Just when you think the on-going Covid pandemic and the unsettling world we live in can’t make the daily grind any worse, well, it just does!
Supply Issues
More than a year and a half into the pandemic, we are still dealing with stock shortages and shipping problems! There may be milk and toilet paper on the shelf this week, but next week it could again be rice, or soup, or some other staple that will be in short supply. Such as trouble finding Thanksgiving dinner items! The supply chain collapse this country is in this year doesn’t just affect supplies for people, but it includes our pet’s food!
…waters ahead for pet food certainly don’t offer smooth sailing, perhaps not for another year or so…
petfoodindustry.com
One of the foods and treats I feed my dogs is on auto shipment, but usually does not ship on time due to being out of stock. In fact, it is so badly out of stock, that most of the pet stores that carry it are having difficulty keeping it on their shelves too. And that is not the only food affected. If you have cats, you are probably having problems getting canned food right now! https://wtop.com/local/2021/10/dont-stock-up-advice-as-supply-chain-disruptions-affect-pet-food/
Financial Hardship
Another recent news item is that many people are having difficulty feeding and vetting their pets due to job losses, housing problems, and the ever-rising costs of feeding families, not just pets. The Dogington Post website has a long list of resources available here: https://www.dogingtonpost.com/need-help-with-vet-bills-or-pet-food-there-are-resources-available/ There are national resources listed as well as by state.
Be sure to check with your local animal services, rescues, church groups, SPCAs and Humane Societies as many of them have pet food banks. They can either offer or refer people to low cost veterinary services as well.
If you are in a good place financially, please consider donating to local food banks for people or pets, to help those who are struggling. This would also help people keep their pets so that they don’t have to give them up to an already overcrowded shelter.
Recalls
On the flip side of supply shortages, there were several brands of pet food that had recalls this year: Earthborn Unrefined, Pure Vita, Fromm and SportMix (and a few others). These are usually not in big box stores, but in local stores or those that make an effort to avoid foods with controversial ingredients. There are still many great foods out there for pets, but you really have to do some research. ..
To be notified of pet food recalls, sign up at http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-recalls/
https://www.petfoodindustry.com/topics/253-pet-food-recalls
Have you considered rotational feeding? There are benefits to switching up your dog’s food from time to time. As long as you made changes slowly, the nutritional advantages are worth it. Here are a couple informative articles about it from the Honest Kitchen and Open Farm Pet Foods.
https://www.thehonestkitchen.com/blog/benefits-of-rotation-feeding-for-your-dog/
https://openfarmpet.com/blogs/news/4-benefits-of-rotational-feeding-for-your-dog
I found a list of foods not recalled as of 2020 – from dogfoodguru.com. But please double check the brands to see if there are any more recent updates. Another good place to get recall info is dogfoodadvisor.com. You can even sign up for notification emails. Those of us working with pet stores or pet rescues find that especially helpful.
Acana
Acana is already a respected dog food manufacturer with plenty of local ingredients. It produces plenty of natural dog foods with no known quality issues. You can purchase various Acana foods online.
Annamaet
The small company is based in the United States and it operates a manageable dog food production line. It’s known for its non-modified ingredients which are part of its foods such as lean chicken that goes through specific testing before putting in production.
Blackwood
Blackwood might just be one of the few brands offering slow-cooked dog food. This ensures all meats are thoroughly cooked and that your dog won’t have to suffer from issues such as Salmonella food poisoning. The food of the brand is also useful for very specific pet-recommended diets.
Canine Caviar is changing as a brand. If the company had very specific diet-based products at the beginning, it now offers plenty of good options to feed your dog daily. Their dry food is different as it’s based on a single source of protein, which may be easier to absorb for some doggies.
Eagle Pack
While fortified with minerals and vitamins, Eagle Pack food is known for its natural ingredients. These ingredients helped the company stay clear of all possible recalls. Furthermore, the brand now offers a good selection of products that can feed your dog regardless of its breed.
