Duke went with me to the vet today to pick up heartguard and frontline. While there I wanted to get him weighed because it had been away. Well, to my surprise (or not!) he currently weighs 116lbs. The past few times at the vet he has been around 110lbs, so it was a slight surprise to see him at 116lbs as I didn't think he had gained any weight. But I guess 5lb doesn't show up on a dog as much as it does on a person :).
But, while I would like to get him back down to about 110lb, I am not all that worried and this is why.
Duke has never been food motivated. He has never really like food or most treats. As a puppy he would sometimes go a whole day without eating. During his past 5 years I have tried every food out there to get him to eat. I tried the good and the bad, I didn't care, I just wanted him to eat. I was never able to find one that he would eat on a daily basis all the time. I also did free feeding because if I was to do scheduled feeding, he would never eat!
After 2.5 years ago, I finally realized how bad it was. Because he is so hairy and fluffy it is really hard to see what he looks like under that fur. I normally get him groomed professionally, so I also never saw him wet. But one day it was super nice out and for some reason I thought that Duke needed a bath. I took him into the back yard and got him all wet and was absolutely disgusted with what I saw. After my poor dog got all wet there was nothing left to him. I then realized that Duke's irregular eating was worse than what I thought. Shortly after this I got him weighed, he was at 70lbs. While he is pretty big now, subtract over 40lbs from that. I can only imagine what the groomers thought I was doing to my poor dog.
After this point, I made sure that he ate twice a day. If he wouldn't eat the kibble plain, then I would add canned or some other type of topper to it, so he would eat something. He didn't have to eat a full meal, just something.
6 months ago I decided that I was going to switch to raw. Luckily for me and for Duke, he really enjoys the raw diet and eats the entire meal, every time. So not only am I happy with the results of the raw, but am extremely happy that he is now eating twice a day!
I once had a vet tell me that Duke needed to lose a little weight (he said ideal is about 100-110lbs), while I do agree he does, I am absolutely terrified to cut back on his food because I do no want him to go back to what he was. I do realize that being over weight is not healthy for him either, so I will make a conscious effort to reduce how much he gets each day, we also could go on a few more walks as well.
Side story: We are at a new vet since we moved and they have only seen Piper. When I brought him in today the vet laughed as she said "I was so used to the little peanut".
Side story 2: Duke really is just a big dog. I've seen a few of this siblings (picture of his sister)(picture of his father) and he is just much larger!
Are you ok with your dog's weight?
Showing posts with label dog food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dog food. Show all posts
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Monday, February 08, 2010
My View: Humane Choice Organic Dog Food
Are you serious HSUS!?
When I first read that the Humane Society of the US was coming out with an organic dog food I though, "great! organic food is good". This thought only lasted as long as it took me to read the first few lines of the article announcing its arrival.
My issues with this food? It is vegetarian. Yeah, ok, all organic vegetarian(woohoo!), but no meat! As we all know, dogs are meant to eat meat, they thrive on a raw diet of meat. This vegetarian food is simply wrong. What makes it even more wrong is the fact that is is coming from a organization that says it has dog's best interest in mind....obviously they don't think about keeping these dogs alive and healthy.
I know there are some dog foods out there that initially look like the same thing- all grains, veggies, and fruits (Sojos, honest kitchen), but these are meant to be bases, they are meant to have meat added to them. They don't claim to be a complete diet without it.
They say that Humane Choice is nutritious...yea, but you are missing the most important part- some type of animal based protein- fish, beef, chicken, lamb, bison, etc. I mean take a look at the ingredients, it is all grains. The one thing that we try to tell people over and over again that is not good for your dogs, or to at least make it farther down the line in the ingredient list.
Another thing that bothers me. This food is made in Uruguay. If you are going to make such a crappy food, at least make it in the US with US scored ingredients.
The sad thing is that since it is carried by the Petcos and endorsed by the Humane Society of the US, many people are going to think it is a great food and buy it for their dog. But what they don't realize is that that couldn't be farest from the truth.
