DO YOU KNOW MILO?

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Now “Milo” is not another doodle, Milo isn’t even a pet. Milo happens to be the name of a doggie treat my boys absolutely adore.

Milo’s Kitchen (home style dog treats) so far – has been one of the few treats to actually pass ALL the “treat tests” in our home. Here’s what I’m up against:

• Harley has the most sensitive stomach known to man, real rich treats seem to send him straight to the yard (if you know what I mean).

• If a treat carries a particular aroma (I’m sure it’s to entice the dogs appetite and certainly not mine), it turns out to be twelve times worse on Leo’s breath  – Ugh!

• If that “aroma” is the slightest bit “pungent”, my DH (Doodle Husband) and DD (Doodle Daughter) will fuss to touch them and complain until they are all gone – I’m not kidding!

So when I stumbled upon Milo’s treats, everyone was thrilled, and so far – so good:

• No upset stomachs for Harley. We’ve only purchased the chicken meatballs and they are working fine.

• Leo’s breath doesn’t knock me down when I’m sitting on the floor and we’re “eyeball to eyeball!”

• Both Lee & Tiffany have no aversions to getting  and giving the treats – and that in itself says a lot!

Now that you know my challenges, if you know of other treats out there that fit the same MO, hit me back and share the good news please….

CHAIR UPDATE -  I am pleased as punch to announce that there is “no more drama” during the week when we retire upstairs for a little telelvision viewing (and the winner of the four year chair war is). The little bed, turned recliner for Harly is just perfect and we no longer sprint to the room playing musical chairs (there was never any music…):

Don’t worry about Leo – he has a ball stretching out over both beds in the outer area of the room. Life is Good!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Yes, please be careful and stop feeding them.  My chihuahua almost died from chicken jerky that imported from China (even said "made in usa").  He has permanent kidney damage; i have spend literally thousads to keep him alive.  Not wanting to ruin your blog, but I totally agree with what others have said. Please don't risk the doodles' health!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Homemade chicken jerky here....Daisy really really likes them, by the way  gas from homemade is not the way you imagine chicken to smell on the other end. LOL

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

FDA documents indicate that three top brands of chicken jerky treats may related to illnesses in dogs:

In September of 2007 and December of 2008 and November of 2011, the FDA issued a cautionary update about an increase in the number of complaints it received of dog illnesses associated with consumption of chicken jerky products imported from China.

Last July, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association alerted the American Medical Veterinary Association to an issue that had a familiar ring: chicken jerky treats manufactured in China were possibly associated with an illness affecting the kidneys of dogs in Canada.

The FDA has received a total of 537 reports of illnesses in canines, including 467 reports since it issued a renewed warning about chicken jerky treats from China in November of 2011. This includes a startling 184 cases submitted so far just this year.

The plot thickens.

Internal FDA documents obtained by MSNBC by way of a public records request contain references to three popular brands of chicken jerky treats through a log of complaints collected from pet owners and veterinary doctors. The complaints indicate that the treats may be associated with kidney failure and other serious illnesses.

The brands indicated in the complaints are Waggin' Train and Canyon Creek Ranch jerky treats or tenders, both produced by Nestle Purina PetCare Co. and Milo’s Kitchen Home-style Dog Treats, produced by the Del Monte Corp.

http://www.annarbor.com/pets/pets-dogs-treats-chicken-jerky-china-f...

I think you may want tot hink twice about giving these to your dogs or recommending that anyone else use them.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Cathy, Milo's treats are made in China, have had numerous recalls, and are not recommended for any of our precious dogs.

Once again, I must ask if you are compensated for this advertising on your blog?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

We make our own. There are a lot of great recipes in the DK CookBook Group. One large batch of Liver Treats lasts for months, cost around $8-10. If they are dried correctly then there is no offensive smell except during the cookie so the kids may not have a problem with some of the homemade recipes.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Cathy - DK is a place to share the good and the bad. Please do not think I am doing anything but sharing what I have learned. I didn't know that puppies in pet stores, where I found my Samantha, are from Puppy Mills until I joined DK. 

Milo's Chicken Treats are made in China! It is on their site and on their packaging. Please do not give them to Leo as much as he loves them! Too many animals have gotten ill or died because of chicken from China. 

I used to give my Bearded Collie frozen grapes (25 years ago) and she never got sick. Today, my doodles will never get one - just can't take the chance. 

There is a huge group on FB Animal Parents Against Pet Treats Made in China! 

http://www.askavetquestion.com/news/2011/chicken-jerky-fanconi/

http://digitaljournal.com/article/325333

• Posted by Adrianne Matzkin on March 12, 2012 at 7:22pm in Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles
• View Discussions

Chinese Pet Owners Importing U.S. Dog Food Due To Tainted Jerky Treats Scare

A climate of distrust has been growing among pet owners who believe that the USFDA is failing consumers by not doing everything in its power to protect pets during the current chicken jerky treat and food scare.  However, while pet owners in the US are scouring the shelves to find food and treats that they can trust, consumers in China are shipping pet food “made in America” into their homes in an attempt to side step those made in their own country.

“The more well-to-do pet owners in China want the best,” stated a dog food manufacturer in the US who spoke on the promise of anonymity. “That means food that is made and sourced in the United States. We have just sent off our first shipment to Hong Kong because we have to keep up with our competitors,” the source detailed.

Almost a dozen US pet food companies are known to currently export their food to Hong Kong, and there are suspicions that more companies are currently doing so at the same time. Innova, Solid Gold, Pinnacle, Canidae / Felidae, Nature’s Variety, Oma’s Pride, Wellness, Holistic Select, Castor & Pollux Pet Works and Best Breed all export to distributors in Hong Kong.

“The purchasers don’t even want the ingredients translated to Mandarin,” the pet food employee said, “because it would appear suspicious to Chinese customers.”

This information comes in the wake of dozens of reports that have appeared on the Internet and on television about the subject of importing pet treats from China, where food regulations are not as stiff as they allegedly are in the United States. Pet owners have been questioning the practices of the FDA, which has not reacted to the reports of illness and deaths of pets with an urgency that satisfies their expectations.

Related: Leaked FDA Document Shows Lack Of Proper Pet Treat Testing

The FDA’s inability to pinpoint what is causing widespread kidney failure and acquired Fanconi Syndrome in pets who have eaten chicken jerky treats, even after three years of testing, has eroded the confidence of consumers. The major pet food recall of 2007 is recent enough that in combination with the current issue, consumers are questioning the role and relevance of the Food and Drug Administration.

Last week, a problem arose with a brand of pet food, when dozens of dogs became ill after eating a lamb and rice canned mixture.  When consumers called the pet food company, they were told that the company does not manufacture the food, only imports it, and consumers should call the company where the food was purchased.

On March 7, the FDA posted a video on their website about truth in pet food labeling, to try to assuage the worries of pet owners, but the audience it was intended for is claiming the video is misleading and only tells part of the story. A public response to the FDA video was posted on YouTube on March 11 by Susan Thixton, owner of the website truthaboutpetfood.com.

Thixton’s video explains how companies get around truth in labeling by leaving out vital information, such as where the ingredients for food are sourced. But not even Thixton examines the fact that Chinese consumers are not willing to purchase pet food produced in their own country.

Pet advocates stand firmly in the belief that it speaks volumes to American consumers who can find hundreds of brands of treats and pet foods on US shelves that are imported or have ingredients sourced from China, while at the same time, Chinese consumers will not feed their pets the very same foods made in their own country.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I love Trader Joe's Chicken strips, Mother Hubbard has some good small bones, Zukes are a little smelly but good, and Pure Bites freeze dried liver. No upsets and good ingredients.