Diamond Dog Food Recall

[IcyWolf]

I'm starting to get upset about this, our dog eats Diamond chicken and rice, I absolutely loved it because it is soy, corn and wheat free and is supposed to have all of these quality control checks and here we are with yet another diamond recall. Seriously contemplating searching for a new dog food company which is a shame because our dog does so good on this

Dog Food Recalled Over Salmonella Fears - Local News - Washington, DC - Washington D.C. - msnbc.com

 

[MikeyTN]

Have you checked into 4Health sold at Tractor Supply? I used to feed Diamond years ago. It was ok....We feed our dogs 4Health and they're doing quite well....

 

[vicky2200]

I feel your pain. We've used one of their products for years with great results. I think we are switching.

 

[Molcan2]

Great, that is also what I use. Honestly I've been thinking about switching my GSP because shes only 4 but still using it for my 13yr lab. There is nothing on the market that is comparable to the diamond senior thats easy for me to get. The amount of chondroitin and glucosamine is amazing.

 

[IcyWolf]

Have you checked into 4Health sold at Tractor Supply? I used to feed Diamond years ago. It was ok....We feed our dogs 4Health and they're doing quite well....

Thanks, I'll have to check that out, conveniently, we already get the diamond at TSC. I'm not exactly sure what is causing it but if I'm not careful about what kind of food he is on he gets very itchy to the point he will chew bald spots in himself The only foods that he's been on that have kept his skin in good health was chicken soup for the dog lover's soul and the diamond chicken and rice. I'm thinking it's either the corn or wheat he has a problem with because I eat a lot of soy based foods and share with him and he doesn't have a problem with that.

 

[luvmytooo]

That dog food has been recalled a few times if I remember correctly .
We feed Blue Buffalo and EaglePack.
Wellness has changed their ingredients so many times , I know dogs who have gotten sick from it too. There are a few more good ones like Evo , Natural Instinct , Blue Buffalo has a "Basic" formula for sensitive bellies that has more novel proteins . Blue was recalled , but it was the chicken and they have corrected the ratio of vit k .
I can't think of anymore foods off the top of my head , but I know there are a few more.
I have gone through the same thing , so I can understand your hesitation on picking a new food..

 

[IcyWolf]

I know a good bit about dog food, I spent a good deal of time working at a pet shop that only sold holistic dog food and we had so many people come in with lists of things their dogs were allergic to that I learned pretty quickly what brands had(or didn't have) what ingredients. I really liked Diamond because it was a good quality food without the enormous price tag. I'm really starting to just consider cooking him all of his food myself, at least then I wouldn't have to worry about things like recalls. But then again I would have to start cooking meat which I'm really not thrilled about, this way is so much less icky in my vegan mind lol.

 

[Parrotmamma]

I have tried many and have had to switch a lot . Right now I have been using Natural Balance Limited ingredients dog food . My shih tzu had terrible itchy skin and would break out in hotspots very easily and the Limited ingredient diet has really helped with his skin allergies.
I tried wellness and it made him sick . It really is hard to find a good , safe dog food for our fur babies

 

[KatherineI]

Sorry guys.

I personally don't trust commercially made dog food After Natura Pet Products was bought out by Procter and Gamble, (I used to feed Evo Innova) and then all those recalls a couple of years ago, I quit buying commercially manufactured food. I feed RAW now. It's not that difficult, especially if you also have birds because you're already used to having to do some prep work to feed at least one of your pets. It's not extremely involved; I take a single weekend afternoon or evening to do all my prep work for the week.

I also have a small dog, so it's probably easier than if I had a large dog.

 

[lizardsmells]

I feed the cats Wellness and Merrik. The dogs get fed a raw diet. It's cheaper, actually, than any commercial food I could buy them.

I don't trust most pet food companies at all.

 

[luvmytooo]

Sorry guys.

I personally don't trust commercially made dog food After Natura Pet Products was bought out by Procter and Gamble, (I used to feed Evo Innova) and then all those recalls a couple of years ago, I quit buying commercially manufactured food. I feed RAW now. It's not that difficult, especially if you also have birds because you're already used to having to do some prep work to feed at least one of your pets. It's not extremely involved; I take a single weekend afternoon or evening to do all my prep work for the week.

I also have a small dog, so it's probably easier than if I had a large dog.

YAY !!! SOMEONE ELSE WHO FEEDS RAW !!!!!!
I used to feed raw to all my dogs. I have too many to afford it right now.
D you feed any f the pre packaged raw varieties or do you make your own ?
What supplements do you use ? I know people who get deliveries from butchers. A group got together and ordering bulk , breakdown is a hassle , but in the end it's so worth it !
When I was heavily showing my dogs , the raw kept them balanced . I gave kibble three times a week as well. But the condition these dogs are in proved it was a better diet all around. I would do regular blood panels since I worked in a vet and they never saw such wonderful numbers.
Anyway , it's so refreshing to hear another talk about feeding raw
Most people freak at the idea , but it's not basic you take precautions like you would anyway handling raw meat.

 

[vicky2200]

I'm guessing I am switching to Blue Buffalo because (off the top of my head) its the closest thing in price and quality (IMO its higher quality actually) that they sell at my feed store. I will discuss options with the store owners when we go buy (soon.) I have considered cooking for my dogs, but that will likely increase plaque on their teeth ( I need to start brushing them regularly but they fight me on it.)