When I first read that the Humane Society of the US was coming out with an organic dog food I though, "great! organic food is good". This thought only lasted as long as it took me to read the first few lines of the article announcing its arrival.
My issues with this food? It is vegetarian. Yeah, ok, all organic vegetarian(woohoo!), but no meat! As we all know, dogs are meant to eat meat, they thrive on a raw diet of meat. This vegetarian food is simply wrong. What makes it even more wrong is the fact that is is coming from a organization that says it has dog's best interest in mind....obviously they don't think about keeping these dogs alive and healthy.
I know there are some dog foods out there that initially look like the same thing- all grains, veggies, and fruits (Sojos, honest kitchen), but these are meant to be bases, they are meant to have meat added to them. They don't claim to be a complete diet without it.
They say that Humane Choice is nutritious...yea, but you are missing the most important part- some type of animal based protein- fish, beef, chicken, lamb, bison, etc. I mean take a look at the ingredients, it is all grains. The one thing that we try to tell people over and over again that is not good for your dogs, or to at least make it farther down the line in the ingredient list.
Another thing that bothers me. This food is made in Uruguay. If you are going to make such a crappy food, at least make it in the US with US scored ingredients.
The sad thing is that since it is carried by the Petcos and endorsed by the Humane Society of the US, many people are going to think it is a great food and buy it for their dog. But what they don't realize is that that couldn't be farest from the truth.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Dog Food Analysis
Are you confused about what kind of food to feed your dog? With so many choices on the market, it can be very confusing what to feed your dog. Do you feed beef, chicken, lamb? Do you feed corn, rice, oatmeal? Do dogs really need vegetables?
The best food you can give your dog is raw. But many times this is not possible. The next best thing you can feed your dog is grain free. Ingredients such as corn and other grains are just fillers and not good for your dog. Many dogs are allergic to corn.
To help you sort out what kind of food is best for your dog visit this site- www.dogfoodanalysis.com On this website they grade all the different types of food and tell you why it is either good or bad.
The best food you can give your dog is raw. But many times this is not possible. The next best thing you can feed your dog is grain free. Ingredients such as corn and other grains are just fillers and not good for your dog. Many dogs are allergic to corn.
To help you sort out what kind of food is best for your dog visit this site- www.dogfoodanalysis.com On this website they grade all the different types of food and tell you why it is either good or bad.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
FDA Confirms Probe of NUTRO Pet Food Deaths, Illnesses
Do you feed your dog a Nutro brand food?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed that the agency is investigating NUTRO pet food, following a series of unexplained illnesses and deaths. Consumers have been complaining for more than two years that their pets have become ill after eating NUTRO products; many have recovered when they were switched to other foods. The company has steadfastly denied that its food is to blame.
Until now, the FDA has been mum about whether it was actively investigating the company. Today, the FDA’s Division of Freedom of Information confirmed the agency has an ongoing investigation into NUTRO — and said that investigation could be criminal or civil in nature. The office did not elaborate on the nature or focus of that investigation.
The investigation came to light when the FDA denied a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by ConsumerAffairs.com seeking a list of complaints and lab results the agency has collected regarding NUTRO pet food. The agency denied the request and said that releasing the information could hamper “prospective or ongoing” action by law enforcement.
“The document(s) constitute record(s) compiled for law enforcement purposes, the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings,” wrote the FDA’s George A. Strait, Jr., assistant commissioner for public affairs.
Another pet food company, Menu Foods, said in a recent financial filing that the FDA had commenced a criminal investigation to determine whether Menu violated the Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act. The company noted that “additional actions or investigations may arise in the future.” It did not mention any other pet food companies. Menu last year settled a $24 million lawsuit that grew from the largest pet food recall in U.S. history.
