With all the stories going around about dog food recalls and the safety of our pet products in the USA it can be very confusing to know exactly what we should be feeding our best friend! I recently had a reason to research dog foods and the ingredients that are being used after my dog had a problem with his stomach for the second time this year, which by chance was just after I opened a new bag of his regular dry dog food.

I first brought him in to his veterinarian to rule out other possibilities and illnesses and after his tests came back negative, I thought I would look into his dog food for recalls and to also check if there were any ingredients not made in the USA since there were so many recalls over the last few years, to my surprise my so called natural, preservative free “Made In The USA” dog food was actually made in the USA with ingredients sourced from China! This also seems to be the way that they get the consumer to think that the product is completely made in the USA because it actually is processed here.

I also started asking around to find out what my friends and family were using and then asked several veterinarians what they recommend as well. After I compiled a good list of popular dog food brands and their contact information I started to call the corporate offices and consumer information departments.

Many said the same thing and that was this “While most ingredients are sourced in the United States we do source ingredients and nutritional supplements from China for our products. They also claimed that all these outsourced ingredients were tested for safety, but that is not very comforting when all of the recalls are linked to products from China and this was not acceptable to me as a consumer and a dog lover who knows that their best friend depends on their people to give them the best quality food and care possible.

While I cannot write the names of the pet food brands that are using the ingredients from China because the list is too long and actually very shocking! I can tell you that I recommend ALL pet lovers to call the consumer information numbers on their current brand pet foods and treats and ask where they get their ingredients and supplements. Do not accept that they are making the food in the USA with ingredients sourced in China. 

I will tell you what pet food I chose, which is Fromm, a family owned and operated company that is based in Wisconsin, operating since 1904. For more information on their products go to www.FrommFamily.com they even have a nutritionist who will e-mail you back with any questions on their ingredients and products.

A little fun fact about Fromm: In the 1930's, The Fromm Family introduced the first canine distemper vaccine J

I also recommend two websites to research possible recalls on your pet foods, www.fda.gov under the Animal/Veterinarian tab and also www.dogfoodadvisor.com is a great site for information and advise, you can be put on their alert list and any recalled pet food information will be sent directly to your email address.

I have two dogs this month from Friends of Wayne Animals, both are great companion dogs that are looking for their forever homes, for more information on them contact FOWA at 972-902-7515 or fowa.petfinder.com

Disclaimer: Information and content is intended to help animal lovers only please do your own individual research. Thank you.

© Copyright 2012 Gina Mastrogiovanni