Pet Food Recall - Before melamine there was Urea

May 1, 2007
Before melamine there was Urea. Chinese producers have admitted that they have been spiking US shipments for years. Urea is another Nitrogen-based chemical that has been used to fool US Companies into thinking that they were getting high quality protein products. Urea was used until it started making some animals ill.

Guarding against contaminated products being imported has become quite a problem. According to the Commerce Department, the pet food industry now imports 7 times the amount of animal feed it did in 2000. Wheat gluten and rice protein come in the form of a powder and chemicals like melamine can easily be mixed in (whether intentional or unintentional) and not be detected by the FDA because they are not on its battery of tests.

The FDA oversees a trillion dollars worth of products annually, this includes about half of all imports. The agency regulates about 25% of every dollar that is spent by American consumers annually, so it is impossible for the agency to inspect more than a fraction of all imports. About 99% of all food imports are not inspected.

Lawmakers are calling for an overhaul of the FDA but what do we do in the meantime?

So are any of us safe? It's not looking very promising...especially for our beloved pets.

Try This FREE Recipe for Homemade Dog Food!

Shih Tzu Sushi
1 can salmon, canned, pink—reserve liquid
1 cup brown rice
2 cups water—plus salmon liquid
1 whole egg, hard-boiled—chopped
1/2 cup peas and carrots, frozen—or more if desired
1 tablespoon fresh parsley—chopped
2 tablespoons cod liver oil
1 package Nori Sheets -- *see Note
Drain salmon, reserve liquid for rice. do not remove bones or skin, flake with fork.Defrost peas and carrots.In a sauce pan add salmon liquid, water, brown rice, cook. let cool to touch. In a mixing bowl add salmon, brown rice, chopped egg, peas and carrots, and parsley, cod liver oil. Mix well. place one nori sheet on a flat surface and spread mixture 1/4 inch over nori, leave 1/4 inch edge of nori and dampen with water. And roll. repeat till nori sheets are used, or mixture is gone.Individually wrap in plastic wrap, refrigerate till ready to serve.Cut rolls into size for your doggie.

Note: Nori Sheets is dried seaweed found in the oriental section of your grocery store or specialty shop. This recipe freezes well also.

Healthy Food For Dogs - 245 Recipes For Homemade Dog Foods