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...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

To avoid boredom with just one flavor or food, we usually recommend alternating between two different kibbles, rather than mixing them together. Mixed, it basically makes up one kind of flavor, lol. But i don't see anything wrong with mixing it if that works for you.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

We unfortunately had no other choice than to change Spud;s diet from Nutro to Innova completely in one day. No transition period. He is only 4.5 months old so we expected problems yesterday and today. So far so good, actually he seems to be better. He actually had better stools than he ever has. No upset stomach either. Hope this reassures you Debbie. Good luck to you and all the rest of us FORMER Nutro users.

[Denice Caouette]

I was on my way out to get new food last week when I found out about the Nutro, but ended up in the hospital, so they had to finish the Nutro...I was going out tomorrow to buy Nature's Variety, but it looks like everyone likes Taste of the Wild and Fromm's better...is Nature's Variety still a choice?
I have never had any digestive problems with either of mine and loved the fact that they NEVER had gas or loose stools but after reading all the info here knew we had to change.....Now I am concerned because I just read about the puppy who was so lethargic....I have thought for the last 4-5 months that they were not as active as they should be, sleep a lot during the day...and at night with spurts of "flying" activity, they are 2 and 3, but never thought to connect it to their food.. I am really curious to see if the new food makes a difference.. I found a Healthy Pet Store near my home that sells all 3 of the brands in question and will talk to them tomorrow, but would appreciate any other advice before I go.... Thanks for all of the info..I would have just been buying another bag of the "BAD" stuff!

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Denice, Don't forget that most store owners or employees of stores only KNOW what the dog food companies tell them. I don't think they have done extensive research on the food they sell. You will probably be more informed than they are.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I alternate Fromm's Four Star with Nature's Variety Prairie...they are both very good foods. Jack does better with a formula that contains rice. There are lots of good choices.
I never think it's a good idea to get advice on anything from the person who is selling it. Especially on the issue of nutrition, the employees of a store really don't have any education in it other than what the sales reps tell them. There are a lot of "nutrtitionists" around giving out bad advice for dogs and humans, both. When you talk to someone who really has an educational background in nutrition, they don't start trying to push a lot of supplements, etc., but rather advise getting most of what you need from the food itself. Same for dogs.

[Denice Caouette]

Hi Karen,
Thanks for the quick answer. I had pretty much decided on Natures Variety Prairie until I was reading here last night and so many people were talking about Taste of the Wild. Is there a reason you do not use Taste of the Wild. I will have to check on the ingredients again, maybe they do not use rice. Mine also are used to food with rice, I was using the Nutro Lamb w/Rice formula and adding Avoderm Lamb and Rice because they like the flavor and Bri tended to have a little bit of flaky skin when she came and shortly after she started eating here her skin and coat were beautiful. I will have to check the ingredients now, since I have become "educated" and see how bad/good the Avoderm was. I was at the market last night, I have never bought food there, but out of curiousity read the labels it is horrifying what people are feeding their pets, and I am sure they are not aware. I think the difference in price between the new ones we've discussed and the Nutro is about $3.00 a bag....whoopie...although some at the market were cheaper than that, the difference in ingredients was astounding. Anyway, thanks for the info and for all of the information that this site allows us to share! If you are reading this, Thanks Adina!!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I also was using Nutro lamb & Rice, and chose the Prairie because it had a similar composition. The TOTW formulas do not contain rice.
When we talk about "grain free" foods, that usually means no cereal-type carbohydrates, such as wheat, corn, rice, rye, oats, and sometimes barley. Yet, there is nothing wrong with these foods for most dogs in moderation. There are raw feeding fanatics who believe that dogs shouldn't eat any carbohydrates at all, even carrots, for example, but we're not concerned with that thinking here. Most dog food analysis sites tell us that oats, barley, and brown rice are better carb sources than corn and wheat for dogs. Corn and wheat are the biggest culprits in food allergies, and much of these foods is indigestible plant fiber. Yet, whole wheat flour is used in lots of home-made and gourmet treats, with no ill effects. The key is in the amounts, and the digestibility. The poorer quality dog foods contain a lot of corn & wheat gluten as fillers, and that's one of the reasons we stay away from them.
The emphasis on feeding "grain-free" foods has caused a lot of people to turn to some very good quality kibbles like TOTW and Innova EVO, which contain none of the cereals at all. And the majority of dogs do very well with these foods. Some, like Jackdoodle, just have touchy digestive systems and need a little more bulk in their diets, which is why I prefer the formulas which contain rice. Rice, especially brown rice, is often recommended for treating dogs with diarrhea...the chicken or ground beef & rice diet is a pretty standard prescription for dogs who have digestive upsets.
I don't think there is any one right way to feed our dogs, or any one food that is better than all the others. We know what to stay away from, and we know that variety is good. But each dog is different, and factors of cost & convenience do come into it, just as with our own diets. By experimenting and staying open to changes & new information, you will find the right combination for your furkids.

[Denice Caouette]

Thanks Karen,
I had never thought about the variety issue, but since this has happened it seems like a very wise choice. Coco and Bri have never had any digestive issues, absolutely no gas, EVER, which is a big pleasure! And maybe that can be attributed to the original formula for Nutro which did contain Rice....so think I will try the Natures Variety Praire and the Fromms and see how that goes. Maybe if that goes well we can throw in a little of the TOTW for more variety....sounds like I am going to have bags and bags of dog food in the pantry instead of just the one bin!!!! LOL!! The things we do...but a healthy dog is a happy dog and therefore a VERY HAPPY doodle owner!! I love my girls more than anything, (my husband says more than him!!) and just want the best for them! Thanks again for all the great information! Talk to you soon.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

I like the high protein mixtures but I still add in the brown rice, yams, potato and even some pasta on occasion in my homecooked. So my dogs are still getting their carbs, but in ways that I control, not a dogfood company. White rice and corn are mostly useless carbs and as Karen said corn is one of the big food allergy culprits.

[Denice Caouette]

Hi Lynn and Karen,
I went out and got some Fromms Pork and Applesauce and NV Prairie Lamb Formula yesterday. I also picked up small bags of the TOTW ...got to go.....

[Denice Caouette]

Hi Again...
Had to close the program for a minute...sorry!! I picked up a bag of Salmon and one Venison from TOTW yesterday with the other 2. Because I was in the hospital the beginning of the week we ran out of food and my husband picked up a small bag of "Organic" Dog food from the market. They thought it was great on Wednesday night, but were lethargic all day yesterday and their stools were VERY loose...Brand was Brandon Farms...anyway..started the new food with the Fromms Pork and they ate it all the minute it went in the bowl. I free feed them so they very seldom empty their bowls, they usually kind of graze They have had TONS of energy today and apparently no upset tummys... final verdict will be in tomorrow morning, but they are definitely more "Spry!!!" today...thanks everyone.

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

Do yourself a favor and check out the information on the food group on DK. Beneful. I don't think I have even seen it make the list of acceptable foods, but I could be wrong.