During the course of the Behind the Paw Summit with Iams/Eukanuba, I had the opportunity to tour the plant in Leipsic, Ohio where Iams and Eukanuba manufacture and package much of their dry food. The video below was produced by Iams/Eukanuba but it accurately depicts the sense of pride that the employees feel and express. We had the opportunity to meet many of the people featured in the video. When we split up into smaller groups for the actual tour, Rhonda (featured in the video) was the tour guide for my group.

There were so many things that impressed me about this facility. The thing that still sticks in my mind is how much pride the employees show in their jobs and in their company. They are also quick to talk about and show off their pets. It’s obvious that this group of people are pet lovers, just like us.

This plant is huge, producing over 80 different types of food with close to 1000 different SKUs (stock-keeping units).

The plant is dedicated to safety and quality. They go to great lengths to make sure that their employees work in a safe environment. When we first arrived at the plant, we were escorted into a conference room where we were provided with a written set of safety instructions. We were then given several moments of silence and asked to read the instructions thoroughly before the tour continued. We were required, just like the employees there, to wear hard hats, ear plugs, hair nets and safety goggles as we moved through the various parts of the plant. We also had to remove any jewelry; necklaces, bracelets, watches, anything that could fall off or become entangled in machinery. So, yes, I now own a hard hat. I never thought I’d have need of one of those.

In terms of quality, nearly 200 QA tests are performed before a food is allowed to leave their facility and be sold to the public, including testing for toxins. Samples of each lot of food that is made in the plant are also kept in storage until that particular lot has expired so that, should there be any question about the food, it can be retrieved and tested.

I was impressed with the overall cleanliness of the plant. I really didn’t know what to expect going in and was thinking in terms of touring a meat packing plant back in my college days in Iowa. The meat packing plant was not a pleasant experience. This plant was quite different. Rhonda told us that the goal was to keep the floor clean enough to eat off of and it was. Empty Iams and Eukanuba bags that were accidentally dropped on the floor rather before going into the processing line were picked up immediately and were thrown in the trash. To these people, if a bag hits the floor, it’s contaminated and not fit to have pet food placed inside.

Moving from one part of the plant to another often required cleaning the soles of our shoes by stepping through a foot bath. In especially critical areas of the plant, booties were required to be worn over shoes. Plant employees do the same.

I’ve always had faith in the Iams and Eukanuba brands and I’ve never hesitated to recommend them to my pet parents. I feed Iams for my own cats and have for quite some time now. But, after seeing the plant and how it functions and meeting the people that work there, I feel even more confident. My cats will continue to eat Iams.

I have lots more to offer about the summit and I’ll be doing that in the next several posts. We’ll be discussing why live animal testing is necessary and what types of testing is performed, why cats are bred at the Pet Health and Nutrition Center, and we’ll also talk about some of the ingredients that go into Iams and Eukanuba foods. Stay tuned.

I had the pleasure today of visiting the Proctor and Gamble (P&G) Pet Health and Nutrition Center in Ohio. P&G, in case you’re not familiar with them, manufactures the pet foods Iams and Eukanuba. The Pet Health and Nutrition Center is the facility where P&G scientists and staff carry out live animal testing. We’ll talk more about the different types of testing P&G does in a future post. For now, suffice it to say that they perform no invasive testing. In other words, they do not perform testing that permanently disfigures or maims that animal. For today, I’d like to tell you a little more about their facility.

I have to say, I was very impressed with the facility overall. Their animals, both dogs and cats, are well cared for and it is quite apparent that employees and staff members who work with these animals truly care about them.

Each puppy and kitten that enters the Pet Health and Nutrition Center has what P&G terms a “life purpose.” When they enter the facility, P&G staff know what they hope to accomplish with that animal. Dogs are purchased from breeders who, according to Dr. John Burr, one of the veterinarians on staff at P&G , are carefully screened. On-site visits to the breeding facility are performed. Only responsible breeders who are carefully planning matings based on genetic testing and screening for inheritable diseases are chosen. P&G has no desire to support puppy mills with their purchases. Cats are bred on-premises.

Puppies are started in kindergarten classes shortly after they enter the facility. All of the animals, both dogs and cats at P&G, are well socialized. Dogs are kept in pairs. Cats are housed in a cage-free environment. Both dogs and cats are allowed outdoor access and can come in and go out at will through cat/dog doors. One of the things that impressed me was that, at some point in the past, P&G staff noticed that the previously existing dog doors seemed to be causing arthritic changes in their dog’s necks because the dogs had to push the doors open with their head to go in or out. As a result, they redesigned the doors so that the dogs could essentially just walk through without having to push anything with their head. The existing doors still act to keep the weather out though.

All of the kennel areas, both dog and cat, are open and bright with plenty of windows and sunshine. They are clean, in fact I would almost go so far as to say spotless.

