We don’t know why, but Hill’s Science Diet is withdrawing from market several canned pet foods.
Thanks to a pet owner in Petsmart today, we know that the follow products are being withdrawn from retail sale…
Science Diet Dog Adult Perfect Weight 12.8 oz
SKU 5210092
UPC 5274229750
All Date Codes/All Best Before Dates
Ideal Balance Slim & Healthy Chicken 12.8 oz
SKU 5210280
UPC 5274230770
All Date Codes/All Best Before Dates
Science Diet Dog Small & Toy Adult Beef Entrée 5.8 oz.
SKU 5092280
UPC 5274249660
All Date Codes/All Best Before Dates
Science Diet Dog Small & Toy Mature Beef Entrée 5.8 oz
SKU 5092282
UPC 5274249680
All Date Codes/All Best Before Dates
Science Diet Dog Adult Beef Entrée 13 oz.
SKU 5117274
UPC 5274270390
All Date Codes/All Best Before Dates
Science Diet Dog Adult Beef & Chicken Entrée 13 oz.
SKU 5117273
UPC 5274270400
All Date Codes/All Best Before Dates
Science Diet Dog Mature Beef Entrée 13 oz.
SKU 5117275
UPC 5274270560
All Date Codes/All Best Before Dates
The Hill’s Science Diet website did not provide any information on this product withdrawal, we do not know if the pet food is a health risk.
susan
November 27, 2015 at 8:22 pm
It has to be profit related. They don’t care about the quality or nutritional imbalance.
John
November 27, 2015 at 9:32 pm
Agreed. I find it funny when the reps for hills come in because they are always saying you need to read the ingredients and if it says “by product” in the listing it is ok as long as they list what type of protein the by-product comes from i.e. Chicken, pork , beef, etc. if it says “meat by-product” then that is bad because you don’t know what you are getting. If you look at Hills Science Diet Adult light 13oz. canned wet food for dogs, I believe it is the 4th ingredient in is “meat by-product”.
Regina
November 27, 2015 at 9:55 pm
John, you should point that out to the science diet reps!!!!
I’d love to know how they respond to being called out on this!
John
November 27, 2015 at 10:04 pm
I’ve been waiting for him to come in so I can point it out
Lexi
November 28, 2015 at 5:27 pm
They should permanently recall ALL the toxic waste they call “pet food.” It sickens me to think of how many veterinarians push this garbage.
John
November 27, 2015 at 8:25 pm
I work for a pet food retailer and last week we received a letter stating due to a labeling issue where I believe they mislabeled some ingredients they were recalling the selected foods and would be out of stock for around a month. They also stated in the food that the food inside is completely healthy to feed to your dog/cat but wanted to pull the affected cans. For each variety, all lot codes and best by dates were affected. Hopefully that gives you the answers to your question.
Regina
November 27, 2015 at 9:45 pm
John, if it was just a “labeling ingredient” issue, couldn’t they just have the correct ingredient list posted at the store, in the same way that the recall was posted?
I really don’t trust science diet, and the ” ingredient labeling” answer sounds too benign. After all, when a recipe changes, they don’t have to update the label for up to 6 months or so. So that answer just doesn’t cut it with me. I’m sure others here would be suspicious also, since most people who follow this website avoid science diet, due to their use of so much corn, wheat, soy, byproducts, etc.
Susan Thixton
November 27, 2015 at 9:50 pm
I too am suspicious of it actually being a labeling issue. That is unless some State Department of Agriculture found something wrong with the label and insisted the foods be pulled from store shelves. It would be nice if Science Diet would be transparent about this and explained to the public.
John
November 27, 2015 at 9:54 pm
That’s the problem, these companies aren’t forced to be transparent so they just blow smoke all day and collect the profits while doing so.
John
November 27, 2015 at 9:52 pm
I’m pretty sure they could just update the labels. I’m not believing the story either. I thought it was a little weird that they sent the letter to the store to have us pull the products before they even announced the recall to the public. Almost seemed like they were trying to get out in front and get us to pull the product immediately before the public bought any more of it. It’s too bad because back in the day they were a decent product and now they are just slightly ahead in ratings above purina and pedigree
Carole Ann Webb
November 27, 2015 at 8:57 pm
What do we do with this food?
John
November 27, 2015 at 9:25 pm
You should be able to bring it back to the retailer you purchased it from.
Regina
November 27, 2015 at 9:51 pm
Carol Ann, I would wait until we find out the REAL reason these items are being recalled. If it is a true health risk, food should be tested to see what’s really in there (salmonella, etc.)
Most of the time they just tell you to return the product to the store for a refund, but doing that, you are unable to get the truth about what was in the can. You can’t get food tested once it is no longer in your hands.
I personally, and most of the people who follow this site, avoid science diet anyway, because we avoid corn, wheat, soy, byproducts, which are very much present in science diet foods.
I would look into finding a more natural food for your pets.
tyuij
August 31, 2016 at 8:32 am
What would be a good canned food to feed a dog?
