Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula samples, 6 pound and 18 pound bag sizes, manufactured on Aug. 26, 2011, have been added to the limited voluntary recall, due to potential exposure to Salmonella. No illnesses have been reported.

The product was distributed in the following states, further distribution through other pet food channels may have occurred:

· Colorado

· Illinois

· Kentucky

· Louisiana

· Michigan

· Minnesota

· Missouri

· Oklahoma

· Pennsylvania

· South Dakota

· Tennessee

· Texas

· Wisconsin

Production Code & Best Before Dates:

DSL0801, 26-Aug-2012

DSL0801, 26-Aug-2012

DSL0801, 27-Sept- 2012 (Product manufactured on Aug. 26, 2011 and packaged on Sept. 27, 2011)

DSL0801, 18-Oct- 2012 (Product manufactured on Aug. 26, 2011 and packaged on Oct. 18, 2011)

DSL0801, (Samples)

Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like replacement product or a refund, may contact Diamond Pet Foods via a toll free call at 1-866-918-8756, Monday through Sunday, 8 am – 6pm EST.

We encourage consumers who have purchased Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula dry dog food with the specific production codes and best before dates to discard the product. Diamond Pet Foods apologizes for any potential issues this may have caused our customers and their dogs. No dog illnesses have been reported.

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula – dry dog food:

35 lb – CLF0102B31XCW, Best by Date 27/JAN/2013

35 lb – CLF0102B31XCW, Best by Date 28/JAN/2013

35 lb – CLF0102B32XWR, Best by Date 28/JAN/2013

6 lb – CLF0102B3XALW, Best by Date 28/JAN/2013

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula dry dog food is manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods and was distributed in Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia, who may have further distributed the product to other states, through pet food channels. The company is working directly with distributors and retailers who carry these products to remove them from the supply chain.

Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Individuals handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. Healthy people infected with salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. According to the Centers for Disease Control, people who are more likely to be affected by Salmonella include infants, children younger than 5 years old, organ transplant patients, people with HIV/AIDS and people receiving treatment for cancer.

Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like replacement product or a refund, may contact us at 800-442-0402.

Diamond Pet Foods is voluntarily recalling Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice. This is being done as a precautionary measure, as the product has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. No illnesses have been reported and no other Diamond manufactured products are affected.

Individuals handling dry pet food can become infected with salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. Healthy people infected with salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The product, Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice, was distributed to customers located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia, who may have further distributed the product to other states, through pet food channels.

Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice 6lb
Production Code: DLR0101D3XALW
Best Before 04 Jan 2013

Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice 20lb
Production Code: DLR0101C31XAG
Best Before 03 Jan 2013

Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice 40lb
Production Code: DLR0101C31XMF
Best Before 03 Jan 2013

Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice 40lb
Production Code: DLR0101C31XAG
Best Before 03 Jan 2013

Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice 40lb
Production Code: DLR0101D32XMS
Best Before 04 Jan 2013

Consumers who have purchased the Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice with the specific production and “Best Before” codes should discontinue feeding the product and discard it.

For further information or to obtain a product refund please call 800-442-0402 or visit www.diamondpet.com.

Word at the dog park is that Trupanion Pet Insurance is now covering all the Hill’s Prescription Diet and Science Diet Healthy Advantage pet foods as part of its insurance coverage.

The insurance will cover about half the cost of therapeutic pet foods including Hill’s Prescription Diet pet foods for two months. As well, you will receive a discount on the monthly insurance premium for the therapeutic pet food, as long as it’s continued feeding of the brand, which is only available through veterinary hospitals. If you work in veterinary healthcare, you can find out more about the program by calling 1-800-569-7913 or by contacting your Trupanion Territory Partner. If you want to learn more about Trupanion’s pet insurance policy’s, you can visit the Trupanion website.

Question: Would you go with a pet insurance company just to get a discount on pet food? Leave us your comments below.

The reason for the recall is the products may contain higher-than-acceptable levels of aflatoxin. Cargill is not aware of any dogs getting sick, but is recalling the dry dog food as a precaution.

Product affected by this announcement:

See this FDA link for more information

Annamaet dog food products are manufactured and produced by Annamaet Petfoods, Inc. based in Sellersville, Pennsylvania. It was created by Robert Downey, an experienced breeder and racer of Alaskan Husky sled dogs. Their dog food formulas are a product of studying and observing the relationship between the diet and good health of 40 sled dogs—from puppies to retired geriatric huskies. The company was named after Robert Downey’s mother, Anna Mae.