NUTRO, which has extensive international operations, was acquired in 2007 by Mars, Inc., the privately-held Virginia-based food products company. Mars was fined a record €4.5 million (about US$5.8 million) last year by the German Federal Cartel Office (FCO) for not observing the required waiting period before closing the transaction. Mars had been by far the leading provider of cat and dog food in Germany prior to the merger.
Under pressure from the German regulators, Mars divested NUTRO's Austrian and German businesses.
Worrisome trend
ConsumerAffairs.com filed its Freedom of Information request for NUTRO records last year after we uncovered a worrisome trend among dogs and cats across the country. An analysis of our complaints revealed that scores of pets from California to South Carolina had experienced sudden and recurring bouts of diarrhea, vomiting, and other digestive problems.
The only common denominator among those dogs and cats was NUTRO pet food. In nearly every case, we also learned the pets’ conditions improved once their owners stopped feeding them NUTRO pet food.
ConsumerAffairs.com continues to receive complaints about NUTRO from dog and cat owners nationwide. In the past year, we’ve received nearly 500 complaints from pet owners who say their dogs or cats suddenly became ill after eat NUTRO. The problems these pets have experienced are similar: vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestive issues.
Most of the complaints mirror one received last week from Linda P. of New Baltimore, Michigan.
“For three years, I have been feeding my dog NUTRO Natural Choice Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Small Bites Dry Dog Food,” she said. “The last bag I bought, I notice the food color was lighter than in the past. Me being who I am, I believed there was a changed in formula for the better. My Dachshund/Lab became ill, vomiting food chunks and yellow bile as well. We took him to the vet and I have been feeding him homemade chicken and rice and antibiotics and he is on the mend.”
She adds: “How can so many dogs get sick and nothing be done? Today I will start mixing his homemade food with a different brand of dry food. I never want anyone else to go through, what appears to be many, the same situation as our dogs. It will be a week or two before I’m sure my dog is okay.”
NUTRO denies it
NUTRO defends its products and insists its food is safe. Many NUTRO customers also tout the food, saying their pets have had no problems. And veterinarians say several factors can cause gastrointestinal problems in dogs and cats, including changes in diet, newly developed sensitivities to pet foods, and viral infections.
But pet owners who contact us on a nearly daily basis are convinced something is wrong with NUTRO’s food. And they say it’s no coincidence that so many dogs and cats have become sick — with the same symptoms — after eating various flavors of that pet food.
“NUTRO makes dogs sick,” says Erin of Encino, California. “It is a fact and I’m outraged that nobody is taking it off the shelf.”
Erin says her three-year-old Puggle was a healthy active dog until she started eating NUTRO Natural Choice Lamb Meal & Rice Formula and NUTRO Max Beef & Rice Dinner Chunks in Gravy: “After about two weeks of this food, she became sick. (She was) constipated for a few days, then had diarrhea, and finally vomiting and was always extremely thirsty. The last straw was her laying lethargic on the couch with white gums.”
That’s when Erin rushed her dog to the vet.
“The vet said she had allergies, prescribed an antibiotic and cortisone and gave me a bag of Science Diet. I feed her the Science Diet in place of NUTRO because it was free, and she was fine within a week.”
Erin, however, says she made the mistake of switching her dog back to NUTRO after the Science Diet was gone.
“She again had constipation, followed by horrible diarrhea, and finally vomiting yellow bile and white gums,” Erin told us. “There is no way that all these stories are just coincidences … (not) if my dog is fine when she isn’t eating NUTRO and when she is eating it, she’s horribly sick. I have switched her back to Science Diet and all her symptoms are gone and her appetite has returned to normal.”
Another California pet owner says her dog also became ill after eating NUTRO pet food.
“My husband and I purchased NUTRO chicken and rice small bites for our two Chihuahuas,” says Jessica of Larkspur. “After about five days, our six-year-old male Chihuahua became lethargic, groaned a lot, developed a fever, was not excited to go on walks, and lost excitement for anything that used to bring him joy.
“My husband began to suspect it was the new food as he had only developed these symptoms after eating NUTRO. He has always been a healthy and active Chihuahua.”
