Pet Food Recall : Kroger Pet Foods

We try to post all dog/cat food recalls
The below notification is regarding Kroger

"Kroger Recalls Pet Foods Due to Possible Health Risk"



Contact:
Denise Osterhues
(513) 762-1304



"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CINCINNATI, Ohio, - December 18, 2010 - The Kroger Co. said today it is recalling select packages of pet food sold in some of its retail stores because the products may contain aflatoxin, which poses a health risk to pets.

Kroger stores in the following states are included in this recall: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

The recall also includes Dillons and Gerbes stores in Kansas and Missouri; Baker’s stores in Nebraska; Food 4 Less stores in Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana (Chicago area); and Jay C, Hilander, Owen’s, Pay Less and Scott’s stores in Illinois and Indiana.

Stores the company operates under the following names are not included in this recall: Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, Smith’s, QFC, City Market, Foods Co., and Food 4 Less stores in California and Nevada."

"Kroger is recalling the following items:"

* Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088128
* Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071357
* Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088152
* Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074580
* Pet Pride Kitten Formula Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071903
* Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food sold in 22 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074566
* Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food sold in 50 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074563
* Kroger Value Cat Food sold in 3 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111000018
* Kroger Value Chunk Dog Food sold in 15 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071559
* Kroger Value Chunk Dog Food sold in 50 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code:1111000108

"Aflatoxin is a naturally-occurring toxic chemical by-product from the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus on corn and other crops. If your pet shows any symptoms of illness, including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, yellowish tint to the eyes and/or gums, and severe or bloody diarrhea, please consult your veterinarian immediately."

"The safety of our customers and their pets is important to Kroger. The company is using its Customer Recall Notification system to alert customers who may have purchased these recalled products through register receipt tape messages and automated phone calls. Customers who have purchased a recalled item should not use it and should return it to a store for a full refund or replacement."

"Customers who have questions about this recall may contact Kroger toll-free at (800) 632-6900. For more information, please visit www.kroger.com/recalls."

Official FDA page

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm237459.htm

Dog Food Comparison

Most of us know the first 5 ingredients are important when comparing dog food brands.  We also know the following ingredients should be excluded:

Corn, Wheat, Glutens, By-Products,  Artificial Colors and Preservatives

 What surprises most people is the information mentioned above isn't enough to determine if your dog is being fed "premium pet food"

Click here to compare dog food

Bone and Joint Issues in Dogs

In this video Dr. Sarah explains about joint disease, arthritis, some breeds that are more susceptible than others, what to look for and how to handle:

Joint disease is a very common issue in canines.
Our babies speak to us in body language so certain signs will be apparent:
Hesitating to play
Hesitating to go up or down stairs
Change in behavior
Change in eating
Head bobbing to one side to keep the pressure off of a joint with an issue

Watch this video!
"Courtesy of Life's Abundance"

Puppies and Cold Winter Weather

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

We know the holidays are a time when many people decide to bring a puppy into the family.
Dr. Sarah gives wonderful tips in the video below about your new puppy and the cold weather!

"Courtesy of Life's Abundance"

Our Pets' Skin and Coat

This video is chock full of information;
"Courtesy of Life's Abundance"

Pet’s skin and coat problems are the #1 reason pet parents bring their babies to their vet.

Dry skin, infected ears, shedding, allergies are some of these issues.
Poor skin health can be attributed to lack of nutrients like fatty acids, protein and more.
Skin is a huge organ and needs nutrients.

Not all foods are created equal and poor nutrients will be seen first in the coat

There are medical issues that can make skin and coat issues a problem (video)

Allergies are a big culprit that can lead to paw licking, scratching, rubbing the face and more that make your pet miserable that can lead to infections.

What can you do as the pet owner?
Build healthy skin from the inside out.
A healthy nutrient diet can affect the skin.

Avoid corn and wheat (major cause of allergies in companion animals)

More in this video:
What to look for in a supplement. What about fleas? Which shampoo?

