| As you may know by now, a consumer alert has | | | | simply serves as a low-cost filler, albeit one that |
| been released for contaminated Diamond pet foods | | | | many manufacturers like Diamond use in order to |
| for dogs and cats. Over 100 canine deaths have | | | | save money. Corn passes right through a dog, |
| already been linked to Diamond pet foods | | | | providing little to no nutritional value. If a dog food, |
| contaminated by the potentially deadly toxin | | | | such as Diamond's Premium Adult Formula for Dogs, |
| Aflatoxin. | | | | lists corn as the first or second ingredient on its label, |
| Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring toxic chemical | | | | the customer can expect to pay for up to 25% filler |
| byproduct that results from the growth of the | | | | in that food. |
| fungus Aspergillus flavus on corn and other crops. | | | | - Best by dates - In general, foods will spoil without |
| The fungus typically develops on crops during severe | | | | some form of temperature control or preservatives. |
| high temperature stress and drought conditions | | | | While natural preservatives such as mixed |
| followed by high levels of humidity. | | | | tocopherols prevent foods from becoming rancid, |
| Aflatoxin is similar to another toxic byproduct, | | | | they generally have a limited peak freshness of only |
| Vomitoxin, that was found in Nature's Recipe brand | | | | six to twelve months in ideal conditions (stored in |
| dog food in 1995. | | | | cool, dry environments). After six months -- or much |
| Dogs could experience liver trouble, liver failure and | | | | sooner if stored in hot or humid conditions -- the |
| even death due to the contaminated food. Scientists | | | | product's quality begins to quickly deteriorate. |
| say about two-thirds of dogs that show symptoms | | | | Chemical antioxidants like BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin |
| from the toxin have died. | | | | can extend the shelf life and reduce fat spoilage |
| While there have not been any reports of cat health | | | | (rancidity) in pet foods and pet treats, but they have |
| issues or fatalities due to the recall, five Diamond cat | | | | been shown to frequently result in dry skin, allergic |
| food formulas have been recalled due to the | | | | reactions, dental disease, and poor health, as well as |
| presence of aflatoxin. 24 states and 20 pet food | | | | stimulate adverse effects on liver and kidney |
| products manufactured by Diamond are affected by | | | | functions. The fact that Diamond foods |
| the recall. | | | | manufactured between September and December of |
| Symptoms of potential illness in dogs can include a | | | | 2005 carry "best by" dates between March 1 and |
| sudden and unusual loss of appetite; severe, | | | | June 10, 2007 -- 18 months from the date of |
| persistent vomiting combined with bloody diarrhea; | | | | production -- is concerning. The ingredients labels for |
| discolored urine; fever; and yellow whites of the | | | | many of Diamond's pet foods show that mixed |
| eyes, yellow gums, and/or yellow in the belly or | | | | tocopherols are used in the formulas, but the listed |
| areas where hair is very thin. | | | | "best by" dates contradict their use, or at very least, |
| If your dog or cat has consumed Diamond, Country | | | | greatly overestimate the longevity of their efficacy. |
| Value or Professional brand pet foods and is showing | | | | - Meat by-products - While not directly related to the |
| clinical signs of aflatoxin, you should stop using that | | | | pet food recall, a quick glance at the ingredients of |
| food and consult your veterinarian immediately. | | | | Diamond dog food formulas and those of other pet |
| From a Pet Health Standpoint | | | | foods shows that animal byproducts continue to |
| This is certainly a rare and isolated case -- in fact, it's | | | | constitute a large portion of many pet foods. Meat |
| the first pet food recall by Diamond in over 35 years | | | | byproducts are ground, rendered and cleaned |
| of operation -- but the Diamond Pet Food recall news | | | | slaughtered meat carcass parts such as necks, feet, |
| is the latest example to underscore just how | | | | undeveloped eggs, bones, heads, and intestines (and |
| important the quality of the food you feed your cats | | | | a small amount of feathers in the case of chicken |
| and dogs food is -- it can literally make the difference | | | | byproducts) -- yes, animal byproducts are indeed as |
| between a long, healthy life for your pet and an | | | | gross and disgusting as they sound. In many cases, |
| unexpected, needless death. | | | | byproduct meals are derived from "4-D" meat |
| From a pet care and nutrition standpoint, there are | | | | sources -- defined as food animals that have been |
| several issues to consider regarding the contaminated | | | | rejected for human consumption because they were |
| foods in this case: | | | | presented to the meat packing plant as "Dead, Dying, |
| - Toxic mold on grains - Most pet food formula | | | | Diseased or Disabled." Additionally, ingredients listed as |
| ingredient labels feature at least one variety of whole | | | | "beef, chicken, and/or poultry by-products" on pet |
| grain or processed grain, and many contain several | | | | food labels are not required to include actual meat, |
| types of grain. What the labels don't list, however, is | | | | and "rendered meat" on pet food labels can refer to |
| the source and quality of the grains. It's important to | | | | ANY rendered mammal meat, including dogs and cats! |
| research pet foods and select ones that only use | | | | Despite their questionable quality, animal byproducts |
| grains purchased from major commercial suppliers and | | | | continue to be used in the majority of lower-grade |
| that have the grains tested and retested by | | | | pet foods and even many of the larger name brands |
| specialized labs to ensure the highest possible quality | | | | that market themselves as "premium pet food" |
| -- as well as to prevent the possiblity of toxic molds | | | | manufacturers for one simple reason -- they are |
| being introduced into the pet foods. While grain is | | | | cheaper to use than higher quality, human-grade |
| often cheaper when purchased from smaller or less | | | | meat sources. |
| reputable operations, the risk of toxic mold is greater. | | | | Your pet's health and wellness depends largely on the |
| - Corn used in dog foods - The use of corn in so | | | | food that you feed him or her. It's important to |
| many of Diamond's dog food is of some concern. | | | | research your pet's food and ensure that you are |
| While corn is a whole grain frequently found in cat | | | | using a pet food that offers the highest quality |
| food formulas, it's more difficult to digest by dogs | | | | ingredients with absolutely none of the animal |
| (as well as humans) and can cause allergic reactions in | | | | byproducts, unhealthy fillers, artificial additives and |
| some dogs. The feline digestive system can better | | | | chemical preservatives of the typical cat and dog |
| utilize corn, and corn also delivers important dietary | | | | food brands. |
| benefits to cats and kittens, but in dog foods it | | | | |