Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd. Voluntarily Recall of Kitty Yums

Recall -- Firm Press Release

Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd. Voluntarily Recalls Limited Production of Kitty Yums Chicken Recipe Cat Treats Due to the Presence of Propylene Glycol

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd. Voluntarily Recalls Limited Production of Kitty Yums Chicken Recipe Cat Treats Due to the Presence of Propylene Glycol

Consumers Contact:  Blue Buffalo 

 BlueBuffalo5883@stericycle.com

 888-667-1508

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  ~ November 6, 2015 ~ Wilton, CT ~ Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd. is voluntarily recalling a limited production of Blue Kitty Yums Chicken Recipe Cat Treats that may contain low levels of propylene glycol, which is not permitted by the FDA for use in cat food.

Cats reacting to high doses of propylene glycol may exhibit signs of depression and may have a loss of coordination, muscle twitching, and excessive urination and thirst. If your cat has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The affected product was distributed nationwide in the US and Canada through pet specialty stores and e-commerce.

The product is packaged in a 2 oz., plastic stand up pouch. Only these specific code dates of this product are involved:

Blue Kitty Yums Tasty Chicken Recipe, UPC: 859610007820 - Best If Used By: April 24, 2016.

Blue Kitty Yums Tasty Chicken Recipe, UPC: 859610007820 - Best If Used By: July 24, 2016.

No other BLUE pet foods or treats are involved in this recall.

The FDA tested product in response to a single consumer complaint and found propylene glycol in one bag of our cat treats in the impacted lot. To date we have had no other reports of incidents related to our cat treats. Out of an abundance of caution, we are voluntarily recalling all product manufactured in the same lot as the subject bag.

Consumers who have purchased the product being recalled may return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Blue Buffalo at: 888-667-1508 from 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday and the weekend of November 7, 2015 or by email at BlueBuffalo5883@stericycle.com for more information.

TIRED OF PET FOOD RECALLS?

Choose Life's Abundance Dog and Cat Food! They have NEVER been recalled and the food is shipped fresh to your door within 4-6 weeks of being made. They have been in business since 1999! Choose a pet food you can trust! This food is only sold online to ensure you receive the freshest food possible. Click Here to order.

www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com

More Loveable . . . Not Less Adoptable!

Too often I hear about dogs and cats that are considered “less adoptable” due to their age, breed, perceived disability or even the color of their fur! Petfinder's “Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet-Week”, (which is celebrated the last week of September), is actually on a continuous mission to change minds and misperceptions about homeless pets. I still find it difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that black cats are still considered less adoptable mainly due to superstition, and that black animals in general are considered 'unlucky'.  Hard to believe considering it’s 2015. I have shared my home with many black cats, and dogs, and other black animals, in addition to a variety of colorful and wonderful pets, for most of my 53 years on this planet. For me, personally, I think all animals are gifts from God, as well as incredibly intelligent sentient beings.  However, there is something especially alluring about dark fur and big green eyes, or blue eyes, or hazel eyes . . . something magical and mystical about these beautiful animals, which is why I tend to gravitate towards them.  

Then it occurred to me that perhaps my readers may have a specific belief regarding “less adoptable” companion animals. If we all work together to share our stories about our pets and how amazing they are, regardless of perceived "imperfections" or "handicaps", I believe we can help dispel these myths and perhaps help increase the adoption rates of less fortunate animals who are in need of loving, forever homes.  If more potential adopters could see past the minor "imperfections", they could experience the delight of sharing their lives with pets that have so much love to give, and who show us their gratitude every single day.

Here are some of the categories of the pet population that are considered “less adoptable”, and the advantages of sharing your home with one or more of them:

www.Petfinder.com

Senior Pets

Kittens and puppies are adorable, but training can be labor intensive and not always ideal for people with busy schedules. When you adopt a senior pet, there are many advantages. There are no surprises with behavior issues or growth spurts . . . you know in advance what you’re getting. Senior pets generally have a longer attention span so often training is easier. In general, older felines are more patient with other pets and children in the household. And finally, senior companion animals are often a perfect match with senior citizens. The companionship of an older dog or cat can provide much-needed friendship and interaction for seniors who live alone. I have started a foundation called Senior Pet Project, whose mission is 'Working to Keep At-Risk Senior Pets Out Of Shelters & Finding Them Loving Forever Homes . . . ♥ '.  Won't you please make a generous donation today? www.SeniorPetProject.org  ♥

Black Animals

Dark colored dogs and cats are much harder to place than their lighter colored counterparts. Yes, superstition plays a role when it comes to black cats. Actually, some shelters and rescues will not adopt out black cats during the Halloween season, for fear that some harm might come to them. However, there may be other factors that come into play. I recall an article I read awhile back stating that lighter colored animals stand out more in a crowd. So, when future pet parents go to a shelter to choose a pet, they see the lighter, more brightly colored pets first. The next time you find yourself looking to adopt, don’t forget to look very carefully at all of the animals because choosing the darkest pet could brighten your life for many years to come.

