Raleigh County Animal Shelter ‘desperate’ for dry dog food; weather, economy likely to blame April 17, 2009

Source: The Register-Herald.com, April 16, 2009

Gallagher is a pit bull mix who had a home, but fire destroyed it.

The year-old dog’s family had to move into a homeless shelter, and Gallagher — who sustained first- and second-degree burns in the fire — was sent to the Raleigh County Animal Shelter, adoption counselor Jim Kenney said. Gallagher was adopted but later returned. The person who adopted him could not care for him because of personal health concerns.

Another family gave Gallagher a new home Thursday afternoon. But more than 50 other dogs like him may soon have no food.

The animal shelter, Kenney said, is on the verge of running out of dry dog food, and shelter officials are asking the public for donations. Any type of dry dog food is acceptable.

“We are in desperate need for dry dog food,” he said. “We would be just glad to get anything. If people in general were more aware, maybe they would respond and help out their local animal shelter.”

Both the weather and the economy have basically packed the shelter, Kenney explained. Right now, the facility houses 55 to 60 dogs on a daily basis.

Animal shelters normally have a high number of animals when weather warms up because of puppy and kitten litters, and more animals are roaming freely. But Kenney says the economy is likely aggravating the situation. More people are giving up their pets at the shelter or turning them loose. Animal control officers often find the latter.

Wal-Mart stores donate food, but the supplies are still dwindling.

An area of the building where food is kept is normally filled with 50 to 60 bags of dog food. The shelter had only 10 to 12 bags of dry dog food as of Thursday.

Some dogs at the shelter, Kenney noted, need high-protein food. Often, animals brought to shelters are in poor health or just have an extremely thin build. This food can increase their strength, and people are more likely to adopt a healthier animal.

Kenney said donating dog food — and several other needed items — is a way people can help shelter pets when they cannot adopt. The shelter has enough cat food for now, but he emphasized any type of donated pet food, as well as items like leashes, collars, treats and cleaning supplies, are always appreciated.

He also strongly urged people to do their part to lower pet overpopulation.

“Please, please have your pet spayed or neutered,” he said. “That can prevent situations like this. That is why the shelter stays full. We also have a low-income spay and neuter program.”

The shelter is accepting drop-offs at its facility on Grey Flats Road. It is open between 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Those with further donation questions can call 304-253-8921.

New Wellness(R) WellBars(R) Dog Snack Flavors Receive a Round of ‘Paw-pplause’ April 17, 2009

Source: PRWeb.com

All-Natural Chicken & Cheddar Cheese and Grain-free Lamb & Apples WellBars Guaranteed to Make Dogs Even Happier at Snack Time

TEWKSBURY, Mass., April 16 /PRNewswire/ — Now loving and responsible pet parents who want to show their dogs a little extra love have an even greater assortment of Wellness WellBars flavors to choose from. The Wellness brand of natural food and snacks for pets today announces the availability of two NEW meat-based varieties of their crunchy oven-baked snacks for dogs – Chicken & Cheddar Cheese and Grain-free Lamb & Apples.

WellBars are oven-baked to crunchy perfection using wholesome, real-food ingredients like New Zealand lamb, oatmeal and apples. These wheat-free, bite-sized nuggets are power-packed with vitamins E, C and Beta-Carotene and are perfect for dogs both large and small. Now available in five tasty flavors — Chicken & Cheddar Cheese, Grain-free Lamb & Apples, Whitefish & Sweet Potato, Crunchy Peanut & Honey and Yogurt, Apples & Bananas — WellBars offer the same quality natural nutrition consumers and their canine companions have come to expect from Wellness at snack time or anytime, and are a natural complement to a healthy diet.

“Happy dogs deserve real good snacks, though it’s important to indulge and reward them responsibly,” said Mark Shuster, vice president of marketing at Wellness. “We are delighted to offer consumers (and their dogs) an even greater selection of healthy and guilt-free reward options with our two new flavors of WellBars snacks.”

Formulated as part of a healthy diet, WellBars are packed with pure meat, fresh fruits, healthy grains, and beneficial supplements. And just as with all Wellness natural pet food and snacks, WellBars contain no meat by-products, wheat, corn, soy, artificial preservatives, colors or flavors. Health conscious consumers know that rewarding their dogs with WellBars will ensure health, happiness and well-being to the animals who depend upon them.

New WellBars Chicken & Cheddar Cheese and Grain-free Lamb & Apples Dog Snacks are available nationwide in independent pet specialty retail shops and natural food stores in 20 oz. boxes. To find an authorized Wellness retailer, please visit www.wellnesspetfood.com.