Regina
August 31, 2016 at 2:53 pm
I don’t want to make a specific recommendation, because every dog is different, with different taste and texture preferences. If I were to buy canned dog food, I would only buy from a company that ONLY makes pet food from real food ingredients. I don’t buy anything made by a big conglomerate, only from small entities that only make pet foods. Find a brand that hasn’t sold out.
Through Susan’s website, we’ve learned that Merrick bought Castor and Pollux,and then was bought by Purina,
Zukes was bought by Purina. Spot Farms is actually by Purdue, the big chicken producer.
Wellness and Old Mother Hubbard brands are owned by an investment firm that was involved in Coal Mining.
Just try to find out who actually makes a pet food, and whether or not the money you pay for it actually goes to folks who are still just in the business of making good food, and the money isn’t trickling up to a big conglomerate.
Pet Owner
August 31, 2016 at 3:53 pm
The trick is to confirm the origin and quality of the ingredients used. Both most especially the meat! Is the protein (meat) USDA Inspected and Approved. And (if it wasn’t obviously being diverted into Pet Food) would it otherwise be suitable for human consumption? Otherwise, in food that isn’t Endotoxins can be a concern, because residual bacteria is not necessarily eliminated through high heat processing. Remembering that dogs usually eat the very same meal daily. Other concerns would be about the carb (corn, rice, potato). Cheaply made foods can use “economy” grains/starch subject to mycotoxins, mold, and excessive arsenic. The corporately owned companies as the other Follower mentioned, could be subject in this regard. But other says, that buying in bulk and volume has an advantage for better pricing, and therefore a company not having to settle for “seconds” to get the discount pricing. I am sorry to hear about those brands mentioned above (in the old days, Wellness was a possibility, Merrick, and others). So investigate the smaller, privately owned companies and ask the questions mentioned here. I did use Mulligan’s Stew for awhile (years ago) and the Rep was honest enough to tell me, they couldn’t continue making the quality kibble they wanted to, for an affordable price (so they quit dry). But still sell canned. Again, those same questions would apply. Best to alternate with whole foods, some raw, and hedge your bets among brands which “seem” trustworthy. Get your assurances confirmed via email.
Susan Thixton
November 27, 2015 at 10:00 pm
A Hill’s Science Diet Account Manager who subscribes to TruthaboutPetFood.com newsletter mistakenly responded to my email (me) I sent out instead of forwarding it to I suspect someone internal (received tonight). Their email said…
“I remember we talked about this now. Do we have an official response?”
Regina
November 27, 2015 at 10:27 pm
Oh, Susan, that’s funny! Are you going to reply back to the person?
I’d love to hear whatever response you get.
Susan Thixton
November 27, 2015 at 10:29 pm
I did reply – asking for a reason for the withdrawal. It’s been about an hour now – no response.
Kim
November 27, 2015 at 10:49 pm
That is funny. I cannot wait to hear how they get out of that one.
T Allen
November 28, 2015 at 8:22 am
That’s hilarious! Can’t wait for the official (= lie) response which will happen after the attorneys get together. Anyone who hasn’t read Bill Marler’s book, “Poisoned”, I highly recommend it. It will really open your eyes to how the food industry (pet & people) works in the US.
Julie C.
November 28, 2015 at 10:19 am
Hilarious! I love it!
Linda Kearns
November 28, 2015 at 12:16 am
My vet also said the prescription I/d low fat was also recalled for ” labeling” issues. Companies don’t do that for no reason. They coul just send stickers. I called though and was told vet was still feeding to her own dog.
Steve J
November 28, 2015 at 2:06 pm
Linda, I would find a new vet who knows better than to feed his own pet that junk!!!
Pacific Sun
November 28, 2015 at 3:03 am
Well has anybody CALLED 800-354-4557 to find out why, and whether the error is limited to one canning plant? I would by-pass the resident phone receptionist and keep asking for the next person’s supervisor over the next until they figure out they won’t b able to get rid of you!). Note the can sizes, recipes, protein lead and food for species diet all vary! So what would be in common to processing (as in an across the board mistake) to all those separate runs? Not labels, NOT ingredients, but probably a fault IN THE CANNING COOKING process. Maybe they were undercooked, so they want to get the evidence off the shelves ASAP. If anyone out there happens to have one of these cans, they should threaten the company that they will test the contents and report the results to the State Dept. of Ag. (unless they get the full truth from the company)! People, you have to play hardball with these companies!!! It could be a nothing mistake, or it could make your pet very sick!
Carole Ann Webb
November 28, 2015 at 10:01 am
I called the 800 number this morning…..they are closed until Monday.
CHUCK LINKER
November 28, 2015 at 3:35 am
FINALLY.
HILLS MUST BE ABOLISHED, CLOSED, ETC. THE 2 WORDS “SCIENCE DIET” HAVE WORKED TOO MANY YEARS. MARKETING DRIVES CARELESS CUSTOMERS TO BUY A PRODUCT WITHOUT ANY CONCERN ABOUT INGREDIENTS. READ THE CAN, IDIOTS. “SCIENCE DIET ” DOES NOT MEAN SCIENCE OR CERTAINLY GOOD DIET. IT MEANS GREED AND FOOD NOT FIT FOR ANY HUMANS IN THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES TO INGEST.
