Fleas aren’t the only reasons dogs may be constantly scratching their itchy skin. Allergies can cause skin irritation as well. Just as with people, dogs are most commonly allergic to pollen, dust — and food, which accounts for around 15 percent of allergies in both dogs and cats.
If you suspect your dog has a food allergy — the usual symptom is severe itching, and some dogs also have gastrointestinal problems — visit a veterinarian. Your vet will examine your dog and “will probably recommend skin or blood tests, or a special elimination diet, to find out what’s causing the allergic reaction,” according to the ASPCA. (Years ago, through this process of eliminating foods, we discovered early in his life that our dearly departed Pit Bull, Larry, was allergic to chicken.)
The following cool and comprehensive infographic, created by Ghergich & Co. for Petco, provides lots of information about food allergies for both dogs and cats, as well as tips for how to start an elimination diet.
There’s nothing quite like the funky, earthy stench of a dog who’s just walked in the rain or gone swimming in a lake. We can’t grab a towel fast enough, am I right, pet parents?
That wet-dog odor is caused by microorganisms that live in dogs’ hair, according to Compound Interest, a website that takes a closer look at the chemical compounds people come across every day. The site and its infographics were created by Andy Brunning, a chemistry teacher in the U.K.
When water is added to the microorganisms in a dog’s hair, the foul-smelling organic compounds they produce are able to break free. As the water evaporates, the compounds increase in the air, as does the odor.
The chemical identities behind the wet-dog smell are complex. “There’s no one molecule that causes man’s best friend to morph into your nose’s worst enemy with the addition of water,” Brunning writes. “Instead there’s a cornucopia of molecules that contribute, which individually can have wildly varying smells, but combined make a soggy dog a smelly dog.”
Brunning notes that, “perhaps unsurprisingly,” few studies have been conducted on the source of wet-dog odor. A study several years ago identified several compounds whose concentrations increased when a dog’s hair was wet.
“These encompassed a whole range of independent odors, from ‘sulfurous,’ to ‘medicinal,’ to ‘fruity’ and ‘earthy,'” Brunning writes. “They also found that the concentration of some compounds increased more drastically than others.”
According to Brunning, additional research is necessary to authoritatively identify the chemicals causing the foul wet-dog odor.
“Until then, we at least know that it’s not the dogs themselves we should be blaming for smelling terrible, but rather the microorganisms they carry,” he concludes.
To help prevent wet-dog odor, pet parents can regularly brush and bathe their dogs to remove some of those microorganisms, advises Dr. Mary Fuller on VetStreet.com. If your dog smells funky even when he’s dry, Dr. Fuller says to take him to a veterinarian. A foul odor can be a symptom of a skin or ear infection, periodontal disease, digestive issues or other health problem.
“Whatever you do, avoid spraying perfumes or scents onto your dog’s coat to cover up the smell,” Dr. Fuller warns. “These products can be irritating and might just make the smell worse.”
Next up, I hope Brunning creates an infographic that explains why dogs’ paw pads smell like corn chips.
Nature’s Variety is voluntarily recalling some Instinct Raw Chicken Formula for Dogs products because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.
According to a news release today, Nature’s Variety, which is based in St. Louis, Mo., was notified by the FDA that a routine surveillance sample from a 7-pound bag of Instinct Raw Chicken Bites for Dogs tested positive for Salmonella.
Salmonella can affect animals as well as people who handle the contaminated food. The symptoms for both people and animals include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. If you or your pet experiences these symptoms after handling or eating the recalled product, see a doctor or veterinarian. No illnesses from the recalled product have yet been reported.
The recalled Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Frozen Diets products were distributed through retail stores in the United States and through limited distribution in Canada.
Only the following products are included in the recall:
Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Bites for Dogs — 4 lb. package; UPC# 769949611431; Best By 04/27/16
Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Bites for Dogs — 7 lb. package; UPC# 769949611448; Best By 04/27/16
Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Patties for Dogs — 6 lb. package; UPC# 769949611486; Best By 04/27/16
The Best By date is located on the back of the package, below the seal.
If you purchased the recalled product, stop feeding it to your dog, monitor your dog’s health and contact your veterinarian if you have concerns. To obtain a full refund or exchange, return the product in its original packaging or bring a proof of purchase to the retailer where you bought it.