The dog kennels have panels between individual cages inside for part of their length and are open to the adjacent cages for part of their length. This allows the dogs to see their neighbors which, according to Dr. Burr, cuts down on the amount of barking. Indeed, when we entered the kennel area, the dogs were glad to see us and many came to the cage front seeking attention. But there was very little barking or noise inside of the facility while we were there.

The flooring in the inside dog cages are concrete, with the back 4 feet being heated concrete. The outside flooring surface also is concrete. Each cage is equipped with a bed for the dog’s comfort and many had toys for environmental stimulation as well.

Specially trained animal welfare personnel spend time with each dog outside of their cages on a daily basis, often allowing a group of 2 to 6 dogs to interact with one another. Although some of the outdoor spaces have a rubberized type of gravel surface that is easy to sanitize and easy on the dog’s feet, there are also grassy areas where the dogs can play. While we were there, the number of dogs that were interacting with staff members outside of their cages were too many to count. One memorable moment occurred when we passed a pair of greyhounds that were playing in a large dog park-style type of grassy area. When our group walked by, the dogs came over to check us out and say hello. Both dogs ended up running up and down the fence line with one of our group members, Diane Silver from To Dog with Love, as she ran back and forth along the fence.

On the cat side, as I mentioned previously, the cats are kept in a cageless environment. There are 15 cats housed together in a large room with both an inside and an outside area. Environmental enrichment is high on the list of priorities here, with numerous cat shelves climbing the walls of the enclosure taking advantage of vertical space and providing a great place for cats to move upward and survey their home. Toys of all kinds are evident and many cats were using them. We were not allowed to handle any of the cats because they are kept in a specific-pathogen free environment but staff members were present in many of the enclosures interacting with the cats. (We’ll be talking about the specific-pathogen free environment in a later post also and we’ll talk about what it means and why it’s used.)

The largest percentage of the dogs and cats here are available for adoption once they’ve accomplished their assigned task. On average, according to P&G animal welfare staff, cats are placed for adoption at approximately 5 years of age and dogs 6 years of age. The animals are acclimated to a home environment before they are placed for adoption in a special room designed specifically for the purpose, complete with sofas, a bed, a television, kitchen table, all the comforts of home. Dogs are also acclimated to cats before being placed for adoption.

All P&G animals, other than those used in the breeding program (which is only the cats bred for the specific-pathogen free environment), are spayed or neutered. They are vaccinated on arrival as puppies and kittens. Vaccines are updated before they are placed for adoption.

All in all, I am very impressed with the P&G facility and their treatment of the animals in their care. Seeing their facility strengthens my faith in the quality of their pet foods.

Stay tuned in the coming days for more about the Behind the Paws P&G Pet Bloggers Tour.

Not keeping your pet up-to-date on rabies vaccines can have unfortunate consequences. Photo courtesy of Andres Rueda/Flickr.com

I’d like to share with you a true story, one that occurred in the office where I work a few days ago. I warn you, the story is upsetting but it serves to illustrate the importance of knowing and following the rabies laws in your community.

Here is the story: A few days ago, a pet owner, a very nice, very concerned pet owner, brought her dog in to our office to be examined and treated for wounds sustained in a dog fight. The wounds were minor and were easily treated. However, unfortunately, the second dog that was involved in the fight ran off. No one knows where this dog lives or who it belongs to and there’s very little chance of finding out.

The problem arose because the dog that was brought to our office for treatment had not been vaccinated in over three years and was very delinquent in terms of the rabies vaccine. According to the laws of our state and in order to protect the health of the public, the animal control officer has to be notified in a situation like this. The dog was considered to be potentially exposed to rabies given the circumstances under which the injuries occurred. As a result, the animal control office was required to seize the dog and place him in quarantine for six months. Despite the tearful pleas of the dog’s owner, the dog left our office in the custody of the animal control officer.

The situation was upsetting to everyone. Our staff was visibly shaken by the incident. The dog’s owner was distraught. Even the animal control officer felt horribly. But the law is very clear in a situation such as this one. So, the dog will remain in quarantine at our local animal shelter for the next six months. At the end of those six months, assuming that the dog is still healthy, he will be released back into the custody of his owner after being vaccinated for rabies.

The really troubling aspect of all this is the fact that none of it was necessary. Had the dog been vaccinated against rabies, the event would still have still had to be reported. The dog would probably still have needed to be confined, but the confinement would have been 45 days as opposed to six months and it’s likely that the owner could have confined the dog at his home.

This is an tragic example of what can happen if your pet is not vaccinated against rabies. Don’t take it for granted that your pet will never be involved in an experience like this. This dog’s owner didn’t think so either. If your pet is not currently vaccinated against rabies, make an appointment with your veterinarian to have it done.