The couple took the dog to their vet, who ran tests but couldn’t pinpoint the problem. “He was given antibiotics and we are crossing our fingers they work. Our Chihuahua can barely walk, he is groaning in pain, and is extremely depressed.”
Across the country, a longtime NUTRO pet owner in Pennsylvania told us her dog suddenly became ill after eating the food.
“I had been feeding my dog NUTRO for years,” says Amy D. of Webster, Pennsylvania. “I started feeding her NUTRO for sensitive stomachs about 6 months ago. At first everything seemed fine. Then my dog, who never urinated in my house, started having accidents (frequently). She needed to go out constantly and would squat repeatedly, come in, and ask to go right back out. I took her to the vet and began treatment for bladder infection. Upon finishing treatment it started all over again.”
Amy’s vet discovered crystals in the dog’s urine, which also had a high PH balance. The vet put the dog on another medication.
“In the meantime other than the restless pacing to go outside, she seemed disinterested and lethargic,” Amy says. “Then she began having extremely loose bowel movements (an awful bright yellow) in the house.”
Amy launched her own investigation and discovered the scores of complaints about NUTRO on ConsumerAffairs.com.
“I couldn't believe my eyes. Could it really be the dog food I had trusted so much making my beloved pet ill? I immediately threw away all my NUTRO dog food.”
Amy is now feeding her dog another brand of pet food. “And I’m thrilled to say she is her old self again. She no longer has to take any medicines and has no more accidents or uncontrollable urges. Thanks to this Web site and everyone who took the time to file a complaint, I have my healthy happy dog back.”
Not a fluke?
A pet owner in New York told us his puppy had the same experience as Amy’s dog after eating NUTRO. And he’s convinced it’s not a fluke.
“We got our dog two weeks ago and our puppy was healthy when we got her,” says Manny of Fresh Meadows, New York. “She started eating NUTRO Natural Choice for puppies, since it was recommended by a friend of ours. A week later, she started squatting to urinate, but only small drops or none at all came out. When she can urinate, it is frequent, in small amounts, and contains blood.”
Manny took his puppy to the vet, who prescribed amoxicillin.
“She received a sonogram, culture test, and urinalysis test. The results showed that she may have a stone in her bladder. The blood in her urine is caused by the stone scraping the bladder walls. The urinalysis test showed that she had a high PH balance. I don't think it is a coincidence that I have the same exact problem as Amy,” adds Manny. “I wonder if something is wrong NUTRO pet food again. Our puppy is still sick.”
Our investigation into the complaints we’ve received about NUTRO pet food has also revealed:
• Six dogs unexpectedly died — or were euthanized — in 2008 after eating NUTRO pet food. Those dogs include two Italian Greyhounds in Indiana, a Beagle/Whippet mix in Pennsylvania, two German Shepherd puppies in North Carolina, and a Doberman Pinscher in Texas;
• The FDA investigated the April 2008 deaths of two Italian Greyhounds dogs in Indiana. The FDA tested samples of the NUTRO food those dogs ate, but did not find any toxins. An autopsy indicated the dogs died from antifreeze poisoning. The dogs’ owner doesn’t believe those results, saying there is no antifreeze around her home. No one has tested the NUTRO food the other dogs ate before they died;
• Two Italian Greyhounds at a military base in Italy became sick after eating NUTRO food. The dog’s owner told us she hopes the FDA is investigating NUTRO and urged the agency to move quickly. “It is hard to tell how many people at overseas military bases are feeding this (food) to their dogs and possibly killing them,” says Michelle M. who bought her dogs’ NUTRO food at the base’s commissary.
• A pet nutrition specialist for NUTRO told us she’s heard complaints about the company’s food making dogs and cats sick. She reported those concerns to her supervisor, but said they were ignored. She later resigned.
Some pet owners, however, tell us NUTRO is the only brand of food their dogs and cats can eat.