Misunderstood Breeds

American Pitbull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers and similar mixed breeds are often referred to as Pit Bulls. Many disreputable people have exploited Pit Bull types, training them to be aggressive and to fight. As a result, Pit Bulls top the list as the most euthanized dog in the country. Actually, these breeds are loyal and generally good with children. In the UK, they were known as “nanny” dogs in the 19th century. There are other misunderstood dog breeds that are harder to place including larger dogs like Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, Chow Chows and others. In my capacity as an animal welfare & animal rights activist, adoption advocate, as well as fundraiser & awareness proponent, I have had a lot of personal experience with several of these breeds and have nothing but positive things to report. The success stories regarding adoptions and the incredibly loving relationships pet parents have with these misunderstood dog breeds far outweigh the few unfortunate incidents that occur, and that are sensationalized by the media. Has anyone else noticed the pattern of demonizing a certain breed in each decade? In the '70s they blamed Dobermans, in the '80s they blamed German Shepherds, in the '90s they blamed Rottweilers. Now they blame the Pit Bull. When will they wake up to reality and blame the humans?

Medical Challenges

Finally, there are the dogs and cats with chronic medical problems, often as a result of abuse or misfortune. Some common disabilities include animals who are blind, deaf or may be missing a limb. In many cases, pets with disabilities are not harder to care for than those that are completely healthy. However, sometimes pet parents may need to devote more time, patience, and veterinary care to these pets. Rest assured, medically-challenged companion animals can enjoy happy and fulfilling lives with the right families and they can give back so much more than they receive.

Senior Dog

If you have welcomed a “less adoptable” pet into your home and experienced the love and affection of these special animals, won't you please help me spread the word?!

* Portions of this article excerpted from the Life's Abundance Blog.

A Closer Look at Pet Anxiety & How to Treat It Holistically!

As pet parents, we are all vaguely aware that we should minimize the stress our pet kids experience. As a holistic pet consultant, I think it is important that we also comprehend the health risks of prolonged anxiety, too. The fact is, living in a fearful or anxious state for long periods of time can take a dramatic toll on the health of a companion animal.

Any time your pet feels endangered, whether the threat is real or imagined, the body prepares to defend itself by unleashing a torrent of stress hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline, that have far-reaching effects on the whole body. These hormones release energy, increasing respiration while inhibiting digestion, the immune system, growth, reproduction and even pain perception. These hormones also decrease blood flow to areas of the body that are necessary for movement. This is appropriate for survival in a real crisis, but when fear, anxiety or stress continues chronically, negative health effects are a real possibility. These effects could include fatigue, hypertension, gastrointestinal problems, skin disease, as well as metabolic and immune problems. You might be surprised to know that pets can manifest many of the same conditions that we do!

Chronic anxiety and stress can even cause permanent damage to the brain. We know that animals staying in shelter facilities are at increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, including upper respiratory tract infections, litterbox problems, hair loss, and bladder inflammation. And that’s nothing compared to the extreme duress of prolonged fear experienced by dogs in puppy mills! We can see the effects of stress on dogs when they exhibit signs of stress colitis, an inflammatory GI condition that causes diarrhea - often seen after boarding, veterinary visits, or grooming. Stressed dogs suffering from separation anxiety can also be destructive, chewing carpet, baseboards, or scratching up doors. Dogs that are chronically stressed can lick themselves raw, creating skin conditions like lick granulomas.

Apart from the mental and physical distress, stress hormones also imprint any fearful situation firmly in your pet’s memory as something that was scary and life-threatening. These feelings can be recalled from something as seemingly innocuous as pinpricks from a vaccine needle, a person wearing a lab coat or the sight of nail clippers. Any memory of frightening situations can prove to be a powerful fear stimulus. When your companion animal encounters a similar sort of situation, the stress hormones are released and the fear cycle resumes all over again.

