FDA confirms probe of NUTRO pet food deaths/illnesses

[LeAnn, Lucy & Rusty!!]

I use NUTRO dog food for both my puppy and adult dog. I switched about two years ago and saw a huge improvement in my german shepherd's coat and, more importantly, his ability to get up and down (he was gettin' old). I have not ever had a problem with the food but a friend sent me an article from a "consumer affairs" website that was worth reading. I am continuing to read the information. I'm including two links - one to the consumer affairs artlcle and the other to NUTRO's defense. I recommend reading both before drawing a conclusion.

It's important to note the "consumer affairs" website is an independent website and is not affiliated with anyone - including government agencies. I have read the article three times now and personally have come to the conclusion that the FDA is looking into complaints they have received nothing more, nothing less. "Probe" is a emotional word and the connotation is not positive. No conclusions or even suggestion conclusions have been determined - there has been no recall. Prior to reading this article I had no knowledge that there even MIGHT be a problem... I'm glad I know of a potential problem... but I'm not going to change foods... yet...

[F, Calla & Luca]

You are absolutely right.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Looks like  you better stock up on Kraft dinners Jared, however, I don't know what those are either.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Kraft mac and cheese.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jared, I don't know where you work, but Iams and Beneful are cheap compared to the premium foods we recommend. A 30 lb bag of Orijen costs $60-70. Most are not quite that bad, but they're going to more than Science Diet, Iams, or Beneful. You'd be hard pressed to find a decent food selling for less than $40 for a 30 lb bag.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

No you are not likely to see this on any recommended list: 

Beneful ingredients:

Ground yellow corn, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, whole wheat flour, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), rice flour, beef, soy flour, sugar, propylene glycol, meat and bone meal, tricalcium phosphate, phosphoric acid, salt, water, animal digest, sorbic acid (a preservative), potassium chloride, dried carrots, dried peas, calcium propionate (a preservative), L-Lysine monohydrochloride, choline chloride, added color (Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 2), DL-Methionine, Vitamin E supplement, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, calcium carbonate, copper sulfate, Vitamin B-12 supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, garlic oil, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin D-3 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), calcium iodate, folic acid, biotin, sodium selenite.

Truly a dreadful food. Look up some of these ingredients on The Dog Food Project Website's Ingredients to Avoid.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's what menadione sodium bisulfate is and what it can do to your dog:

http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=menadione

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Gosh Karen, is there anything of value in this food? What a mess of chemicals and junk! It's such a shame that this can even be sold as food.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Wow... that is bad.

[Dori & Rua]

I just spent $71.00 at All Paws Natural Foods for Rua's food.  I feed her a mix of Puppy Orijen and Acana Wild Prairie Grain-Free (the Puppy Orijen was too rich for her, but once I started mixing, her poos firmed up nicely).  I bought a 15lb bag of each.  The last 2 15lb bags lasted 3 months...so, for $24 per month, or under $6.00 a week, it is well worth it (she is 5 months old and weighs 11 lbs so she doesn't eat much).  I will also tell you that I used to feed PuffDog (our cat) IAMS, but then, just starting feeding her grocery story Friskies and Meow mix.  After getting Rua, I changed to IAMS...let me tell you, even doing that there was a noticable change in her coat...it is shinier and she HARDLY sheds.  Next time she needs food, I will definitely try Orijen or Acana.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Beneful is definitely not the best but the food from your vet won't be any better. Science Diet is no good, despite what your vet will say. Definitely look at the food group. It's very informative. Here is a link to good foods listed in the food group...

 

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/recomme...

[F, Calla & Luca]

There are foods like Solid Gold which are good and cheaper than Orijen. I think Wellness is cheaper too. You might have trouble finding some of these brands but Doggiefood.com will ship. They are great. Shipping is expensive but they often have fifteen percent off , sometimes even twenty percent, and that offsets the shipping cost. They have 20% off right now but it will end soon. Most of these foods are carried in small pet stores but some of them are in Petco. I was just there today and they did have Solid Gold stocked again.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Yes, Solid Gold and Wellness are at Petco, Both are reasonalbly priced and a nice choice. I have used both and our dogs have done well with the exception of some gas with SG.  Actually, I find Candidae to be a good food at a good price here in Az. And with 2 dogs, different ages, the ALS is a great option.