Dog Food Recall: Here Are All the Brands and Products Being Withdrawn

The J.M. Smucker Company announced last week that it was recalling a number of popular pet food products after it was revealed that they may contain traces of a drug that is often used to euthanize animals. The drug, pentobarbital, does “not pose a threat to pet safety” in extremely low doses, but its mere presence is obviously a huge cause for concern.

The company has published a list of all the dog food products affected by the recall, including varieties of wet canned dog food sold under a number of different brand names. The brands, which include Gravy Train, Kibbles ‘N Bits, Ol’ Roy, and Skippy, are sold in a number of different can sizes and flavors. You can read the full list below.

To read more on this story, click here: Dog Food Recall: Here Are All the Brands and Products Being Withdrawn



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After Dogs Die Eating Packaged Dog Bone Treats, Government Warns Dog Owners About Their Dangers

Our dogs are like our family members and if something ever happened to them we’d be devastated. That’s why the Food and Drug Administration is warning dog owners not to buy bone treats after 15 dogs died from them.

“Giving your dog a bone treat might lead to an unexpected trip to your veterinarian, a possible emergency surgery, or even death for your pet,” Carmela Stamper, a veterinarian at the FDA, said according to Business Insider.

The Food and Drug Administration received reports about 15 deaths and 68 reports of dogs who became ill after consuming packaged dog bone treats.

“Veterinarians see many problems related to chewing and ingestion of bones by dogs of all sizes and breeds. Bones can be swallowed whole or they can crack and splinter, leading to choking, vomiting or blockages in the digestive tract,” Spokesperson for the American Veterinary Medical Association Michael San Filippo said. “In extreme cases, splintered bones can perforate a dog’s esophagus, stomach or intestines, which can be fatal without emergency intervention.”

To read more on this story, click here: After Dogs Die Eating Packaged Dog Bone Treats, Government Warns Dog Owners About Their Dangers



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Tips on Sharing the Thanksgiving Holiday with Your Dog

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches many of you are wondering if you can give your dog turkey ...Yes, you can!  The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says, offering your dog a small piece of boneless, thoroughly cooked turkey, plain mashed potatoes and a smidge of pumpkin pie are not likely to be harmful treats for your dog. Just be sure to avoid giving foods with large amounts of onion or garlic, or any treats sweetened with xylitol, a sweetener that can lower the blood sugar of dogs.

When placing the meat in your dog's bowl, be sure to remove all pieces of bone, and the skin! Just like chicken bones, turkey bones splinter and can cause blockage or perforation of the intestine. Rich, fatty foods such as turkey skin and dark turkey meat are difficult to digest and can cause vomiting and diarrhea in your dog, and in extreme cases, pancreatitis. Dogs and turkey bones aren't a good combination.

Your dog may become agitated with strangers in your home

If you plan on serving Thanksgiving dinner in your home, it’s probably a good idea to give your dog a special chew toy and put him in a secure room. With so many people coming into and out of your house, your dog may become agitated. Dogs don’t like changes in their routine and may not find mingling with strangers to be enjoyable. There’s also a higher risk of your dog escaping to the outside when there’s so much confusion.

Tips:

1. Try to keep all foods pushed toward the back of the counter, prepared and uncooked.

2. Feed your dog in their dog bowl.

3. Keep trash cans either secured with a tight fitting lid, or under a cabinet.

4. Caution your guest on arrival about giving turkey and other table foods to your dog.

5. Once the meal is over, place turkey bones in the garbage and remove the garbage bag from the room. It should immediately be placed in a garbage bin where it can't be accessed by your dog.

6. If you have guests coming into the home around the holidays this poses many dangers to pets.  A child who does not know how to properly interact with your dog may end up the victim of a dog bite incident.

7. As guests enter and exit your home for Thanksgiving dinner this provides an opportunity for your dog to escape.

8. If you think someone gave your dog too much turkey or table food, contact your vet immediately. The same is true if your dog got into the trash and ate something he shouldn't have.

Since most vet offices are closed on holidays including Thanksgiving, you should have an emergency contact number on hand. Most likely, this will be the nearest Pet Emergency Center.

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Foods That You Should Never Give Your Dog

Does your dog beat you to the table? Looking up with those puppy dog  eyes … waiting for you to drop something down to them? Stop! … and think of what you are eating.  Ask yourself, is this going to hurt them?

The experts at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center set the record straight. As the premier animal poison control center in North America, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365  days a year. If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, make the call that can make all the difference: (888) 426-4435. A $65 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card. For more information visit them at ASPCA - People Foods.