FINALLY.
HOW LONG HAS IT TAKEN TO EXPOSE THE CHICANARY OF HILLS AND THE 2 WORDS THAT ARE NOTHENG BUT MARKETING PLOYS FOR THE PUBLIC—“SCIENCE DIET”
SOUND LIKE IT IS THE BEST? NOT.
MARKETING LEADS UNFORTUNATE PET LOVERS RATHER THAN COMMON SENSE. 95 % OF DOG & CAT FOOD BUYERS CANNOT TELL YOU WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN THE FOOD THEY FEED THIER DARLING PET.. BECAUSE IT IS SOLD OR TOLD BY VETS WHO GET KICKBACK FROM HILLS IT IS GOOD. NOT.
BECAUSE YOUR ANIMAL EATS IT MEANS THEY LIKE IT ? NO. ANIMALS KNOW THEY WANT TO SURVIVE.
THEY KNOW THEY MUST SURVIVE. IT IS A DIFFERENT SPEICIES THAN HUMANS. KNOW THAT. READ INGREDIENTS.
HOW MANY HILLS & SCIENCE DIET PRODUCTS, INCLUDING SCRIPT FOODS USE THE WORDS “BY -PRODUCTS. ? THAT MEANS ANYTHING THAT IS NOT HUMAN QAUALITY — FEATHERS, LEGS, EUTHANIZED ANIMALS, ALL PARTS ANOTHER ANIMAL WILL GET OR GOT SICK FROM INCLUDING THOSE POOR ANIMALS AS A CARCASS.
DO NOT BUY ANY HILLS PRODUCTS. IT HAS GOTTEN AWAY WITH THIS MURDER FOR TOO MANY YEARS DUE TO KICK BACK TO DOCTORS AND GREED. MANY OF OUR VETS HAVE BEEN LYING WHEN THEY RECCOMMEND HILLS THAT THEY SELL. THEY CASH IN. KICK BACK. GET IT?
THE FDA COULD CARE LESS. DO SOME HOMEWORK IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A HEALTHY PET. DO NOT FEED THE SAME GOOD FOOD (NOT ANY HILLS PRODUCTS INCLUDING SCRIPT BRANDS) READ INGREDIENTS. LEARN WHAT BY-PRODUCTS REALLY MEAN. IT MEANS ANYTHING THAT ANY HUMAN FOOD WILL NOT CONTAIN.
EUTHANIZED ANIMALS, FEATHERS, LEATHER HARNESS, EYE BALLS, BEAKS, FEET, ETC. ALL KILLING YOUR DARLING CAT AND DOGS. KEEP THESE ANIMALS AS IMPORTANT TO ANYONE WHO SLEEPS UNDER YOUR ROOF IF YOU LIVE UNDER A ROOF EACH NITE.
DO NOT WANT OR CRAVE A DOG OR CAT IF YOU CANNOT TREAT THAT ANIMAL LIKE YOURSELF. PETS DO NOT NEED HILLS THAT KILLS MORE THAN WE KNOW.
READ INGREDIENTS. READ INGREDIENTS. READ INGREDIENTS. DON’T FEED THE BIG BOX STORE’ WHAT THEY SELL. IF YOU JMAKE $$$ THE PRIME REASON FOR BUYING FOOD FOR YOUR PETS SURVIVAL, DO NOT OWN A PET.
DO NOT BUY IN GROCERY STORE JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE THERE FOR THE FAMILY PASTA OR MILK. BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF. DO NOT BE A VICTIM OF MARKETING. DO NOT MAKE $$ THE PRIORITY. IT IS A LIVING BEING YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO CARE FOR. BECAUSE YOUR CAT OR DOG EATS THE CRAP YOU MAY BUY DOES NOT MEAN IT IS HEALTHY AND PROVIDE LONGEIVITY. TREAT THAT ANIMAL AS YOU DO YOURSELF OR BETTER. THEY ARE AT OUR MERCY. THEY ARE ANOTHER SPEICIES. LEARN WHAT THAT MEANS. DO NOT JUST SAY YES TO EVERYTHING A DOCTOR MAY TELL YOU ABOUT A HILLS PRODUCT. IT IS MORE MONEY FOR THEM. 75% KICK BACK FOR WHAT THEY SELL.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS “THE BEST DOG OR CAT FOOD.” IS THERE THE BEST HUMAN FOOD? NO.
THINK ABOUT IT FOR A MINUTE. IT DOES MAKE SENSE, DOESN’T IT?
BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANOTHER LIVING BEING AS YOU HOPEFULLY ARE FOR YOURSELF AND/ OR FAMILY. ANOTHER LIVING BEING WITH HUMAN QAUALITY NOURISHMENT. THEY ALSO NEED ATTENTION AND LOVE. NOT JUST A BOWL THROWN ON THE FLOOR WITH WHATEVER YOU SEEIN AN AD ON TV OR BIG YELLOW BAG IN COSTO, WALMART, TARGET, ETC. LEARN ABOUT YOUR PET IF YOU CARE ABOUT ANOTHER LIVING BEING.
