What Should I Feed my Pet?

As seen in this episode of Planet-Pets TV one of the latest hot topics for dog owners is what kind of food to use. Before the battle was between canned or dried, but now we have the choices of cooking for our furry friends, going organic or using a raw diet. While organic is more of a personal preference, the raw diet runs the risk of salmonella for both us and our dogs. Another option is supplementing your dog's diet with vitamins. Studies have shown there might… (MIGHT) be a link between certain vitamins and improvement in bones, pain relief and memory but nothing for sure-yet. But wait! Before you ransack the nearest pet store for a One-A-Day for dogs rest easy and know that many companies have taken note and are already jacking up the vitamins in their food, so read the labels and make sure you don’t overdose your doggie with too much of a good thing.

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PLANET PETS TV - Episode 2 - Now On Stands Everywhere!

We at Planet-Pets.com are proud to present our second installment of our brand new show, Planet-Pets TV, hosted by none other than Me :), Brandon James and Amanda Fruta. This episode continues on the topics we discussed with dog owners at the Huntington Dog Beach, a beautiful 3/4 mile stretch of Ocean front dedicated to dogs. We found out some interesting things about personal experiences with the pet food recall, how to get your dog trained to become a therapy dog, and about how rescues work. Check it out!



Video: Planet-Pets TV Episode 2

This food safety/recall issue is now officially a three-ring circus...

I almost have to thank Menu Foods, Inc. for colossal mistake they made in using the melamine-tainted gluten back in early 2007. Now that may sound bad, but ever since that happened, a much needed light has been shone down on an area of security that I don't believe many Americans considered - our food. More importantly, our imported foods.

Over the past week, I've read a continuing string of stories that continues to blow my mind. Yet, it's so obvious. Unfortunately, we've come to a point in our nation's history where we want things cheaper, faster, and above all else... NOW! Capitalizing on our market mentality is our precious friend, the communist country of China. A country that for all it's power over controlling and dictating it's citizens, just can't seem to quite figure out how to exercise that same authority over it's manufacturers that are shipping to the US. In all reality, while they state their concerns, I'm taking a real guess that they probably couldn't care less.

First I read about how our fondness for cheap, quick product solutions has gotten us into trouble on products from everything like toothpaste to pain medicines. Bogus products stating they have the "active" ingredient in them, that have no such ingredient at all. One example was chondroitin, and how millions of dollars worth of faulty products are bought every year that are a complete scam.

Second, I read another article about how just this past month, a Chinese manufacturer of dumplings was recently reprimanded for "repackaging" TWO YEAR OLD FILLING into new dumplings. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!! I guess I shouldn't be surprised about this. I mean if China can't even get Communism right, why should I believe they'd get a free market capitalist society down either?

And now.. for my third and final trick....

I'm just going to quote the news article I read this in because it says it all....

"China's regulatory standards chief pledged Wednesday to update and boost enforcement of food safety rules as the country faces intense international pressure for exporting unsafe products, from tainted pet food to popular children's toys manufactured with lead paint."

I'm sorry but can anyone really take that seriously?

Thought For The Day

Here's something I was sent by my grandparents from Canada. Couldn't help but laugh when I read it...

If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can get going without pep pills,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,
If you can overlook it when something goes wrong through no fault of yours and those you love take it out on you,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can ignore a friend's limited education and never correct him,
If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
If you can say honestly that deep in your heart you have prejudice against creed, colour, religion, or politics,

Then, my friend, you are almost as good as your dog.

Have a great weekend! :D

Have Lawmakers Finally Seen the Light On the Lack of Security On America's Foods?

Due to the seeming increase in such events as E. coli, Salmonella and even the most recent melamine contamination inside America's shores, US lawmakers are pushing a bill that will take all food safety responsibilities and place it under one common federal agency.
After a little bit of my own research, it was quite evident how convoluted and "mismashed" the system really is (I apologize for the technical jargon, but I couldn't quite express it any better way.... hahahaha..) There are currently 12 federal agencies, enforcing 35 laws in keeping our food safe. The two major agencies are the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As described by the article on CNN's website, simply put the USDA is in charge of meats and poultry, and the FDA is in charge of dairy and vegetables.
With over 22 different E. coli breakouts since 1995, and consistent cuts to the agencies budget's, the overall picture is not heartening.
The goal of these lawmakers is embodied in the the Food Safety Act of 2007, the bill that they have introduced, which would create a Food Safety Administration responsible for ensuring the security of the food supply from all forms of contamination.
I agree that something must be done, and while further government awareness is crucial, I don't always believe that new legislation, a brand new behemoth centralized agency, and a pack of concerned lawmakers will cause greater action. I want to believe it will, but you might as well toss a penny in a fountain on Capitol Hill. You might find you get the same results.
Whereas the original design of the Government of the United States of America is to first and foremost protect it's citizens, once again I believe it will be the triumph of the individualistic spirit of each and every American that will ultimately beat this. That is the spirit upon which this great country was founded and grown, and I don't believe that kind of attitude becomes old.
So stay educated. Read about what's going on and protect yourself with a proactive mentality. Don't let yourself become victim to the standards of others. Set your own HIGH standards and hold the rest accountable.