Listed below are some of the foods that you should never give your dog.

Chocolate and Cocoa contain a chemical called theobromide that can adversely affect the heart, lungs, kidney and central nervous system.

Grapes and Raisins can cause irreversible damage to the kidneys, possible resulting in death.

Onions can cause a form of hemolytic anemia called Heinz body anemia, a condition that causes the destruction of red blood cells. Kidney damage may follow. Caffeine is quite similar to the toxic chemical in chocolate. It can damage the heart, lungs, kidney and central nervous system.

Macadamia nuts, while generally not considered fatal, can cause your dog to experience severe illness.

Alcoholic beverages contain ethanol - a seriously toxic chemical compound that causes central nervous system and respiratory depression.

Apple seeds, cherry pits, peach pits, and plum pits contain the toxin cyanide.

Baby food can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs. It can also result in nutritional deficiencies, if fed in large amounts.

Milk and other Dairy Products  - Some adult dogs and cats do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhea. Lactose-free milk products are available for pets.

Raw Eggs contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.

Sugar-Free Gum - Xylitol is a sugar-free sweetener most often found in chewing gum and candy. In dogs, it stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin, resulting in hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Xylitol ingestion can also cause severe liver damage.

Moldy or Rotten foods can cause many problems for your dog, some more serious than others. Any food that seems "past its prime" should be kept out reach. Be especially careful to keep your dog away from trash cans.

Poison Control Hotline

888-232-8870  (TOLL FREE)

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Is Bread Helpful for a Dog’s Digestion?

Have you heard the “old wives tale” that feeding dogs bread can make their upset stomachs better? Well, this is one instance when the “old wives” know what they’re talking about… at least under certain circumstances.

Here are three situations when feeding bread to dogs can be helpful.

1. Your Dog Has Eaten Something with Sharp Points or Edges
Dogs like to chew on bones, but sometimes they go overboard and end up swallowing sharp shards. Dogs have also been known to eat needles, nails, skewers—you name it and a dog has probably tried to eat it. Sharp points and edges can do a lot of damage as they travel through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In the most severe cases, they can perforate the esophagus, stomach, or intestines, allowing the contents of the GI tract to spill into the surrounding body part. If the abdominal cavity becomes contaminated in this way, a potentially fatal condition called peritonitis will develop.

When dogs eat a large meal of bread after ingesting something sharp, the bread can encase the foreign material, allowing it to pass more safely through the GI tract. Bread can also help protect the esophagus from sharp bits if a dog eventually vomits or is given medicine to make him do so. Some people recommend white bread, others whole grain. I don’t think it matters. Whatever you have on hand will do.

To read more on this story, click here: Is Bread Helpful for a Dog’s Digestion?

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How Are You Storing Your Dog’s Food? Mistakes That Could Make Your Dog Sick

Never Leave Your Pet’s Food Unsealed
To prevent unnecessary exposure to air and humidity, which can rapidly degrade food and increase risk of bacterial contamination like Salmonella, pet food should be sealed in a safe container after every feeding. If your pet eats dry kibble, this may very well be the original packaging if the top of the bag is folded securely. High quality pet food bags have been designed to keep out the elements and maintain its freshness for as long as possible.  If you want to store food in a plastic container, the best option is to use the original bag and place it in a plastic container. If pouring food into the container, you should purchase a food safe. It must be cleaned and dried very well when the container is empty. The oils and food will expire and could cause issues with palatability and GI upset when stored in a non-food grade container.

Never Leave Pet Food Sitting Out Too Long
How long dry food can be left out will vary depending on the food and manufacturer. Some companies use natural and artificial preservatives that generally are good until expiration, even when open. The best recommendation is to contact the manufacturer to find out the recommendation for your pet’s specific food.

Canned food, once opened, can be left out from 2 to no more than 4 hours. Any unused canned food should be immediately put in the refrigerator. Contact the pet food manufacturer to find out their recommendations for how long the food can still be fed once opened and placed in the refrigerator.

Ideally, unopened dry and canned foods should be kept at room temperature and away from heat, humidity and infestation. 

Don’t Forget To Clean Food Bowls Regularly
How often do you wash your pet food bowl -  Every week? That’s not bad, but the Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) actually recommends washing pet food bowls, dishes, and scooping utensils with soap and hot water after each use. This is to prevent infectious agents such as Salmonella or Listeria from accumulating on the items. If you use a plastic container to store your pet food, wash  the container when empty, and make sure it is completely dry before adding new food. 

