Catswell Cat Treat Recall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 27, 2012 - Arthur Dogswell LLC, Los Angeles, CA 90025, is voluntarily recalling 1051 cartons packed as either 10 or 50 packages per case of Catswell Brand VitaKitty Chicken Breast with Flaxseed and Vitamins because it has the potential to contain propylene glycol. High levels of propylene glycol in the treats could result in serious injury to cats. The adverse health impacts could be reducing red blood cell survival time (anemia) and making the cells more susceptible to oxidative damage. No illnesses have been reported to date.

The VitaKitty treats were distributed nationwide via retail stores and mail order from April 13th through June 14th, 2012.

This product is packaged in a re-sealable 2 ounce orange plastic bag with a clear window. The VitaKitty Chicken Breast with Flaxseed and Vitamins lot codes affected are as follows: SEW12CH032701/03c and SEW12CH032702/03c with a best before date of 09/10/13 and 09/11/13, respectively (UPC code 8 84244 00057 2). Lot codes can be found on the bottom right backside of the package.

“We are taking this voluntary action because it is in the best interests of our customers and their feline companions,” says Marco Giannini, CEO and Founder. “We will be working with the FDA in our continued commitment to ensure that we meet FDA guidelines.”

The recall resulted from a routine surveillance sample collected by the Company and the Food and Drug Administration. Arthur Dogswell has ceased distribution of the affected product.

Consumers who have purchased VitaKitty Chicken Breast with Flaxseed and Vitamins from the affected lot codes are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. If the affected product was purchased online, consumers should contact the internet retailer to understand their specific return and refund process. Consumers with questions may contact Arthur Dogswell at 1-888-559-8833 from 8AM to 5PM PST, Monday through Friday, or leave a message at any time.

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Tick Removal

When you find a tick, carefully remove the entire tick from the pet’s body using tweezers or a tick scoop. Tick scoops, are available at most pet supply stores. To remove a tick using tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible by trying to grip its head. Steadily pull up until it releases its grip on your pet. Do not squeeze to the point of crushing the tick. If the head is left in the skin, use a sterile needle to remove the head similar to how you would remove a splinter. Wash the tick bite and your hands with soap and water. Note: The old wives tails that says using petroleum jelly, alcohol and a hot match do not work to loosen ticks from the skin. Remember: Ticks do not drown in water, so get rid of them by wrapping in tissue and flushing them down the toilet, or drown them in rubbing alcohol or tea tree oil. Crushing a tick risks the spread of disease. Click here to read more on dealing with fleas and ticks

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Fleas and Ticks! Ugh!

It has been a long and hot summer this year here in Atlanta. Everyone is battling fleas and ticks. This year I was proactive after we moved to our new home and used CedarCide oil and sprayed the entire back yard. Then I used the granules around the house. A week later, I put out diatamacous earth. We have had great success! No fles and ticks on our pets.
Click here for more information on CedarCide products
Click here for more tips on flea and tick control

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Nature’s Template for Dog Training

Many celebrity dog trainers claim to have studied wild dogs. Dog owners get eyes as big as saucers when they hear this proclamation. It imparts supernatural tendencies on the trainer. Very few people have the chance to see dogs in the wild. How can any owner question the observations of those who have seen what we have not?

Owners blindly follow the sage advice of those who have seen “real dogs”. The majority of the time, that advice goes something like:

By watching how the alpha reigns supreme, we can mimic these behaviours and the dog will obey. Instant sits, no more house soiling, no pulling when walking on leash. It is an “instant cure.” All behaviour problems will be solved if an owner is alpha enough. Owners mimic the bite of a mother dog. No food treats are allowed. Mother dogs do not reward a puppy with food treats. Throw the treats away. It is unnatural and humanizes the dog. Only coddling, permissive, passive, submissive owners would stoop to that level of bribery, something a real dog would not do. Instead, owners should adopt the corrections of a mother dog, rewards are limited to praise, chest massages and tug games.

