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Mold scare prompts Wysong dog food recall

October 14th, 2009, 12:29 pm by Samantha Gowen, Pet Tales editor

Wysong Corp. of Midland, Mich., has issued a limited recall of select canine dry diets due to increased moisture levels and the possibility of mold.

The products are:

  • Wysong Canine Diets Maintenance: lot numbers 090617, 090624, 090706 and 090720
  • Wysong Senior: lot number 090623

A couple of cases of diarrhea have been reported, but they have not been directly linked to the pet food, according to a company representative, adding that Wysong will continue to look into the matter.

In the meantime, a notice on the corporate website Wysong.net asks pet owners not to feed any of these Wysong products to their pet.

Pet owners can contact Wysong for product replacement or return or exchange the product at the store from which it was purchased. Retailers will be credited through the company’s distributors.

To contact Wysong, e-mail wysong@wysong.net
and write “product replacement” in the subject line.

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Maryanne Dell: A couple of good things not to miss

September 11th, 2009, 2:12 pm by Samantha Gowen, Pet Tales editor

I love a good cause. If I can give some time or money knowing I’m helping improve the world, I’m all for it. And I’m especially for it if I get to learn something while I’m helping a worthy organization.

dell-sigTwo upcoming events do just what I’m talking about: Attendees get to learn something and help animals.

Sept. 26: Ask Ariel is sponsoring Natural Cures for Pets in Lake Forest. The session by Susan Blake Davis, a certified clinical nutritionist, and veterinarian David Gordon packs a lot into a short time.

Davis, owner of Ask Ariel, consults with clients and veterinarians about nutrition and holistic care for pets. Full disclosure: Gordon is my vet. I started seeing him in 2001, when my dog Taylor had been diagnosed with bone cancer and I wanted to do acupuncture.

Acupuncture proved to be an excellent complementary medicine to the chemotherapy Taylor underwent for his osteosarcoma; we would leave the oncologist’s office after one of his 24-hour chemo treatments and head straight to Gordon’s office, where 20 minutes of acupuncture would restore Taylor’s appetite and vitality.

I met Davis through her rescue, Ariel Rescue, and knew I had met a kindred spirit. We talk the same health language, a language I believe every pet owner needs to hear, about the benefits of a high-quality diet.

Natural Cures for Pets is a perfect introduction to holistic care. In addition to Davis’ information about the importance of nutrition, Gordon will discuss acupuncture and other alternative and complementary treatment procedures, such as chiropractic and stem-cell treatment, in which an animal’s stem cells are used to treat diseases such as arthritis.

You can contact Maryanne Dell via e-mail at ocrpets@earthlink.net

Cost is $15, a worthy investment in the health of your pets, and includes refreshments. It’s best to reserve a spot, so e-mail askariel1@gmail.com or call 949-499-9380 and leave a message (even if you decide to attend at the last-minute, you’re asked to call the phone number).

The event will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Gordon’s practice, VCA Arroyo Animal Hospital, 1 S. Pointe Drive, Lake Forest 92660. And, you’ll be doing good: 100 percent of the proceeds go to Ariel Rescue, which helps homeless animals throughout Southern California.
More information: askariel.com.

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animal-acresAnimals aren’t the only ones to benefit from a healthy diet. If you’d like to learn more about some of the great vegan food available locally, help a good cause, and enjoy an evening outside in a Japanese garden, check out the Compassionate Cuisine Celebration on Oct. 9. Stroll through the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden on the campus of Cal State Long Beach and enjoy vegan foods, entertainment, music, vendors, a raffle and more.

Proceeds from the evening go to Animal Acres, a sanctuary for farm animals in Acton. In addition to providing a home for animals that otherwise would have been last night’s dinner, the organization provides education and information about compassionate living, where the resident cows, chickens and pigs help teach about respecting all animals.

The event, commemorating World Vegetarian Day, will be from 7 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $35 each before the event, $45 at the door.

For more information head to: animalacres.org and www.compassionatecuisine.net.

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Read more of Maryanne’s columns at her Pet Tales page.

Posted in: Animals • Cats • Dogs • Events • Maryanne Dell • Pet health • Pets • Rescue groups • food • fundraiser • • • • • • | Post a Comment »

Reminder: Free Cesar food Saturday at Central Bark

September 10th, 2009, 4:51 pm by Samantha Gowen, Pet Tales editor

cesar_bistro_steakflorentinSaturday marks the second visit by Cesar’s representatives hawking free food to curious pups (and their owners).

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Irvine’s Central Bark.

Folks with the company will set up bistro-style dining tables and chairs for lucky dogs who can sample a new line of food, Cesar’s Bistro. The company touts it as “restaurant inspired.”

