Diamond Dog Food Recall and Its Impact on Your Pet's Health and Wellness

As you may know by now, a consumer alert has been released for contaminated Diamond pet foods for dogs and cats. Over 100 canine deaths have already been linked to Diamond pet foods contaminated by the potentially deadly toxin Aflatoxin.

Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring toxic chemical byproduct that results from the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus on corn and other crops. The fungus typically develops on crops during severe high temperature stress and drought conditions followed by high levels of humidity.

Aflatoxin is similar to another toxic byproduct, Vomitoxin, that was found in Nature's Recipe brand dog food in 1995.

Dogs could experience liver trouble, liver failure and even death due to the contaminated food. Scientists say about two-thirds of dogs that show symptoms from the toxin have died.
While there have not been any reports of cat health issues or fatalities due to the recall, five Diamond cat food formulas have been recalled due to the presence of aflatoxin. 24 states and 20 pet food products manufactured by Diamond are affected by the recall.

Symptoms of potential illness in dogs can include a sudden and unusual loss of appetite; severe, persistent vomiting combined with bloody diarrhea; discolored urine; fever; and yellow whites of the eyes, yellow gums, and/or yellow in the belly or areas where hair is very thin.

If your dog or cat has consumed Diamond, Country Value or Professional brand pet foods and is showing clinical signs of aflatoxin, you should stop using that food and consult your veterinarian immediately.

From a Pet Health Standpoint

This is certainly a rare and isolated case -- in fact, it's the first pet food recall by Diamond in over 35 years of operation -- but the Diamond Pet Food recall news is the latest example to underscore just how important the quality of the food you feed your cats and dogs food is -- it can literally make the difference between a long, healthy life for your pet and an unexpected, needless death.
From a pet care and nutrition standpoint, there are several issues to consider regarding the contaminated foods in this case:

• Toxic mold on grains - Most pet food formula ingredient labels feature at least one variety of whole grain or processed grain, and many contain several types of grain. What the labels don't list, however, is the source and quality of the grains. It's important to research pet foods and select ones that only use grains purchased from major commercial suppliers and that have the grains tested and retested by specialized labs to ensure the highest possible quality -- as well as to prevent the possibility of toxic molds being introduced into the pet foods. While grain is often cheaper when purchased from smaller or less reputable operations, the risk of toxic mold is greater. 
• Corn used in dog foods - The use of corn in so many of Diamond's dog food is of some concern. While corn is a whole grain frequently found in cat food formulas, it's more difficult to digest by dogs (as well as humans) and can cause allergic reactions in some dogs. The feline digestive system can better utilize corn, and corn also delivers important dietary benefits to cats and kittens, but in dog foods it simply serves as a low-cost filler, albeit one that many manufacturers like Diamond use in order to save money. Corn passes right through a dog, providing little to no nutritional value. If a dog food, such as Diamond's Premium Adult Formula for Dogs, lists corn as the first or second ingredient on its label, the customer can expect to pay for up to 25% filler in that food.
• Best by dates - In general, foods will spoil without some form of temperature control or preservatives. While natural preservatives such as mixed tocopherols prevent foods from becoming rancid, they generally have a limited peak freshness of only six to twelve months in ideal conditions (stored in cool, dry environments). After six months -- or much sooner if stored in hot or humid conditions -- the product's quality begins to quickly deteriorate. Chemical antioxidants like BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin can extend the shelf life and reduce fat spoilage (rancidity) in pet foods and pet treats, but they have been shown to frequently result in dry skin, allergic reactions, dental disease, and poor health, as well as stimulate adverse effects on liver and kidney functions. The fact that Diamond foods manufactured between September and December of 2005 carry "best by" dates between March 1 and June 10, 2007 -- 18 months from the date of production -- is concerning. The ingredients labels for many of Diamond's pet foods show that mixed tocopherols are used in the formulas, but the listed "best by" dates contradict their use, or at very least, greatly overestimate the longevity of their efficacy.
• Meat by-products - While not directly related to the pet food recall, a quick glance at the ingredients of Diamond dog food formulas and those of other pet foods shows that animal byproducts continue to constitute a large portion of many pet foods. Meat byproducts are ground, rendered and cleaned slaughtered meat carcass parts such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, bones, heads, and intestines (and a small amount of feathers in the case of chicken byproducts) -- yes, animal byproducts are indeed as gross and disgusting as they sound. In many cases, byproduct meals are derived from "4-D" meat sources -- defined as food animals that have been rejected for human consumption because they were presented to the meat packing plant as "Dead, Dying, Diseased or Disabled." Additionally, ingredients listed as "beef, chicken, and/or poultry by-products" on pet food labels are not required to include actual meat, and "rendered meat" on pet food labels can refer to ANY rendered mammal meat, including dogs and cats! Despite their questionable quality, animal byproducts continue to be used in the majority of lower-grade pet foods and even many of the larger name brands that market themselves as "premium pet food" manufacturers for one simple reason -- they are cheaper to use than higher quality, human-grade meat sources.

Your pet's health and wellness depends largely on the food that you feed him or her. It's important to research your pet's food and ensure that you are using a pet food that offers the highest quality ingredients with absolutely none of the animal byproducts, unhealthy fillers, artificial additives and chemical preservatives of the typical cat and dog food brands.

To learn more about what to look for in a pet food, click to read our Top 10 Reasons to Make the Switch to a Healthier Pet Food.

Flint River Ranch wellness pet foods from A+ Flint River Ranch are all natural, oven baked healthy taste delights for your dogs and cats formulated with the highest quality ingredients.
Copyright A+ Flint River Ranch. All rights reserved. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact.

http://www.aplusfrr.com

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Dog Food Ratings - What You Need to Know Before You Buy!