“My Shar-peis are the most sensitive dogs I have ever owned,” says Allison R. of Nampa, Indiana. “On the wrong food their hair falls out, their eyes weep and their ears get nasty. It takes me a good 3 months of only NUTRO dog food in order to reverse the affects of the other food. I have found that the senior diet is what works best, not sure why, but it seems to keep my Shar-Peis looking healthy.”
A Tennessee pet owner also defends NUTRO pet food — and warns consumers not to jump to conclusions based on Internet complaints.
“I feed all of my dogs and cats Nutro products and they are just as healthy as they have ever been,” says Brenda of Springfield, Tennessee. “They have healthy shiny coats and their stools are firm.”
Gradual transition
Brenda also had some advice to pet owners switching brands of food.
“Do a gradual transition from the old food,” she said. “If you don’t, your dog will likely experience these issues. Not every bout of diarrhea, constipation, bladder infection, liver and kidney failure and loss of excitement to go on walks should be attributed to food. Your first responsibility as a pet owner should be to take your dog to the vet before you blame anyone. Do your research and don't let any Web site diagnose your pet.”
NUTRO has repeatedly insisted its food is “100 percent safe” and meets all standards set by FDA, the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). A spokeswoman said all NUTRO products are tested for melamine, molds, toxins and other bacteria. And she called the complaints we’ve received “isolated reports of inaccurate information posted online.”
During our investigation, we’ve also contacted veterinarians about the problems pet owners say their dogs and cats have experienced after eating NUTRO. They’ve said it’s not uncommon for pets to have sudden bouts of vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems. They also said a number of factors — pet food, stress, or a viral infection — could be the culprit.
We also asked Dr. Steven Hansen, a veterinary toxicologist with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), to review some of our NUTRO complaints, in an effort to find out why so many pets have become sick — or even died — after eating NUTRO food.
“Unfortunately the cases are not consistent and appear to be anecdotal with no real definitive diagnostic findings,” Dr. Hansen told us. “Without any consistent trends in findings we can not do anything any further. This does appear to us to be a situation where bad things happen, but they are not likely food-related.”
Hansen, however, said consumers who suspect NUTRO’s food is a factor in their pets’ illnesses should have their animals examined by a veterinarian and document the problems.
“I would also recommend that if they suspect the food is the problem, they should take a freezer bag full of it — along with the label information that has the product’s name and lot numbers — to their vet,” he told us. “If the vet suspects the food is the cause, the vet should then contact the company and FDA. If there’s a problem, we need to document it and get supporting lab results.”
Owners anxious
The arguments back and forth don't mean much to anxious pet owners, who say it’s about time some federal agency investigated NUTRO and its products.
“After so many complaints, how can this dog food still be on the market for consumers to purchase and feed to their dogs?” Andrea G. of Sicklerville, New Jersey asked us. “I have been feeding my Dachshund NUTRO Ultra dry dog food for many months. Suddenly, 10 days ago, he started vomiting yellow bile 1- 2 times daily.
“It makes me sick to think that I might be the one responsible for my dog's vomiting by feeding him this food. I can only hope that something is done, very soon, to prevent other pets from becoming ill.”
Source: Consumer Affairs
What is your reaction? Do you feed your dog Nutro?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed that the agency is investigating NUTRO pet food, following a series of unexplained illnesses and deaths. Consumers have been complaining for more than two years that their pets have become ill after eating NUTRO products; many have recovered when they were switched to other foods. The company has steadfastly denied that its food is to blame.
Until now, the FDA has been mum about whether it was actively investigating the company. Today, the FDA’s Division of Freedom of Information confirmed the agency has an ongoing investigation into NUTRO — and said that investigation could be criminal or civil in nature. The office did not elaborate on the nature or focus of that investigation.
The investigation came to light when the FDA denied a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by ConsumerAffairs.com seeking a list of complaints and lab results the agency has collected regarding NUTRO pet food. The agency denied the request and said that releasing the information could hamper “prospective or ongoing” action by law enforcement.
