Is your Pooch Fat? Has your Kitty Developed a Paunch?

Pet obesity is on the rise. Not just in the United States but in other countries such as Britain. The evidence is clear: like their human caretakers cats and dogs are becoming more and more rotund. According to Hills clinical evidence reports, over 50% of dogs in the UK are overweight. In the United States the numbers are lower: approximately 25% of the U.S. pet population is either overweight or obese. Interestingly enough, Hills research reports that 76% of pet owners think their pooches or kitties are at a healthy weight.

One in every four pet owners admit to never exercising themselves or their dogs. This coupled with the fact that pets often become surrogate children lends itself to over-pampered pooches and kitties. Extra helpings of food, or the wrong type of food, can quickly pack on the weight. A cat’s or dog’s life expectancy is already short. Added fat around the heart and vital organs will only reduce its lifespan. Not only that, but the quality of life will be curtailed by stress on heart, liver, and joints. Indeed, several diseases specific to diet are associated with obesity. Consider the risk: diabetes, heart disease, skin disease, respiratory problems, lowered immunity, and arthritis.

Humans tend to think of food as a source of love. It’s so easy to hand out a treat or a piece of food from your plate. The appreciative grin on your dog’s face is reward in itself. The purr of your cat lets you know that you are amazing! Yet, feeding your pets additional snacks is damaging. One dog biscuit or one cat treat is the equivalent of a small meal. Let’s face it, most pet owners feed their pets snacks throughout the day. Feeding your pet quality snacks is not the problem. But if you are like many pet owners, a potato chip here and there, a French fry, a piece of burger, or in the case of a cat, a slice of salmon, can quickly become the road to weight gain; particularly when this snacking habit is combined with lack of exercise.

Despite words of admonition from veterinarians and health conscious holistic practitioners there is a myriad of internet mis-information that glorifies fat pets. The rolly-polly pet is portrayed as cute and cuddly. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is nothing cute or cuddly about killing a pet with food. It is a slow death that will eventually result in large veterinarian bills and a poor-quality life for the animal.

Fortunately for owners who take their pets’ health seriously there are solutions. Exercise as well as reduced calories can effectively erase the extra pounds. Additionally, when pooches and their pet parents exercise together their bond is strengthened. There are many types of exercise that are fun for both the pet and his human: walks, hikes, swimming, games of fetch, and jogging. Just 30 minutes a day can make a huge difference in your dog’s weight control.

Unfortunately, cats do not go jogging or walking with their humans. However, there are methods of stimulating cats to exercise. Cat “fisher” toys are poles with a feathered “bait” hanging on the end. These are very successful in luring cats into their natural hunter mode. Dangling a feather, or a string, in front of your cat will quickly engage him into running and leaping over furniture. Do this several times a day and you will discover how fun it is for yourself and at the same time it’ll be great exercise for kitty.

Obviously a pet parent will need to be cruel to be kind. That is, you will have to withhold those extra helpings of food, snacks, and treats. It’s the only solution. Keep in mind that this is actually going to give your dog an extra two to three years of good quality life with you. A cat’s lifespan can be increased by up to five years! And in the long run, isn’t having your beloved pet around longer, more important than the instant gratification they receive from a tasty morsel?

About the author:

Gyvel Young is a journalist, published author, and a certified canine nutritionist.

Nature’s Variety Issues Nationwide Recall

Well, another pet food recall has been issued due to Salmonella contamination. This time by Nature’s Variety, a Lincoln, Nebraska manufacturer of holistic pet foods, including the raw food diet option. One can’t help but wonder if everything these days isn’t tainted with this pesky microbe that is determined to survive in foods that both humans and animals ingest. The problem with Nature’s Variety frozen raw food diet for dogs and cats is its uncooked state - which lends itself easily to contamination. Nature’s Variety makes every effort to ensure that their products are safe but despite these efforts it is almost impossible to completely eliminate contamination risk.

Recently, during the busy holiday season, I purchased a few packages of another brand of raw frozen diet. I normally make my own dog food, but the hectic schedule didn’t allow me time to do this. All my dogs ended up with a severe case of diarrhea so I promptly stopped feeding it to them. Well, the upset tummy mystery wasn’t really a mystery to me since I figured the product was probably contaminated. I felt badly for the dogs though, they looked a bit droopy for the next few days. And I assured them that “momma” would never do this again.