Don’t think that cats are exempt from needing vaccinations either. Cats, particularly those that live part or all of their lives outside, are at even higher risk of exposure than most dogs.

Today marks the beginning of National Dog Bite Prevention Week 2012. Nearly 5 million dog bite injuries occur every year in the United States. Many of those injuries involve children and many of them are preventable. This great infographic provided by the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association offers some simple precautions and tips to help prevent dog bites.

Courtesy of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association - Click on image to enlarge

The video above shows the images captured from a video camera attached to the collar of outdoor pet cats. The footage is fascinating though probably not really unexpected. Among the activities captured on film were cats stalking their neighbor’s chickens, encountering opposums and other wild creatures, navigating rooftops and moving through sewers. One cat was even found to be leading a double life with a second completely unknown (to his other owner) family welcoming him home and providing care for him.

While the footage is interesting to watch in and of itself, it also serves to spotlight the dangers faced by outdoor cats. Certainly, cats living indoors lead much safer lives with far less risk. Researchers examining this video footage noted that outdoor cats faced a risky situation at least once a week. That’s something for us, as cat owners, to think about before we open the door to our feline companions and let them go exploring.

Those of you who know me know my cats are strictly indoor cats. They enjoy watching the neighborhood happenings through the windows and doors of our house but they do not venture outside. Too many outdoor cats in my neighborhood have disappeared, likely as dinner for the local coyote population. And while I don’t blame the coyotes and I understand that they need to eat to survive, their meals certainly do not need to be my beloved companions. So, my cats will remain indoors where they can sit in the window and watch the birds and the squirrels but not experience the risks of adventuring outdoors.

All humans who are owned by a cat know that they can be finicky eaters. What seemed good yesterday is left to molder in the bowl today. The human, of course, worries and frets about a missed meal and will many times supplement feedings with tasty snacks. It’s important to both read the nutrition labels of the snacks given and to avoid using them as a meal replacement. Treats always contain higher amounts of calories per serving and should be reserved for rewards and training.

Nutritional Needs of Cats

Much like their wild counterparts, domesticated cats need protein, some fat, and an even lesser amount of carbohydrates. Most of their energy is derived from the breakdown of the proteins and fats. Excess amounts of carbohydrates, such as grains, end up being stored away as fat cells. Over time this leads to digestive problems and obesity. An overweight cat is prone to health conditions that can become life-threatening.

Check labels carefully to ensure there is a rough forty percent each of protein and fat and twenty percent carbohydrates. (Editor’s note: Consult your veterinarian to determine the proper ratio of protein, fats and carbohydrates in your cat’s diet. Many factors go into choosing the correct nutritional balance, including your cat’s life stage, health factors and body condition.) Products such as beef flavored cat treats that contain the right percentages will be more than palatable to even the pickiest of cats.

Treats and the Obese Cat

Cats can still be given treats when they are obese, as long as the condition is taken into consideration. The first step is to visit with your veterinarian and get some suggestions on dietary changes. They will most likely recommend a lower calorie food that will help bring down the weight over time. There is a wide variety of cat treats available that are dietary in nature. They generally contain lesser amounts of carbohydrates and fats, yet maintain the levels of protein that your cat needs. The selections of healthy cat treats vary from chicken, tuna, salmon and beef flavor cat treats. There are exotic blends that are sure to please the most picky of eaters.

Careful Shopping Yields Positive Results

Keeping your cat happy and healthy is as easy as a little comparative shopping. If a product doesn’t give you the nutrition information you need to make a healthy choice, then don’t buy it. It’s really that simple and defined.

Your feline friend is completely dependent on you to ensure the caloric content and nutrition provided is exactly what is needed. Don’t settle for poor quality when it comes to the health and longevity of your cat.

Consideration was provided for the editing, review, and publishing of this guest post.

New changes in the pet food manufacturing industry will, hopefully, improve the safety of your dog and cat's foods. Photo credit: jurvetson/Flickr.com

According to this article in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), new preventive measures that have been proposed in the pet food manufacturing industry are aimed at improving the safety of pet foods.

In early April of 2012, the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), the Pet Food Institute (PFI), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) all came together in Schaumburg, IL for the Petfood Forum during which they discussed their
work to improve pet food safety. According to the JAVMA article,

“The American Feed Industry Association recently rolled out voluntary programs to certify that facilities that manufacture pet food or pet food ingredients meet certain safety standards. The Pet Food Institute is expanding model manufacturing principles that it developed after the melamine contamination. The FDA has begun to implement provisions of the Food Safety Modernization Act that will impact pet food manufacturers.”

Leah Wilkinson, AFIA director of ingredients and state legislative affairs, third party certification programs, the Pet Food Manufacturing Facility Certification Program and the Pet Food Ingredient Facility Certification Program, are based on the principles of risk management. Offering audits for US- and Canadian-based manufacturers, these certification programs cover a variety of important areas, including hazard analysis, preventive controls, corrective actions, record retention, supplier standards, and safety specifications for ingredients and final products.