The first event was held Sept. 5 in Laguna Beach. Anybody go and get the goods? Let me know how it went, if so …

Cesar’s freebie program is called “Share The Love.” Customers who can’t make it to the dog park can download a coupon. But, there’s a catch! Coupons at www.cesar.com are available online on Saturdays only through Oct. 10.

Event details:

  • When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12
  • Google Map: Central Bark, 6405 Oak Canyon (Irvine, 92618)

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The Cat Doc: Feeding your cat, Part Two

September 4th, 2009, 1:01 am by Samantha Gowen, Pet Tales editor

newwexler-sig

Cats in the wild spend a large part of their day hunting and catching food, so it is rare for a wild or feral cat to be overweight.  Our housecats have easy lives and usually just need to meow or look at us to be fed.

Feeding a cat, or giving treats, is one of the few things we can do that elicits pleasant feedback from our cat.  You know your housecat really needs you to provide food, and it creates a bond.

In my last column I suggested appropriate feeding portions for cats, but my clients often tell me their cat is driving them crazy by demanding more food than what I tell them to feed. Do you break your bond, or do you give in and make your cat fat and happy?

I urge you to be strong and restrain your cat’s eating habits.  Just like overweight humans, overweight cats are at risk for arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, fatty liver disease, urinary tract infections, and skin problems.  They also cannot keep themselves clean and can be messy around the house.

If your cat overeats, you need to feed two to three small portions throughout the day that add up to a proper caloric intake.  One way to achieve this and to remove “you” from the feeding process is by installing an automatic feeder.

Believe it or not, if a machine starts feeding your cat, your cat will stop bothering you for more food.  There are many types of automatic feeders, and some are designed to feed canned food.

Pet feeders can be found in pet stores and on the Internet.  One local business, Smart Home (16542 Millikan Avenue Irvine, CA 92606), has a large variety of feeders.
Reducing a cat’s food portion should occur over several weeks, so that the stomach can shrink slowly.

Most overweight cats are not playful, so increasing exercise to help with weight loss is tough.  Try to find toys that will motivate your cat to move.  Another strategy is using part of your cat’s food portion for exercise.  Many cats will chase around after individual kibbles of food.  Throw pieces of food around the floor and make your cat go after it.

Consider putting small amounts of your cat’s food portion in different places around the house, so the cat actually has to get up and exercise to find food.  If you also have a young or thin cat you want to supplement with food, try feeding this cat at a high location the overweight one cannot reach or in a separate area.

Feeding time for multiple cats

Controlling food portions in a multi-cat household is even more important.  In most households with more than one cat, one cat is thin and another one is heavy.

There is no doubt that certain cats have faster metabolisms than others and can eat more, but eating and dominating the food bowl are ways that certain cats express their territoriality.  I assure you that if you control portions for the total number of cats, your trim cats will maintain, and your heavy cats will lose weight.

There are different feeding strategies for weight loss.  The most common ones are:

  • Feeding all canned food,
  • Feeding high protein/low carbohydrate foods (The CATkins Diet), and
  • Feeding lower calorie/high fiber foods.

I will tell you that I have had success with each of these as long as the owner has been willing to control portions.  The idea behind feeding all canned food is that most canned food is high in protein and water, and these nutrients provide more satiation for a cat.

When a cat eats a high protein/low carbohydrate diet, the theory is that it takes more time and energy to digest protein than carbs, so the cat is not getting the quick sugar fix.

Lastly, if the cat eats a lower calorie/high fiber diet, he can eat a larger portion and get filled up better.  Consider discussing which diet strategy would work best with your cat with your veterinarian.

I urge owners of young cats to start out with good feeding practices.  Feed good foods in controlled portions.  Free feeding unlimited dry food doesn’t work for most cats, and definitely doesn’t work in a multi-cat household.  Dieting a cat is hard work and can be frustrating, but trim cats are more active and healthier, so it is worth it!

Did you miss it? Click here to read Part One: “Is there a best way to feed a cat?”

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Read more of The Cat Doc’s columns at her Pet Tales page.

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Posted in: Cats • Elaine Wexler-Mitchell • Pet health • Pets • food • • • | Post a Comment »

Free food alert! Cesar’s will set up bistros at 2 O.C. dog parks

September 3rd, 2009, 4:57 pm by Samantha Gowen, Pet Tales editor

cesar_bistro_steakflorentinVisitors to the Laguna Beach Dog Park this Saturday could score some free chow for a four-legged friend.

Representatives with Cesar Canine Cuisine are setting up bistro-style dining tables and chairs for lucky dogs who can sample a new line of food, Cesar’s Bistro. The company touts it as “restaurant inspired.”

Fine dining, dogs, Laguna Beach, ding-ding-ding!

The freebie program is called “Share The Love.” Customers who can’t make it to the dog park can download a coupon. But, there’s a catch!