Earthborn Holistic – recalled Unrefined line
Based on grain-free formulations, dog food is among the most interesting options if you want your pet friend to live a long life. They also have grain inclusive formulas, and the newest is the Unrefined line, which has had a recall recently due to excess vitamin D. There are some renewable ingredients used by the company. For example, the company runs the Earthborn packaging recycling program.
Fromm-recalled 2 formulas
From is another family-owned company with high trust on our list. Unfortunately for the first time ever, they recalled a few formulas due to excess vitamin D. It features a wide selection of natural ingredients and the fact that it matches its food to very specific dog needs such as those of mature dogs helps its credibility.
Holistic Select
Gut health is a major topic of discussion at Holistic Select. The company believes most of its food should be made with prebiotics to aid digestion and to make the food as easy as possible on the stomach. The company has now expanded its food range into the cats’ world. It’s also one of the few companies that don’t use any meat by-products.
As a brand with no known recalls, Holistic Select enjoys a privileged position in the eyes of pet owners. You can try this anchovy, sardine, and salmon meal for your dog for one of the tastiest meals you can order online.
It comes with 25% protein and a selection of leading ingredients from anchovy, sardines, brown rice, oatmeal, salmon meal, and canola oil. This combination adds high amounts of protein to the diet of your dog as well as excellent healthy fats from salmon. Antioxidants and probiotics are added to enrich the formula. It already enjoys success. It’s rated 4.5 out of 5 on Chewy.com
Life’s Abundance
You wouldn’t guess it by the packaging, but Life’s Abundance dog food hasn’t been recalled. The company uses whole ingredients and it offers products at a competitive price. You can also find various dog supplements at Life’s Abundance. For example, you can purchase skin-benefit formulas as well as mobility supplements that improve joint health from the brand.
Nature’s Logic
Nature’s Logic is one of the brands with a strong personal creed that doesn’t allow it to use low-quality untested ingredients. They even offer organic dog food if you only want your doggie to consume the best foods.
Nature’s Recipe
At Nature’s Recipe, there’s an emphasis on natural ingredients. Its products are in production for over 35 years and they are made according to high standards. There are no by-product meals in their dog foods. You won’t find artificial flavors in Nature’s Recipe either. With no preservatives, their food has little to no chances of upsetting your dog’s stomach. At the same time, your dog is safe from corn as the ingredient isn’t used in the brand’s treats. The brand also features a growing number of options for canned dog food.
Verus
Verus is one of the few brands that use free-dried prebiotics. Practically, it aims to be as beneficial as actual homemade dog food. Made from pure ingredients such as 100% free-range lamb, the company’s foods are among the best. They are made under EU laws in certified European facilities.
Zignature
*Zignature is another manufacturer with no known recalls. It has a very strict formulation policy that doesn’t rely on soy, potatoes, wheat, corn, or gluten. It uses pure meat and healthy fats from sources such as sunflower oil. Most of its foods are made with fortified formulations that also contain vitamins and minerals. (Author’s note: this line is entirely grain-free and poultry free, but does contain *multiple* pea proteins!)
Ziwi Peak
Ziwi Peak is one of the few brands with no recalls that use beef. Their secret is the quality of the beef that makes it to the final dog food. Ziwi Peak only uses New Zealand grass-fed beef alongside quality air-dry lamb. This makes it one of the dog food companies which eliminates preservatives and which eliminates pathogenic bacteria by the air-drying lamb. (This is a very expensive food.)
https://www.thehonestkitchen.com/blog/benefits-of-rotation-feeding-for-your-dog/
Other food options are cooking for your dog, provided that you must add the appropriate vitamins and minerals. You can’t just boil chicken and rice and expect it to sustain your pet’s nutritional requirements. Or if you have to finances, there are some great fresh food delivery services that are pre-cooked pre-packaged foods you can order on a monthly basis, such as The Farmer’s Dog, Ollie, and Nom Nom to name a few. I have previously done a short post on pet food options, but as with everything else, please do your own research if this is an option that might work for you.
Happy dog food hunting!
For The Love of Dogs 