topic Is There Any Such Thing As "Safe Pet Food"? in Community Chat

Is There Any Such Thing As "Safe Pet Food"?

NoelSeven — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 20:51:07 GMT

Huff Po has an article today which addresses that question, and it's not looking good. Even the newer brand Blue Buffalo has had their problems.

Eight years ago, the massive pet food danger has been estimated to have killed 8000 pets.

"The pet industry is booming. Americans spent over $58 billion on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, including more than $22 billion on food alone. The market for pet food is up over 75 percent since 2000, with almost all of that growth in the high-end "premium" sector, according to data from Euromonitor International. And it appears to be a very resilient market. Even in the deepest doldrums of the Great Recession, overall pet food spending actually increased."

What to do, what to do? I've seen Target selling fresh pet food, kept in a refrigerated end cap, but who knows is that's any safer?

Full story on link:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/pet-food-safety_55b67875e4b0a13f9d1976e7?kvcommref=mostpopular

Re: Is There Any Such Thing As "Safe Pet Food"?

Puzzle Piece — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 20:53:24 GMT

Hi Noel! Oh no, now what. We have done our research - as much as possible to buy the better and safe food for our 'furry family members'. It's always something isn't it.

Re: Is There Any Such Thing As "Safe Pet Food"?

MyGirlsMom — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 20:53:26 GMT

I don't think so Noel, we make our own.

Re: Is There Any Such Thing As "Safe Pet Food"?

DoneTryin — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 20:56:24 GMT

All about profits, just like everything else. DD makes her dog's food herself, though she does buy the packaged treats. The dog is quite healthy & happy.

Re: Is There Any Such Thing As "Safe Pet Food"?

dex — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 21:10:14 GMT

I made my dogs food after the first pet food recalls.It is very simple and cheap to do.I just got a large pot and dumped in some rice,meat ,carrots sweet potato and a little broccoli.Boil it up till rice is cooked I chopped everything ahead of time but you could stick it in a blender if you want a smooth texture.I made the food once a week for about twelve years.My dog passed away at 18almost 19 years.I used to put a little turmeric in her food for the health benefits because she had cancer for the last six years of her life.The vet was always amazed at how well she did and how long she lived.

Re: Is There Any Such Thing As "Safe Pet Food"?

ROMARY — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 21:13:43 GMT

It's really shameful that companies can't/won't check out each huge batch of pet food before it's packaged/canned. With all of the billions of dollars of profit, some of that money should be used to make sure that it's safe, chemically. And, wait, check out each ingredient first, before it's added to the mix. Can't they hire a full-time house/company chemist? Something similar to our bloodtests, only testing batches of food. And, company supervisors should be working in overseas manufacturing facilities, making sure no harmful chemicals/ingredients are being packaged/canned. (Believe me, if any one of us decided to privately sell our own pet food to the general public, 'they' would be 'all over us', making sure we were operating within their 'guidelines', checking our testing facilities, etc.) Sorry, but what's going on regarding pet food just doesn't make any decent, common sense.

Re: Is There Any Such Thing As "Safe Pet Food"?

NoelSeven — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 21:13:57 GMT

Hi LR, it is always something, no guarantee

What pet food do you use?

Re: Is There Any Such Thing As "Safe Pet Food"?

Lorik62 — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 21:14:05 GMT

I have a hard time believing that the more expensive pet food is any better for our pets. I had a female cat that lived to be 19 and the only thing I could ever get her to eat was 9 Lives Tuna. Explain that?

Re: Is There Any Such Thing As "Safe Pet Food"?

NoelSeven — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 21:15:54 GMT

@MyGirlsMom wrote:
I don't think so Noel, we make our own.

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MGM, how often do you have to make it, and is it for dogs?

I was wondering if I could make it as healthy for cats. The pet food makers add vitamins, etc.

Re: Is There Any Such Thing As "Safe Pet Food"?

June222 — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 21:15:58 GMT

I give my dog mostly raw home made food. The only dry I will purchase is Fromme. It is all USA...nothing in it is bought from outside sources. Many companies do not tell the consumer that they out source ingredients from China. Of course, NEVER buy Purina or those awful brands EVER!

Re: Is There Any Such Thing As "Safe Pet Food"?

MyGirlsMom — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 21:16:35 GMT

I don't even trust the store bought treats. There was a recent story (within the last month) about pet treats.

Re: Is There Any Such Thing As "Safe Pet Food"?

NoelSeven — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 21:18:50 GMT

@dex wrote:
I made my dogs food after the first pet food recalls.It is very simple and cheap to do.I just got a large pot and dumped in some rice,meat ,carrots sweet potato and a little broccoli.Boil it up till rice is cooked I chopped everything ahead of time but you could stick it in a blender if you want a smooth texture.I made the food once a week for about twelve years.My dog passed away at 18almost 19 years.I used to put a little turmeric in her food for the health benefits because she had cancer for the last six years of her life.The vet was always amazed at how well she did and how long she lived.

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That's wonderful! She did live a long time for a dog, from what I know. I'm sure what you did to take special care of her was the reason

Re: Is There Any Such Thing As "Safe Pet Food"?

Say Nay — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 21:19:43 GMT

I'm very careful and stick with human grade pet food and treats. I feed my pups Honest Kitchen mixed with beef.

Re: Is There Any Such Thing As "Safe Pet Food"?

dex — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 21:22:47 GMT

You can ask a vet for instructions on making cat food but you could also find recipes online.I think you could add pet vitamins to the daily serving if you think the food doesn't contain enough.I think if the diet is healthy and the pet is healthy then not much else is needed in the food.

Re: Is There Any Such Thing As "Safe Pet Food"?

NoelSeven — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 21:24:26 GMT

@dex wrote:
You can ask a vet for instructions on making cat food but you could also find recipes online.I think you could add pet vitamins to the daily serving if you think the food doesn't contain enough.I think if the diet is healthy and the pet is healthy then not much else is needed in the food.

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Thanks, Whatnow. I will look online!

Re: Is There Any Such Thing As "Safe Pet Food"?

NoelSeven — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 21:26:23 GMT

@Smaug wrote:
I'm very careful and stick with human grade pet food and treats. I feed my pups Honest Kitchen mixed with beef.

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I've never seen Honest Kitchen. Where do you find it, Gato?

Re: Is There Any Such Thing As "Safe Pet Food"?

dmod nj — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 21:26:58 GMT

Hi Noel,

I use Freshpet and add my own poached chicken and fruits/veggies to it.

Re: Is There Any Such Thing As "Safe Pet Food"?

NoelSeven — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 21:28:29 GMT

Hi dmod!

Wow, your pets eat well

Where do you find Fresh Pet?

Re: Is There Any Such Thing As "Safe Pet Food"?

June222 — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 21:29:22 GMT

Even Honest Kitchen had a salmonella recall a couple of years ago.

Re: Is There Any Such Thing As "Safe Pet Food"?

Say Nay — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 21:31:12 GMT

@NoelSeven They make it right here in San Diego. You can order it online or use "Find a Store" to see if there's a location near you. The owners of the company can be found in videos and photos eating their products.

http://www.thehonestkitchen.com