BECAUSE YOUR DOG OR CAT EATS THE FOOD DOES NOT MEAN IT IS HEALTHFUL FOR THEM. THEY ARE ANOTHER SPECEIS. DO NOT USE HUMAN INTELLIGENCE ON ANOTHER SPIECIES. READ LABELS. YOUR PET SHOULD BE AS IMPORTANT AS ANY ONE ELSE WHO SLEEPS UNDER YOUR SAME ROOF. NOT “”JUST THE DOG..”JUST THE CAT”.
THE HILLS COMPANY NEED TO BE SHSUT DOWN FOREVER BY THE OFFICIALS–FDA–(HA-HA)AUTHORITIES AND STOP THE GRAFT BETWEEN VETERINARIANS AND HILLS PRODUCTS ESPECIALLY SCIENCE DIET DRY & CANNED FOOD.THE PUBLIC COULD CARE LESS BECAUSE OF THIER OWN IGNORANCE AND TREATING PETS AS “JUST THE DOG” OR “JUST THE CAT”.
TREAT YOUR KIDS THAT WAY, THEN.
VETS HAVE TO LOOSE OUT. SORRY DOCS. YOU SHOULD NOT SELL FOOD. SELL QUALITY MEDICAL CARE. THAT IS MORE THAN ENOUGH TO MAKE A VERY LUCRATIVE LIVING FOR MANY HOMELESS ANIMALS INCLUDED BESIDES YOUR FAMILIES. WE AS HUMANS CANNOT CONTINUE TO BE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS TO HILLS AND THOSE DOCTORS THAT PROMOTE GREED FOR THEMSELVES AS REGISTERED & PROFESSIONAL DVMs.
KICK BACK.
READ INGREDIENTS OF SCRIPT DIETS. BY-PRODUCTS MOST OF THE TIME. THAT MEANS WHAT ANY PROCESSING PLANT WILL NOT MIX WITH HUMAN FOOD. OUR PETS GET HILLS WASTE THROWN ON THE FLOOR AND TRUCKED IN A HOT TRUCK TO COLLECT E COLI AND BACTERIA THEN MIXED IN AT HE MANUFACTURING AND PACKAGING SITE WITH UNECESSARY CORN, WHEAT, PEA FRILLERS.
JUST DO SOME HOMEWORK IF YOU CARE ABOUT WHAT YOU MAY CONSIDER YOUR PET. TREAT THAT ANIMAL LIKE YOU WANT YOURSELF OR ANOTHER SENSIBLE HUMAN TO BE TREATED.
FEED WHAT IS HEALTLFUL. IT IS NOT A SCIENCE, BUT YOUR COMMON SENSE IF YOU ARE AN ADULT.
AVOID ALL HILLS. AVOID ALL SCIENCE DIET. BY-PRODUCTS ARE JUST WHAT IT MEANS. BY- THINGS NO LIVING HUMAN OR ANIMAL SHOULD RUIN THIER FRAGILE HEATH BY CONSUMING.
TAKE TIME IN A PETCO, PETSMART TO READ LABELS– NOT MAKING THE $$ SIGN A PRIORITY. ANOTHER BUCK WILL NOT BREAK A BUDGET FOR A LIVING PET YOU CARE FOR AS A HUMAN- CANINE OR FELINE.
PLEASE TAKE ALL THESE WORDS I HAVE TRIED TO HELP YOUR ANIMALS FOR A HEALTHFUL LIFE WITH YOU.
MANUFACTURING AND PROCESSING ARE NOT THE SAME THING. LEARN SOMETHING. YOU HAVE THE TIME IF NOT A LAZY NON-CARING HUMAN
THANK YOU SUSAN THAXTON FOR YOUR TIRELESS WORK SAVING OUR PET’S LIVES.
james gearhart
November 28, 2015 at 11:22 am
AMEN Chuck
Heather
November 28, 2015 at 3:59 pm
You nailed it, Chuck.
I feed raw from reputable companies, shop at a local small-business quality-focused pet store, and am super concerned about providing my animals with high-quality nutrition and appropriate diets – just as I am with my own diet. However my vigilance for keeping them safe and healthy trumps my own – I only store their food in covered glass containers but use plastic for storing my food for example. And I certainly fret more over how to best feed them! I take the responsibility of having lives of animals in my care VERY seriously.
So against my better judgement when my beloved cat (and best friend) was sick before she died, I actually offered her the “promo” can of Hills the vet pushed. I offered it for 2 reasons – she was off her food and had to eat something (I was desperate, having offered her everything healthy already), plus I really wanted to see IF she’d actually eat it. She looked at me as if to say, “Are you serious with this garbage?” And that was coming from a sick cat! Animals definitely know what is best for them. And it’s not in a can of Hills Prescription Formula or whatever marketing jargon they use on the label.
Sitting in the waiting room of that vet practice for the short time before I fired them, it was amazing to see the number of people come in to get their “prescription” foods. Far more than those in for exams. I swear I could hear the cha-ching of greed and marketing with each bag and case that went through the door (I felt so sorry for the animals being fed that inferior food and for their duped owners, and wondered what the practice owner’s house – or multiple homes – must look like..).