Never Allow Young Children to Handle Pet Food
Left unsupervised, children and pet food simply don’t mix. Kids tend to be less reliable in their sanitary habits before and after handling pet food and they are more likely to incorrectly measure an appropriate meal for your pet. This can harm both your child (exposing them to dangerous infectious agents) and your pet (promoting overeating and issues with obesity). 

Never Keep Pet Food Past Its Expiration Date
Pet food expiration dates (sometimes known as “best by” or “use by” dates) are established to ensure the safety of the food for your dog or cat. These dates are often found on the side or the bottom of the pet food package or can. Can’t find the date? Call the pet food manufacturer. They can easily instruct you as to where the expiration date can be found. Don’t take the risk by feeding your pet expired food.

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You Have Probably Heard That a Dog Can Eat Itself to Death: Can They Really?

It’s long been said that dogs, like some humans, don’t know when it’s time to stop eating when they’re full. They’ll continue to eat the food in front of them until it’s gone, be it a cup of food or 20 pounds of kibble. In fact, they just might keep on eating until they drop dead. But is there actually any truth to this?

The short answer? It depends on the dog. Some dogs aren’t the sharpest tools in the shed and will eat until they get sick; there have indeed been reports of dogs getting into a bag of kibble and eating the whole thing. Sometimes it’s caught in time for the dog’s stomach to be pumped; sometimes it’s not. The vast majority of dogs, however, will stop eating once they’ve had enough. They might eat to the point of nausea, or until they throw up, but rarely, if ever, until they die.

Dogs, cats, horses, and goats have all been known to eat themselves to death. But again, this only happens rarely. If you’re a good owner, a good rule to keep in mind is to feed your dog the amount recommended by the vet, twice a day, at set feeding times. Don’t leave a constant supply of food out for the dog, and don’t leave the kibble bag out where it can be found. And if your dog does find his or her way into the kibble bag, don’t worry: It might eat until it gets sick, but it’s not going to eat itself to death.




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The Most Dangerous Pet Chew Ever: Rawhide

How can one of the most popular chew sticks on the planet be so dangerous for your pets, you ask? I mean, most dogs chew on rawhide for hours on end, and not only does it keep them busy, but they seem to last forever.

Well if you understood what it took to make this toxic “raw” leather stick, you would quickly understand what the problem is.

Aside from the horror stories circulating all over social media these days, of pets needing emergency surgery after consuming rawhide, the majority of pet parents today, especially the newbies, believe that this chew is some sort of dried up meat stick. Let me debunk that myth right away!

A rawhide stick is not the by-product of the beef industry nor is it made of dehydrated meat. Rather, rawhide is the by-product of the “Leather Industry”, so theoretically it is a leather chew. Sounds awesome, right?

“Producing rawhide begins with the splitting of an animal hide, usually from cattle. The top grain is generally tanned and made into leather products, while the inner portion, in its “raw” state, goes to the dogs.” TheBark.com

So, how does this leather, which is conveniently rolled up into pretty shapes, actually get made into those rawhide chews?

Follow along my friends and I will enlighten you on how this hide travels through a leathery process where it transforms from hide to a not-so beautiful, colorful, chew stick. Here is a paraphrased tutorial that was explained by the whole dog journal several years back:

To read more on this story, click here: The Most Dangerous Pet Chew Ever: Rawhide


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Truth About Pet Food

The latest Pet Food privilege announced by the FDA is regarding prescription cat and dog food. All pet food consumers and veterinarians should take note of this recent FDA Compliance Policy.

For decades the FDA has strictly enforced their idea that drugs are the only cure or treatment for illness – refusing to allow any food to make health or wellness claims. A claim such as ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’ is forbidden.

But in the FDA’s infinite collusion with Big Industry, the agency allows pet food the same privilege of a drug (to claim it can cure or treat disease) without any of the requirements of a drug. Pet food is allowed to claim it can cure or treat disease without having to prove the effectiveness or even the safety of the pet food.

Kidney Function Canine Formula Dry/Kibble. This dog food, sold through a veterinarian, is allowed to make the claim of treating kidney disease in dogs.

Ingredients (bold added for emphasis): “Whole grain corn, brewers rice, dried egg product, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), sugar, dried whey, sodium caseinate, animal digest, calcium carbonate, vegetable oil, potassium chloride, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, fish oil, salt, potassium citrate, choline chloride, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, niacin, manganese sulfate, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, garlic oil, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium selenite.”

