Pet Food Recall

On March 16, Menu Foods, Inc. recalled dog and cat foods produced at two of its facilities between Dec. 3, 2006, and March 6, 2007, and sold under a number of different brand names. Several other companies also have voluntarily withdrawn products from the market.
The FDA regulates that can of cat food, bag of dog food, or box of dog treats or snacks in your pantry. The FDA's regulation of pet food is similar to that for other animal feeds. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) requires that pet foods, like human foods, be pure and wholesome, safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled. In addition, canned pet foods must be processed in conformance with the low acid canned food regulations to ensure the pet food is free of viable microorganisms
Animal Feed Safety System (AFSS)
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in August 2003 its intention to make its animal feed safety program more risk-based and comprehensive. The modernized Animal Feed Safety System (AFSS), which is expected to be completed in 2007, will incorporate risk-based, preventive control measures for ensuring the safety of animal feed. FDA with State assistance is developing a AFSS framework document that identifies the current major processes, guidance, regulations and policy documents that address feed safety and the documents that should be developed to make the Agency's feed safety program comprehensive and risk-based. Public meetings were held in September 2003 and April 2005 to share draft plans and documents, and to solicit comments.
Feed Contaminants
There are two classes of feed contaminants. The first is a toxic or deleterious substance that is an inherent, naturally occurring constituent of an animal food and is not the result of environmental, agricultural, industrial or other contaminations. Examples of this class include some of the mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin and fumonisin, the glucosinolates, and the heavy metals, like lead and cadmium. The second class is made up of industrial toxic or deleterious substances, which are not naturally occurring and are increased to abnormal levels in the animal food through mishandling or other intervening acts. Examples of this class are the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and certain pesticides, like DDT (1,1’-(2,2,2-Trichloroethylidene)bis[4-chlorobenzene]). CVM may prohibit any detectable amount of a contaminant or establish a regulatory limit for the contaminant, taking into account the protection of the public health, the extent to which the presence of the contaminant cannot be avoided, and other ways in which the consumer may be affected by the presence of the contaminant.

How do You Choose a Dog?

Getting a new dog is one of the greatest joys in the world. Make this great time even better by knowing exactly what kind of dog will complement your family’s lifestyle.

Decide Who Will Take Care of the Dog
Before you get a dog, you will want to make sure to discuss with your family who will have the primary responsibility of taking care of and training the dog. You will want to find a good veterinarian close by, and you will want to consider the cost of keeping a dog. You will also want to make sure to have supplies such as bowls, a bed, a crate, leash , collar, and toys prior to your new dog coming home.

Small or Large Dog
Also before you get your new dog, you will want to consider different breeds and their compatibility to your lifestyle. Large dogs are generally not for apartment dwellers or the elderly. Small dogs are not for people who want to be active with their dogs. Temperament is another thing to consider.

Puppy or Adult
You will also want to decide if you want a puppy or an older dog. Certain breeds have inherent health problems like eye problems or hip dysplasia, so you will want to take all of that into consideration before choosing a breed.

Resources to Get a Dog
If you decide to get a purebred puppy, there are resources to help you find a reputable breeder. Your local kennel club has access to area breeders that specialize in certain breeds. If you are looking for an older dog, this can also be a good resource as many breeders may have adult dogs available as well. Your veterinarian can be a great resource as well as oftentimes they have assisted area breeders.

Sporting Dogs
If you are planning on hunting with your dog, you may want to consider one of the sporting breeds. The most popular of the sporting group are the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever. Both are relatively easy to train and are good with children. You will want to have a more active lifestyle and ideally a fenced in yard if you are looking for a dog of this nature.

Working Dogs
Many people prefer dogs from the AKC’s working group. Breeds that belong to this group include the Rottweiler, the Siberian Husky, the Akita, the Bullmastiff, and the Giant Schnauzer. Generally, these dogs require an experienced owner who can firmly establish leadership. Many of the dogs of the working group have thick undercoats and shed a lot, so you will want to consider if this is something you want to deal with. You also want to make sure you choose a dog in this category from a reputable breeder as hip dysplasia is common in these breeds.

Toy Dogs
Toy dogs are very popular today as you see many celebrities toting around their adorable little dogs. But don’t let the size fool you. Oftentimes, these cute little dogs have big personalities. Dogs in this group include the Pug, the Shih Tzu, the Pomeranian, and the Maltese. These small dogs still require training and a fair amount of exercise, but may be a better choice for apartment dwellers and people with older children.

Herding Dogs
If you have a farm and work livestock, you may want to consider one of the dogs in the herding group. These dogs include the Border Collie, the Australian Shepherd, the German Shepherd, and the Shetland Sheepdog. The Border Collie is a very intelligent dog that requires a lot of exercise, both physical and mental. If you want to spend a lot of active time with a dog, you might choose a dog like this.

Mixed Breed Dog
You may be interested in considering a mixed breed dog. These dogs can be wonderful family companions, as much so as purebred dogs.

Talk to People
Due to the large population of dogs, many people are interested in adopting a dog. Talk to your local humane society or breed rescue organization for assistance with adoption.

The most important thing to do when choosing a dog is to take your time and get to know many different breeds of dog. Talk to pet store personnel, groomers, breeders, and your veterinary staff for assistance. Make sure to consider all aspects of dog care and you can ensure a happy time for your new dog and family.

Choosing the best for you

What dog breeds are more likely to get along with other dogs and which aren’t? Which breeds require a lot of time for grooming and which require little time? And which breeds require lots of space to run and which are happy with a little exercise each day?
Take Time Deciding

Choosing the right dog for you and your family is one of the first steps towards creating a relationship that will last the life of your pet. A person who doesn’t take the time to research dog character traits and needs might choose a dog breed that is completely unsuited to that person’s lifestyle and temperment.
Quiet Dogs

Do you prefer a quiet, peaceful dog? My experience with Newfoundlands has been they are quiet and peace-loving. Chihuahuas and Cocker Spaniels, on the other hand, tend to be very noisy and want to be the boss (but we love them anyway).
How Much Time for Training Can You Give?

Every dog needs some training, but there are some dog breeds that require a lot of firm training before they can be a good companion while others require a little and seem born to want to please.