For more information about this recall, call Nature’s Variety consumer relations team at 888-519-7387 daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. CDT, or email cservice@naturesvariety.com.
This recall was announced just one day after Bravo Pet Foods announced a voluntary recall of more than 100 cases of its raw Bravo Blend Chicken Diet for Dogs & Cats, also because of Salmonella concerns.
Photo via instinctpetfood.com. Additional photos of product labels are available on the FDA website.
More than 100 cases of Bravo Blend Chicken Diet for Dogs & Cats chubs are being voluntarily recalled because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.
According to a press release today from Bravo Pet Foods, which is based in Manchester, Conn., the products were recalled after routine testing by the New York State Dept. of Agriculture revealed the presence of Salmonella contamination.
Salmonella can affect animals as well as people who handle the contaminated food. The symptoms for both people and animals include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. If you or your pet experiences these symptoms after handling or eating the recalled products, see a doctor or veterinarian. Bravo Pet Foods has not yet received any reports of illness in either people or animals.
This is the fourth voluntary Bravo Pet Foods recall since 2013. The company primarily sells frozen and freeze-dried raw food for dogs and cats.
In March 2013, Bravo recalled some of its Raw Food Diet Chicken Blend for Dogs and Cats due to Salmonella concerns.
In May 2014, the company recalled several products that were possibly contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that is generally harmless to pets but can cause sometimes fatal infections in people.
The 105 cases of pet food in this latest recall were sold to distributors, retail stores, internet retailers and directly to consumers throughout the United States.
The following product is being recalled due to the possibility of Salmonella:
Bravo Blend Chicken Diet for Dogs & Cats – Chub
Item Number: 21-102
Size: 2 lb. (32 oz.) chubs
Best used by date: 12-05-16
UPC: 829546211028
The following three products did not test positive for Salmonella, but are also being recalled “out of an abundance of caution” because they were manufactured in the same facility and on the same day as the products that tested positive:
Bravo Balance Chicken Dinner for Dogs – Patties
Product Number: 21-401
Size: 3 lb. (48 oz.) bag
Best used by date: 12-05-16
UPC: 829546214012
Bravo Balance Chicken Dinner for Dogs – Chubs
Product Number: 21-402
Size: 2 lb. (32 oz.) chubs
Best used by date: 12-05-16
UPC: 829546214029
Bravo Blend Chicken Diet for Dogs & Cats – Patties
Product Number: 21-508
Size: 5 lb. (80 oz.) bags
Best used by date: 12-05-16
UPC: 829546215088
If you purchased any of these products, do not feed it to your pet. Dispose of it safely, such as in a securely covered trash can, or return it to the place of purchase. Submit the Product Recall Claim Form available on the Bravo Pet Foods website for a full refund or store credit.
For more information about the recall, visit the Bravo Pet Foods website or call the company at 866-922-9222 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT.
Photo via BravoPetFoods.com. Additional photos of product labels are available on the FDA website.
The Natural Dog Company is recalling 12-ounce bags of 12″ Tremenda Sticks dog chews because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.
The recalled treats were distributed to stores in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Utah and Washington.
According to a news release from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Colorado Dept. of Agriculture discovered Salmonella in a sample taken from a 12-ounce package of 12″ Tremenda Sticks, which contain beef tripe.
Production of the product has been suspended while the FDA and Natural Dog Company investigate the source of the problem. No cases of illness from the product have been reported.
Natural Dog Company, Inc., is based in Windsor, Colo. The Tremenda Sticks were made in Brazil, according to the package label.
Incidentally, some I and love and you dog chews manufactured in Brazil were recalled last week, also because of Salmonella concerns. The week before, some Vital Essentials Frozen Beef Tripe products were recalled because they tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.
Salmonella can affect animals as well as people who handle the contaminated food. The symptoms for both people and animals include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. If you or your pet experiences these symptoms after handling or eating the recalled product, see a doctor or veterinarian.
The recalled 12″ Tremenda Sticks are packagedin 12-ounce bags with the UPC number 851265004957. There is no lot number or expiration date.
Products with new packaging that includes both a lot number and expiration date, and the same UPC number, are not affected by this recall.
If you purchased the recalled product, do not give it to your dog. Return it to the retailer where you bought it for a full refund.
For more information about the recall, call the Natural Dog Company at 888-424-4602 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST.
Photo: FDA
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