To read more on this story, click here: Truth About Pet Food

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Breaking News: Fromm Family Pet Food of Wisconsin Has Announced a Voluntary Recall of Three Separate Types of Their Canned Food for Dogs

Fromm Family Pet Food of Wisconsin has announced a voluntary recall of three separate types of their canned food for dogs, which may contain too much Vitamin D.

The affected products were distributed between December 2015 and February 2016. A state-by-state list of Fromm retailers can be found here.

Why Were They Recalled?

Voluntarily recalled by Fromm out of caution, these cans of dog food contain too much Vitamin D. This discovery was made by Fromm themselves, and the recall is being done in coordination with the FDA. While no health issues have been reported, the primary symptom is assumed to be a loss of appetite, though, as you'll see below, harsh cases of Vitamin D Poisoning will bring with it further symptoms, as well as the threat of death.

What Are the Symptoms?

According to Pet MD, dogs of all ages are susceptible to Vitamin D Poisoning, though young dogs and puppies are at higher risk. If your dog has consumed the food affected by this recall, keep an eye out for the following symptoms of Vitamin D Poisoning:

Vomiting

Weakness

Depression

Loss of appetite

Increased thirst

Increased urination

Feces containing blood

Blood in vomit

Loss of weight

Constipation

Seizures

Muscle tremors

Abdominal pain

Excessive drooling

What Can You Do?

If you have purchased any of these cans of Fromm, call the company at [800-325-6331] to inquire about a replacement or a refund. If cans have been opened, dispose of the food as soon as possible, ensuring your pet won’t find it.

What to Look For:

NAME: Fromm Family Chicken Pate

SIZE: 12 oz.

LOT #: 11893

UPC: 72705 11892

NAME: Fromm Family Salmon & Chicken Pate

SIZE: 12 oz.

LOT #: 11891

UPC: 72705 11890

NAME: Fromm Family Chicken & Duck Pate

SIZE: 12 oz.

LOT #: 11895

UPC: 72705 11894

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URGENT! Dog Food Recall: Vital Essentials Frozen Chicken Patties Entrée for Dogs

We’re only a few weeks into 2016 and we’ve already had a few recalls concerning dog food. Sadly, another one has been announced this week.

Carnivore Meat Company, which also recalled dog food last year, is recalling some of its Vital Essentials Frozen Chicken Patties Entrée for Dogs. The company is voluntarily recalling these products due to potential salmonella poisoning.

Only one product lot is affected:

Vital Essentials Frozen Chicken Patties Entrée for Dogs

Net weight 6 pounds

UPC 33211 00807

Lot # 11475

Best by date 20161108

While Vital Essentials’ products are sold nationwide, this particular recall only affects California, Florida, Georgia, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington.

For more information, visit Vital Essentials’ website. 

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Woman Caught Selling Dog Food as Heroin

Dog food and aspirin may not be controlled substances, but one Plymouth woman's alleged attempt to pass them off as such have landed her behind bars.

Megan M. Meyer, 22, was charged with two counts of imitation of a controlled substance and one felony bail jumping count. With enhancers attached for repeat behavior, she could face a maximum of 12 years in prison.

According to the criminal complaint:

The Sheboygan County MEG unit set up a buy with Meyer through a confidential informant on Nov. 18. The informant told officers that Meyer had contacted the informant offering to sell a pill of Percocet for $35. After arranging the buy, Meyer increased the price of the pill to $50 and also offered to sell him some "boy," which is slang for heroin.

When the informant made contact with Meyer, she said that the heroin was a "dose and a half" and that she had to get the items out of her apartment before her probation officer arrived in 15 minutes. The transaction was made and the items were turned over to police. However, they were unable to identify the drugs as Percocet or heroin.

When Meyer was picked up on a probation hold and other charges on Dec. 15, investigators interviewed her about the buy. Meyer said she sold the informant fake drugs -- namely dog food crushed up to look like heroin and aspirin in place of Percocet. She did so, she said, because the informant had stolen a car seat from her and Meyer wanted to get back at that person.

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Purina vs Blue Buffalo: Now the Results of this Year-Long Legal Battle Are Out, and it Appears that Purina is the Victor

A year ago, pet owners watched as Purina and Blue Buffalo, two pet food manufactures, slapped each other with lawsuits. Purina sued Blue Buffalo for false advertising, claiming the contents of their food was not accurately reflected on their packaging – that they did not disclose the presence of poultry by-product on their label. Blue Buffalo responded with a counter suit, saying that Purina was engaging in a smear campaign and defaming the brand.