Coupons at www.cesar.com are available online on Saturdays only through Oct. 10.

If you can’t make it to Laguna Beach, there’s another bistro event schedule for Sept. 12 at Central Bark in Irvine.

Event details:

  • When: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5
  • Google map: Laguna Beach Dog Park, Laguna Canyon Rd 133 (92652)
  • Next up: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12
  • Google Map: Central Bark, 6405 Oak Canyon (Irvine, 92618)

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The Cat Doc: Is there a best way to feed a cat?

August 26th, 2009, 10:38 am by Samantha Gowen, Pet Tales editor

newwexler-sigEach time I walk into a pet store or walk down the pet food aisle in a grocery store, I am amazed at the variety and number of brands of pet foods on the market.

Additionally, there are many therapeutic diet products that are sold only at veterinary clinics and raw and organic diets sold through specialty markets and on the Internet.  The choices are overwhelming.

Many owners think all they need to do is fill up a bowl with dry food and all will be well, but this is seldom the case.

If you speak to breeders, veterinarians, and pet food manufacturers, no one will agree on the best diet to feed a pet.  Everyone who deals with pet nutrition has opinions on diets based on research, experience feeding the product, and reading promotional materials from the manufacturers.

While I am not going to recommend any specific products in this column, I do want to share some of my opinions on feeding cats.

Kittens should be fed a combination of canned and dry food.  If a kitten does not have a delicate digestive tract, I think it is a good idea to also vary brands.  Kittens are like human children, if they are exposed to various textures, tastes, and sizes of food, they will be less picky as adults.

Once a kitten has been sterilized, their metabolic rate drops dramatically and their caloric needs decline significantly.   Sterilized kittens 6 months and older can be switched to adult maintenance diets.  Healthy adult cats also do well on a combination of dry and canned food.

The time between 6 and 18 months is critical for a kitten to reach full size, and full size often becomes oversized even at these young ages.  I think that only about 25% of cats eat appropriate amounts of food if given unlimited access to dry food.  This means that 75% of cats will overeat if too much food is available to them.

An average adult cat needs between 200-250 calories daily, and this would include dry food, canned food, and any treats or snacks. 

You might be surprised to know:

  • Iams Indoor Cat Hairball Care diet: 365 calories per cup;
  • Science Diet Nature’s Best Chicken diet: 420 calories per cup;
  • Purina ONE Chicken and Rice: 452 calories per cup;
  • Wellness CORE: 536 calories per cup;
  • One 3-ounce can of Fancy Feast: about 95 calories;
  • One 5.5-ounce can of Friskies: about 140 calories.

Forget about reading the feeding guides on cat food bags.  All of them suggest feeding much larger portions than a house cat needs.  If you look at the above examples, you’ll see that feeding your cat ½ measured cup of dry food daily (if all he or she eats is dry food) is too much for the highly caloric foods.

Fess up: Are you overfeeding the cat?
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If you feed 3-ounce canned, then you can only feed ¼ measured cup of dry food daily if you want to keep your cat fit.  If you have an overweight cat or extremely sedentary cat, portioning food and using lower calorie products is more critical.

Stay tuned, cat owners. I’ll have more suggestions for feeding your cat, controlling portions, and weight loss in my next column.

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Read more of the Cat Doc’s columns at her Pet Tales page.

Posted in: Cats • Elaine Wexler-Mitchell • Pet health • Pets • food • vet • • | Post a Comment »

Get your leashes ready, it’s time for Dog Days of Summer

July 30th, 2009, 5:03 pm by Samantha Gowen, Pet Tales editor

web-dogs-haybale1

The summer months are dragging on, and the dog days of the summer are here. Which, of course, begs the question: what are your plans — you and your furry friends — to celebrate them?

A trip to the annual Dog Days of Summer event hosted by the city of La Habra Heights might be just the thing. The dog-friendly event is Saturday and guess what? It’s free

  • Date: Saturday, Aug. 1
  • Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Location: La Habra Heights Park
  • Address: 1885 Hacienda Road,  La Habra Heights, Ca 90631

The event is geared toward education — informing dog owners about anything and everything to keep their pups fit and healthy.

To that end, the event will feature booths from vendors eager to spread the news on nutrition, vet care, dog products, vaccinations, and micro-chipping.

Krystal Emery, the organizer of the event had this to say:

“Our belief is education and awareness can save dogs lives. We wanted this to be more than just a festival but a complete educational experience.”webknee-vault1

If your dog gets bored, well, they’ve got that covered, too. A myriad of activities are scheduled. This year organizers have added demonstrations that include:

  • Police Dogs by Adlerhost K9 Police Academy, a facility in West Riverside County that  has provided quality Police Service Dogs and training to over 300 law enforcement agencies since 1976.
  • Frisbee dogs by K9 Disc Thrills, located south of  Riverside.
  • Agility by dogs part of the Gittalong Little Doggie Training Facility, located in La Habra Heights and owned by Krystal Emery.
  • Flyball dogs by the Wolfgang flyball team.

