Pet food recalls are scary, especially since they happen so frequently.
Given the nature of the ingredients and the cheap form of production, it’s all too common to see another dog or cat food pulled from the shelf.
At the beginning of this year, Vital Essentials, Big Dog Natural, and Abbot’s Compounding Pharmacy were deemed unsafe for pets to consume.
That’s 3 brands as of January this year…and it’s only April.
With all these recalls, it seems as if pet nutrition has fallen by the wayside in favor of fast and cost-effective manufacturing.
Even after the giant pet food recall in late 2006/early 2007, in which over 100 brands were temporarily discontinued, these preventable occurrences continue to happen.
Come March, the latest recalls included several Beneful brands for dogs, including the following titles:
- Beneful Beef Stew (dog food).
- Beneful Chicken Stew (dog food).
- Beneful Simmered Beef Entrée (dog food).
- Beneful Simmered Chicken Medley (dog food).
- Beneful Beef & Chicken Medley (dog food).
- Beneful Roasted Chicken Recipe (dog food).
- Beneful Roasted Turkey Medley (dog food).
- Beneful Savory Rice/Lamb Stew (dog food).
- Beneful Chopped Blends (dog food).
Source: avma.org
Why was all this dog food banned?
Luckily, the reason for this particular pet food recall is not as dire as previous instances.
For example, the 2006/2007 recall came in the form of tainted wheat gluten, which poisoned thousands of dogs and cats.
On the other hand, the Beneful recall notification cited the product “may not contain the recommended level of added vitamins and minerals.”
While this may not sound too drastic, especially when compared to deadly pet food tragedies we’ve seen in the past, there is still cause for concern.
Think of your pet’s diet in the context of human nutrition.
Imagine if you fed yourself or your family only sugar or simple carbohydrates. In concrete terms, this scenario would indicate…
- Eating candy or spoonfuls of sugar for every meal.
- Consuming only calories, but no nutrients.
- Deteriorating eyesight without vitamins.
- Sluggishness and constant fatigue.
- Muscle soreness and weak bones.
- High blood pressure, hypertension, and diabetes.
When dogs and cats don’t receive the vitamins and minerals found in foods that they consume, the risk of disease escalates.
Food is essential to your pets’ health and wellness. And yet, it’s nearly impossible to find widely available dog and cat food that comes with guaranteed safety and vital nutrition.
You might be thinking…
“I’d have to feed my pet people food to ensure a safe diet.”
Actually, you’re right.
I say this as a veterinarian and a pet owner: feeding your dogs and/or cats nutritious food designed for humans is the best way to create better health and extend your pets’ lives.
If you’ve been reading this blog for a length of time, you know the mantra…
Your pet’s best health begins in the bowl.
I wouldn’t say it if it weren’t true. When you learn to cook for your pets, you will…
- Avoid pet food recalls.
- Ensure they receive the necessary vitamins and minerals.
- Extend their years.
- Bypass preventable diseases.
- Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your furry friend is safe.
For weekly updates on pet food recalls, click here to sign up for the FDA’s watchlist on unsafe dog and cat food.
