Tag Archives: pet food

Understanding the FDA Update on Non-Hereditary Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Dogs

Listening to a dog's heart

In July 2018, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began investigating reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods, many labeled as “grain-free” and containing a high proportion of peas, lentils, other legume seeds (pulses), and/or potatoes in various forms. While the FDA and veterinary scientists have yet to

Read More...

How is Pet Food Made? With Lots of Safety Precautions!

A group of veterinarians touring a pet food manufacturing plant

I recently experienced a first in my veterinary career: I was invited to tour a pet food manufacturing plant, along with a number of veterinary colleagues. The plant manufactures only dry food and treats using four extrusion lines and three packaging lines. (Manufacturing canned food requires an entirely different plant.) I went with my journalistic

Read More...

Less Than 5% of Pet Owners Know How to Handle Pet Food Safely. Do You?

A dog with a bowl of food

I started 2022 with my suggestions for choosing the right food for your pet. This week I want to follow up with some tips for safe handling of pet food and treats, based on the United States Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Guidelines. These guidelines are designed to protect pets and pet owners against infectious

Read More...

How to Choose the Right Pet Food in 2022

Two cats eating dry pet food

Many of us look at the new year as an opportunity to improve our health. Pet owners should consider the same for their pets. To help you get 2022 off on the right paw, I am devoting January’s blog posts to healthy living suggestions for pets. The first blog post focused on your pet’s annual

Read More...

How to Manage Your Pet’s Diet During a Pet Food Recall

Cats eating food

Pet foods can be recalled for a variety of reasons, including: contamination with something toxic, bacterial contamination, inadequate amounts of vitamins, or the presence of inedible contaminants. Since I have practiced veterinary medicine through multiple pet food recalls, I have learned a few things about feeding pets despite recalls and what pet owners can do

Read More...