Dog food ratings can be a very important deciding factor when choosing a brand of food for your dog.

Remember, other than treats, your dog eats the same food every day so the brand of food you feed him or her AND the quality of it, definitely matters to their overall health and wellness. Here are 5 things to consider when rating a dog food.

1. Is there quality protein in the food? Many companies will use bright colors, cute pictures of dogs and the perfect sales language to entice you to buy their brand of food. But what's most important is the quality of the food in the bag. Make sure that in the first 5 ingredients there is a quality protein like chicken meal or fish.

2. Are there any chemical preservatives or artificial colors in the dog food? Stay away from the chemical preservatives BHA, BHT and ethoxoquin. Artificial colors have been linked to health problems.

3. Is there an excessive amount of grains in the dog food? Grains like soy, corn, corn gluten and wheat gluten are often used as protein sources; however, they are generally inferior and difficult to digest. Some dogs can also be allergic to these grains.

4. When looking at dog food ratings, make sure the food you are considering is free of by products. After the best cuts of meat are used for human consumption, the rest, such as bones, intestines, heads, feet,ligaments and other body parts, are what are known as by-products. And these are not very appetizing! By-products are generally inferior sources of protein and can be very hard to digest, which means less nutrition and more clean up ( the larger the stools the less nutrients your dog is absorbing) So stay away from by products

5. Lastly, are there any fresh fruits and vegetables in the dog food? Fruits and vegetables provide natural plant sources of phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help support an active immune system.

Did you know that dogs fed a high quality dog food live on average 5 or more years longer than dogs fed lesser-quality food? How does your dog food rate? Check out Dog Food Ratings and find out how the top dog foods stack up!

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Dry or Wet Dog Food: Which Is Better

Have you been feeding dry dog food to your dog only because you were told that it prevented tarter and dental disease? Do you feel guilty when you add canned food because of the harm that it may cause? Dry food does not prevent dental disease and wet or canned food does not cause dental problems. Each type of dog food has its own benefits and drawbacks. A combination of wet and dry combines the best of both foods.

The Dog's Unique Feeding Style

The belief that dry food prevents dental disease is derived from the belief that chewing causes abrasion on the tooth surfaces to prevent or shave off tarter. And that is true, but dogs do not chew their food! Anyone who has witnessed or stepped in dog vomit knows that the vomit looks just like the food, just wetter.

As pack animals, dogs killed and feasted in very competitive groups. Individuals tore flesh from the carcass swallowed and then repeatedly dove back into the frenzy for more. Taking the time to chew would have meant less food and possibly starvation.

This feeding habit has not changed in our modern dogs. Examination of a modern dog's mouth reveals that they share the same sharp, pointed teeth of their flesh eating ancestors. They grab, maybe crunch once, swallow and grab again. No abrasive cleaning action of the teeth takes place during a meal.

Dental Tarter and Food Type

Wild dogs and cats don't eat any dry food. Studies show that they have less dental tarter than pets fed commercial food, wet or dry. The fact is that dental disease is more complicated than what type of food is eaten. Dental hygiene is less dependent on diet and more dependent on routine care. Regular teeth brushing and availability of hard chew toys has a greater impact on dental health than the type of food. Owners can be comforted that they can feed how they want without guilt.

Dry Dog Food

The major benefits of dry food are convenience and price. Open the bag and scoop, no mess. This makes traveling with a dog much easier. It is also very inexpensive compared to wet food. A 50lb dog can be fed for as low as 13 cents a day.

The major drawbacks of dry food are its quality and the reluctance of dogs to eat it when they are ill.

All ingredients of dry food are put in huge pressure cookers and turned into a liquid at high temperatures. This means any form of protein, carbohydrate or fat can be used. That is why this method is perfect for using meat, grain and processed food scraps as well dead, decayed animals rather than real cuts of meats and whole grains and vegetables.

After the hot slurry reaches the proper time and temperature it is injected through super-heated extruders. As the liquid leaves the extruders the cold air causes it to "pop" into various shapes depending on the mold of the extruder exit. The dry kibble is then sprayed with oil and vitamins before bagging to replenish some of the nutrients lost in this double heat process.

Dry kibble will not "pop" without sufficient carbohydrates. That is why dry dog food tends to be lower in protein and higher in carbohydrates than wet or canned food.

Although dogs eat their dry food when they are healthy, they often refuse to eat it when they feel ill. The refusal to eat can lower their nutritional status and ability to heal. This downward spiral often leaves these dogs very fragile when they are finally taken to the vet. Would you eat shredded wheat without milk if you were sick?

Canned Dog Food

The major benefits of canned food are taste and quality. Only rarely will sick dogs refuse to eat canned food. When wet food is mixed with dry food, dogs eat more heartily. The larger variety of flavors of canned foods allows for more diversity in the diet. Canned food is generally higher in protein than dry food. With canning, ingredients are cooked in the sealed can so nutrients are not lost during the heating process.

A major drawback of wet food is that it is more expensive than dry food. Also many owners object to the smell of canned food and dislike storing partial cans in the refrigerator. And certainly opening a can is more complicated than scooping from a bag.

Why Not Feed Both?

Since food is not a culprit in dental disease, why not spice up your dog's diet with a combination of canned and dry food? Using the wet enhances the quality, flavor and enthusiasm for mealtime. Adding the dry reduces food costs. Everybody wins. Having wet food available can help maintain your dog's appetite during illness.

Dr. Ken Tudor is an expert in the field of pet nutrition and fitness. He founded Hearthstone Homemade for Dogs. This integrated program was developed to provide owners a healthier alternative to commercial dog food. To learn more about homemade dog food, visit his website at http://www.hearthstonehomemade.com.

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