All of Annamaet’s products are formulated to meet the AAFCO profiles for all life’s stages. The company’s processing plant has been EU-certified and has undergone inspection by USDA and APHIS.

Annamaet claims the use of only human-grade meat-based ingredients and whole grains and a variety of natural ingredients. They also claim that their products are free from chemical preservatives, glutens, soy products, animal by-products, artificial colors and flavors.

There are five Annamaet dry premium dog food products and three grain-free formulas which are available in the market.

We highly recommend Annamaet dog food brand, especially it’s grain-free formulas which are among the best that we have reviewed. Annamaet dog food’s contain very high quality ingredients and significant meat content.

The first ingredient of Annamaet’s dog food rations is a protein-rich animal source which is considered a meat concentrate. These primary ingredients include chicken meal and catfish meal. Compared to raw meat ingredients, these meat meals contain 300% more protein thus these meat concentrates are more viable protein components of dog food products.

Other meat-based protein ingredients of Annamaet dog food products include venison meal, menhaden fish meal, chicken and catfish meal. Except for chicken, all the other ingredients are meat concentrates. Although chicken is an excellent protein source, it is a raw ingredient which means that its water content is quite high. Processing causes evaporation and loss of moisture from fresh ingredients thus leaving only a fraction of the original weight of the ingredient.

Brown rice is also called “hulled rice”, “unmilled” or “partly milled” rice.  It is a whole grain ingredient where only the husk or the outermost layer of the germ has been removed leaving only the bran layer and germ intact. Brown rice has a better nutritional content compared to white rice which has been polished and stripped of important nutrients. Brown rice has a low glycemic index which can help support the stability of blood sugar levels. It is also rich in B-vitamins, iron, some fatty acids and fiber.

Millet is a grain cereal which is considered a source of plant-based protein.  Its protein content is similar to that of wheat. Millet also contains B-vitamins, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and magnesium. It is gluten-free thus it is not viewed as an allergen in dog food.

Rolled Oats are oat groats which have been rolled into flat flakes, steamed, and toasted. It is a good source of dietary fiber, thiamine and iron.

Pearled barley is barley where the hull and bran has been removed. It is a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Pearled barley contains high amounts of starch. It has lesser nutrients than barley because the nutritious bran layer has been removed. It is often used as a binder for dog kibble.

Flax seed meal provides high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, considered to be essential fatty acids which can reduce inflammation and help preserve the integrity of cell membranes. Flax seed meal is also rich in magnesium and vitamin B6.  With its good fiber content, it is important in gastrointestinal health and stabilizing blood sugar levels.

Canola oil is rich in healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It possesses an anti-inflammatory effect on injuries and is an essential nutrient in maintaining your dog’s healthy skin and coat.

Dried tomato pomace is made from tomato skin, pulp, and seeds. It is an excellent source of the antioxidant, lycopene, and fiber. Tomato pomace is a by-product when tomato is processed into juice, sauce, etc. Many dog owners view tomato pomace as a controversial ingredient because of the possibility that the tomato skin may contain high amounts of pesticide residues that can be introduced into the dog food.

There has been no indication that probiotics or beneficial bacteria have been added after processing.

Chelated minerals have been added to ensure easier absorption and utilization.

Many dog owners have positive feedbacks on the use of Annamaet dog food products for their dogs. They are especially pleased with the absence of potential allergens.

On the other hand, there are some dog owners who have expressed misgivings on the presence of corn in some Annamaet rations.

Overall, we very highly recommend Annamaet dog food formulas. We believe that their grain-free formulas are among the best formulas that we have reviewed to date and contain excellent quality ingredients.

Please visit the links listed below for Annamaet dog food reviews by formula.

Have a comment or question about our Annamaet dog food review? Want to share your experiences with others? We welcome your comments!

Annamaet Choice Food Formulas:

Annamaet ENCORE Dog Food
Annamaet OPTION Dog Food
Annamaet EXTRA Dog Food
Annamaet ADULT Dog Food
Annamaet ULTRA Dog Food
Annamaet Grain-Free SALCHA Dog Food
Annamaet Grain-Free AQUALUK Dog Food
Annamaet Grain-Free MANITOK Dog Food

Annamaet Dog Food Consumer Ratings

Halo dog food products are manufactured and marketed by Halo, Purely for Pets based in Tampa, Florida. Aside from being a maker of premium dog food products, the company’s popularity can also be attributed to its famous co-owner and celebrity endorser, Ellen DeGeneres.