It’d be interesting to see the numbers on “profit” (kickbacks) for peddling this garbage vs actual veterinary services provided on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis for vet practices like that one. And yes, I got that same “why do you have a problem with by-products? By-products are fine” spiel from one of their vets. It’s kind of criminal, all this misleading “professional” advice and the kickbacks that follow.
Totally agree – veterinarians should NOT offer foods (in this case, feeds) in their offices. Period. However, even veterinary nutritionists are in the pocket and bed of Big Feed so there’s that aspect. It’s like a full-on racketeering system that needs to be dismantled. Innocent LIVES are suffering because of money and greed.
Actually – such vets are in violation of the Veterinary Oath (from the AVMA website):
“Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.
I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics.
I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.”
Nothing there about being a shill for Big Feed and Big Pharma for that matter, or cashing in on the suffering of animals because of it.
Pacific Sun
November 28, 2015 at 7:12 pm
[In agreement]
Science and Hills doesn’t have to cater to the public. Recall or not they only have to impress Vets. Vets love it when they’re invited down to the headquarters, wined and dined, and are “fed” all the science and research nonsense that goes into their foods. Then the Vets come back all Gung-Ho to sell the food to poor unsuspecting owners.
I sometimes wonder if the “prescription” diets are ever intended to aid in the recovery or healing of a dog (rhetorical question of course). Or if the company believes they only have to sustain the pet for the duration of it’s illness anyway. And once the demise has occurred who will look back on the “prescription” diet as contributing to the issue? Nobody will chalk up the diet as a contributing factor in a pet’s death already diagnosed with an illness anyway. Science and Hills seemed to have cornered a pretty good niche within a captive market place.
Damiane de Wit-Guzman
November 29, 2015 at 7:37 am
How many of us were born with a complete understanding of veterinary nutrition? What did we feed our very first pet? How many of us are here because we stumbled across the info and decided to check it out? How many of us ended up here by doing research BEFORE a medical disaster with our pets? I feel lucky that I didn’t have an unfortunate experience with diet, I was referred by people who had. However, in the end it doesn’t matter because we’re here now thank goodness.
We all had to learn this information over time, some the hard way, we weren’t born with it. Some like me have probably used Hills in the past because we trusted our vet and they trusted Hills. It doesn’t make one a bad person or vet, being misinformed is not a crime and if you don’t doubt the info, you’re not going to research it. That’s simply human nature and why this site and others like it are so important. More available info means more people will come across it even by chance and once the mustard seed is planted, people are more likely to do research. Shaming is not the way to educate, in fact it fosters more contempt prior to investigation. People like Susan are about the truth not chastising people for not knowing it. Let’s save the shaming for Hill’s/SD and companies like them, they KNOW the truth and choose not to reveal it.
The mustard seed is exactly how it happened for me. Being trained by vets who were trained by Hills, I had no reason to think there were any problems. I thought illness occurred mainly because pets were living longer not because of crappy diets. While the former is true, I learned the latter has a much bigger impact than I realized. I have a degree in biology and experience in molecular genetic research so I’d like to think I’m pretty smart. (I went back to vet medicine because pets are my passion!) Point being, my education and experience is all about research but I blindly followed the experts thinking they were more educated in pet nutrition. The consensus was, and still is for the most part, raw is bad. The thought of feeding bones was just preposterous until I learned raw bones are OK, but I was still skeptical. It wasn’t until I heard about 3 different people say they had been feeding their pets raw for decades with not only no problems but way fewer vet visits, no parasites and clean teeth without veterinary intervention (there’s that seed I was talking about!) Then I looked into it, the more I found out the more I researched. I feed my cat freeze dried raw now. Fresh raw is ideal but the ease of freeze dried suits us better.
Currently I own a pet sitting company and it’s scary what people feed their pets. If it’s not Hills/SD or Royal Canin (Hills Jr.), it’s Beneful (YUK!), Iams or the equivalent. Beneful is the foulest thing I’ve smelled next to a decomposing dead animal, it literally makes me gag. On top of that EVERYONE buys jerky treats for their dogs, the very brands that are tainted. All I can do is inform them of the dangers and tell them I won’t be giving jerky treats when I sit. Unfortunately, I have to feed them their regular food, sudden diet changes can be very messy for pet sitters! We already deal with stress diarrhea. I also post articles like this on my business FB page and send emails to my clients regarding recalls and such. The information is there, it’s their choice to heed it or not. I do feel positive that the grain free movement will progress into even more natural pet diets thanks to Susan and folks like her.
Damiane de Wit-Guzman
November 30, 2015 at 6:51 am
(This was meant to be a general comment, I must have clicked reply on your comment by accident!)
Pacific Sun
November 30, 2015 at 3:35 am
Well none of us were born with an understanding of Veterinary Nutrition. It’s not our field, it is not our profession, we shouldn’t have to be scientists, and we shouldn’t have to do research. But we DO. And the reason is because of false marketing, cryptic ingredients, substandard ingredients and NOW dangerous processing methods!!!