Wellness(R) – Guaranteed Natural Nutrition for the Life of Your Pet

Wellness, a proud member of the WellPet family of brands, delivers lifelong, natural nutrition for pets — guaranteed. The pet professionals at Wellness carefully select all-natural, human-grade ingredients proven to deliver 100% of a pet’s lifetime nutritional needs. To ensure pets enjoy a long and loving life, Wellness guarantees the best natural ingredient sourcing, most meticulous quality assurance and production standards, and nutritional analysis in the industry. Wellness is sold in pet specialty stores and natural food stores across North America and internationally. Visit www.wellnesspetfood.com to learn more.

Port finds home for 12.7 tons of dog food, WA March 26, 2009

Source: SeattlePI.com, March 24, 2009

It’s not uncommon for the Seattle Animal Shelter to get calls from people wanting to donate dog food. So when a woman called late last week about dropping some off, a receptionist told her to leave the bags in a bin near the entrance.

But there was a problem: 12.7 short tons of dog food wouldn’t fit in a single bin.

The Port of Seattle purchased 1,600 bags of dog food in June to test new baggage conveyors at Sea-Tac International Airport.

“The dog food is perfect because of the weight and the way it shifts in suitcases,” Port spokeswoman Terri-Ann Betancourt said. “The manufacturer of the conveyor system actually recommended using dog food.”

Previously, airports used sand and water in conveyor tests, but if a bag broke, the new system would be damaged.

The $40,000 in dog food, paid for by the capital improvement project budget, was used to simulate peak operation. After the conveyor systems were certified in late October, the dog food went to a Sea-Tac warehouse.

“We probably would have gotten rid of it sooner had the snowstorms in November and December not happened,” Betancourt said. “After all that we said, ‘Hey, we have all this dog food.’”

And the Seattle Animal Shelter’s phone rang.

“We have room for maybe a pallet’s worth,” said Kara Main-Hester, manager of shelter volunteer programs and fundraising. “We don’t have a place to put all of it.”

Last week, a staff member called Northwest Harvest, an organization that works with about 300 food banks and meal programs statewide.

“I’m not sure what the plan for distribution is yet,” spokeswoman Claire Acey said Tuesday. “But I can tell you for clients, particularly at the Cherry Street Food Bank in Seattle, their pets are tremendously important to them. We get a lot of requests for dog food.

“This will make a big difference for people, especially those who don’t have much else.”

Port commissioners are typically reluctant to pass capital development resolutions introduced during the same meeting, but were told most of the food had passed its best-if-used-by date. Other bags in the lot have a best-use date that expires March 31.

Tuesday morning, the Port Commission approved an amended resolution that would give the dog food — 1,150 15-pound bags of Solid Gold Millennia and 450 18-pound bags of Diamond Low Fat — to the Seattle Animal Shelter and King County Animal Shelter, which are expected to pass the bulk to Northwest Harvest.

The Port of Seattle Police canine unit also kept some of the goods.

“Coming into an election season,” Commissioner John Creighton said, “I think it’s a pity that dogs resident in King County can’t vote.”

CANIDAE All Natural Pet Foods Introduces New Easy-Open, Easy-Pour, Velcro Closures On 30 Pound and Larger Bags, Offering Convenience and Freshness March 26, 2009

Source: PRWeb.com, March 25, 2009

These revolutionary Velcro closure bags are the first of their kind in the mainstream pet food industry.

CANIDAE® All Natural Pet Foods began rolling out its improved, patented Easy-Open, Easy-Pour bags featuring durable Velcro® closures in March.

CANIDAE bags with the new Easy-Open, Easy-Pour, Easy-Seal feature are beginning to appear in the marketplace now on 35 lb. and 44 lb. “Big Bags” of CANIDAE All Life Stages Formula and will soon be featured on all 30 lb. and larger CANIDAE formulas.

These revolutionary Velcro closure bags are the first of their kind in the mainstream pet food industry. The improved design is a direct result of customer feedback for improvements on CANIDAE’s previous easy open, easy pour bag feature. Designed to keep food fresher longer, prevent accidental spills and keep out contaminants, these easy-to-use bags are designed with an exclusive re-sealable pouring spout that allows the pet owner to dispense just the right amount of dog food then seal the bag by pressing the built-in Velcro strip. These patented bags are much easier to open and they re-close and re-seal time and time again without wearing out. Pet owners get a perfect seal every time. Taping the bag or rolling it down to keep food fresh will no longer be necessary.

These new Velcro closures will appear on the 30 pound bags of CANIDAE Lamb and Rice, Chicken and Rice, Beef and Fish, CANIDAE PLATINUM®, Grain Free All Life Stages, Grain Free Salmon, and on both the 35 pound and 44 pound “Big Bag” of CANIDAE All Life Stages.