Halo’s dog food formulas are tailored based on a holistic approach to pet nutrition. The company’s guiding principles – “balance,  nature, and love”— form the base of a pet product development program which is geared towards optimum health, wellness, and vitality of your pets.

Halo claims the use of only real meat sources like chicken, turkey, lamb, beef or wild salmon. Farm-raised fruits, vegetable and whole grains have also been added with no flavors, artificial colors, or preservatives.

All of these dog food rations have been designed to meet the AAFCO nutrient profiles—two for growth and four for adult maintenance.

Ingredients

Halo’s protein component is mainly composed of fresh meat sources— like chicken, salmon, and lamb.  Although these are all viable sources of high quality protein, raw meat contains high amounts of water (about 80%).  Processing results in the loss of moisture which can leave only a fraction of the ingredient’s original weight as the main source of protein.

Chicken includes the flesh and meat without accompanying bone and devoid of feathers, feet, entrails, and heads.

Salmon is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids which are essential in maintaining your dog’s healthy skin and coat. This type of fatty acids also helps boost immune system functions and preserve the integrity of body cells. Studies have also shown that dogs with food-based allergies do well with Halo rations containing salmon.

Many dog owners might wonder why eggs are listed right after the meat-based protein source in most Halo dog food products. Eggs are considered one of the best sources of digestible protein, selenium and riboflavin. Eggs is known for having a complete amino acid profile thus it is suffice to say that eggs have the highest biological protein value.

One thing to remember about eggs includes the factors that can affect the ingredient’s quality. Eggs from commercial hatcheries usually have lower quality. Eggs have also been implicated in outbreaks of salmonellosis and other food-borne infections.

Pea protein is produced when the starchy component of peas has been extracted. It contains amino acids which can contribute to the total protein content of the dog food.

Oats is a grain cereal which is commonly used in livestock and pet foods.  It is a good source of soluble dietary fiber and it is the only cereal which contains the globulin protein, avenalin. The protein content of oats is comparable to that present in soy, meat, milk, and eggs. It also contains essential B-vitamins, and minerals.

Vegetable broth is present in all Halo dog food products. Although it is almost devoid of essential nutrients, it lends an appetizing flavor and aroma to the dog food.

Pearled barley is an excellent energy-source for dogs. It is a form of barley wherein the hull and bran has been removed. It is a cholesterol-free ingredient with low fat content. It contains high amounts of soluble and insoluble fiber. With a low glycemic index, it can help maintain your dog’s stable blood sugar levels.

Chicken fat is a product of rendering. Its linoleic acid is viewed as the highest among all animal sources. Linoleic acid helps your dog maintain healthy skin and coat.

Flaxseed is considered as one of the best sources of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids. It is also rich in soluble dietary fiber.

Probiotics or beneficial microorganisms have been added to the surface of the kibble after processing. These friendly bacteria have been proven to boost a dog’s digestive and immune health.

Chelated minerals, where essential minerals have been chemically attached to proteins, have also been added. Chelated minerals have the advantage of being better absorbed and consequently utilized in the body.

Customer Reviews

Many owners are happy with Halo dog food formulas. They reported lesser digestive problems including vomiting and diarrhea in dogs given Halo dog food products. There are also lesser hypersensitivity reactions which have been observed. However, there are many dog owners who point out that Halo’s prices are quite higher compared to other dog food products in the market.

Overall, we believe that Halo produces good quality formulas and we highly recommend this brand. While it is a very pricey alternative, those that can afford it, should be more than happy with the quality of ingredients, meat content and digestibility.

Please visit the links listed below for Halo Spots Stew dog food reviews by formula.

Have a comment or question about our Halo dog food review? Want to share your experiences with others? We welcome your comments!

Halo Spot Stew Dog Food Formulas:

1. Halo Spots Stew Puppy Wholesome Chicken Dog Food
2. Halo Spots Stew Puppy Wild Salmon Dog Food
3. Halo Spots Stew Adult Wild Salmon Dog Food
4. Halo Spots Stew Adult Wholesome Chicken Dog Food

Halo Spots Stew Dog Food Consumer Ratings

Flint River Ranch pet food company was founded in 1993 by Jim Flint, a passionate pet owner who set out to formulate a dog food ration for his pet because he was complete dissatisfied with the commercial dog food products. He was able to create a dog food formula which incorporated the essential nutrients that he thinks his dog needs without chemical preservatives and potentially harmful additives. What started out as a personal undertaking became a thriving family business based in Georgia. They offer 7 dry dog food formulas, dog treats, and a line of dog supplements.