As the blog owner I recommend our Lifes Abundance dog food

Blue Buffalo Dog Food Recall, Limited Production

"Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd. Recalls Limited Production Code Dates of Dry Dog Food Because of Possible Excess Vitamin D."

"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 8, 2010 - Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd., recalls certain dry dog food because of possible excess Vitamin D that can affect the health of some dogs. The Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd., is recalling certain packages of its Wilderness Chicken, Basics Salmon and Large Breed Adult Chicken dry dog foods sold under the "BLUE" brand which have the potential to contain excessive levels of Vitamin D.

While Vitamin D is a beneficial component of these foods, the Company believes that these products may have levels of Vitamin D that are beyond the formula specifications, and has therefore chosen to withdraw them.

Dogs reacting to the higher levels of Vitamin D may show signs of lethargy or exhibit unusually frequent water consumption and urination. If your pet has consumed the recalled products and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The affected productions of Blue Wilderness Chicken, Basics Salmon and Large Breed Adult Chicken dry dog foods were distributed nationwide through pet specialty stores.

Only these production runs of the products are involved in this recall:

Blue Wilderness Chicken Flavor dry dog food	4.5 1b	"Best If Used By JUL2611Z" "Best If Used By JUL2711Z" & "Best If Used By JUL2811Z"
Blue Wilderness Chicken Flavor dry dog food	11 lb	"Best If Used By JUL1211B"
Blue Wilderness Chicken Flavor dry dog food	24 1b	"Best If Used By JUL1211B" & "Best If Used By JUL1311B"
Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Formula Salmon and Potato Recipe dry dog food	11 lb	"Best If Used By AUG2111B" & "Best If Used By AUG2211B"
Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Formula Salmon and Potato Recipe dry dog food	24 lb	"Best If Used By AUG2111B" "Best If Used By SEP2311P" & "Best If Used By OCT2611P"
Blue Life Protection Formula Natural Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Large Breed Adult dog food	30 lb	"Best If Used By SEP2211P" "Best If Used By SEP2311P" & "Best If Used By OCT2611P"

No other BLUE dry or can pet foods are involved in this recall, and only the specific code dates of these products are involved.

To date there have been 36 cases nationwide of dogs reported with symptoms consistent with elevated Vitamin D in their systems while feeding on these specific productions of the products. In all cases the symptoms have subsided upon discontinuing feeding these products, with no apparent long term health consequences.

Blue Buffalo learned of this potential condition in its products when it received reports of dogs diagnosed with high Vitamin D levels while feeding on the products from these specific production runs. On further investigation it was learned that a sequencing error had occurred at the supplier of the dry ingredients for these products. Immediately before producing the ingredients for these specific production runs, the supplier had run a product for another customer that contained a more potent form of Vitamin D used in chicken feeds. It is now believed that there was some level of carry over of this Vitamin D product into the ingredients for the specific manufacturing runs of the BLUE products, thereby increasing the Vitamin D activity to unacceptable levels in the Blue ingredients.

Consumers who have purchased any of the products being recalled are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-877-523-9114 from 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time or visit the Company web site at www.bluebuffalo.com/news for more information."

For the official FDA page and product photos, please visit

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm228986.htm

How to Clean Your Dog's Ears

In this Issue of Pet Talk Dr. Sarah shows how, why, when and more on how to clean your dog's ears

"Courtesy of Life's Abundance"

Some snippets:

Ear infections can be common in canines.

Cleaning them is part of your dogs’ over all ear health regimen.

How often?

Depends on your babies current ear health and length of ear and if your pet will let you.

You can ask your vet and/or groomer how often you should clean.

Long ears maybe once a week

Less often for short ears

Make sure your clean with a solution that has no alcohol

Your vet may tell you a formula to use.

Should be ph balanced.

Don’t use synthetic cotton

And more!