Well, now the truth is out.  Here’s a news story covering the controversy when the cases were filed a year ago:

Now the results of this year-long legal battle are out, and it appears that Purina is the victor.

According to Nestlé Purina PetCare, Blue Buffalo admitted that “’substantial’ and ‘material’ portion of Blue Buffalo pet food sold to consumers contained poultry by-product meal, despite pervasive advertising claims to the contrary.”

The claims that the pet food was free from poultry by-product meal, corn, or grain often came at a higher cost to consumers who were led to believe they were making an informed choice regarding what their animals were consuming.

“Only when faced with undeniable evidence from the lawsuit has Blue Buffalo admitted the truth to the court: a ‘substantial’ and ‘material’ portion of Blue Buffalo pet food sold over the past several years contained poultry by-product meal. It is unclear to us if or when this practice stopped, or whether any Blue Buffalo pet food containing by-product meal is still on store shelves,” said Keith Schopp, a spokesperson for Nestlé Purina Petcare.

As news spreads about Blue Buffalo’s misleading claims and false advertising, a number of class action lawsuits have sprung up around the nation. 
Poisonedpets.com recently compiled a list of the current lawsuits. Click on the case for more information:

Fisher et al v. The Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd. et al, CaseNo. 14-cv-5937, C. D. CA.

Keil et al v. Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd., Case No.14-cv-880, E. D. MO.

Hutchison et al v. Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd., Case No.14-cv-1070, E. D. MO.

Andacky et al v. The Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd., Case No.14-cv-2938, E. D. NY.

For more information on Purina’s false advertising lawsuit against Blue Buffalo, visit petfoodhonesty.com.

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Purina Says Blue Buffalo Is 'Built on Lies': The Fighting Begins

At the executive offices of Blue Buffalo, in Wilton, Conn., Labradors and golden retrievers wander the halls, nosing around for lunch leftovers, and members of William Bishop’s 300-person workforce all call the 75-year-old founder and chairman Bill. A basketball and lacrosse player at Ohio-Wesleyan University in the late 1950s, Bishop, 6-foot-5, walks with a slight slouch but retains the loping gait of a college jock. His white hair thinning, he wears an open purple shirt over a black tee, blue jeans, a cloth belt decorated with skulls and crossbones, and running shoes the size of rowboats. He notes proudly that his sons, Billy and Chris, have senior executive jobs, making “the Buff,” as he calls the company, “a real family operation.”

Started in 2002 and propelled by advertising techniques the elder Bishop honed hawking Kool-Aid, Tang, and later SoBe, a beverage company he co-founded in the 1990s, Blue Buffalo last year tallied $1 billion in sales, making it America’s fastest-growing major purveyor of dog and cat food and the largest specializing in the all-natural kibble niche. 

He named his latest company in memory of Blue, a beloved family Airedale. The Buffalo part reflects his affection for cowboys, Indians, and Western kitsch. “Also it’s good to have a strong icon that people will remember,” he explains. “SoBe had the lizard. The Buff has the American buffalo.” Undercutting the Great Plains motif, orange-labeled bottles of Veuve Clicquot Champagne line shelves outside Bishop’s corner office. “You have to like to drink to work here,” he jokes. “We’ve had a lot to celebrate.”

The company’s rise can be measured not only by its near-ubiquitous retail presence but by pervasive advertising that Bishop boasts is deliberately “in-your-face,” and encourages “pet parents” to compare the Buff to the competition. Blue Buffalo’s television spots and Internet videos have become so familiar they’ve been parodied on Saturday Night Live. The mock commercial for “Blue River” dog food aired on NBC in April. Guest host Seth Rogen and SNL cast member Cecily Strong played the sort of overwrought consumers who philosophize about pet nutrition in Blue Buffalo’s actual ads. The characters suffer an emotional meltdown as they discuss what they’ve fed their bug-eyed pug mix, Peanut.

Purina is notably not amused. The St. Louis-based company, owned by the Swiss conglomerate Nestlé (NESN:VX), has manufactured feed and animal chow for 120 years. It controls about a third of the $20 billion-a-year pet food market but lately has seen customers lured away by such premium brands as Hill’s, Merrick, and Blue Buffalo.

Competition is one thing, but executives at Purina headquarters say they can’t abide Bishop’s advertising, which they claim is misleading. Contrary to its carefully cultivated reputation for authenticity, Blue Buffalo “is built on lies,” alleges Steven Crimmins, Purina’s normally even-tempered chief marketing officer for U.S. pet food. Although Bishop stresses his company is family run, “they’re owned by a big Wall Street firm [and] outsource all their manufacturing,” Crimmins says, not trying to disguise his indignation. “Their key ingredient claims aren’t true, and they have a history of exaggerating what their products do.”