The effects of fear and anxiety can be profound and highly distressing. We need to recognize fear in our pets, do more to decrease their fear when possible, and prevent fear by associating potentially fearful situations with positive stimuli. As you can see, dogs and cats who demonstrate pathologic levels of fear or anxiety need our help, not only for their emotional well-being but their physical well-being, too!

Ask us about using 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils formulated specifically for animals in our Animal Scents collection. Log onto:

www.NaturalLivingEssentialOils.com 

and search Product Categories for "Pets" to see our line of essential oils and essential oil- infused pet products. 

Animal Scents Care Collection (sold individually)

Individual Oils from the Animal Scents Care Collection

The Inside Scoop On Homemade Pet Food ~ by Dr. Jane Bicks

If you’re reading this, chances are it’s not the first time you’ve given some degree of thought to the concept of a homemade pet diet. Whether you regard this topic with interest or with repulsion, a series of pet food recalls combined with the ‘foodie’ movement have resulted in growing discussion among pet parents about the costs and benefits of becoming a personal chef for one’s pet kids.

So, what are some of the reasons pet parents turn to making their own pet food? While motivations can be deeply personal, they commonly fall into these categories:

1. Your veterinarian-prescribed food that your pet kid won’t eat
2. You have made specific dietary choices and want to extend them to your animal family members
3. You only trust food which comes out of your kitchen
4. You are hoping to alleviate the symptoms or severity of a medical diagnosis
5. You are ambivalent about commercial pet food and curious to see if you could get better results
6. A belief that you could save some money

While these questions provide some food for thought, motivation alone is not an assurance of health and wellbeing for pet kids. When deciding what to feed their companion animals, pet parent’s choices must be backed up by expertise and solid knowledge. So, what actually does go into the decision to take the plunge into homemade pet food?

Pet Parent Education: Intensive

In the era of Pinterest, there are loads of DIY pet food recipes and enthusiastic testimonials. Some of these recipes give the appearance of being well-balanced and reasonably easy, and may even have a cute name.

But chances are the vast majority of these will not provide pets with the nutrition they need. In an independent 2013 study of 200 homemade adult dog food recipes gathered from the internet, cookbooks and veterinarians, only five (2.5%) of them were nutritionally balanced. All five balanced recipes had come from veterinarians with advanced training in nutrition.

The takeaway here is that it is critical to involve a holistic or integrative veterinarian and/or a veterinary nutritionist to ensure the nutritional needs of your furry kid are being met.

Cost Analysis: Moderate - Intensive

If the financial bottom line is a priority, time should be spent doing an analysis of the daily cost to feed pet kids a balanced diet. With a quality recipe in hand, pet parents can take to the internet and local grocery stores to estimate the cost of the homemade meal before ever investing in buying the ingredients. The cost of any special equipment, like a meat grinder or food processor, and food storage containers, should also be factored in.

Ingredient Sourcing: Intensive

A balanced recipe from a qualified Veterinary Nutritionist is sure to include proteins, carbohydrates and a list of added vitamins and other nutritional supplements. As with any consumable product, there is great variation in the quality of all of these ingredients as well as variation in what is appropriate for different species. What many fail to realize is that improperly balanced nutrients can actually lead to a host of disease states, essentially creating toxicity within the body. To ensure maximum benefit, be certain that your nutritionist is explicit about cuts of meat and which supplements to purchase, and ensure that all of these questions are addressed:

~ What form should each supplement be in; liquid or powder? 
~ What source is okay for each supplement; synthetic, natural, purified, etc.?
~ Are there certain varieties of supplements that should be avoided; Cod Liver Oil or ~ Krill Oil vs. Fish Oil? 
~ Are your personal dietary requirements being met; grain free or vegetarian?
~ Which cuts of meat are optimal, acceptable and should be avoided; white meat, dark meat, lean or fat?

Food Preparation & Storage: Moderate – Intensive

If you’ve ever done batch cooking for your human family, you’ll have an idea what it’s like to make your own pet food. This exercise takes advance planning, time management, practice and possibly endurance depending on how large a batch is being made.

This time commitment will vary by recipe, quality of equipment being used, size of the batch being prepared, and with fine tuning over time.

Food Serving: Minimal

Home prepared foods are refrigerated or frozen and may require warming to room temperature to serve. At issue here is the commitment to the frequency of this task more so than the amount of time required.