It’s very simple. We’re being sold a defective product. But the government doesn’t care. The product (livestock feed!) is meant to sustain an animal for it’s immediate lifespan, and is not intended to fortify the pet for longevity in any way. Could you drink an “Ensure” shake everyday, and eat a Special K Nutrition Bar and survive? Probably. People eat far worse than that (fast food) and miraculously keep on living. But they sure do with a lot of issues!
Frankly I don’t want to know the backstory of the PFI. I’m sick of hearing that people care so little and make a profit for doing so. I don’t have to understand the car industry. But I can buy a Honda and be reasonably sure it will help protect me in a crash. Why can’t the PFI work that way?
There is no shaming involved here. Nobody is criticizing consumers except for those who purposefully ignore the facts they hear because of economy and convenience. But I do question Veterinarians (our primary contact for the health of our pets) for not doing everything in their power to turn nutrition around in the pet’s favor! That IS their responsibility. They ARE in the business of research. Just as your own Doctor will recommend a healthy, balanced meal plan, and discourage your sugar and saturated fat intake. Just because our pets happen to be animals is absolutely no reason for them to be treated less importantly.
I have been following Susan for 8 years, and watched the movement go from many, many people disputing the information provided (yes incredibly) to now very seldom ever seeing dissent or arguments anymore. Social Media is mainly responsible for this and the fact that this issue hasn’t faded away and advocacy is only getting stronger.
Christine
November 30, 2015 at 11:31 am
Normally I hate prolonged internet yelling, but god this is my exact internal monologue of what I want to scream at our customers every day.
Wendy Fne
February 3, 2016 at 4:58 pm
I totally agree about canned/bagged dog food. I cook for my 3 dogs all different ages.. I do sometimes want a back up when I want a day off. When I couldn’t find the can at the pet shop I started asking questions. Not much of an answer. (Problem with label). Months have gone by and the product has not reappeared just something “new” appeared on their website. I called them and not much of an explanation. I don’t want to get worried about it so..I’m going to stick with my cooking even If I’m half asleep.
Damiane de Wit-Guzman
November 28, 2015 at 6:49 am
If it is a labeling issue, they still need to take the product off the shelves but they could have just stated the label is wrong instead of all the secrecy crap. They should take a tip from Blue Bell, admit the wrongs, correct them and move on. I live in Texas, no Blue Bell was a BIG deal to us! lol It’s back on the shelves and I thoroughly enjoyed my pint of Dutch chocolate last night without a worry because they are an honorable and forthright company who cares about consumer welfare. (I almost put “consumer health” but we’re talking ice cream ha ha!) If Hill’s would simply handle their issues truthfully, I wouldn’t have as much of a problem with them. If they started making grain free food, I would have even less of a problem with them. I do foresee that happening as consumer demands are changing, too bad they didn’t do it for the right reasons, proper animal nutrition and health.
I was a vet tech for almost 10 years and bought the Hills/SD lies. When you’re working with experts in the field, you assume what they know is the truth, and so do they. Little did I realize then the power of marketing. When people think they only have one option they often don’t research for another. It’s human nature, some of the most respected vets I worked with and use today are still drinking the Hill’s kool aid but in every other aspect, I trust them with my pets. I just don’t get the Rx diet they may suggest and I take their raw food warnings with a grain of salt. There’s probably more salmonella on the eggs in my fridge than in the freeze dried raw I feed my cat. The flavor I feed her was recalled so I switched to another flavor of the same brand until the chicken and salmon came back on the shelves. Contamination happens, it’s how the company handles it that matters to me.
John when you see the rep next, ask which chicken by product is in the food, beaks, claws or feathers, or all three? and in the beef, hooves or horns? Or all of the above! lol
Anne
November 29, 2015 at 1:31 pm
Ms. de Wit-Guzman,
I lived in Brenham for several years and knew production workers at the Blue Bell plant. Given what I learned about the issues at the plant, I stopped eating Blue Bell. I do hope they have really cleaned up their act and maintain proper cleaning procedures so that you may continue to enjoy the Dutch Chocolate without worries.
Damiane de Wit-Guzman
November 30, 2015 at 6:48 am
Anne that’s a different story! If you have friends who work there and won’t eat the product, that says a lot. Maybe I should be more cautious! My husband and I stopped eating sugary snacks for the most part but he had a craving for ice cream and blamed it on the holiday ha ha
My grandmother worked in a plant that made gum drops and ginger snaps in the 20s. She would not touch either, the woman next to her on the assembly line making sure the gum drops were wet so they can be coated with sugar would just wet the dry ones with her mouth instead of sending them back. As far as ginger snaps, at the end of the day, they would sweep everything off the floor and put it in the cookie dough vat.
OK sorry to get off topic!
Suzanne
November 28, 2015 at 10:34 am
Hills and other big commercial pet food companies teach nutrition at Veterinary Universities because they donate millions of dollars to these schools and that’s how the schools reward them for their donations. So not only are they making crap food and killing our animals they get to promote their products to new veterinarians and get a tax break doing it. I saw at the University of Florida / Gainesville Vet school Hills donation plaques all over the walls, this was a Red Flag for me and should be a Red Flag for others. It’s also the reason they get to label their products as “Veterinary approved” it’s all BS.
