Jerky treat warning!

[Redetotry]

Back in the late 80s early 90s Montsano Co. was making a dog food preservative to increase shelf life. Purina was one of the companies using it. Turns out it was something used in making rubber, if I remember right, and the people handling it had to wear protective wear. Dogs were having miscarriages, internal bleeding, vomiting; just plain sick and some died. Those of us in my Kuvasz Assoc. and other dog owners started calling Purina and other dog food manufacturers and declared we would not buy their product that contained this element. I don't remember what it was called but it was soon eliminated from the foods.

Marda the product you are thinking of is ethoxyquin and unfortunately it is still in some dog food whether it is stated on the label or not...and it is also in products we eat like paprika and chili pepper. Check your taco spice packages you will see it on some labels. See the link below. And yes many dogs died out west many years ago as there was a company that put too much in their dog food.
In the past I have read that the Whole Dog Journal required companies to reveal all their sources for all ingredients and also checked to make sure ethoxyquin was not added to any of the food before it was sent to the manufacturer, for a food to be allowed on their list of approved foods. I don't know how strict they are now as I saw their 2013 list included Hills and Science Diet In 2012 both were on their list of the worst dog food. http://www.fourpawsacupuncture.com/blog ... journal-2/

Link to Ethoxyquin information http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfs/2013/585931/

[WickedLady]

Thanks, Readytotry. I knew it began with an E but that was all. Nasty stuff. There is a move to make pet food safer. Hope it passes.

[Bethers]

You never know what I'm going to see/find on the floors at Amazon. To be stocked the other nights was some dehydrated dog food - so I've been investigating today- and think I'll be changing to one of them. Although pricey - I can't help but think they are better for our dogs (and they make them for cats also). I used BJ's link (http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/) to check and both of the ones I'm about to mention are both up at the top. One at the excellent but only one above the other because they requested and got the human grade approval from the FDA. Kind of cool - but the other makes the same claim and I believe both are true. Whether I change to the foods is yet to be seen, but I do intend to change to the treats. Both are available on Amazon - but I'm giving link to each website for those interested in learning about them. I found the history of both companies interesting.

The first started in MI and moved to MN: https://www.sojos.com/

The 2nd started and still is in CA: http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/

[BirdbyBird]

I know several breeders and show people that have switched to "raw" and have liked the results..... In fact one just posted about switching to Sojo..... Traveling traveling with dehydrated packs would be more doable than the folks that pick up the bags of raw chicken, etc and freeze them.....

[Bethers]

The Honest Kitchen has a sampler you can purchase for just the shipping. You need the code from the website. I did it last night and will be seeing how Peaches likes it.

[mitch5252]

..
I just ordered a mini pack of the limited ingredient fish for Abby. It was $6, including shipping. They were out of stock on the sampler.
I have my fingers crossed she'll LOVE it.
..

[Redetotry]

For those of you switching food, especially to a no grain one where there is higher meat content please remember to switch very gradually. Think of a vegetarians reaction if they suddenly ate a steak with a baked potato, butter and sour cream!! For a dog under 15 lb if you switch to a different kibble give only about 5-6 pieces twice a day, do this for 2 days and if no reaction give a few more twice a day watch their stools especially. Increase amounts every two days until fully switched. A dog especially a little one can get sick very fast from a diet change. Anytime I change food I also add a teaspoon of PLAIN pumpkin to the food. Increase to one Tablespoon if larger dog.

[Bethers]

Whenever I change dog foods, I mix a small amount in with what they currently are eating for several days, then increase it to 1/2 and 1/2 for a few more or longer, then make the full switch. Peaches, the little &$@ she is, digs out all the new to eat first.