The Model Commercial Pet Food Manufacturing Principles was compiled by the members of the Pet Food Institute after the melamine scare. They are now working an expansion of those principles.

The Food Safety Modernization Act proposed by the FDA offers new preventive controls for manufacturers of pet foods as well as other animal feed manufacturers and human food manufacturers. The act also provides for the verification of foreign suppliers. According to Michael R. Taylor, FDA deputy commissioner for foods,

“The rule on foreign suppliers will call for importers of food not to rely on FDA inspectors to detect problems at the port of entry but to verify that foreign suppliers produce the food in accordance with U.S. standards. The FDA will propose another rule by which the agency will recognize accrediting bodies for third-party certification programs in the international arena.”

While I think it is important to remember that this latest pet food recall resulting from Salmonella contamination is nothing like the melamine scare of 2007, it is still good to see that additional safety protocols and procedures are being put into place for the well-being of our pets as well as their human caretakers.

There are many reasons a dog might be constantly thirsty and drinking excessive amounts of water. Photo credit: bigbirdz/Flickr.com

Having access to clean fresh water is important for all dogs. But what does it mean if your dog seems thirsty all the time and is drinking excessively large amounts of water?

Drinking excessive amounts of water is known to veterinarians as polydipsia. Polydipsia is simply a technical term that means your pet is thirsty all the time. It may or may not be accompanied by polyuria, an increase in urine volume. In other words, your dog may urinate more than normal also if he is drinking large quantities of water.

What Can Make a Dog Drink Excessive Amounts of Water?

Anything that causes your dog to become dehydrated may cause an increase in water consumption. This is your dog’s body’s way of trying to replace lost fluids. It is the reason why you should always take water with you when you are expecting to engage your dog in heavy exercise in warm temperatures. Your dog can become dehydrated and may need extra water to replace the moisture he has lost. Search and rescue dogs, for example, that are working or training in warm temperatures often fall prey to excessive moisture loss and require extra water to replace the loss. This is a normal physiological process and does not indicate illness. It can lead to severe consequences if not addressed properly though.

There are, however, a number of diseases that can cause your dog to drink too much water. These diseases include:

• kidney disease and/or kidney failure
• liver disease and/or liver failure
• infection, such as pyometra (infection of the reproductive tract)
• diabetes mellitus
• Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocortisism – an overactive adrenal gland)
• hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland – rare in dogs)
• medications, such as prednisone/other corticosteroids, furosemide/other diuretics and phenobarbital
• fever
• diarrhea
• cancer
• leptospirosis

Dogs eating dry foods will naturally drink more water than dogs eating wet diets because of the difference of moisture content within the diet. This is normal.

What Should You Do If Your Dog Seems Thirsty All the Time?

If your dog seems thirsty all the time, you should not limit his access to water unless your veterinarian tells you it is okay to do so. With some diseases, your dog can actually become dehydrated if he does not have access to adequate quantities of water. This may further complicate your dog’s illness.

Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to find out why your dog is so thirsty. Expect that your veterinarian will want to test your dog’s blood and urine. Additional testing may be necessary depending on the results of initial blood and urine testing.

This series of videos, presented by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), provides a basic rundown of how to care for a new puppy, including how to choose the right puppy, surviving the first night with your puppy, establishing a daily routine, socialization, basic training, how to choose a veterinarian, your puppy’s first veterinary visit, puppy-proofing your home, and more.

First of all, I’d like to wish a very happy Mother’s Day to my mom (who doesn’t even have a computer, let alone internet access and will never read this blog) and to all of you moms out there with both two-legged and four-legged kids. I hope you’ve had a wonderful day.

Now, on to the our pets. Are you thinking it would great for your dog or cat to be able to celebrate Mother’s Day? If you are, then think again! The best gift you can give to your female pet is to not let her become a mother. Have your female dog or cat spayed.

Why have your pet spayed? Because she’ll be healthier for it. We’ve talked about this before so rather than repeat the information again, I’ll simply point you to some of the relevant information. Follow the links below for more information.

For those of you who want to have your children see the “miracle of life” unfold, or want to see it yourself, watch the video below. Beware: the video is graphic. It shows the normal birth of a puppy. You’ll see the puppy struggling to be born, see all the mess that birthing produces. You’ll see the mother dog eat the placenta. If you have a weak stomach, don’t watch.

This is what a pet goes through in the birthing process. It’s messy, it’s painful. And there’s the potential for complications which could take your pet’s life.

If you have any doubts about spaying your dog or cat, post them below and perhaps we can answer your questions and convince you that spaying is the best thing to do for your pet.

Happy Mother’s Day…to you but not to your pet!