Peg
November 28, 2015 at 10:50 am
When the canned cat food is pulled, probably very late Sunday night, then experience tells me it’s more of an improper canning issue than a labeling issue.
Blech
Debbie
November 28, 2015 at 2:18 pm
I’m so glad I found this website (the only one so far in all my searching!) that tells about this recall. we didn’t know anything about it until we went to purchase the food. I think there is more to this recall as the shelves were pretty much bare of most of the flavors and forms.
I know for something as simple as trying to print their coupons, all you get is a snide email back. I don’t expect to receive an answer to my query about the recall on their FB page either.
Liliya
November 28, 2015 at 5:42 pm
I just don’t get it why would somebody feed this overpriced crap to their dogs and cats. That’s where pancreatitis and diabetes come from.
I understand vets are pushing it but come on people, do your own research!
Laurie Matson
November 28, 2015 at 10:10 pm
The majority of the public has no interest in doing research. When I try to educate a friend about the benefits of feeding raw and the problems with commercial pet food, why you do not want to over vaccinate, etc, they look at me like I’m crazy. They either don’t want to research, don’t know how, or are to lazy to. I am getting really tired trying to get them to listen. What may happen is another pet food disaster like in 2007, maybe then people will wake up and crawl out of they’re cocoons !! I am so very sad for our dogs and cats that have to suffer the effects of human ignorance!!
Sarada
December 2, 2015 at 3:13 am
I’ve been making my dogs food for a couple of months using your receipes. However, my cat, poor baby, is still on his royal canin prescription food. I’ve been afraid to change him because I don’t know what it is he is supposed to be avoiding. He is on SO. The vet told me to use Science Diet but I refused, knowing it was crap but I didn’t know Royal Canin was just as bad.
He is a three year old Ragdoll and is as big as my dog.
Any suggestions?
Suzanne
December 2, 2015 at 12:40 pm
Sarada
I’m not a veterinarian but I believe the SO is for Kidneys, it has a lot of salt so the cat will drink more.
I make my cat a raw meat diet using the recipe on catinfo.org the only change is I add more water which they recommend doing if the cat will eat it. On that site she talks about having a cat with Kidney issues, have a look at it, I don’t trust any of these pet food companies.
Wendy Fne
February 3, 2016 at 5:09 pm
it’s what the dog is used to. mine use Royal Canin for small dogs.. bits are flat like flowers. easy to chew. water on it makes a gravy. I tried to change but dogs got the poops. went back and stayed on it. Now the vets in my area use royal canin and not science diet.
Judy
December 2, 2015 at 6:47 pm
these are the folks that make the prescription food for my diabetic dogs, I believe. I’m so frightened. Don’t know what else to feed my sick pups. Ughhh
CHUCK LINKER
December 3, 2015 at 12:13 am
Truth hurts.
Too bad for the animals of ours and perhaps yours.
Hills has always had a bad reputation– Science Diet, etc. Don”t use the excuse, “That’s why we see so much”. Buyers do not read ingredients. Because a relative or neighbor feeds any Hills “food” thier dog nothing but Science Diet is not a reason but an excuse. Science Diet are 2 excellent words that many folks may think “Wow. This must be the best with both those words.” Not so. How many expensed lunches years ago did it take to come up with that that name? SCIENCE DIET !!!! That marketing person got a $7 promotion.
There is no one best dog or cat food. As there is no one best human food. Ponder that. Many factors involved and the main one is not marketing. Why don’t people buy more of whatever is in that “big bright yellow bag?”
Please do something for those devoted Hills consumers and thier pets. Slimn chance, I know but try.
You can and have the facilities & labor.
“But my dog eats whatever I feed him” Yes, because canines as well as humans both need nourishment to llive. However, Hills discourages the best ingredients for longeivity of our pets. Our pets are another
spiecies. Is that news?
Processing and manufacturing are 2 different things. The public is not aware of that.
Will this email make a difference? I doubt it. Please , no form letter in reply. Can’t fight corporate. Pass it on to them. They will shred it without reading.
Opinion of Merrick products—– L.I.D. ??????????????????
To the people at Hills that matter from a lowly consumer ( NOT of any Hills products)
You know the “neckties” where you work all over the place line thier pocket instead of you guys in the
trenches doubting your own conscience but need to make a living. Talk to the big guys,. Your won’t get fired because of your knowledge and honesty if you care about dogs, cats and animal’s lives. Try to redirect thier focus for only 10 minutes. Any supervisor, boss, CEO, etc. should admire an employee and liisten with respect and then act.
Pacific Sun
December 3, 2015 at 4:19 pm
How did everyone reading TAPF get here today? I guarantee you it is ONLY because you’ve been made aware of an ISSUE. 1) People with sick pets looking for explanations. 2) People who care what they eat also care what pets eat. 3) People in shock and awe the PFI can get away with criminal negligence, and 4) People already disgusted with government who realize the FDA is just another prime example of why.
