Could a controversial source of glycerin be the cause of so many canine deaths associated with imported Chinese dog treats?
The FDA recently began notifying regulated industries that products using oils, glycerin or protein derived from jatropha seeds may be toxic to humans and animals.
Products using jatropha derivatives — like glycerin — include both human and animal foods as well as medical products and cosmetics.
Due to its high oil content and relatively low cost, the plant has recently become an attractive source material for making biodiesel.
Unfortunately, though, unlike other more benign materials used to make biofuels, jatropha may contain unwelcome toxic by-products like phorbol esters.
These compounds exhibit acute and chronic toxicity to humans and animals alike. What’s worse, the actual toxic substances can be found in the glycerin and protein by-products.
Toxic compounds that could easily find their way into dog treats.
However, even though the FDA is unaware of any contamination, conventional impurity test methods may not be able to detectthe presence of these toxins.
Could Tainted Glycerin Be the Cause of the Problem?
After checking various online sources, nearly every Chinese jerky dog treat ingredient list checked by The Dog Food Advisor looked to made with glycerin.
So, could contaminated glycerin be the cause of the problem?
In a word, yes.
According to the FDA manufacturer notification, this appears to be a reasonable possibility.
The Bottom Line
Until the FDA or the industry has positively identified the cause the death of these unfortunate — and innocent — animals, why expose your pet to these avoidable risks?
So, what’s the best course of action?
Avoid feeding these potentially deadly treats in the first place. Don’t buy them. Or if you already have, take them back to the store you got them from.
How to Report Problems
You can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.
Or go to http://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.
If You Feed Sweet Potato Treats to Your Pet, Please Read This!
By Dr. Becker
It seems there’s another dog snack from China to worry about: sweet potato treats.
According to the Veterinary Information Network (VIN) 1, vets are now reporting health problems linked to sweet potato treats similar to those related to chicken jerky treatsalso made in China.
Test results on sick dogs show kidney problems similar to the symptoms of Fanconi syndrome. Most dogs recover, but there have been some deaths related to the chicken jerky treat problem.
Symptoms may show up within hours or days after a treat is eaten and include decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and increased thirst and urination.
If you’ve fed your dog either chicken jerky treats or sweet potato treats made in China and your pet has fallen ill, I recommend you contact your veterinarian – especially if the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours or are severe.
Pet Treats to Steer Clear Of
The brands currently implicated in the sweet potato treat problem are:
- Beefeaters Sweet Potato Snacks for Dogs (16 varieties of yam-related treats)
- Canyon Creek Ranch Chicken Yam Good Dog Treats (Nestlé Purina)
- Drs. Foster and Smith (exact item not specified)
- Dogswell Veggie Life Vitality (4 varieties)
Keep in mind that although the problem treats are often identified as “jerky” treats, they also go by a host of other names, including tenders, strips, chips, wraps, twists, and several others.
Per Poisoned Pets 2, in 2010 the FDA found that a sweet potato dog treat made by a certain company in China was contaminated with phorate, a highly toxic pesticide.
There is speculation there could be problems with pork treats and cat treats imported from China as well.
For more information on why you need to be vigilant about reading pet food labels, making phone calls to manufacturers, and really doing your homework on what you’re feeding your dog or cat, read my article Pet Food and China - More Cause for Concern?
If You Feed Your Pet Commercially Prepared Treats …
PLEASE don't buy any treat made in China. Not chicken jerky treats, chicken tenders, chicken strips, chicken treats or sweet potato treats. Play it safe. Buy only food and treats made in the U.S. Buying pet food made in this country won't remove all risk of winding up with a tainted product, but it will certainly improve your chances of keeping your pet safe.
Consider making your own sweet potato treats at home. Try to buy produce locally and make sure to wash the sweet potatoes or yams thoroughly. Then slice them nice and thin, arrange on a baking sheet, and cook in a 300º oven for about 45 minutes. Let the slices cool and store them in plastic bags.
For homemade chicken jerky treats, buy some boneless chicken breasts, clean them, and slice into long, thin strips – the thinner the better. Place the strips on a greased or non-stick cookie sheet and bake them for at least three hours at 180 degrees. The low temp dries the chicken out slowly and the strips wind up nice and chewy. Let the strips cool, and then store them in plastic bags or another airtight container. You can also freeze them.
