Keep an eye on this site for the latest news and information of value to pet owners and animal lovers. We plan to forward information on food recalls and nutrition, current events, humane issues, and other items of interest. The information and links on this page may change quarterly so check back often.
Any information on this page DOES NOT replace professional veterinary care. It is solely for educational purposes. Any medical conditions should be evaluated by a veterinarian before any medical decisions are implemented. If there is a potentially life-threatening emergency involving your pet, take your pet to a veterinarian or veterinary facility IMMEDIATELY.
Pet Food Recalls (Links)
Salmonella contamination is a common cause of many voluntary recalls. While we all hear about the problem when human foods are affected (ie peanut butter), pet food recalls are frequently not as well publicized. Please click on the links below to be directed to sites regarding current recalls.
If you are using any of these products, you should check the manufacturers web site or the FDA site to see if the recall involves the specific batch you are currently feeding your pets. Many times, companies will identify locations where the contaminated products are sold but you should not rely on this. The chain of distribution is not always known. It is much more reliable to look at batch numbers printed on the product.
In addition, if you are using Special Kitty or Old Roy, please read our nutrition section...
Pet NutritionThere are lots of opinions on pet nutrition. If your pet has health problems, diets must meet their specific medical needs without aggravating their condition. Your veterinarian should be consulted if this applies to your pet. For otherwise healthy pets, there are plenty of resources pet owners can turn to for information. Websites for premium pet foods such as Iams, Science Diet, and Waltham all have good nutritional information. Both the American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition and the American College of Veterinary Nutritionists have useful links to nutrition specific sites.
CatNip & DogBones Pet Sitting, LLC would like to offer the following tips when considering pet foods and the feeding of their pets:
1) Obesity is the number one health problem faced by pets today. Feeding guidelines on food packages are notoriously inaccurate. Next time you visit your veterinarians office, ask them how many calories your pet should eat per day. They should be able to give you a range suitable for your pets weight and activity level. Next, contact the manufacturer of the food you are using to find out the calorie content of the food (you probably won't find it on the label or package). Once you have this information, you can make better decisions on feeding amounts (hint: use a measuring cup). The number one cause of obesity is excessive food intake. Number two is lack of exercise.
2) Cats are obligate carnivores and require meat in their diets to survive. Dogs, while categorized as carnivores, are able to digest some plant based foods making them more like omnivores. Pet foods and treats should reflect this fact. As a general rule, canned foods tend to be high in protein, fat and moisture. Dry foods tend to be high in carbohydrates and low in moisture. Cat foods should be meat based with limited amounts of carbohydrates and high moisture levels (ie some canned food). Dog foods should also be meat based but may have higher levels of carbohydrates. The moisture level in dog food is not as crucial as they tend to drink water readily from a bowl. Fruits and vegetables (ie baby carrots, small apple chunks, bananas, etc) make ideal dog treats.
3) Vegetarian diets may be used for dogs if they are very carefully balanced. Cats, however, can't be fed non-meat diets since they have specific requirments for nutrients that can only be found in meat.
4) Raw diets are a significant source of salmonella and may carry other pathogens that can make both pets and their owners very sick. Please note: CatNip & DogBones Pet Sitting, LLC will not feed Raw diets.
5) Fresh water should be available to pets at all times. Water bowls should be changed at least daily to encourage pets to drink more water.
6) There are three general categories of pet foods. Generic brands and many store brands tend to use cheaper ingredients or fillers. Many veterinarians place Kozy Kitten, Special Kitty, and Old Roy in this category. Pets have to eat a lot more of the food to get the same nutrition found in smaller amounts of the better quality diets so any cost savings is negated by the volume one must feed. Major brands such as Purina, Friskies, and Pedigree tend to be ok diets for most pets but some pets require a higher level of nutrition for their haircoat, immune funtion, or overall health. In addition, some major brands tend to be too high in fat and salt for some pets. Premium brands such as Iams, Eukanuba, Wellness, Nutro, and Science Diet, while more expensive, tend to use consistent ingredients from batch to batch and are often supplemented with extra fatty acids or vitamins. Since they tend to be packed with more nutrition, lower amounts can be fed to meet the pets needs. This results in less stool in the litter box or yard and, in the long run, better value for your money.
Current Events (of interest to pets)
Harbins Park
The largest of the Gwinnett County Parks is now open. All pets must be leashed but this is a great park for a walk with your best friend. The paved walking trail is very wooded and scenic. If you haven't been out here, what are you waiting for? The park is located off Indian Shoals Rd between Bold Springs and New Hope Road in the eastern most part of Gwinnett County.
Gwinnett Humane Society --Photos with Santa
.......More news Coming soon......
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