 

[KatherineI]

YAY !!! SOMEONE ELSE WHO FEEDS RAW !!!!!!
I used to feed raw to all my dogs. I have too many to afford it right now.
D you feed any f the pre packaged raw varieties or do you make your own ?
What supplements do you use ? I know people who get deliveries from butchers. A group got together and ordering bulk , breakdown is a hassle , but in the end it's so worth it !
When I was heavily showing my dogs , the raw kept them balanced . I gave kibble three times a week as well. But the condition these dogs are in proved it was a better diet all around. I would do regular blood panels since I worked in a vet and they never saw such wonderful numbers.
Anyway , it's so refreshing to hear another talk about feeding raw
Most people freak at the idea , but it's not basic you take precautions like you would anyway handling raw meat.

I buy pretty much all my meat from a local butcher who has very decent prices on grassfed, hormone free meat that I buy for us, so I just buy a little extra for Onyx as well. The butcher just takes certain pieces and chops it up for me since I don't have the space for the tools I need to do that myself. He knows I feed raw, so he never wonders why I ask for that I don't buy anything commercially made for her, even the pre-packaged varieties. I give her Fish Oil but all her blood work and such came back within the normal range so my Vet said it's not necessary to feed her any other supplements. I do a panel every year unless I think there's something wrong. She also has a grain allergy and for the first two years of her life, we didn't know that. She would get really sick and then giving her chicken and rice made her worse. Go figure, she's allergic to rice!! Once I started feeding her 100% grain free, she started gaining weight and her skin issues cleared up. And you're right, it's not different than handling raw meat for your own cooking.

I'm guessing I am switching to Blue Buffalo because (off the top of my head) its the closest thing in price and quality (IMO its higher quality actually) that they sell at my feed store. I will discuss options with the store owners when we go buy (soon.) I have considered cooking for my dogs, but that will likely increase plaque on their teeth ( I need to start brushing them regularly but they fight me on it.)

If you switch to RAW, it will actually decrease the plaque on their teeth. And you wouldn't be cooking, you would literally be taking raw ingredients, it's just prep work. The veggies and fruit need to be turned into a sort of mash/chunky puree and then the meat/bones into appropriate sizes for the breed. Meat and bones should make up 75% of the diet, while the mash/puree and organ meat make up the other 25%. It's amazing how little they actually need to eat in a day. Also, cooking the veggies actually decreases the nutritional value for the dog. Feeding RAW returns the dog back to a natural diet for them; their stomachs and teeth haven't changed in 1000 years, when they were mostly wild and ate whatever prey they could catch. they'd eat the flesh, moving on to the organs and the contents of the stomach, which was often whatever wild vegetation was in the area for the rabbit, squirrel, etc, to eat followed by the bones. Commercially made dog food - which started off corn based - only started being an option in the late 1940's and 1950's, when Corn became a Cash Crop. Before that, dogs were fed a raw diet anyway.

Since I don't work, I often do the meal prep in the middle of the week while there's nothing else going on that needs my attention. I prep the veggies and fruit (very little fruit, mosty veggies) by using a small food processor. Then I combine and appropriately portion all three (meaty bones, organs, mash) into Food Saver bags (or you can use regular baggies). Then I vacuum seal them. I usually do 2 weeks at a shot to cut down how often I have to do it. Since my butcher cuts up the meat for me, It's just the chopping of the veggies and then packaging it into portions that takes up my time. And honesty, it costs the same, if not less, than feeding a 4 or 5 star rated grain free premium commercially manufactured food.

 

[vicky2200]

I hate handling raw meat. Especially meat with bones in it. The idea of watching my dogs chow down on that is appalling. I know many dogs do great on it but it isn't right for us.

 

[luvmytooo]

Brushing your dogs teeth doesnt have to be a huge process.
Next time try using a piece of gauze , wrap around top your pointer finger , and just wipe upper and lower teeth a couple of times , that's it ! If you do this everyday , you break down the saliva that holds the food to the teeth. You won't remove the tarter that is there , but you will prevent more tarter from forming. You don't have to struggle with your dog either , there mouth doesnt have to be open , it's better they are semi closed and relaxed.
Dip your finger into some chicken broth to get them interested in your finger being inside their mouth . We tell people all the time that brushing teeth isnt what they think .
Dogs saliva is very thick and it is equivalent to paste with a little food mixed in.
It will stick to the teeth and cause tons of tarter in a dogs life.
Simply by breaking down the saliva can cut down the tarter by 90%. !
Scaling is what will break down already formed tarter on the teeth. But there are some products on the market that have had great success doing this as well.
I an remember off hand what they are called , but I'm sure they are sold in most pet supplies stores. Dont struggle brushing your dogs teeth ! Just by using gauze can make a huge difference , try it . Dry foods are a huge problem and cause the most of the tarter.
By giving your dog a nice knuckle bone from the butcher once a month can also help lots by scraping the tarter of their teeth when they chow down
And of course , by feeding raw , you cut all the tarter done to nothing !

 

[KatherineI]

I hate handling raw meat. Especially meat with bones in it. The idea of watching my dogs chow down on that is appalling. I know many dogs do great on it but it isn't right for us.

So you don't even handle raw meat for your own diet? I find that hard to believe unless you're a Vegan. It's not the funnest thing in the world, but I personally think that any personal squeamishness should be overpowered by the knowledge that I'm doing what is the best possible thing for my furbaby.

That's where I leave it. Wish you all well in whatever you decide and hope that you don't have to deal with any more recalls.