Given the level of difficulty in preparing home meals, and the expertise to get the formulas right every time, this probably isn’t a viable option for most pet parents. If you’re seeking holistic nutrition plus convenience and value, I urge you to consider the premium nutrition offered by any of our Life’s Abundance pet foods.

Thank you for all you do to make the world a better place for companion animals.

TIRED OF PET FOOD RECALLS?

Choose Life's Abundance Dog and Cat Food! They have NEVER been recalled and the food is shipped fresh to your door within 4-6 weeks of being made. They have been in business since 1999! Choose a pet food you can trust! This food is only sold online to ensure you receive the freshest food possible. Click Here to order.

www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com

K-9 Kraving Dog Food Has Announced a Voluntary Recall

Recall -- Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

 

K-9 Kraving Dog Food Has Announced a Voluntary Recall of Their Chicken Patties Dog Food Shipped Between July 13th - July 17th, 2015 Because The Product May Be Contaminated With Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes

Consumer Contact:  1-800-675-1471

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 2, 2015 – Baltimore, MD – K-9 Kraving Dog Food has announced a voluntary recall of their Chicken Patties Dog Food shipped between July 13th - July 17th, 2015 because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella andListeria monocytogenes can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The affected product was distributed to retail stores only in Maryland. No other K-9 Kraving Dog Food products are affected.

No illnesses have been reported to date. Even though no illnesses have been reported, consumers should follow the Safe Handling Instructions printed on the K-9 Kraving Dog Food package when disposing of the affected product.

K-9 Kraving Dog Food became aware of a potential issue after receiving notification from the FDA that a routine surveillance sample of Chicken Patties tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes.

Consumers feeding the affected product should discontinue use and monitor their pet's health, and contact their veterinarian if they have concerns. Consumers who purchased the product can obtain a full refund or exchange by either returning the product in its original packaging or bringing a proof of purchase back to their retailer.

Consumers with additional questions can call our Consumer Relations team at 1-800-675-1471 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, EST.

Robert Barrett, Chief Executive Officer of K-9 Kraving Dog Food, stated, “At K-9 Kraving Dog Food we take quality and safety very seriously. We believe that under all circumstances, health and safety comes first, and we are committed to providing the best possible nutrition for pets.”

TIRED OF PET FOOD RECALLS?

Choose Life's Abundance Dog and Cat Food! They have NEVER been recalled and the food is shipped fresh to your door within 4-6 weeks of being made. They have been in business since 1999! Choose a pet food you can trust! This food is only sold online to ensure you receive the freshest food possible. Click Here to order.

www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com

Back In Stock! Snoutstik Nose Balm for Dogs

Does your dog have a sensitive nose, or a nose that becomes irritated with seasonal changes?

Did you know that a dog’s nose is at least a million times more sensitive than our own? Imagine how painful a dry or irritated dog nose can be!

Snoutstik was created to help alleviate dry dog noses caused by exposure to the elements, allergies or heredity, but any dog’s nose will find relief with Snoutstik’s core combination of healing, natural sunscreens, Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil and Jojoba Seed Oil.

Rosemary For Soothing Inflammation ~ A natural disinfectant; soothes and reduces inflammation and treats bacterial and fungal infections.

Lavender For Gentle Nose Care ~ A clean, fresh scent and calming, balancing properties; provides ultra-gentle skin care and can be applied to irritated, itchy spots as a healing aid.

Pumpkin For Environmental Damage ~ Used to treat burns and wounds; heals environmentally damaged and sensitive skin; high in Vitamin A (restores healthy skin tissue) and C (antioxidants protect skin from free radicals).


Made in the USA ~ 100% NATURAL ~ 100% VEGAN 



SHOP FOR SNOUTSTIK HERE!!



The Gifted Pet prides itself on featuring these types of high-quality products in our store. Our proceeds benefit animal rescue & nature conservancy. As always, we appreciate your business! Thank you for shopping with us!

The Litter Robot ~ Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box For Cats

Self-Cleaning Litter Box Advantages:

Saves Time and Really Works!

* Automatic litter box that frees you from the chore of Litter Box Scooping
* Patented sifting system provides clean, level litter and Cleaner Cat Paws
* Litter waste clumps drop into large bottom drawer for Easy Bagged Disposal
* Waste drawer can retain several days' worth of Bagged Waste
* Cat-activated operation works to dramatically Reduce Litter Box Odor
* Provides overall Peace of Mind for the well being of your pet
* Increases personal freedom for short personal or business trips
* Decrease cat box clean up time and increase fun time with your pet



Contact us HERE for Your $25 Off Coupon Code!!  



