Chines admit to intentionally poisoning pet food to fool U.S. suppliers on protein content scores

Many Chinese suppliers have now recently admitted to intentionally poisoning pet food with melamine to specifically fool U.S. suppliers into believing they are buying high-quality pet food for U.S. pets. This contamination has also possibly contaminated the food supply.

Recent discoveries show that the Chinese have been doing this for a long time — using other toxins for the same intent, to deceive U.S. suppliers in order to make more money.

Company Voluntarily Begins Pet Food Recall of Dry Pet Food

According to the Associated Press, Chenango Valley Pet Foods in Sherburne, NY announced yesterday that pet foods made with a certain shipment of rice protein concentrate is being voluntarily recalled.

The shipment of rice protein is likely to have been contaminated with melamine (a chemical used in plastics and fertilizers) and may cause illness or death in animals if it is consumed.

The pet foods being recalled were sold in Pennsyvania, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts and were then sold through catalog orders to other suppliers.

The following is a list of the dry pet foods being recalled as quoted in the Associated Press article today:

• Doctors Foster & Smith Chicken & Brown Rice Formula Adult Lite Dog Food. It was sold in containers with net weights of 5, 12.5 and 25 pounds with code dates best used by Jan. 24, 2009, Feb. 8, 2009, Feb. 26, 2009, April 10, 2009, and April 17, 2009.

• Doctors Foster & Smith Chicken & Brown Rice Formula Adult Lite Cat Food. It was sold in containers with net weights of 3 and 7 pounds with a code date of best used by March 13, 2009.

• Lick Your Chops Lamb Meal, Rice & Egg Cat Food in packages with a net weight of 4 pounds and a code date best used by April 29, 2008.

• Bulk Chicken & Brown Rice Formula Adult Lite Dog Food sold to one consignee, SmartPak, in a 2,000-pound tote with a ship date of Feb. 9, 2007.

China Admits Melamine Contamination, But Denies Responsibility for Pet Deaths

According to the Sun News World (AP), China announced yesterday that it has banned melamine from food after this toxic chemical was found in vegetable protein that it shipped overseas to be used in pet food. China still denies any claims that it is at all responsible for the several dozens of pet deaths in North America.

Flax Oil For Your Dog’s Health

The oil contailed in flax, which is a wildflower, is called flax oil. Flax oil is one of the richest sources of essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids such as omega-3 fatty acids are necessary for overall health as well as skin and coat health for your dog. Most dogs need about 1 or 2 tablespoons of flax oil in their food per day. Flax is a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid. These omega-3 fatty acids found in flax oil are deposited on the dog’s coat making it healthy and shiny. In addition, you should give your dog one serving of fatty fish or 2 tablespoons of fish oil every two days. This will provide the right fatty acids for healthy vision.

Dogs with diagnosed skin and coat problems may need higher doses than these. According to Dr. Broadhurst in a recent issue of Nutrition Science News, “dogs have long coats and an excellent ability to burn fat for energy, they need five to 10 times as much oil as humans to achieve measurable clinical improvement.”

All About Your Dog’s Water

Your dog’s drinking water should be given much consideration. It makes up about 60% of your dog’s body; your puppy’s body is 84% water. Most people give their dog tap water, but if you suspect that it is contaminated and you do not drink it, you should give your dog bottled water or the water you also drink.

Plastic bowls are usually not the best choice because they scratch easily, providing little areas for bacteria to hang around and grow. I prefer stainless steel or something that is smooth and durable such as stoneware.

Your dog’s water should be very clean. If it looks dirty, it is. Keep the water cool and fresh in the warmer months, and room temperature in the colder months.

To check if your dog is dehydrated, pull the skin on the nape of the neck. If it quickly goes back to shape, all is good. If it takes a ittle while to return to its shape, your dog is probably dehydrated.