Yes, I am one of those few people lucky enough to have seen dogs in the wild. There are some thoughts I would like to share on the matter.

I promise you these things:

Dogs do not do obedience in the wild. Yup, that is right. Obedience is a human idea. Dogs do not walk each other on leash, and they can wander off and do as they please whenever they like. Mother dogs do not correct puppies for lack of obedience. You can be the biggest alpha in the universe and your dog still has no clue what heel position means. I will not change my mind on this until I see dogs barking sit commands at one another.
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Nature's Variety Recall

Nature’s Variety has initiated a voluntary recall of its Prairie Beef Meal & Barley Medley Kibble for Dogs due to an off-odor smell that may develop over time. This product is not contaminated in any way, but some products are not remaining fresh for the shelf life of the product.

Reed Howlett, Nature’s Variety CEO, stated, “At Nature’s Variety, we make every effort to ensure that all of our products meet the highest quality standards. We’ve found that some bags of Prairie Beef Meal & Barley Medley Kibble for Dogs have an off-odor smell. To be sure that our consumers only receive the freshest and highest quality product possible, we have decided to voluntarily recall all Prairie Beef Meal & Barley Medley Kibble for Dogs from the marketplace.”

The products impacted are listed below:

• UPC# 7 69949 60420 4 – Prairie Beef Meal & Barley Medley Kibble for Dogs 5 lb

• UPC# 7 69949 60425 9 – Prairie Beef Meal & Barley Medley Kibble for Dogs 15 lb

• UPC# 7 69949 60430 3 – Prairie Beef Meal & Barley Medley Kibble for Dogs 30 lb

• UPC# 7 69949 60432 7 – Prairie Beef Meal & Barley Medley Kibble for Dogs 3 oz sample

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Thick Green Lawns and Canine Malignant Lymphoma

By Dr. Karen Becker

This is the time of year when many dog owners get their pets outside to enjoy the sunshine and lush greenery.

But according to a study published earlier in the year in the journal Environmental Research, a romp across the lawn might actually be dangerous to your pet’s health.

The study, conducted over a six year period at the Foster Hospital for Small Animals at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, showed that exposure to lawn pesticides – specifically those applied by professional lawn care companies – raised the risk of canine malignant lymphoma (CML) by as much as 70 percent. Read the entire article

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Pets, Thunderstorms and Fireworks

Practice Safety

Keep pets home It may be tempting to bring along your dog(s) so everyone can enjoy the fun, but the loud noises aren't usually fun for pets. Plus, there are many other hazards - fire, food (dietary indiscretion), getting lost in the confusion, etc. that make staying home in a comfortable safe environment a good choice.

Keep pets indoors if possible It is advisable to close the curtains and turn on the TV or radio to provide some distraction. Calming or classical music are better than some TV or radio noise choices. Therapeutic music such as Through A Dog's Ear often work better at keeping your dog calm and providing an audio distraction.

Provide a safe "escape" place Many times pets will seek out a small den-like place (such as a crate), if they are fearful or stressed. If you do not already have a crate, bed or similar place that your pet can call his "own," it is recommended to create that safe place and familiarize your pet with it before needed, as a means of reducing stress during fireworks and thunderstorms.

Use a leash or carrier If you must be outside with your pet, keep the pet on a leash or in carrier at all times.

Practice fire safety Keep pet away from matches, lighter fuel, open fires, and fireworks - especially ones that are lighted on the ground. Pets may try to sniff (or eat) fireworks, and pet hair can easily catch fire if too close to the fireworks. Take pet for a walk first If possible, make sure that you pet has time to "use the restroom" before the fireworks start. Some pets are too frightened to void once the fireworks begin, and this may lead to an "accident" later on.

Make sure pet ID is current! Make sure that your pet has proper identification tags, with current information, in case s/he gets away. This will help the local authorities (who are quite busy this time of year handling frightened runaways).
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