Pet Food Recall

If you haven't heard, there is a major, nationwide recall of dog and cat food going on. It is only for "wet" foods, and it is not all dog and cat foods. The affected products were manufactured by a company called Menu Foods. To find a complete list of tainted brands CLICK HERE.

So, how safe is the food we feed our pets? For that matter, how safe is the food WE eat? The fact is, the food we consume is generally pretty safe, and the food we gie to our pets of pretty safe. No one can gaurantee that it will be 100% safe, but lets face it; With all the food we consume, the number of problems have been minimal. Yes, there have been several recalls lately, but look what happened. Just as soon as the problem was discovered, and it only takes a small number of instances to get the authorities attention, they jump into action. The nws media is notified, and that gets picked up on the internet. before long, the word is spread quickly across the country. In each of the recent recalls, the manufacturers have quickly ordered a recall, and the product quickly is removed from the distribution system.

So, you have fed your pet Iams canned or pouched food for many years. Your pet is has been happy and healthy, you are satisfied, and have been for years. Now this product is recalled. Should you switch to something else? Maybe...maybe not. The tainted food is gone, or will be gone soon, so you there will be no danger to your pet if you continue to feed them their usual brand. Be diligent, and only purchase your pet food from someone you can trust, like All for PETZ. We have removed the tained product, and so have our suppliers. We know which date codes to watch for,and we will NEVER knowingly ship bad product. Will the other pet supplies say the same thing? There is going to be a black market for the unsold food which isn't destroyed, and it will be cheap. There are plenty of unethical operators out there who will try to pass that off as good food just to make a buck. We will never do that.

Maybe you would like to try another brand, something that isn't mass marketed. If so, we recommend Royal Canin, Merrick, or Eagle Pack. All are high quality products, and none of them were effected by the recall.

The bottom line is, you should be diligent, do a little homework, but feed your pet in confidence. Check in with All for PETZ for up-to-the-minute information about any pet safety issues. We also recommend you jon and contribute to ASPCA.

ASPCA Day

April 1st isn't just for fools, it's for animals, too! That's because April 1st is ASPCA Day. Show your support and love for all animals by joining the ASPCA, and by wearing orange on April 1st.

You can purchase some really cool orange stuff at the ASPCA Online Store. They carry a wide variety of Men's, Women's,and Kids sizes of apparel, plus tags and bandannas for your pets. They also have a nice selection of novelty items. All proceeds go to support the ASPCA's efforts at protecting animals.

Help keep you pet safe. Visit our website, All for PETZ, for a complete line of Pet Safety products.

But Dogs Have Fur!

Well, the snow and cold has finally hitus here in the Northeast. Has hadn't had much of a winter, and very little snow until last week. While some of us ddged a bullet with the bad snow, we all got hit with the arctic blast. That means we all have to bundle up to stay warm outside.

What about your pets? I mean, that's why they have fur, right? Unfortunately, unless your animal spends a lot of time outside, chances are it hasn't developed a nice, thick, winter coat, hich is what they do in the wild. If your pet in primarily an indoor animal, you need to be careful about how long you leave it outside in the cold. They need to go outside to go potty, and if they go as soon as they get outside, there won't be a problem (we'll discuss salt at another time). If you need to keep them outside for an extended period of time, you should consider getting a sweater or coat for it. Don't overlook their paws, either. You might want to look into some of the cool boots and booties that are on the market for pets.

We pamper our pets, so it is important to make sure they are protected and safe during this coldest time of the year.

Please visit out website, at www.allforpetz.com, for all of your pets needs.