Overall, we believe that Flint River Ranch is a good dog food brand and would place it in our mid-tier of brands in terms of quality and meat content.

There has been no Flint River Ranch dog food formula which has been included in the FDA dog food recall list however it is advisable to check with the FDA website before selecting the best dog food for your pet.

The company’s website does not state any AAFCO nutritional adequacy statements however they claim to exceed the nutrient guidelines established by AAFCO.

Flint River Ranch dog food formulas have specific meat-based ingredients which are listed as the first ingredient which may mean that it constitutes a considerable percentage of the entire formula. These protein-rich ingredients include chicken meal, duck meal, and lamb meal. These meat meals are considered meat concentrates which means these ingredients contain 300% more protein than raw meat sources.

The Flint River Fish & Chips Trout and Potato Formula has Trout as its main source of meat-based protein. Trout is also rich in healthy omega 3 and omega-6 fatty acids which are essential in maintaining healthy skin and hair.

Whole wheat flour and ground whole wheat is a common ingredient in almost half of all Flint River dog food formulas. A good dog food formula should never have whole wheat flour listed down as one of the first five ingredients. It is recognized as a potential food allergen in dog food and has been linked to many cases of hypersensitivity reactions in dogs.

Ground rice is listed as the main energy source however it is not specified whether it’s brown rice or white rice. Each of these types possess varying nutritional contents with the brown rice containing more valuable nutrients compared to the polished white rice.

Ground whole millet is considered a source of plant-based protein. It is also rich in B-vitamins, zinc, iron, calcium, and magnesium. Although it contains the same protein value as wheat, ground whole millet is gluten-free thus it is not considered a potential dog food allergen.

Chicken fat is a good source of essential fatty acids particularly linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, which is necessary in promoting healthy skin and shiny hair coat as well as protecting body cells from harmful effects of free radicals.

Flax seed is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids however it should be incorporated in the dog food formula as flax seed oil or ground flax seeds. Aside from providing essential fatty acids, flax seed is also important in boosting the functions of the immune system and has anti-inflammatory properties. It is also a good source of soluble and insoluble fibers.

Flint River Ranch dog food products are not without a number of controversial ingredients. Aside from those which have already been mentioned, other controversial ingredients include brewer’s dried yeast and wheat germ meal.

Wheat germ meal is a by-product of the wheat milling process. It is recognized as one of the most common allergens in dog food products.

Brewer’s dried yeast adds to the total protein content of the dog food product however it has been used as an inexpensive dog food filler. There are dog owners who believe that yeast has anti-flea properties but there are also those who think that it can increase the incidence of bloat in dogs.

Review

There are many positive reviews from dog owners who are satisfied with the quality ingredients which have been incorporated in Flint River Ranch dog food products. They observed that their dogs were more energetic and had not suffered any digestive problems. However, there are some dog owners that reported allergy reactions after switching to Flint River Ranch. Some deplore the presence of wheat in some of their formulas.

Overall, we believe that Flint River Ranch is a good dog food brand and would place it in our mid-tier of brands in terms of quality and meat content. We would recommend it as the formulas have been careful to avoid any harmful ingredients – we would recommend you add more meat to your dogs diet if you do decide to feed Flint River Ranch.

Please visit the links listed below for Flint River Ranch dog food reviews by formula.

Have a comment or question about our Flint River Ranch dog food review? Want to share your experiences with others? We welcome your comments!

Flint River Ranch Dog Food Formulas

1. Flint River Ranch Dry Water Kibble Dog Food
2. Flint River Ranch Lamb, Millet, and Rice Kibble Dog Food
3. Flint River Ranch Original Puppy and Adult Kibble Dog Food
4. Flint River Ranch Original Puppy and Adult Nugget Dog food
5. Flint River Ranch Senior Kibble Dog Food
6. Flint River Ranch Senior Plus Kibble Dog Food
7. Flint River Ranch Trout & Potato (Fish & Chips) Nugget Dog Food

Flint River Ranch Dog Food Consumer Ratings

	Dog Food	Votes	Consumer Rating
1	Flint River Ranch Dry Water Dog Food	5
2	Flint River Ranch Dog Food	29
3	Flint River Ranch Lamb Meal, Millet & Rice Dog Food	10
4	Flint River Ranch Original Puppy & Adult Kibble Canine Formula	11
5	Flint River Ranch Trout & Potato (Fish & Chips) Formula	20

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Go! dog food dog food products are manufactured by Petcurean Pet Nutrition. The company also produces Now! Grain-Free and Summit dog food formulas.