Good for Online Purchases Only! Enjoy Free Shipping in the Continental U.S.!!



http://www.NoMoreScooping.com/

The Natural Dog Company, Inc. Recalls 12" Tremenda Sticks

Recall -- Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

 

The Natural Dog Company, Inc. Recalls 12" Tremenda Sticks Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

Contact:
Consumer:
1-888-424-4602

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 20, 2015 – Windsor, CO – The Natural Dog Company, Inc. of Windsor, CO, is recalling its 12oz bags of 12" Tremenda Sticks pet chews because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals eating the product and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The recalled 12" Tremenda Sticks were distributed to retail stores in CA, CO, FL, IL, MO MT, NC, OH UT and WA.

The recalled product comes in a 12oz bag without a lot number or expiration date with UPC number: 851265004957. Products with new packaging, which includes both a lot number and expiration date but the same UPC are not affected by this recall.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The potential for contamination was noted after a Colorado Department of Agriculture inspection of the product revealed the presence of Salmonella in a sample taken from a 12oz package of 12" Tremenda Sticks.

Production of the product has been suspended while FDA and the company continue their investigation as to the source of the problem.

Consumers who have purchased 12oz packages of 12" Tremenda Sticks should discontinue use of the product and may return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-888-424-4602 – Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST.

TIRED OF PET FOOD RECALLS?

Choose Life's Abundance Dog and Cat Food! They have NEVER been recalled and the food is shipped fresh to your door within 4-6 weeks of being made. They have been in business since 1999! Choose a pet food you can trust! This food is only sold online to ensure you receive the freshest food possible. Click Here to order.

www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com

Essential Oils and Pets: A Quick How-To

If you love using Young Living products in your home, you’ve probably wondered how you can share their amazing benefits with your animals. Which oils are safe to use? How much can I apply? Should I diffuse or apply topically? 

If you’ve ever had questions like these, we’re here to help! Check out this quick-and-easy how-to guide for using essential oils with animals.* Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, here are a few things to keep in mind: 

Most animals are more sensitive than humans to essential oils.

• Start by diluting heavily and use in moderation.

• Every animal is different, so carefully observe how each animal responds to the oils. Use common sense and good judgment as you try different methods.
• Take special care to not get essential oils in an animal’s eyes.
• Avoid using high-phenol oils such as Oregano and Thyme with any animals, especially cats.
• Use special caution when using essential oils with cats. Cats are also generally averse to citrus essential oils.

Your animal’s size affects the amount of oil you should use.

• For smaller animals like cats and small dogs, use 3–5 drops. Be sure to dilute 80–90 percent prior to application (for example, for every 1 drop of oil, use 4–5 drops of a diluting agent, such as V-6^™Vegetable Oil Complex).
• For larger animals, like large dogs, start with 3–5 drops. Unless otherwise indicated on the product label, dilution is unnecessary.
• For very large animals, like horses and cattle, start with 10 drops. Unless otherwise indicated on the product label, dilution is unnecessary.

Apply oils to yourself or diffuse to introduce animals to essential oils and help them get comfortable.

• Wear oils around your animals, diffuse in their space, or apply to your hands and let the animal smell them.
• If your animal is jittery or resistant to essential oils, try applying an oil to yourself and staying near the animal for several minutes so it can get used to the aroma.

Once they’re used to essential oils, animals can respond well to topical application.

• For cats and dogs, paws are a great place to apply essential oils.
• For hoofed animals, we recommend application on the spine or flanks.
• Try rubbing oils onto your own hands and then stroking the animal’s fur.
• For large or hard-to-reach areas, combine essential oils with V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex or water in a spray bottle for easier application.
• Animal Scents^™ Ointment can be used to seal and protect areas where essential oils have been applied topically.

Essential oils can be administered internally.

• Some essential oils can be mixed with your animal’s food.
• For large animals, you can pull out the bottom lip and drop oils directly into the mouth.

Young Living offers a full line of animal-specific products.

• Animal Scents Shampoo
• Animal Scents Ointment
• Animals Scents oils (available individually)

*If your pet or animal has a known health issue, please consult your veterinarian before administering essential oils.

Get started on your amazing essential oils journey at:

www.NaturalLivingEssentialOils.com