Pet Digest

  Rosemary Extract in Pet Food: Natural Preservative or Hidden Risk? In recent years, more pet food companies have shifted away from synthetic preservatives like BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin. Instead, many brands now highlight “natural preservatives” on their labels—most commonly rosemary extract. Rosemary extract is valued for its natural antioxidant properties, but some pet parents have concerns about whether it may be linked to seizures in dogs. Let’s break down what rosemary extract is, how it’s used, and what the science says about its safety. --- What Is Rosemary Extract? Rosemary extract is derived from the rosemary plant (Rosmarinus officinalis), a common culinary herb. In pet food, it isn’t used for flavor but for its antioxidant compounds, particularly carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid. These compounds help slow down the oxidation of fats and oils in kibble and treats, extending shelf life and preserving nutritional quality. Pet Food Institute – Preservatives --- ...

  Preservatives in Pet Food: What They Are, How They’re Used, and Their Safety When you read the ingredient list on your pet’s food, you may notice names like “tocopherols,” “rosemary extract,” or even less familiar terms like “BHA” or “ethoxyquin.” These are preservatives—and they play an important role in keeping your dog or cat’s meals safe and nutritious. --- What Are Preservatives in Pet Food? Preservatives are ingredients added to pet foods to slow down spoilage. Pet foods—especially those containing fats and oils—are prone to oxidation, which can cause rancidity, bad smells, and the breakdown of nutrients. There are two broad categories: Synthetic preservatives: lab-created compounds such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and ethoxyquin. Natural preservatives: naturally derived compounds such as vitamin E (mixed tocopherols), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and rosemary extract. Pet Food Institute – Food Safety and Quality --- How Are ...

How to Read Pet Food Recall Notices & Lot Numbers When you see a pet food recall in the news, the first question is always: “Does this affect my dog’s food?” The answer depends on the details in the recall notice — and those details can look confusing if you’re not used to reading them. Let’s break it down so you’ll always know what to look for. Key Parts of a Recall Notice Most official recall announcements include the same pieces of information. Here’s what matters: Brand and product name: Example: Blue Ridge Beef Puppy Mix. Package size or format: 2 lb chubs, 12 oz cans, 24 lb bags, etc. Lot number / batch code: A unique code printed on the packaging, usually near the expiration date. This is the most important detail because recalls rarely affect every product made by a company. Best by / expiration date: Tells you when the product should be used by — often paired with the lot number for identification. Reason for recall: Contamination (like Salmone...

Dog Food Recalls in 2025: What Pet Parents Need to Know 2025 has already seen several dog food recalls , many tied to Salmonella and Listeria contamination. Brands like Blue Ridge Beef pulled certain lots of Puppy Mix and Kitten Mix from shelves, while Supercan Bulk recalled pig ear slivers and Savage Pet announced a cat food recall. For pet parents, these headlines can be alarming. But not all recalls mean the same thing — some are voluntary , while others are mandated. So what’s the difference? Why Recalls Happen Pet food recalls usually occur when a product may be unsafe due to contamination or labeling errors. Common triggers include: Bacterial contamination — Salmonella and Listeria can make pets (and humans handling food) sick. Nutritional imbalances — for example, vitamin D overdoses or taurine deficiencies. Foreign objects — plastic, metal, or other materials slipping into a batch. Mislabeling — wrong ingredients or undeclared allergens. Voluntary ...