Tag

Pet Food

All articles tagged with #pet food

Reducing the Environmental Impact of Pets

Originally Published 5 months ago — by The New York Times

Featured image for Reducing the Environmental Impact of Pets
Source: The New York Times

Pets like dogs and cats have significant environmental costs, mainly due to their meat consumption and waste, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution. To lessen their impact, owners can choose more sustainable pet foods, responsibly manage pet waste, keep animals under control to protect wildlife, and adopt from shelters instead of buying. Smaller pets and vegetarian options can also reduce the ecological footprint of pet ownership.

Young Scientist Reveals Hidden Dangers in Pet Food Preservatives

Originally Published 1 year ago — by Science News Explores

Featured image for Young Scientist Reveals Hidden Dangers in Pet Food Preservatives
Source: Science News Explores

Mackensey Wilson, a 14-year-old aspiring veterinarian, investigated the presence of the potentially harmful preservative BHT in three popular dog food brands, finding about 0.1% BHT in each, despite it not being listed on their labels. Her research, inspired by her dog's health issues, earned her a finalist spot in the 2024 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge and a second-place Science Award. Mackensey highlights the importance of organization and encourages others to try science projects for the learning experience.

"Pet Owners' Changing Priorities: The Shift Towards 'Human-Grade' and Lower-Priced Pet Foods"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by BBC.com

Featured image for "Pet Owners' Changing Priorities: The Shift Towards 'Human-Grade' and Lower-Priced Pet Foods"
Source: BBC.com

Pet owners are increasingly opting for "human-grade" pet food, with brands offering fresh, nutritionally balanced meals that resemble what humans eat. This trend reflects a growing concern for pets' well-being and a desire to provide them with the best possible nutrition, even if it comes with a hefty price tag. While some experts caution that expensive specialty diets may be more for the owner's peace of mind than the pet's actual benefit, the trend continues to gain traction as consumers prioritize their pets' health and happiness.

"Disturbing Discovery: Customer Exposes Troubling Scene Inside Pet Store Dumpster"

Originally Published 2 years ago — by Yahoo Life

Featured image for "Disturbing Discovery: Customer Exposes Troubling Scene Inside Pet Store Dumpster"
Source: Yahoo Life

A Redditor shared a photo of a dumpster filled with cut-open bags of pet food, sparking outrage and speculation about a major pet supply chain's wasteful practices. The discarded food, whether expired or recalled, contributes to environmental harm and could have been donated to animal shelters. Suggestions were made to switch to high-quality, all-natural pet food or insect-based alternatives to reduce waste and environmental impact. The incident highlights the need to hold companies accountable for their actions and prevent future instances of mindless waste.

"Purina Debunks Viral Pet Food Safety Concerns"

Originally Published 2 years ago — by Fox Business

Featured image for "Purina Debunks Viral Pet Food Safety Concerns"
Source: Fox Business

Purina has refuted online rumors alleging that its pet food has caused illness in hundreds of animals, emphasizing that there are no health or safety issues with its products. The company conducts 100,000 quality checks daily to ensure the safety of its pet food. Purina urged consumers to reach out with any concerns and advised researching the sources of online posts, while also recalling some prescription dog foods last year due to elevated levels of vitamin D.

"Purina Stands Firm: Pet Food Safe Despite Online Rumors"

Originally Published 2 years ago — by CBS News

Featured image for "Purina Stands Firm: Pet Food Safe Despite Online Rumors"
Source: CBS News

Purina refutes online rumors alleging that its Pro Plan pet food has sickened hundreds of animals, stating there are no health or safety issues with its products and that they can be fed with confidence. The company has investigated the claims and found no data or trend indicating an issue, emphasizing that social media can be used to create unnecessary stress and distrust. The FDA currently has no recall listed for any Purina products.

"Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Pet Food Expands, Affecting Infants and Prompting Recall"

Originally Published 2 years ago — by FDA.gov

Featured image for "Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Pet Food Expands, Affecting Infants and Prompting Recall"
Source: FDA.gov

Mid America Pet Food is expanding its voluntary recall to include additional dog and cat food products due to potential contamination with Salmonella. The affected products, including various brands, were distributed throughout the United States. Salmonella can pose health risks to both animals and humans, and symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever. Consumers are advised to contact their healthcare providers if they exhibit any signs of illness. Retailers and distributors are instructed to remove the recalled products from their inventory and destroy them, while pet owners should not feed the recalled food to their pets and should take precautions to prevent contamination.

Butternut Box Secures £354M Investment for Canine Cuisine Subscription Service

Originally Published 2 years ago — by TechCrunch

Featured image for Butternut Box Secures £354M Investment for Canine Cuisine Subscription Service
Source: TechCrunch

U.K.-based startup Butternut Box, which offers healthy food and supplements for dogs, is raising £280 million ($354 million) in funding from General Atlantic and L Catterton. The company, which already serves several European markets, plans to use the funds to expand further into Europe. With the pet food market valued at $100 billion in 2022, Butternut Box aims to address the issue of pet obesity by providing customizable dog-friendly meals and snacks through a subscription service. The funding round reflects the strong market demand for pet-related products and services.

"FDA Investigates Pet Food and Heart Disease: Key Facts to Understand"

Originally Published 2 years ago — by NBC News

Featured image for "FDA Investigates Pet Food and Heart Disease: Key Facts to Understand"
Source: NBC News

The FDA has been investigating a potential link between grain-free pet foods and diet-related dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs since 2018. DCM is a condition where the heart weakens and enlarges, making it less efficient at pumping blood. The FDA has reported 1,382 cases of diet-related DCM in dogs and a smaller number in cats. A study suggests that high levels of peas in certain pet foods may be a culprit. While the FDA has not recalled any pet food products, experts recommend switching to a traditional diet if a dog shows signs of heart failure. The problem may be more widespread than reported, and more research is needed to understand the specific ingredients causing heart damage. Symptoms of heart failure in dogs include decreased activity, tiredness, coughing, and decreased appetite.

Pet owners prioritize spending on pets despite inflation

Originally Published 2 years ago — by USA TODAY

Featured image for Pet owners prioritize spending on pets despite inflation
Source: USA TODAY

Despite inflation, pet owners in the US are willing to spend the same or more on their pets as they do on their children, with food and healthcare topping the list of expenses. Growth in premium spending has outpaced traditional mainstream dog food since 2019. Pet owners are willing to cut spending on themselves to ensure their pets enjoy the same quality of life. The pandemic has heightened the desire for pets, with almost 50% of new dog owners saying their decision was influenced by it. Americans see their pets as the "ultimate return on investment."

Pet Owners Reject Gourmet Dog Food, Demand Better Options.

Originally Published 2 years ago — by The New York Times

Featured image for Pet Owners Reject Gourmet Dog Food, Demand Better Options.
Source: The New York Times

The pandemic has led to a surge in pet ownership, and with it, an expanding market for fresh, human-grade dog food. Companies like The Farmer's Dog and Ollie are marketing their customized pet food as less processed and more closely resembling human diets. However, some pet owners are finding that their dogs are unimpressed with the expensive food, and veterinarians caution that there is little research showing that these new brands are more nutritious than traditional dog food. The trend towards human-grade dog food is also driven by a wave of distrust among certain dog owners over the concentration of large companies dominating the pet food industry.