In May, Purina sued Blue Buffalo in federal court in St. Louis for false advertising, commercial disparagement, and unjust enrichment. Bishop’s lawyers fired back with equally heated counterclaims about an unlawful Purina “smear campaign” seeking “to stem the exodus of Nestlé Purina customers to Blue Buffalo.” In a taunting open letter posted on his company’s website, Bishop accused the larger company of relying on “voodoo science” when it cited in its court papers lab tests supposedly showing that Blue Buffalo used poultry byproduct meal—an ingredient Bishop’s company promises “never” to include.

Purina v. Blue Buffalo has riveted vets, retailers, and everyone who follows the expanding market for fancy pet eats, says Jennifer Larsen, an assistant professor of clinical nutrition at the University of California at Davis veterinary school. “The emotional appeals to treat dogs and cats like human children have gone to an extreme,” she adds. “This case shows how far the manufacturers are willing to go to try to persuade consumers they’re right and the other guys are making it up.”

At a more basic level, the litigation illuminates the success of Bill Bishop, a classic ad guy who unapologetically cashes in on the market’s latest whims—human, canine, or other. Setting aside the merits of poultry byproduct meal (to which we’ll return), one can’t help but speculate that the wily Bishop has lured Purina into a fight where attention is the real prize.

 Before sweetened beverages and pet food, Bishop first had to sell himself. Just out of the U.S. Marines in 1962, he took the commuter train from Westchester County, N.Y., to Grand Central Terminal. Armed with a roll of dimes, he stood at a pay phone in the lobby of the old Pan Am Building, cold calling ad agencies in hopes of landing a job interview. BBDO said yes, he could come in for a tryout.

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Blue Buffalo is Getting Slammed by a Multitude of Lawsuits Alleging Deceptive Advertising Practices

Nestlé Purina PetCare Company (Purina) aren’t the only people suing Blue Buffalo, now consumers have jumped on the litigation bandwagon and Blue Buffalo is getting slammed by a multitude of lawsuits alleging deceptive advertising practices. The growing number of lawsuits filed against Blue Buffalo keep growing and they are claiming, among other things, that the company falsely represented that their pet food does not contain ingredients – such as chicken/poultry by-product meals and corn – when it appears as if Blue Buffalo’s pet food might actually contain those ingredients.

Because of the number of class action lawsuits involved the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multi-District Litigation has agreed to consolidate seven false advertising class action lawsuits filed against Blue Buffalo Co. Ltd. for misleading customers about the ingredients in its pet food. They alleged that Blue Buffalo misled its customers by claiming its pet food products did not contain any chicken by-products, corn or grain and led them to pay premium prices for the pet food. The class-action lawsuit was transferred to another court where several related lawsuits making the same allegations will be heard together.

The smoking e-mails

It is safe to assume that Blue Buffalo was aware, at some point, that their pet food did contain the vilified ingredient they based their marketing claim on, when during pretrial discovery—the process by which litigants demand internal documents and communications that could become evidence—e-mails revealed that Purina claims reinforce its allegations. 

In May, e-mails between a Blue Buffalo ingredient broker (Diversified Ingredients) and a major supplier (Wilbur-Ellis) suggest strongly that they did indeed sell pet food containing by-product meal. In an e-mail to Diversified Ingredients, a broker working for Blue Buffalo, a sales manager for supplier Wilbur-Ellis wrote that it did include “some by-product meal” in shipments from a Texas plant intended for Blue Buffalo.

Realizing that the inclusion of by-product meal now has potential legal consequences, Diversified Ingredients expressed alarm to Wilbur-Ellis and a way to respond to the kibble crisis:

“I think if we work together, we can band-aid this situation,” Diversified’s Collin McAtee wrote on May 15 to Darwin Rusu of Wilbur-Ellis. Referring to a “smoking gun,” McAtee added, “If you are going to fill these contracts for any reason, then I’m going to have to go to Blue Buffalo to address the breach of contract and undoubtedly divulge the details of what was shipped and the possibility that Rosser’s material is the smoking gun for their problems. That I do not want to do. If the finger is pointed in that direction and then later verified to have been the cause, then Diversified and Wilbur will both have to answer to this in litigation with Blue. The liabilities in this could be enormous. You are talking about massive product recalls, potential market share loss, etc. That would undoubtedly be in the several million dollar range.”

