The Southwest Voice

All > Columnists > Pets > Dear Daphne
Dear Daphne: The pet food condundrum
Topics:
Anonymous user Tue Apr 17, 2007 13:13:23 PDT
Viewed 319 times
0 responses 0 comments It’s all a bit frightening, isn’t it? We lovers of the furry and four-legged who are dedicated to providing for our pets as best we can, now find ourselves in the position of not knowing what food to trust.
Since the original Menu Foods recall, every week has brought with it another item or two that needs to come off of the shelves and out of our cupboards, for one reason or another. I was filled with relief that none of the foods on the original recall list were part of my fur family’s diet. Each subsequent canned food recall also managed to bypass our address, but even I couldn’t dodge the latest bullet when the Eight in One company recalled Dingo cat and dog treats because of potential salmonella contamination.
The uncertainty of what comes next in the pet food industry has many pet owners wondering what to do.
Some are dedicating themselves to cooking for their pets, rather than purchasing commercial food. While home cooking is a viable option, it takes research to be sure you are not unintentionally harming your pet in the process, and it can be a time-consuming and costly process. However, if it is something you are committed to doing, I recommend you check out “Ultimate Diet: Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats” by Kymythy Schultze; “The Whole Pet Diet” by Andi Brown; and “Home-Prepared Dog and Cat Diets” by Donald Strombeck. These books will get you on the right path toward natural, healthy home cooking.
If you are someone who wants to do the right thing without having to worry about strapping on an apron, there are other options.
First, it is important to remember that the Menu Foods recall was for canned food only. Dry formulas of brands involved in the recall are all still considered safe. While that fact alone may not be enough to provide you with enough confidence to continue using their products, it is something to keep in mind.
Although the recall felt like it listed every major brand known to pet owners, keep in mind that there is an entire category of ultra-premium pet foods that were completely unaffected. These products, both canned and dry, are produced in much smaller batches. They aren’t carried in grocery stores and mass merchants like PetSmart or Petco, as they don’t produce the quantities needed to supply a mass merchant’s demand.
Ultra-premium food manufacturers pride themselves on the fact that their products frequently contain ingredients that have passed the USDA standards for human consumption. With products such as sweet potatoes, raspberries, brown rice, apples, spinach, blueberries, potatoes, cottage cheese, eggs and cranberries, reading their ingredient list is like walking through your corner store.
Do they cost more than the food you find in grocery and big-box stores? In a word, yes. On the other hand, the folks using these ultra-premium brands have had few worries since the recall began.
If you are interested in exploring the ultra-premium option, take a look at brands like Innova, Wellness, Merrick, Canidae, Felidae and Merrick, just to name a few. While not available in chain stores, I have found several ultra-premium brands at Round Up Feed and Pet Supply on Rosedale Highway. If you know of other stores in the area carrying what I like to call “the good stuff,” let me know and I’ll be happy to send a little love their way as well.

— Got a question for Daphne? Send it by e-mail to: daphne@bakersfield.com

Send to a Friend

Report a Violation