Nutro Products announced a voluntary recall of select varieties of NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE COMPLETE CARE Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO MAX Cat Dry Foods with "Best If Used By Dates" between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010. The cat food is being voluntarily recalled in the United States and ten additional countries. This recall is due to incorrect levels of zinc and potassium in our finished product resulting from a production error by a US-based premix supplier.

Read more...

FDA information on Nutro's voluntary products recall

I walked by a soon-to-open pet store the other day. It looked like the building was still under construction. Through the windows from the street, I could see some brands of pet food bags stocked up on the floor in the store, waiting to be put on shelves. Several weeks had passed when I walked by the store again. I saw the pet food bags still lying on the floor exactly the way they were the last time I saw them. I began to think to myself, "I don't see a sign of the store opening any time soon. There is already pet food there, casually lying on the ground. I wonder how old this pet food will be when the first customers purchase them."

What factors are usually important for you when you purchase food for your pets? Brand names? Ingredients? Price? These things certainly are important.

But wait!

Have you considered how "fresh" your pet food is?

Surprisingly, very few pet owners give this much thought. The FRESHNESS of the pet food your precious pets eat every day is a very important factor you should consider as one of the top priorities when you choose a pet food.

Read more...

Helping companion animals to lead healthier, longer and happier lives is not just our company commitment... it's our personal mission. That's why we have worked very hard to not only provide the best, health-promoting products, we have also established a foundation to help improve the lives of abandoned companion animals all across the U.S. The Dr. Jane's HealthyPetNet Foundation is a non-profit organization absolutely committed to supporting a variety of animal rescue groups, all of which are dedicated to helping to rescue neglected and unwanted animals.

Every time you purchase a Trilogy (or HealthyPetNet) product, a portion of the profits are contributed to a fund that supports the operations of this organization. Thank you so much for your continued business! Together, we're making a positive difference in the world, one animal at a time.

In 2007, we've awarded thousands of dollars to numerous worthy rescue groups.

Read more

The outbreak of disease in people caused by a new influenza virus of swine origin continues to grow in the United States and internationally.

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs.

Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in the United States. Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection also have been identified internationally.

Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) gives the following advice so that you can stay away from swine influenza.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
  
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
  

More information sources:

CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
WHO (World Health Organization)
FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
PandemicFlu.gov
ABC News

Brushing their pets' teeth every day is not an easy task for many people. I'm certainly one of them. I am aware of the importance of taking good care of our pets' oral hygiene, and I do check my dog's teeth and gum lines daily. But I have to admit - there are times that it feels like a chore, especially when I know my dog is not cooperative.

For people who would like to learn more about how to brush their dogs' teeth more efficiently, watching a live video demonstration is helpful.

Gwen Rosewater, an artist and my dear friend, has made a video showing how to brush a dog's teeth thoroughly, while handling the dog's body gently. You can learn through her demonstration how to help your dog accept brushing. The video is great - you'll find it's much easier to learn this way than just by reading written instructions. You can watch the video on her web page: www.iconicdog.com/Rescue.html

I hope you will make a positive step forward towards taking better care of your dogs' teeth and gums after you watch her video!

Prevention of a problem is easier and cheaper than fixing the consequences.

Video source provided by Gwen Rosewater at www.iconicdog.com
Gwen is a pet portraits artist and an avid supporter of rescue for all breeds.