Also scheduled at the Dog Days event will be more than 28 vendors with dog-friendly items including doggie attire, pet portraits, accessories, treats, health and wellness products, and bowls, just to name a few.

Pet rescue organizations also will be on hand in case you want to find a new friend, get advice, or volunteer.

Low-cost vaccinations and micro-chipping will be available, too.

web-dds-jumper1I know, I know … you just want to sit in your living room and watch TV all day. But look at Fido, sitting there next you, his eyes pleading for some fun. Maybe it’s time for his weekly bath. Maybe you haven’t visited the vet for a while. Maybe he just wants meet and hang out with other furry friends. Why not get off your butt (oops) and drop by for a fun-filled afternoon?

In case you need a bit more motivation, doggie contests also will be held. Categories will include a costume contest, trick contest, and look-a-like contest. If you believe your mutt has what it takes to win all those prizes and giveaways… well, get the leashes ready!

Oh, and did we mention admission is free?

For more details, contact La Heights City Hall at: 562-694-6302

–Submitted by Sophie Roh, Pet Tales intern

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Posted in: Dog Parks • Dogs • Events • Pet health • Pets • Rescue groups • contest • food • foster • fundraiser • vet • • • • | 1 Comment »

FDA cautions dog owners on chicken “jerky” treats

July 20th, 2009, 12:26 pm by Samantha Gowen, Pet Tales editor

I can say “chicken” to my dog, Katy, and she’s running for the kitchen.

She knows what chicken means. Chicken used to mean chicken jerky strips.

These treats smell great. They come in a big bag at Costco for not a lot of money. It was just chicken, dried out. What could be wrong with that?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to caution consumers about a potential association between the development of illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky products. The products—also called chicken tenders, strips, or treats—are imported from China. FDA continues to receive complaints of sick dogs that their owners or veterinarians associate with eating chicken jerky products. FDA issued a cautionary warning to consumers in September 2007.

Australian news organizations report that the University of Sydney is also investigating an association between illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky in Australia. At least one firm in Australia has recalled their chicken jerky product and the recall notification stated the product was manufactured in China.

Does your dog eat chicken jerky treats?
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Here are tips from the FDA:

  • Do not substitute chicken jerky products for a balanced diet. The products are intended to be used occasionally and in small quantities. Owners of small dogs must be especially careful to limit the amount of these products.
  • If you choose to feed your dog chicken jerky products, watch the dog closely. Stop feeding the product if your dog shows any of the following signs, which may occur within hours to days after feeding the product:
    • decreased appetite, although some dogs may continue to eat the treats instead of other foods
    • decreased activity
    • vomiting
    • diarrhea, sometimes with blood
    • increased water drinking or increased urination
  • Call your veterinarian if signs are severe or last for more than 24 hours. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports to FDA have involved dogs that have died.
  • Consumers and veterinarians should report cases of animal illness associated with pet foods or treats to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator listed for their area.

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Poll: Do you shop for pet supplies at a feed store?

July 15th, 2009, 2:37 pm by Samantha Gowen, Pet Tales editor

anaheim-feed-couponsHave you been to your local feed store lately?

Often these simple warehouses of pet food and supplies offer bargain prices and a wide range of selection.

Anaheim Feed and Pet Supply over on North Lemon Street is a favorite destination for me and Katy Dog on Saturdays.

Do you shop for pet supplies at feed stores?
View Results

The store is large and has more food choices than I ever knew existed. Katy enjoys nosing through bins of dog treats and hundreds of toys, rawhide twists and pet beds. Strangely enough, her favorite zone is the cat-food aisle. Go figure.

The store sends out automated coupons if you join their e-mail registry. Today’s coupon is posted above.

If you want to look up feed stores in your neck of the woods, I recommend you visit the KillerOrange blog. The site offers maps and directions to many such stores around Orange County.

And be sure to comment below and tell us your feed store favorites.

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Update: Canz coupon deal for free food stalls

July 7th, 2009, 11:23 am by Samantha Gowen, Pet Tales editor

adoption_formIt seems a freebie food deal for newly adopted pets was quite popular. The offer from Canz Country Pet was so popular it apparently crashed the link to a coupon application online.

The company offered pet owners of newly adopted dogs and cats a month of free food with a submitted application. It seems the application is unavailable, for now. We’ll keep you posted.

In the meantime, you can leave a message for the company: 1-800.454.PETS (7387)
or 1.310.394.7793.

To find a store here in Orange County, I’ve done the “store sniffer” search for you. Just follow this link to the Canz site.

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