Wellness(R) Natural Pet Food Gives Big to Help Dogs of All Sizes in Need February 20, 2009

Donates 120 TONS of dog food to shelters across the U.S. during economic crisis

TEWKSBURY, Mass., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ — Yips of joy and barks of thanks resounded across the U.S. this winter as Wellness(R) Natural Pet Food, under the auspices of its charitable arm, the WellPet Foundation, donated 120 TONS of dog food to animal shelters and rescue organizations nationwide. That equates to one bowl of kibble to a half million dogs, from puppies to seniors!

With the nation’s economic crisis now affecting Main Street as well as Wall Street, many animal shelters are facing challenges in providing enough food and proper nutrition to record numbers of pets being left in their care. The animal lovers at Wellness, who are dedicated to doing the very best for the pets who depend on us, could think of nothing more meaningful than to provide these dogs, who give us unconditional love, trust and companionship, with a gift of sustenance and love through food.

Donations of Wellness Super5Mix(R) Large Breed Puppy Health, Wellness Super5Mix(R) Large Breed Adult Health, and Wellness Super5Mix(R) Small Breed Adult Health were made to the following shelters:

• Blue Lion Animal Rescue of Yoder, CO
• DAWGS N Texas of Dalhart, TX
• West Valley Animal Shelter in West Valley, UT
• Homeward Bound Shelter of Mechanicsburg, PA
• Animal Rescue Food Bank Inc. of Wellsville, PA
• Aspen Best Friends Animal Sanctuary of Kanab, UT
• National Greyhound Adoption Program of Philadelphia, PA

The Aspen Best Friends Animal Sanctuary of southwestern Utah was full of happy howls upon receiving their donation of Wellness dog food. “The more than 400 residents of DogTown here at Best Friends are happily enjoying the best in natural nutrition, thanks to the generous donation from Wellness,” said John Polis, public relations manager at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. “With so many dogs to take care of here at our sanctuary, we are especially grateful for the kindness shown by Wellness in contributing to the health needs of our animals.”

All the tails were wagging with happiness at the National Greyhound Adoption Program in Philadelphia, PA, as the dogs were fed plentifully. “Wellness is such a caring brand; we appreciate their helping us to keep the animals we look after happy, healthy and well-fed during these difficult times,” said David Wolf of the National Greyhound Adoption Program.

DAWGS N Texas, an animal wellness group and sanctuary based in Dalhart, Texas, adds a bark of excitement to the happy throng. “We are thrilled to have Wellness make such a meaningful gift of food to our program,” said Diane Trull of DAWGS N Texas. “It is reassuring to know that our dogs will be well nourished and sustained as we help them to find loving homes.”

Wellness(R) — Guaranteed Natural Nutrition for the Life of Your Pet

Wellness, a proud member of the WellPet family of brands, delivers lifelong, natural nutrition for pets — guaranteed. The pet professionals at Wellness carefully select all-natural, human-grade ingredients proven to deliver 100% of a pet’s lifetime nutritional needs. To ensure pets enjoy a long and loving life, Wellness guarantees the best natural ingredient sourcing, most meticulous quality assurance and production standards, and nutritional analysis in the industry. Wellness is sold in pet specialty stores and natural food stores across North America and internationally. Visit www.wellnesspetfood.com to learn more.

The WellPet Foundation — Responsibility, Passion, Commitment

At WellPet, we are committed to giving back to the world we share with our pets. Through the WellPet Foundation, we support organizations and activities that promote the power of natural nutrition and the benefits of healthy, active lifestyles. Learn more at www.wellnesspetfood.com/aboutus_wellpet_foundation.html.

About Aspen Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Best Friends Animal Society, one of America’s foremost animal rescue organizations, operates the country’s largest sanctuary for abused and abandoned animals. On any given day, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, located in southwestern Utah, is home to approximately 2,000 dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, birds, and other animals. Founded in 1984, Best Friends advances nationwide initiatives by working with shelter and rescue groups around the country. The society also publishes Best Friends magazine, the nation’s largest general interest, pet-related magazine with approximately 300,000 subscribers. For more information, visit www.bestfriends.org.

About National Greyhound Adoption Program

National Greyhound Adoption Program was founded in Philadelphia, PA in 1989. Their main goals are to help find loving, adoptive homes for former racing greyhounds, to provide superior knowledge and support for greyhound adopters and other adoption groups, to educate the public and spread awareness about the plight of the greyhound, and to provide specialized medical care specifically geared towards the greyhound. For more information, visit www.ngap.org.

About DAWGS N Texas

DAWGS N Texas’ primary goal is to find great homes for the animals in their care. They currently house over 600 dogs and 50 cats and have placed over 3,600 animals, in homes or other no kill facilities, over the last six years. They also provide help and support to other organizations throughout the Texas panhandle and into New Mexico and Oklahoma. DAWGS also seeks to create awareness about the need to reduce the number of neglected and discarded animals by providing assistance, education and promoting spaying and neutering. DAWGS N Texas is comprised of children and adult volunteers who care deeply about animals and their community. The organization would like children, in their program, to learn responsibility, commitment, and a sense of caring for animals and community service. For more information, visit www.dawgsntexas.com.

