Because of the seemingly never-ending recalls of tainted pet food, this is
a rough time for anyone with a dog or cat. It is frustrating how difficult
the task is to get accurate information. Just as you think you’ve covered
your bases, there’s another recall for the same or a new problem, or the
older recalls are being expanded. Yikes!
To
check your pet’s food you can wade through the 100 and more names of
recalled items listed on the Web site of the original (and expanded)
recall from Menu Foods Inc., a wholesaler to huge numbers of brand name
manufacturers. Or there are any number of Web sites devoted to cats and
dogs which will list the tainted foods, brand names and identifying codes,
or provide links to that information. Sites such as
www.ASPCA.com or
www.PetSmart.com,
and the final authority, the federal government at
www.FDA.com, are
experiencing heavy traffic as owners try to protect their pets.
But your pet probably only gets one or two brands of
canned and dry foods and snack/treat products. Every one of them should
have a Web site listed on the container – or, at the very least, a phone
number. Go to that Web site.
For example, I feed my dogs Professional brand dog
food, which is not a major advertiser in the pet food market. So I worried
when I didn’t see it on any of the recall lists that it may have been
overlooked for testing. I would have called Woodstown Farm Supply where I
buy the feed, but it was after 10 p.m. when I heard about the latest
recall and I wanted information immediately so I could go to sleep knowing
whatever I needed to know.
It
occurred to me to look on the packaging and sure enough, there was a Web
site listed. At that Internet site, right on the top, in huge letters, the
company informed me it is NOT PART OF ANY RECALL. This was so gratifying
– not just the notice, but the ease with which I got the facts compared to
the time I spent looking through scores of typed lines on numerous Web
pages, that right away I looked on every dog and cat food product I had in
the house.
Yep. All of them had a Web site. All of the Web sites
had prominent answers to the question everyone’s asking. In addition, if
the company’s food had put your pet at risk, the Web site told you what
the manufacturer recommended next.
While looking specifically for the brand food you
feed your pet is a time saver, many owners are turning to efforts that are
definitely not time savers. They are making homemade meals for their pets.
As a short-term measure, or as a treat, homemade pet food probably won’t
be a health problem for your dog or cat. Long-term, however, these animals
have specific nutritional needs that can cause troubles if not met. It’s a
very wise idea to check with your veterinarian or do careful research
before placing your pet on strictly homemade foods.
If you wish to try making dog and cat food at home,
you can find numerous recipes through a simple Web search like, “dog food
recipe”. You should be aware, however, that besides being a messy
process and time-consuming, there are general issues to consider.
There are foods that are dangerous for dogs, such as:
Chocolate
Onions
Raisins
Macadamia nuts
Fruit pits (cherries, apricots, peaches, plums)
Grapes in large quantities (more than 9 oz – less for small dogs. )
Avocados
Also, cats need more protein than dogs (30 % compared
to 22 - 25%). Both animals need a minimum 10 to 12 % fat in their diet.
Cats should not be given sugar in their foods. For dogs, peanut butter is
a good binding agent for grains and vegetables and contributes a lot of
protein. For cats, vegetable or fish oils can bind the grains or flour.
Most cats will turn down vegetables.
Many recipes call for rice, barley, oats or other
dried grains or cereals. These MUST be cooked, preferably boiled or
steamed, or the grain will expand in your pet’s stomach.
If you plan on making your own pet food for awhile,
consider adding a multivitamin-mineral supplement meant for a dog or for a
cat, because it’s likely homemade foods will not meet balanced nutritional
requirements. Make sure your cat multivitamin contains taurine, vital to a
cat’s health.
Most home-cooked pet food freezes well and so can be made in large
batches.