Related News Stories
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/05/17/food.safety.law/index.html

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Menu Foods, Inc. thinks it'll survive, while other US Stock Feed go under the scope...

The legend continues....
Late in May, Menu Foods, Inc. confidently pronounced that they, as a company, will survive this fallout from the recall. Due to company assets and increased lines of credit of over 20 million US dollars, Chief Executive Paul Henderson said on a conference call that they are sure that Menu Foods, Inc. will weather this storm.
You know... He's probably right. But I'm not happy about it. Once again, just to bring in the REAL focus in this story, even though Menu Foods was the company that manufactured the foods, they weren't actually at fault for the tainting of the wheat gluten additive. That responsibility lies squarely on the shoulders of our beloved cheap labor, Capitalist-Communist partners, China. The fault for not properly testing the gluten before using it to manufacture the food is where Menu Foods screwed the whole thing up. I, for one, am hoping that this will begin to revolutionize the industry as a whole and make even the "big guys" sit up and realize that it's in their best interest to provide high quality, healthy, REAL food for their clients, America's pets. Because if there's one thing I know about the American market after having watched millions of American's buy a $5 cup of coffee everyday at Starbucks, it's that we are willing to pay whatever price is brought to bare, so long as the value is there. So go ahead "Big guys!" Raise the bar on pet foods, rather than constantly trying to cut corners and offer the lowest possible CRAP.
Another noteworthy story that's surfaced recently is how melamine is being used as a binding agent inside of feed fed to our livestock. Now granted, the industry and US Officials alike insist that it is used in such small quantities that it could not harm the fish or livestock it is being fed to, but you have to think about how all these things are being introduced into the food chain. After all, this is the very food we are feeding ourselves and our children.
I'm just growing tired of all this spinning of stories and heavy handed media "calming." I'm just not convinced that it's all so easy to take when it seems that while the lifespan of the population may be getting longer, I'm not seeing more people living longer, healthier lives. It's just not clicking with me....

Stories
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,276835,00.html
http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007May30/0,4670,FDAMelamine,00.html

For more articles and comments from Brandon James, subscribe to Planet-Pets.com's monthly newsletter - The Scoop - click here
http://www.planet-pets.com/

Sure it's homemade, but it is what your pet needs?

Having been deluged of reading on the pet food recall and all of its repercussions, the biggest splash I've noticed, especially online, is the explosion in promotion for homemade pet recipes. While immediately I enjoyed the beautiful opportunity the open market can bring to the consumer so quickly, I very soon thought of the many people who will be promoting products such as e-Books, with homemade recipes for your pet. And most importantly, the many products that are out there that really won't have your pet's best interest in mind.
Now based on recent estimates, there are over 60 million pet dogs and 75 million pet cats living in America today. That's a lot of mouths to feed!!! Quoting the Associated Press, "Dog and cat food sales in the United States reached over $14.3 billion in 2005, according to the Pet Food Institute that represents manufacturers of commercial pet food. Surveys by the Organic Trade Association indicated sales of organic pet food increased from $14 million in 2003 to $30 million for 2005." Based on the backlash effect that has been felt all over the country, I believe the organic, alternative lifestyle for America's pets will continue to grow and hit new highs, while the traditional pet food industry will never regain the trust it once enjoyed. Needless to say, there's a lot of money on the line.
What I'd like to remind anyone who's interested in cooking or preparing food for their pets is make sure that the food you are cooking for your pet is actually what they require, nutritionally speaking. Each breed does require a specific diet. Just because it's homemade and organic does not guarantee that your pet will be "healthier." If you choose to go the homemade route, please do your homework. Find out not only what your pet's diet needs to be, but also look seriously into the credibility of the person who has authored the recipe, the book, or the website.
If you are interested in doing this for your pet, it obviously shows the value you place on their life. So do them a favor and take the extra step to ensure that what you are about to do for them really will help them to live longer, happier, and healthier lives.

http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Mar29/0,4670,PetFoodOrganic,00.html

Related Sites:
Organic Trade Association - http://www.ota.com/
Pet Food Institute - http://www.petfoodinstitute.org/

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Web site has additional resources and information for consumers, including a comprehensive list of recalled pet food, at www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html

For more articles and comments from Brandon James, subscribe to Planet-Pets.com's monthly newsletter - The Scoop - click here
www.planet-pets.com