“The document(s) constitute record(s) compiled for law enforcement purposes, the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings,” wrote the FDA’s George A. Strait, Jr., assistant commissioner for public affairs.
Another pet food company, Menu Foods, said in a recent financial filing that the FDA had commenced a criminal investigation to determine whether Menu violated the Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act. The company noted that “additional actions or investigations may arise in the future.” It did not mention any other pet food companies. Menu last year settled a $24 million lawsuit that grew from the largest pet food recall in U.S. history.
NUTRO, which has extensive international operations, was acquired in 2007 by Mars, Inc., the privately-held Virginia-based food products company. Mars was fined a record €4.5 million (about US$5.8 million) last year by the German Federal Cartel Office (FCO) for not observing the required waiting period before closing the transaction. Mars had been by far the leading provider of cat and dog food in Germany prior to the merger.
Under pressure from the German regulators, Mars divested NUTRO's Austrian and German businesses.
Worrisome trend
ConsumerAffairs.com filed its Freedom of Information request for NUTRO records last year after we uncovered a worrisome trend among dogs and cats across the country. An analysis of our complaints revealed that scores of pets from California to South Carolina had experienced sudden and recurring bouts of diarrhea, vomiting, and other digestive problems.
The only common denominator among those dogs and cats was NUTRO pet food. In nearly every case, we also learned the pets’ conditions improved once their owners stopped feeding them NUTRO pet food.
ConsumerAffairs.com continues to receive complaints about NUTRO from dog and cat owners nationwide. In the past year, we’ve received nearly 500 complaints from pet owners who say their dogs or cats suddenly became ill after eat NUTRO. The problems these pets have experienced are similar: vomiting, diarrhea, and other digestive issues.
Most of the complaints mirror one received last week from Linda P. of New Baltimore, Michigan.
“For three years, I have been feeding my dog NUTRO Natural Choice Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Small Bites Dry Dog Food,” she said. “The last bag I bought, I notice the food color was lighter than in the past. Me being who I am, I believed there was a changed in formula for the better. My Dachshund/Lab became ill, vomiting food chunks and yellow bile as well. We took him to the vet and I have been feeding him homemade chicken and rice and antibiotics and he is on the mend.”
She adds: “How can so many dogs get sick and nothing be done? Today I will start mixing his homemade food with a different brand of dry food. I never want anyone else to go through, what appears to be many, the same situation as our dogs. It will be a week or two before I’m sure my dog is okay.”
NUTRO denies it
NUTRO defends its products and insists its food is safe. Many NUTRO customers also tout the food, saying their pets have had no problems. And veterinarians say several factors can cause gastrointestinal problems in dogs and cats, including changes in diet, newly developed sensitivities to pet foods, and viral infections.
But pet owners who contact us on a nearly daily basis are convinced something is wrong with NUTRO’s food. And they say it’s no coincidence that so many dogs and cats have become sick — with the same symptoms — after eating various flavors of that pet food.
“NUTRO makes dogs sick,” says Erin of Encino, California. “It is a fact and I’m outraged that nobody is taking it off the shelf.”
Erin says her three-year-old Puggle was a healthy active dog until she started eating NUTRO Natural Choice Lamb Meal & Rice Formula and NUTRO Max Beef & Rice Dinner Chunks in Gravy: “After about two weeks of this food, she became sick. (She was) constipated for a few days, then had diarrhea, and finally vomiting and was always extremely thirsty. The last straw was her laying lethargic on the couch with white gums.”
That’s when Erin rushed her dog to the vet.
“The vet said she had allergies, prescribed an antibiotic and cortisone and gave me a bag of Science Diet. I feed her the Science Diet in place of NUTRO because it was free, and she was fine within a week.”
Erin, however, says she made the mistake of switching her dog back to NUTRO after the Science Diet was gone.