Go! Natural is marketed as a wholesome formulation wherein the company introduces a “revolutionary way to feed your pet—One Diet for One Life.” The company claims the use of only the best wholesome ingredients to meet the standards of Holistic veterinarians and many pet owners. Each of these dog food formulas has been formulated to meet the AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.

Other well-known features which are associated with Go! Natural dog food products include—feeding up to 40% less; the use wholesome ingredients which have passed through government evaluation and assessment; strict quality assurance standards; and solution formulas which have been tailored to address common health problems in dogs.

Among the four Go! Natural dog food formulas, only one is a grain-free formula.

The different dog food formulas contain meat-based protein sources including chicken meal, deboned chicken, turkey meal, salmon meal, salmon, and duck meal.

Chicken and salmon are fresh meat sources which are excellent sources of meat-based protein. However, since they are still in the raw form, these ingredients contain about 80% water that can be lost during processing leaving only a fraction of the original weight of the protein source.

When a fresh meat source is the first ingredient in a dog food product, it is usually followed by a meat meal like chicken meal, turkey meal, salmon meal, or duck meal. These are considered meat concentrates that contain more than 300% protein compared to fresh meat sources.

The carbohydrate fraction of Go! Natural dog food formulas is composed of brown rice, white rice, oatmeal, rice bran, and potato.
Between brown rice and white rice, the former is the better ingredient. Brown rice is considered a whole grain ingredient because the nutrient-filled outer layer of the grain is still intact. It is a good source of dietary fiber, and B-vitamins.

White rice is produced when the bran and the germ layer is removed. The process subsequently gets rid of the nutrients which are present in the bran.

Oatmeal is well-known for its nutritional and health benefits. It is considered as one of the best grains which are incorporated in many pet food formulas today. Compared to other grains, oatmeal can contribute to the total protein content of the dog food because it contains fair amounts of plant-based protein which is equivalent in amount to soy protein or egg. It is also a good source of digestible fiber, B-vitamins, iron, antioxidants and essential fatty acids. Oatmeal is a hypoallergenic ingredient and is ideal for dogs which are prone to dog food allergies. Because of its fiber content, oatmeal is also a desirable ingredient in weight loss dog food formulas and reduction of incidents of digestive problems.

Rice bran is a by-product in the production of white rice. It is a part of the grain which is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, soluble and insoluble fibers which are important in the health of the gastrointestinal tract.

Potatoes are good sources of carbohydrates, fiber, B-complex, calcium, vitamin C and iron. They are also rich in beta-carotene which is a well-known antioxidant.

Sunflower oil is rich in the omega-6 fatty acid, linolenic acid. It is also good for the skin’s health and acts as an antioxidant that can protect the body cells from free radicals.

Go! Natural dog food products contain a prebiotic in the form of inulin which is derived from chicory. Together with special probiotics, these ingredients can help boost digestive and immune functions.

Chelated minerals are also present which allows easier absorption and utilization of important minerals in the body.

Some of Go! Natural dog food ingredients which are deemed controversial include tomato pomace and garlic.

Tomato pomace is a by-product of tomato processing. Although it is a rich source of dietary fiber, B-vitamins, lycopene and vitamin A, tomato pomace is primarily made up of tomato skin that has the potential of containing pesticide residues.

Garlic powder has been linked to a blood problem, Heinz body anemia, in dogs.

Dog owners like the fact that their dogs can easily adapt to Go! Natural dog food formulas when they switch from another dog food brand.  Aside from increased energy, their dogs also have better skin and coat appearance. However, there are also some dogs that experience digestive problems after having been fed Go! Natural dog food formulas.

Overall, we believe that GO! produces very high quality dog food and would recommend this brand to our readers.

Please visit the links listed below for GO! dog food reviews by formula.

Have a comment or question about our GO! dog food review? Want to share your experiences with others? We welcome your comments!

GO! Dog Food Formulas:

1. Go Canine Chicken Formula
2. Go Canine Duck Formula
3. Go Natural Salmon & Oatmeal Formula
4. Go Grain Free Endurance Formula

GO! Dog Food Consumer Ratings

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