Valentines Day and Your Pets

The ASPCA has just released an important warning about your pets and Valentines Day. Here is the Alert they issued:

As Valentine’s Day approaches, you may be thinking about giving—or getting—the perfect gift. But did you know that the traditional tokens of affection—roses, chocolates, and other candies—can be harmful for the four-legged loves of your life? ASPCA experts offer some tips to ensure a loving and safe day for all species this February 14:

- Please take caution with roses and other blooms containing thorns, which could prove harmful to pets if played with, bitten, stepped on or swallowed. Explains the ASPCA’s Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine for the Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, “It’s all too easy for pets to step on thorny stems that fall to the ground as a flower arrangement is being created. Be sure to keep your pets clear of your workspace, since they can develop serious infections from thorn punctures. Also, many varieties of lilies are highly toxic to cats, so if these are your Valentine’s flower of choice, make sure your cats can’t get near them.”

- In any form ranging from one-ounce baking squares to hand-dipped truffles, chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both methylxanthines that can cause stimulation of the central nervous system, an increase in heart rate and tremors. Clinical signs—vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, hyperactivity, and increased thirst, urination and heart rate—can be seen with the ingestion of as little as two ounces of baking chocolate by a 10-pound dog.

- It’s very tempting to give your sweetheart a new puppy or kitten for Valentine’s Day—they are the ultimate in cute and cuddly! But please keep in mind that bringing a new companion into the home is a big decision. We suggest presenting your loved one with a gift certificate to adopt from your local shelter. Big Apple residents, be sure to check out the Gift-A-Pet program at our ASPCA adoption facilities.

Click Here for the complete ASPCA Guide to a Pet-Friendly Valentine’s Day.

Pet Safety, Night Walking

There are many new products on the market to help keep your pet safe. One of the more ingenious ones is also so simple, you will wonder why you didn't think of it! It is called the Pet Blinker, and it is a devise that simply clips to your pets collar. Using Ultra Brite LEDs, the Pet Blinker will flash brightly, allowing your pet to be seen for quite a distance. This is great fo taking your pet for evening walks. This will also be very helpful for locating your pet in the dark, as well. I don't know about you, but in the winter time, my back door frosts up when I let our Miniature Dachshund out in the morning, and I have a hard time seeing him. But not with the Pet Blinker! I not only can see where he is, I can see where he was, so that I can pick up after him when I get dressed.

For this, and other safety related pet products, go to All for PETZ

Skeet's Stuff: Keeping your pets safe

Skeet's Stuff: Keeping your pets safe

NEW DOGGY DIET DRUG

News from the ASPCA:

ASPCA WEIGHS IN ON NEW DOGGY DIET DRUG
The ASPCA celebrates advances in veterinary science that have led to the creation of Slentrol, a “diet drug” for dogs approved January 5 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and expected to be available with a vet’s prescription this spring. Of course, we’d like to remind pet parents that no drug should replace regular diet and exercise programs, and that it is important to work closely with your veterinarian to determine if your pet would be an appropriate candidate for this treatment.

“Slentrol works by reducing a dog’s appetite and fat absorption,” says Dr. Steven Hansen, veterinary toxicologist and senior vice president of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, the premier animal poison control center in North America. “As with any weight reduction program, Slentrol should be used as part of an overall weight loss and exercise program monitored by your veterinarian. Slentrol will typically be prescribed for three months, and dogs should be re-examined at that point.”

Dogs are defined as obese if they are 20 percent over their ideal weight. Surveys estimate that five percent of American dogs are obese, and another 20 to 30 percent are overweight. Just as in humans, obesity in dogs can lead to health problems, including joint disorders and diabetes.

“Pet obesity is a growing problem that needs to be addressed,” says ASPCA President, Ed Sayres. “However, we want to make it clear that the ASPCA does not consider medication a substitute for proper diet and exercise. This treatment should be considered only for seriously obese dogs, and only if diet and exercise programs have failed and a pet’s weight is endangering its life.”

Pet parents should be fully informed of Slentrol’s potential side effects and work closely with their vets when administering this medicine. Pet parents should also resist the temptation to pop a few Slentrol themselves, as the drug has been deemed dangerous for humans.

ALL for PETZ is a proud member of the ASPCA.