Blue Buffalo then claimed they were duped by their supplier, by publicly revealing that contrary to prior assurances, Blue Buffalo admitted that ingredients from their supplier did in fact contain poultry by-product meal after all — proving that the central allegations in Purina’s false advertising lawsuit against them. Despite Blue Buffalo’s admission, no mention was made about taking steps to recall the mislabeled pet foods, nor to compensate the millions of consumers that purchased the falsely labeled products.

Purina claims that testing of Blue Buffalo’s pet food were conducted in a “highly sophisticated, independent lab“, while Blue Buffalo calls their testing “junk science” and claims the testing was performed with a rudimentary microscope under less than optimal conditions with questionable methods. Regardless, the results of testing and analysis reveal that, in some instances, 9 out of 10 Blue Buffalo products tested contained poultry by-product meal, even though the packaging indicated otherwise. Instead, tests indicated the products contained several signature elements of poultry by-product meal: eggshell, raw feather and leg scale. Further, that quantities of grain were found in samples of Blue Buffalo’s pet food that were labeled “grain-free.”


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Ever Wonder Why Your Dog Eats His Food Away From His Bowl?

After you put food in your dog’s bowl, he takes a mouthful, walks across the room, drops it onto your carpet and then munches away. And he repeats this curious ritual until his chow is all gone.

It doesn’t seem like an efficient way to eat, not to mention that he's getting crumbs on your rug.

So what gives?

Possible Reasons Behind the Curious Mealtime Behavior
The answer to this propensity lies in two words: pack mentality.

When dogs in the wild make a kill, the outranked animals drag pieces of food away so they don’t have to fight the leader or a more dominant canine for it, says Dr. Julie Albright-Keck, DVM, MA, DACVB, an assistant professor of veterinary behavior at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine https://vetmed.tennessee.edu/Pages/utcvm_home.aspx.

“Fighting is obviously very risky, so most animals, especially subordinate ones, will go to great lengths to avoid an altercation,” says Dr. Albright.

Although the competition in your house may not even be real, particularly if you only have one dog, it’s his evolutionary instinct taking over.

Another possibility: If you use a metal bowl, the noise of the food moving around in the dish or even his collar tags hitting the side can be frightening or annoying, notes Dr. Albright, so he may be taking the kibble away from the trigger of the sound.

How to Put the Kibosh on This Kibble Ritual
If you want to curb this unusual eating behavior, Dr. Albright suggests swapping metal bowls for plastic versions or paper plates to rule out issues with noise.

“If the dog still takes the food away, find a more secluded or confined area for him to eat,” she says. “And if there are other dogs in the house, separate them at feeding time to allow for privacy, so there’s no threat of competition, either real or imagined.”

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With Thousands of Pet Foods on the Market: How Do You Make the Optimal Choice?

With thousands of pet foods on the market, how do you make the optimal choice? Pet food labels are a good place to start. Understanding the label information can help you make informed decisions about what you are feeding your pets.

Which Parts of the Label Help Assess Food Quality?

The following key components of a pet food label can help you evaluate nutritional information:

• A nutritional adequacy statement from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) 

• A list of ingredients (in descending order by weight)

• A guaranteed analysis

What Does the Nutritional Adequacy Statement Reveal?
The AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement declares if the product or treat is complete and balanced, and whether it should be fed under veterinary supervision. The following types of nutritional adequacy statements can appear on a pet food label:

• Animal feeding trials using AAFCO procedures show that the product provides complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages or a particular stage.

• The product is formulated to meet the nutrient levels established by AAFCO for a particular life stage or for all life stages.

• The product is intended for intermittent or supplemental use only.

The presence of either of the first two statements means that a food can be used as the sole source of nutrition. “Complete and balanced” means that a food has all the recognized, required nutrients in the proper proportions, when fed appropriately.

In a feeding trial, a product is fed to a certain number of dogs or cats for a specified period of time to determine whether it provides adequate nutrition. By conducting feeding trials, pet food companies ensure that animals in a particular life stage (i.e., pregnant, nursing, growing, adult maintenance) will obtain proper nutrition from a food. Feeding trials also provide some assurance of palatability (how good the food tastes to pets) and the availability of nutrients.

When a food is formulated by calculation or chemical analysis, the nutrients may meet the maximum or minimum levels established by AAFCO, but because the finished product is not fed to animals, availability of nutrients and palatability are not assessed.

The nutritional adequacy statement regarding intermittent or supplemental feeding applies to treats, or to special diets that require a veterinarian to monitor the pet.

What Should I Know About the Ingredients?

