Raw v cooked

Do you BARF?

That is, do you feed your pets Biologically Appropriate Raw Food?

An article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette takes up the issue.

The BARF or raw diet, which has drawn increased attention, is one of the most controversial ways to feed cats and dogs. Proponents swear by it, but many vets discourage it. Dr. Kenton Rexford of Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center in Ohio Township does not recommend a raw diet.

"No. 1, there is a risk -- for both the person and the pet -- for exposure to salmonella and other infectious diseases. No. 2, there is no scientific proof that a raw diet is healthier than a cooked diet or packaged foods," he says.

Rexford also said the diet is labor intensive and requires the preparer to be well versed in animal nutrition.

Dr. Doug Knueven, author of "The Holistic Health Guide: Natural Care for the Dog," disputes the disease factor and maintains the benefits of a raw diet outweigh the drawbacks.

"There is scientific proof that cooking food destroys nutrients on the human side, which should apply to animals. Eating whole foods (unprocessed) has been shown to have many health benefits," he says.

So where do you fall on the raw diet? It is something you would ever give your pet?

Pet industry recession proof?

A new report by the American Pet Product Association said that total spending on pets in 2008 topped $43 billion, an increase of 4.9 percent over 2007.

And it seems 2009 is trending that way as well.

Bob Vetere, President of APPA, wrote the article you can see here.

He said it comes as no surprise that, as pets are increasingly important in their owners' lives, what people spend on them is reflected in the health of the industry, which is the eighth largest retail segment in the U.S., ahead of toys, jewelry, candy and alcohol.

[After the first half of 2008] the economy collapsed with the woes of Wall Street. However, the resulting impact on the pet industry reveals a promising resiliency even through the toughest of times. With the final spending figures for 2008 released and early indicators for 2009 interpreted, the pet industry has fared better than most. While no industry is truly recession-proof, the pet industry seems recession-resistant. One popular newspaper referred to the industry as “the antidote to the recession.”

Greater than anticipated growth, Vetere said, was in routine veterinary services and pet-sitting and boarding, growing at 10 and 6.7 percent over 2007, respectively.

Sales of food grew 3.7 percent of 2007, while over-the-counter medications grew only 2 percent.

We love our pets, it seems. Have any of you cut back? If so, how?

Please respond to the poll on the left side of this page.

New pet food concern

A Petco food distribution center in Illinois was raided by U.S. Marshals and pet food was seized when it was found that the food was allegedly infested with birds and rodents.

US Recall News reports the storage facility violated the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act by allegedly had been storing pet food under "unsanitary conditions." The conditions were found during an April FDA inspection of the Petco distribution center.

My friend and former Poughkeepsie Journal colleague Dan Shapley wrote in TheDailyGreen.com that pet food in 16 states may be unfit to consume or even handle because of unsanitary conditions at the distribution center. He lists the states in his column. New York is not one of them.

The FDA cautions consumers about handling the products that came from the Petco distribution center. They should thoroughly wash their hands with hot water and soap, and any surfaces that may have come in contact with the packages should be washed also. Even the cans and glass containers should be washed.

And veterinarians should be contacted if a pet becomes ill after eating these food products.

Charges in tainted pet food tragedy

Charges were handed down yesterday by a federal grand jury in connection with tainted pet food that may have killed thousands of dogs and cats last year.

According to Bloomberg.com, ChemNutra Inc., a U.S. company, and two Chinese businesses were charged. Top executives from the companies were also indicted.

They were accused of importing 800 metric tons of wheat gluten mixed with melamine, which is found in fertilizers, plastics, cleaning products, glues and inks, and isn't approved for use as food for humans or animals in the U.S.

In March, 14 cats and dogs died, after appearing to suffer from kidney failure. More than 150 brands of dog and cat food were recalled.

Pet food maker to settle in contaminated food case

The Associated Press is reporting that Diamond Pet Foods, of Meta, Mo., will pay $3.1 million to reimburse pet owners for the loss of their dogs, veterinarian bills and the cost of unreturned contaminated food.

The company acknowledged that its workers at the Gaston, S.C., plant failed to follow internal testing procedures to make sure its products were safe.

Read the complete story here.

Good dog; good cat

Here is an extremely clever commercial for dog and cat food.

Kate could do this, I am sure. As long as there's not a working can opener around.

What's cookin'

With the ongoing pet food recall controversy, more people are switching to home-made food for their dogs and cats.

The Washington Post has an article by one of its staff writers about her attempts to feed her dog. It also includes a recipe.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, feeding home cooking to your pet may not be the healthiest option. The organization issued a press release on the subject warning that your pet's nutritional needs might not be met by your own connoctions, as tasty as they may be.

AVMA President Roger Mahr is quoted in the Post article, saying if your pet is doing well on the food it's currently eating and that food hasn't been recalled, then there is no reason to change their diet. However, if you are determined to cook for Fido then, he says, you should consult with you veterinarian.

I have, on occasion, fed Kate home cooking, but only when a bland, or white diet, was recommended by my vet, usually in the wake of stomach upset. That meal consisted of poached chicken, cottage cheese and either white rice or pasta. She would scarf it up, but I certainly wouldn't want her to have that all the time.