keep an eye on the constantly updated recall list to see whether or not your dog’s food may be included. Better yet, switch to premium, human-grade dog food purchased at feed stores rather than grocery stores. If you have the time and means, there are countless dog food recipes available for you to prepare yourself, so you know exactly what goes into your dog’s system and you can be sure of his health and safety. Finally, do your part to learn more about the issue, the symptoms of kidney failure, and what you can do to prevent your pets from being struck by this illness. Simply reading about the dog food recalls can only take you so far. No measure is too great to take for the benefit of your pet’s well-being.

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