Here are some important facts about pet food ingredients:

• The ingredient list is of little practical use when determining nutritional value.

• Each ingredient, including additives, must be listed in the ingredients statement.

• Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. However, this does not reveal the amounts of the ingredients. For example, wheat germ meal, wheat bran, and wheat flour are all components of wheat, but they may provide different nutrients. The ingredient list can be valuable when a pet has a confirmed food allergy and must avoid certain ingredients.

• AAFCO defines how ingredients are named. For example, according to AAFCO, corn gluten is defined as the part of the commercial, shelled corn after removal of the larger portion of the corn’s starch and germ.

What Do the Percentages on the Label Mean?
AAFCO regulations require pet food manufacturers in the United States to include a guaranteed analysis that lists percentages of certain nutrients on pet food labels. These percentages (i.e., minimum protein and fat; maximum fiber and water) are listed on an “as-fed” basis. That simply means the percentage of each nutrient, including water or moisture, contained in the final product consumed by the pet. 

To compare products on a level playing field, it is necessary to convert the information listed in the guaranteed analysis to a “caloric basis”. When not measured on a caloric basis, canned food appears to have a lower concentration of nutrients than dry food because dry food contains approximately 10 percent water, but canned food contains approximately 75 percent water. Even the comparison of the information in the guaranteed analysis of two products that contain the same amount of moisture can be inaccurate if the products differ in caloric density.

What Are the Chemicals in the Ingredients?
Pet owners may be concerned to see “phylloquinone,” “α-tocopherol,” “cobalamin” and “ascorbic acid” listed on their pets’ food until they learn that these are the technical names for vitamins K 1, E, B 12 and C, respectively. α-Tocopherol is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants are added to foods to balance the nutrient profile and preserve fats. Preservatives are not universally bad for pets and, in fact, help prevent foods from becoming rancid.

What Are the By-Products on the Label?
Many questions about pet food result from a misunderstanding of particular ingredients. Pet owners may incorrectly think that by-products are solely the undesirable parts of animals, such as hooves, feathers and beaks. However, as defined by the pet food industry, meat by-products are clean parts other than meat, such as lungs, kidneys and spleens. Therefore, by-products can be an excellent source of amino acids, protein, vitamins and minerals.

Who Ensures the Quality of Pet Foods?
Several governing agencies have a role in regulating pet food. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authority over pet foods. The FDA establishes certain labeling regulations for animal food and enforces regulations about contamination. Feed control officials from the state departments of agriculture work with the FDA to inspect facilities and enforce regulations within each state. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) defines ingredients and has an agreement to work with FDA scientists to ensure the safety of ingredients. Consumers can voluntarily submit reports using the FDA Safety Reporting Portal: www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov.

Are Organic or Natural Ingredients Better?
Pet food labels are factual, but they are also used to attract consumers. Terms such as organic and natural, and unregulated terms such as human grade, premium and holistic are of little use when determining nutritional value. As more pet foods are manufactured to meet the demand for organic and natural ingredients, pet owners need to understand these terms. 

AAFCO defines natural as “originating from animals or plants.” AAFCO has no regulatory definition for organic, which refers to the procedure by which organic ingredients are grown, harvested and processed. 

There is no evidence that organic food is more beneficial to animals than nonorganic food. Pet foods that meet the human standard for organic (at least 95 percent of the content by weight, excluding salt and water, must be organic) may display the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic seal on their packaging. The FDA uses natural to describe food, and organic to describe both the food and the way in which it was processed.

Are the Feeding Guidelines Right for My Pet?
Complete and balanced pet foods must include feeding directions on their labels. However, one set of feeding guidelines cannot account for the great variation in metabolic rates and nutritional needs among individual pets. In addition, breed, temperament, environment and many other factors can influence food intake. Feeding guidelines provide a good starting point but may overestimate the needs of some pets, leading to weight gain. Therefore, pet owners (with guidance from a veterinary professional) may have to adjust the feeding guidelines on a case-by-case basis to achieve a healthy, lean body condition for their pets.

Why Aren’t Calories Listed on All Pet Food Labels?
Caloric content is not included on most pet food labels, but that may be changing. The format of pet food labels was derived from large animal feed packaging, which does not legally require the inclusion of caloric content. AAFCO has voted to mandate the inclusion of caloric content on pet food labels. In January 2013, the rule was approved, and the transition to revised labeling will occur from 2016 to 2017, for full enforcement.

For more information on pet food labels, visit the FDA website:  www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/resourcesforyou/ucm047113.htm. FOLLOW US!