Poisoned Dog Jerky!!!

[ScottnLydia]

I just read an alarming story in Discovery News in the 'Animals' section about how at least 2000 American dogs have DIED from eating chicken jerky treats made in China. Apparently these are sold under the Nestles/Purina brand. Duck and Sweet Potato jerky are being investigated as well.
Has anyone else heard of this? I almost lost my dog to the chinese melamine/corn gluten deal about 6 years ago and I for one have HAD IT!!! I'll be making ALL my own pet food and treats from now on! Why didn't the pet food industry learn its lesson then?
~S

 

[Stacykins]

They didn't learn their lesson because they can still sell their crap to people who don't care what goes into their animal. People are still buying their products. So the huge profits mean they don't have to change a thing. A few dogs dying here or there doesn't matter to them, since it doesn't stop people from using their products, it seems.

I always roll my eyes when I see a dog food commercial, how they tout all the 'quality' ingredients. Quality my tail, when those foods for carnivores have as much corn in them as livestock feed, then something is wrong. I even heard one describe the corn in it as 'wholesome'.

 

[ScottnLydia]

RIGHT!!! Even my feed dealer was saying that corn isn't the same as it was years ago. It's been genetically modified to have less protein and more starch for ethanol production!!! How is that wholesome?
~S

 

[Oregon Blues]

I refuse to buy any food from China. Not for the people, not for my animals. I don't consider it to be safe.

My dog food is home cooked. The last recall, a $70 bag of dog food was on the recall list. So paying more doesn't protect you.

Unfortunately, almost all production of vitamins and minerals have been outsourced to China. It makes it very difficult to purchase foods that don't contain some product from China.

 

[ScottnLydia]

I'm about done with it all! As you said, you never know what ingredients come from what countries. I just don't trust any product that comes from China, and I don't know how many of their ingredients are bought by U.S. pet food manufacturers, like the $70 a bag you mentioned, just to save money.

To be honest, I know many people from various parts of mainland China. They are a fantastic bunch of folks that would do anything for you. The government and businesses, however, I'd have doubts if they said the sky was blue!

I think I'll start making my own dog food from now on, I just have to do some research to make sure I get all the vitamins and nutrients included. After all, he is prescious to me, and he deserves the effort!
~S

 

[Justahannah]

I feel like making my own food is the only way to go for most of my pets anymore...Stacykins has it spot on, it's ridiculous to market grains for carnivorous pets. I don't have dogs, but I keep ferrets and cats and after dealing with recall issues with their foods and treats, cancer in the ferrets, and stones and UTIs in the cats, I'd had enough. A couple years ago I did a ton of research and switched to an all raw diet for all of them, and it's made such a difference. We go through 30-40lbs of meat a month for them so it's a lot of prep-work, but price-wise it works out about the same as the high end foods I used to buy plus we've saved a ton on vet bills because our critters aren't having the issues they used to anymore (the ferret with cancer has since died...feeding right's not a miracle cure, but her energy levels and quality of life improved before the end). And since they're actually digesting and utilizing most of what they're eating, it's really cut back on litter box clean-up . It makes sense, and since I've experienced first hand how much healthier my guys are after two years on biologically appropriate diets, I'm so passionate about this topic

 

[naturalfeddogs]

I just read an alarming story in Discovery News in the 'Animals' section about how at least 2000 American dogs have DIED from eating chicken jerky treats made in China. Apparently these are sold under the Nestles/Purina brand. Duck and Sweet Potato jerky are being investigated as well.
Has anyone else heard of this? I almost lost my dog to the chinese melamine/corn gluten deal about 6 years ago and I for one have HAD IT!!! I'll be making ALL my own pet food and treats from now on! Why didn't the pet food industry learn its lesson then?
~S

That has been going on for awhile. There was a recall on chicken jerky. And, that is the reason I feed prey model raw, and make my own treats in the dehydrator.

Most everything commercial has ingredients from China.

 

[ScottnLydia]

Beautiful Aussie!!!