“She again had constipation, followed by horrible diarrhea, and finally vomiting yellow bile and white gums,” Erin told us. “There is no way that all these stories are just coincidences … (not) if my dog is fine when she isn’t eating NUTRO and when she is eating it, she’s horribly sick. I have switched her back to Science Diet and all her symptoms are gone and her appetite has returned to normal.”
Another California pet owner says her dog also became ill after eating NUTRO pet food.
“My husband and I purchased NUTRO chicken and rice small bites for our two Chihuahuas,” says Jessica of Larkspur. “After about five days, our six-year-old male Chihuahua became lethargic, groaned a lot, developed a fever, was not excited to go on walks, and lost excitement for anything that used to bring him joy.
“My husband began to suspect it was the new food as he had only developed these symptoms after eating NUTRO. He has always been a healthy and active Chihuahua.”
The couple took the dog to their vet, who ran tests but couldn’t pinpoint the problem. “He was given antibiotics and we are crossing our fingers they work. Our Chihuahua can barely walk, he is groaning in pain, and is extremely depressed.”
Across the country, a longtime NUTRO pet owner in Pennsylvania told us her dog suddenly became ill after eating the food.
“I had been feeding my dog NUTRO for years,” says Amy D. of Webster, Pennsylvania. “I started feeding her NUTRO for sensitive stomachs about 6 months ago. At first everything seemed fine. Then my dog, who never urinated in my house, started having accidents (frequently). She needed to go out constantly and would squat repeatedly, come in, and ask to go right back out. I took her to the vet and began treatment for bladder infection. Upon finishing treatment it started all over again.”
Amy’s vet discovered crystals in the dog’s urine, which also had a high PH balance. The vet put the dog on another medication.
“In the meantime other than the restless pacing to go outside, she seemed disinterested and lethargic,” Amy says. “Then she began having extremely loose bowel movements (an awful bright yellow) in the house.”
Amy launched her own investigation and discovered the scores of complaints about NUTRO on ConsumerAffairs.com.
“I couldn't believe my eyes. Could it really be the dog food I had trusted so much making my beloved pet ill? I immediately threw away all my NUTRO dog food.”
Amy is now feeding her dog another brand of pet food. “And I’m thrilled to say she is her old self again. She no longer has to take any medicines and has no more accidents or uncontrollable urges. Thanks to this Web site and everyone who took the time to file a complaint, I have my healthy happy dog back.”
Not a fluke?
A pet owner in New York told us his puppy had the same experience as Amy’s dog after eating NUTRO. And he’s convinced it’s not a fluke.
“We got our dog two weeks ago and our puppy was healthy when we got her,” says Manny of Fresh Meadows, New York. “She started eating NUTRO Natural Choice for puppies, since it was recommended by a friend of ours. A week later, she started squatting to urinate, but only small drops or none at all came out. When she can urinate, it is frequent, in small amounts, and contains blood.”
Manny took his puppy to the vet, who prescribed amoxicillin.
“She received a sonogram, culture test, and urinalysis test. The results showed that she may have a stone in her bladder. The blood in her urine is caused by the stone scraping the bladder walls. The urinalysis test showed that she had a high PH balance. I don't think it is a coincidence that I have the same exact problem as Amy,” adds Manny. “I wonder if something is wrong NUTRO pet food again. Our puppy is still sick.”
Our investigation into the complaints we’ve received about NUTRO pet food has also revealed:
• Six dogs unexpectedly died — or were euthanized — in 2008 after eating NUTRO pet food. Those dogs include two Italian Greyhounds in Indiana, a Beagle/Whippet mix in Pennsylvania, two German Shepherd puppies in North Carolina, and a Doberman Pinscher in Texas;
• The FDA investigated the April 2008 deaths of two Italian Greyhounds dogs in Indiana. The FDA tested samples of the NUTRO food those dogs ate, but did not find any toxins. An autopsy indicated the dogs died from antifreeze poisoning. The dogs’ owner doesn’t believe those results, saying there is no antifreeze around her home. No one has tested the NUTRO food the other dogs ate before they died;
• Two Italian Greyhounds at a military base in Italy became sick after eating NUTRO food. The dog’s owner told us she hopes the FDA is investigating NUTRO and urged the agency to move quickly. “It is hard to tell how many people at overseas military bases are feeding this (food) to their dogs and possibly killing them,” says Michelle M. who bought her dogs’ NUTRO food at the base’s commissary.
