Pet Digest

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 ...

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...

Why AAFCO Isn’t Enough – Recalls, Safety, and What Really Protects Your Dog Last updated: August 2025 In Part 1 of this series, we explored how AAFCO sets nutrient guidelines but does not approve or regulate pet food. While understanding that is important, the real-world impact is most visible in food recalls. Even foods that meet AAFCO standards can pose serious health risks. Let’s dig into why. 2025 Recalls: AAFCO Compliance ≠ Safety This year, several pet food recalls reminded us that compliance with AAFCO nutrient profiles does not guarantee a product is safe. Some notable examples: Blue Ridge Beef Puppy Mix & Kitten Mix: Recalled due to Salmonella and Listeria contamination . These pathogens can be dangerous for pets and humans alike. Despite being formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles, the contamination led to recall ([FDA Recall Notice](https://www.fda.gov/)). Supercan Bulk Pig Ear Slivers: Pulled from stores after Salmonella detection . Pig ears ar...

Who Really Owns Your Dog’s Food? Spotlight on Diamond Pet Foods Diamond Pet Foods is the manufacturer behind many familiar dog food brands like Taste of the Wild, Diamond Naturals, and Kirkland Signature (Costco). While these brands are often praised for their affordability and perceived quality, a deeper look into Diamond’s ownership, manufacturing practices, and recall history is revealing. 🏢 Company Profile: Diamond Pet Foods Parent Company: Schell & Kampeter Inc. Founded: 1970 Headquarters: Meta, Missouri, USA Brands Produced: Diamond Naturals, Taste of the Wild, Kirkland Signature, 4health, NutraGold, Premium Edge, and more Though privately owned and family-operated, Diamond operates several large-scale manufacturing facilities and produces food for numerous private label brands and retailers across North America. ⚠️ Recalls and Food Safety Issues Diamond has a long history of food safety problems, including: 2012: A massive salmonella outbrea...

Hill’s Science Diet is marketed as a veterinary-recommended dog food brand—but it’s also owned by Colgate-Palmolive, a multinational corporation better known for toothpaste and cleaning supplies than pet nutrition. 🔍 Corporate Profile: Colgate-Palmolive Parent Company: Colgate-Palmolive Dog Food Brand: Hill’s Science Diet, Hill’s Prescription Diet Headquarters: New York, USA Founded: 1806 (Colgate), acquired Hill’s in 1976 Global Reach: Distributed in over 80 countries Colgate-Palmolive bought Hill’s Pet Nutrition to expand into the growing pet care market. Since then, Hill’s has become a dominant player in prescription diets, often sold exclusively through veterinarians. 💊 Prescription Diets: Innovation or Monopoly? Hill’s Prescription Diet line targets specific health conditions like kidney disease, obesity, and food allergies. While they are formulated by veterinarians and nutritionists, the proprietary nature of the recipes—and the required vet pres...

Why Rotational Feeding Is One of the Best Things You Can Do for Your Dog --- One Bowl, One Brand, Forever? Not Anymore. For years, pet owners were told to never switch their dog’s food—that it would cause stomach upset or make them picky. But just like us, dogs thrive on variety. That’s where rotational feeding comes in—and it might be one of the smartest choices you make for your dog’s long-term health. --- 🥩 What Is Rotational Feeding? Rotational feeding is the practice of switching your dog’s food on a regular basis. This could mean rotating: Proteins (like chicken, beef, turkey, duck, or fish) Carbohydrates (rice, oats, barley, lentils, sweet potato) Formats (kibble, raw, gently cooked, freeze-dried, etc.) Brands (especially when supporting independent or transparent companies) You can rotate weekly, monthly, or even every bag—as long as the diets are complete and balanced. --- ✅ Benefits of Rotational Feeding Here’s why more pet nutrition experts and holistic vets support it: ---...

🐶 The Hidden Risks of Rawhide Chews for Dogs What Every Pet Owner Should Know Before Reaching for That Rawhide If you’ve ever walked into a pet store or browsed an aisle online for dog treats, chances are you’ve seen rawhide chews marketed as a great way to clean teeth and keep your pup busy. But beneath their shiny packaging lies a product that could pose some serious risks to your dog’s health. Here’s why you might want to think twice before tossing one in your cart. ⚠️ What Is Rawhide, Anyway? Rawhide chews are made from the inner layer of cow or horse hides. The hides are cleaned, chemically treated, and then formed into shapes like bones, twists, and donuts. Often, artificial colors and flavorings are added to make them more appealing. Sounds a little less “natural” now, doesn’t it? 🚨 Health Risks Associated With Rawhide 1. Choking and Intestinal Blockage Rawhide doesn't break down easily in a dog’s stomach. Large or improperly chewed pieces can lead to: Choking Esophagea...