But let’s face it Nature’s Variety is a good company that provides a quality product that many pet owners, with busy schedules need — including myself. I am grateful that they have taken the steps to recall any products they suspect might be contaminated. Unlike some other pet food companies out there who do not take consumer complaints seriously, this company does.

Here is the FDA report in its entirety. If you have any of these lot numbers in your freezer please return them to the retailer you purchased it from immediately.

Company Contact:
Jeff Dezen/JDPR
864-233-3376

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 11, 2010 – Nature’s Variety has initiated a voluntary recall of their Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet for dogs and cats with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10 because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The only products affected are limited to chicken medallions, patties, and chubs with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10. No other Nature’s Variety products are affected.

The affected products are limited to the Nature’s Variety Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet packaged in the following forms:

* 3 lb chicken medallions (UPC# 7 69949 60130 2) with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10
* 6 lb chicken patties (UPC# 7 69949 60120 3) with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10
* 2 lb chicken chubs (UPC# 7 69949 60121 0) with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10

The “Best If Used By” date is located on the back of the package above the safe handling instructions. The affected product was distributed through retail stores and internet sales in the United States, and in limited distribution in Canada.

If you are a consumer and have purchased one of the affected products, please return the unopened product to your retailer for a full refund or replacement. If your package has been opened, please dispose of the raw food in a safe manner by securing it in a covered trash receptacle. Then, bring your receipt (or the empty package in a sealed bag) to your local retailer for a full refund or replacement.

Nature’s Variety became aware of a potential problem after receiving a consumer complaint. Subsequent testing indicated that the lot code related to the consumer complaint tested negative for Salmonella. However, additional subsequent testing found the “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10 to be contaminated with Salmonella.

No pet or human illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this lot code.

Reed Howlett, Nature’s Variety CEO, stated, “Because pet health and safety are our top priority, Nature’s Variety takes every step necessary to ensure the quality and safety of our products. In addition to our industry best manufacturing practices, and in an abundance of caution, all Nature’s Variety raw frozen products now will undergo a ‘test and hold’ period before being released for sale.”

Salmonella can affect both humans and animals. Even though no illnesses have been reported, consumers should follow the Safe Handling Guidelines published on the Nature’s Variety package when disposing of the affected product. People handling raw frozen pet foods may become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not followed the safe handling guidelines set forth by the company.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella may experience some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, or fever. Although rare, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart), arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, or urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with the affected product should contact their health care provider.

Pets with Salmonella infections may become lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, or vomiting. Some pets may experience only a decreased appetite, fever, or abdominal pain. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed any of the affected products and is experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Consumers with additional questions can call our dedicated Customer Care line 24 hours a day,
7 days a week at 800-374-3142. Or, consumers can email Nature’s Variety directly by visiting naturesvariety.com.

FDA Launches Pet Food Recall List

It’s finally happened! The FDA has caught up with the rest of the country! The launch of the FDA Pet Food Recall database in January 2010 may not have won fanfare from the general public BUT it certainly helps out pet owners.

It appears as if there might be a new “pet-friendlier” FDA at work here. It can only be speculated that this stance is the result of the horrific outcry from angry pet parents at the melamine poisonings caused by Menu Foods in 2007. It is estimated that the death toll from this contamination exceeded 8000 pets. Unfortunately, it took the FDA two months to initiate an investigation and act on consumer complaints!

The FDA’s new pet food recall database allows a person to search by brand name, pet type, or a combination of the two. For the consumer’s convenience the right side of the site features all the name brand products and lists them by pet type. You also have the choice of downloading a PDF file that will give you a complete list of pet food recalled products. The database includes recalls as far back as 2006.

I am not holding my breath on this one, historical information is easy to compile and place into a database. What really matters to consumers is the FDA’s willingness to take their complaints seriously and to act quickly. Unfortunately, this is not something the FDA is known for. The FDA appears to rely on pet food manufacturers to “self-regulate” by initiating their own recalls. Naturally, it is a good thing for a pet food manufacturer to recall any product that might be contaminated. Yet, the FDA should be willing to initiate an investigation based on consumer complaints. Its ultimate role should be that of a consumer advocate, a protector of the innocent, and ultimately the legal arm of the government to halt the distribution of potentially dangerous products, whether they are pet food, pet toys, pet treats, or made for human use and consumption.