Our Healthy Pets

From our HealthyPetNet May 2009 Newsletter:

“Stay Proactive with Skin and Coat Care

Everybody knows that the cleaner the hair, the shinier and better looking it is.  Not only that, but bathing removes loose, dying skin cells in the first layer of the skin, allowing healthy, new layers to grow.  If you notice any excessive flaking, that’s an indication that skin cells are dying prematurely and are in need of additional nourishment and support. 

A good shampoo includes conditioners, which moisturize as the shampoo cleans.  Inexpensive shampoos often have harsh chemicals which, while providing a rich lather, frequently do not contain conditioners that contribute to a healthy coat and better skin.   The formula for Revitalizing Shampoo was created specifically to help your pet’s coat be lustrous and healthy, all year long!  I formulated our shampoo with fruit extracts, due to their antioxidant properties.  The base itself is very mild, with a built-in conditioner.  This delightful formula includes organic herbs, to provide your sweet companion with the very finest in care products.  As soon as you apply Revitalizing Shampoo, the rosemary and sage begin to penetrate the hair shaft and rejuvenate the hair at the root.  Used for centuries to care for hair, rosemary is a natural antiseptic that leaves skin feeling tingly and invigorated.  Additionally, these organic herbs also help to stimulate the growth of new skin cells, resulting in healthier hair and a more luxurious and shiny coat. 

There’s a reason for our annual fixation.  Dogs usually begin to lose their winter coats in early spring, when it is gradually replaced by a shorter, lighter coat suited to the summer months.  The amount of shedding varies widely from breed to breed.  For example, the pet parents of German Shepherds will groan about the amount of shedding all year long, while those of us with poodles rarely have to get out the broom or vacuum, even with the arrival of summer.  

While we’ve seen that growth cycles can be affected by mood, hormones, and nutrition, changes primarily occur due to fluctuations in the amount of daylight and temperature.   

The length of daylight hours is believed to have a greater impact on the shedding cycle than temperature, which is why all pets shed during particular times of the year.  Even artificial indoor lighting can have an effect, especially on companion animals who stay primarily indoors. 

And companion animals experience big differences in temperature when leaving and entering your home, which is most extreme in the summer and winter months.  These differences induce a constant state of change, setting up conditions that lead to increased shedding throughout the year.   

And an unhealthy coat can have negative impacts on pet parents, too, in the form of allergies.  Contrary to popular belief, hair is not the culprit of allergies in humans, but rather dander and proteins in the oil produced by glands in the skin.   

For all of the hair support systems to function properly, they require a variety of nutrients, including fatty acids, minerals and vitamins.  Additionally, a healthy coat requires a great deal of protein.  Almost 95% of the protein that’s ingested is used by the body to

Just as it is important to feed a high-quality, nutrient-dense food, it is also advisable to give your companion animals a balanced supplement that provides the additional nutritional

 HealthyPetNet’s Skin & Coat Formula for cats and dogs is a unique formula that provides a perfect balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.  These oils are certified-free of contaminants and are microencapsulated to increase absorption, so your pet receives the full nutritional benefit.  Additionally, Skin & Coat Formula contains vitamins A, D, and E, all of which are necessary for the maintenance of healthy skin and a glossy coat.  To ensure the highest product quality, Skin & Coat is manufactured in a human pharmaceutical plant.  And, it has a delicious roast beef flavor that both cats and dogs love. 

No matter the season, HealthyPetNet’s Skin & Coat Formula can help to make your pet’s coat healthy, glossy and beautiful – and keep it that way, all year long. Dr. Jane Bicks” 

From the FDA Update:

“Nutro Products Announces Voluntary Recall of Limited Range of Dry Cat Food Products

Contact:
Monica Barrett
Nutro Products, Inc.                       
(615) 628-5387
monica.barrett@effem.com 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Franklin, Tennessee (May 21, 2009) — Today, Nutro Products announced a voluntary recall of select varieties of NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO® MAX® Cat Dry Foods with “Best If Used By Dates” between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010. The cat food is being voluntarily recalled in the United States and ten additional countries.  This recall is due to incorrect levels of zinc and potassium in our finished product resulting from a production error by a US-based premix supplier.

Two mineral premixes were affected.  One premix contained excessive levels of zinc and under-supplemented potassium. The second premix under-supplemented potassium.  Both zinc and potassium are essential nutrients for cats and are added as nutritional supplements to NUTRO® dry cat food.

This issue was identified during an audit of our documentation from the supplier.  An extensive review confirmed that only these two premixes were affected. This recall does not affect any NUTRO® dog food products, wet dog or cat food, or dog and cat treats. 

Affected product was distributed to retail customers in all 50 states, as well as to customers in Canada, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Israel.  We are working with all of our distributors and retail customers, in both the US and internationally, to ensure that the recalled products are not on store shelves. These products should not be sold or distributed further.

Consumers who have purchased affected product should immediately discontinue feeding the product to their cats, and switch to another product with a balanced nutritional profile.  While we have received no consumer complaints related to this issue, cat owners should monitor their cat for symptoms, including a reduction in appetite or refusal of food, weight loss, vomiting or diarrhea.  If your cat is experiencing health issues or is pregnant, please contact your veterinarian.

Consumers who have purchased product affected by this voluntary recall should return it to their retailer for a full refund or exchange for another NUTRO® dry cat food product.  Cat owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-800-833-5330 between the hours 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM CST, or visit www.nutroproducts.com.

Recalled Pet Food

The varieties of NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO® MAX® Cat Dry Foods listed below with “Best If Used By Dates” between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010 are affected by this voluntary recall.”  

Nutro Products Recall List – Dry Cat Foods

http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/nutro05_09.html

For photos of product label click here http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/photos/nutro05_09.html