• A pet nutrition specialist for NUTRO told us she’s heard complaints about the company’s food making dogs and cats sick. She reported those concerns to her supervisor, but said they were ignored. She later resigned.
Some pet owners, however, tell us NUTRO is the only brand of food their dogs and cats can eat.
“My Shar-peis are the most sensitive dogs I have ever owned,” says Allison R. of Nampa, Indiana. “On the wrong food their hair falls out, their eyes weep and their ears get nasty. It takes me a good 3 months of only NUTRO dog food in order to reverse the affects of the other food. I have found that the senior diet is what works best, not sure why, but it seems to keep my Shar-Peis looking healthy.”
A Tennessee pet owner also defends NUTRO pet food — and warns consumers not to jump to conclusions based on Internet complaints.
“I feed all of my dogs and cats Nutro products and they are just as healthy as they have ever been,” says Brenda of Springfield, Tennessee. “They have healthy shiny coats and their stools are firm.”
Gradual transition
Brenda also had some advice to pet owners switching brands of food.
“Do a gradual transition from the old food,” she said. “If you don’t, your dog will likely experience these issues. Not every bout of diarrhea, constipation, bladder infection, liver and kidney failure and loss of excitement to go on walks should be attributed to food. Your first responsibility as a pet owner should be to take your dog to the vet before you blame anyone. Do your research and don't let any Web site diagnose your pet.”
NUTRO has repeatedly insisted its food is “100 percent safe” and meets all standards set by FDA, the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). A spokeswoman said all NUTRO products are tested for melamine, molds, toxins and other bacteria. And she called the complaints we’ve received “isolated reports of inaccurate information posted online.”
During our investigation, we’ve also contacted veterinarians about the problems pet owners say their dogs and cats have experienced after eating NUTRO. They’ve said it’s not uncommon for pets to have sudden bouts of vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems. They also said a number of factors — pet food, stress, or a viral infection — could be the culprit.
We also asked Dr. Steven Hansen, a veterinary toxicologist with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), to review some of our NUTRO complaints, in an effort to find out why so many pets have become sick — or even died — after eating NUTRO food.
“Unfortunately the cases are not consistent and appear to be anecdotal with no real definitive diagnostic findings,” Dr. Hansen told us. “Without any consistent trends in findings we can not do anything any further. This does appear to us to be a situation where bad things happen, but they are not likely food-related.”
Hansen, however, said consumers who suspect NUTRO’s food is a factor in their pets’ illnesses should have their animals examined by a veterinarian and document the problems.
“I would also recommend that if they suspect the food is the problem, they should take a freezer bag full of it — along with the label information that has the product’s name and lot numbers — to their vet,” he told us. “If the vet suspects the food is the cause, the vet should then contact the company and FDA. If there’s a problem, we need to document it and get supporting lab results.”
Owners anxious
The arguments back and forth don't mean much to anxious pet owners, who say it’s about time some federal agency investigated NUTRO and its products.
“After so many complaints, how can this dog food still be on the market for consumers to purchase and feed to their dogs?” Andrea G. of Sicklerville, New Jersey asked us. “I have been feeding my Dachshund NUTRO Ultra dry dog food for many months. Suddenly, 10 days ago, he started vomiting yellow bile 1- 2 times daily.
“It makes me sick to think that I might be the one responsible for my dog's vomiting by feeding him this food. I can only hope that something is done, very soon, to prevent other pets from becoming ill.”
Source: Consumer Affairs
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