Yesterday I picked up a prescription from the Vet. Met a fellow client utterly “enraptured” with his special 11 year old dog. Couldn’t show enough pictures or tell enough stories. The man would’ve put a 2nd mortgage on his house to finance his dog’s welfare. What was he doing at the Vet? Picking up Science Diet T/O. Asked what T/O stood for. Said Tarter Control! Yikes, feeding a very expensive “prescription diet” for …. (wait for it) …..tarter control and NOT feeding for nutritional enhancement? So what’s the point then?
The client is affluent and just spent $1500 on dental work. So how do you approach this kind of pet owner?
It’s a problem I’m still waiting to solve.
Every single pet owner prides his or her self on doing absolutely the very best for their pet! Some are motivated by economy and convenience (true) but NOBODY is intentionally, knowingly harming their pet. They just are NOT.
And when the Vet is supporting an owner’s desire to do the best, then it’s twice as difficult to share the truth. That’s why Vets are such key players in helping to educate and support pet owners. It’s their MORAL responsibility to be doing as much research on PF as the author of this website is doing. Their should be Vets dedication to nutrition such as in the human medical field. And then to band together as a profession demanding that only the most healthy, long lived producing nutrition be fed to a dog. To do anything less is self serving, and aggravates pet illnesses (obesity turning into diabetes, skin conditions, bad teeth, etc.).
I don’t necessarily feel empowered to “diagnose” some one else’s dog on a Vet visit of my own. Especially in the parking lot. But the owner should have been made aware of 2 things. 1) A raw food, or at least a whole food diet, goes a long way to helping reduce tarter. In fact Kibble actually stains teeth. It’s starchy and clings to teeth. And 2) you can get a year’s worth of non-anesthesia teeth cleaning (monthly maintenance) service for half the cost of a professional Vet deep cleaning and tooth pulling.
Granted your dog has to be healthy, abscess free, no loose teeth, and all work must be done on Vet premises for prompt referral. But the care of a dog is based on knowledge (awareness, info gathering, sharing), experience, access, modest investment, maintenance and not being blindly led by marketing or “name brand” (so-called) reputation.
I think the only way Advocacy is going to make the next leap is for Social Media (and professional channels) to shake the devil out of the PFI’s corruption. There will come a day when the right combination of consumers are fed up and an industry mistake catches everyone’s attention (again). Until then, continue to help family and friends who value your opinion and respect your trust. Do it for the pets!
Wendy Fne
February 3, 2016 at 5:11 pm
I don’t like Merrick. Mush in a can. Smells and the ingredients ( what humans would throw away).My dogs rejected it. I threw it away.
TS
December 4, 2015 at 1:49 am
I have cans of the Adult Beef formula listed on this recall. I’m new to this site and discovered it after researching Hills Science Diet which I have been feeding my dog after a bout of pancreatitis per the recommendation of my vet. I am highly concerned, as I have noticed she seems to not be feeling well the past few days. I am sickened and appalled at what I am reading. I have voiced my concerns with Hills to my vet in the past and was reassured she has thoroughly researched them and has full confidence they are a nutritious product. I wasn’t convinced and switched to a Fromm dry low fat formula, but have continued to supplement with the Hills canned. I feel like a fool for not fully following my instincts and blindly placing my trust in my vet. I pray my little girl doesn’t have any ill effects. Can anyone advise me where I could get this food tested?
Pacific Sun
December 5, 2015 at 6:21 am
My old dog had pancreatitis twice. Accidentally from excess fat in a meal!
We’ve never used prescription food because he’s allergic to chicken in all forms. During recovery he ate rice, non-fat cottage cheese and non-fat greek plain yogurt and gradually worked in some tuna (in water), sometimes drained canned salmon. Then we graduated to baked extremely lean stew meat, all fat drained, and meat rinsed under water. I would grind the meat for easy digestion. Cooked Sweet Potato can be used as a meal filler too. Which is more nutritious than rice! I’ve used Fromm’s Beef too, rotated with Canidae Lamb and Rice. The main thing is to choose a commercial food with the least amount of fat.
Better yet is whole food cooking (no-fat). My dog has also eaten raw (Northwest Naturals) Beef. I’ve heard that raw is actually easier for a dog recovering from pancreatitis to digest. But I always hedge my bets by rotating meal plans, and whole food home cooking is what I trust most. THK Preference can also be used as a base mix too, and adding your own protein. But I’d make sure my dog has fully recovered from pancreatitis first because there are a LOT of ingredients in that mix!
Disclaimer: I am NOT recommending anything to another pet owner, especially to “trump” the advice being given by a Vet. I am ONLY sharing my personal experience with a dog I’ve managed to feed for 16.5 years with (fortunately so far) no chronic illnesses.
Wendy Fne
February 3, 2016 at 5:13 pm
I liked what you wrote. Pass it along. That’s how I’ve learned.
Arielson
December 17, 2015 at 3:21 am
This is really bad news. Their range of canned cat food is pulled as well. I guess I just have to go for homemade cat food for my pets for the time being.