Natura Dedicated to Quality and Safety at All Costs February 5, 2009

Source: PRNewsWire.com, Feb 5, 2009

FREMONT, Neb., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire/ — Despite the higher costs of quality ingredients, Natura Pet Products, makers of Innova, EVO, California Natural, HealthWise, Karma and Mother Nature, remains resolute in producing the highest quality, natural pet food on the market for the good health and safety of companion animals. The company is reiterating this commitment in response to questions posed by consumers and some media members about the plummeting cost of commodities, and why Natura product prices are higher than some of their competitors.

Natura foods do not contain commodity grains, such as corn. Rather than use lower-grade, cheaper ingredients, Natura is dedicated to only using the highest-quality, domestically-produced ingredients whenever possible.

“The price of Natura products reflects the quality of the ingredients, and the nutritional and manufacturing processing required to produce the safest and healthiest pet food,” said Don Scott, President of Natura. “We exercise the strictest control measures in the industry, employ a full-time team of nutritionists, which is not done by many pet food manufacturers, and continue to use fresh fruits and vegetables and the finest USDA-inspected meats.”

Natura owns and operates two dry food manufacturing facilities in Nebraska and California where superior manufacturing processes and strict quality control programs set it apart from all other pet food companies. In addition to becoming the first pet food company to guarantee its products are 100% safe from melamine and cyanuric acid, Natura was the first to guarantee that none of the ingredients it uses are sourced from China. Natura’s Quality Control Program has helped the company achieve many certifications, most recently including ISO 22000:2005 Food Safety Management compliance. The only pet food manufacturer in the United States to receive this superior distinction, Natura ensures its products meet strict standards for food safety starting with raw ingredients and ending with finished products on store shelves.

All of this is backed by a team of highly-trained professionals and board-certified veterinary nutritionists. With less than 40 board-certified small animal veterinary nutritionists in the world, Natura employs the largest number in the pet food industry. These dedicated nutritionists take the lead in enhancing our existing products and developing new healthful foods. “My nutritionist colleagues at Natura and I feel very fortunate to work at company completely dedicated to creating the most healthful pet foods in the world,” said Sean Delaney, DVM, MS, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, Chief Nutrition Officer at Natura.

Continued Scott, “Since Natura is a family-owned business dedicated to our loyal customers and independent retailers rather than outside shareholders, we are able to implement the most minimal price increases we can to continue this standard of quality without sacrificing our industry-leading philosophies. This intense focus on safety and quality consistency is because we choose not to take a cheaper route that would be less healthful. Our products are for pet owners who share this belief.”

For more information about Natura Pet Products please visit www.naturapet.com.

About Natura Pet Products

Founded in 1989 by John and Ann Rademakers and Peter Atkins, Natura is recognized as the most trusted name behind the healthiest dog and cat food products in the world. Natura’s products are formulated, manufactured, and prepared to the highest standards of quality in the industry. Lines include: Innova, California Natural, EVO, HealthWise, Mother Nature, and Karma. For more information visit www.naturapet.com or call (800) 532-7261.

Website: http://www.naturapet.com/

PetSmart Voluntarily Recalls Grreat Choice(R) Dog Biscuits January 22, 2009

Source: CNNMoney.com, Jan 20, 2009

PetSmart (NASDAQ: PETM) is voluntarily recalling seven of its Grreat Choice® Dog Biscuit products that contain peanut paste made by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). PCA is the focus of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigation into potential salmonella contamination of peanut butter and paste made at its Blakely, Georgia facility.

Although PetSmart is not aware of any reported cases of illness related to these products, it has removed these products from its store shelves and website and is conducting the recall as a precautionary measure.

The recalled products include only the following types of Grreat Choice Dog Biscuits sold between Aug. 21, 2008 and Jan. 19, 2009:

• Small Assorted 32 oz., UPC 73725702900
• Small/Medium Assorted 4 lb., UPC 73725700601
• Small/Medium Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700605
• Small/Medium Assorted 10 lb., UPC 73725702755
• Large Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700638
• Extra Large Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700779
• Peanut Butter 4 lb., UPC 73725700766

Customers who purchased the recalled dog biscuit products should discontinue use immediately and can return the product to any PetSmart store for a complete refund or exchange. Customers can visit www.petsmartfacts.com for more information or contact PetSmart Customer Service at 1-888-839-9638.

No other products or flavors are included in this recall.

PetSmart, Inc. is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. The company operates more than 1,107 pet stores in the United States and Canada, 132 in-store PetSmart PetsHotels® cat and dog boarding facilities, and is a leading online provider of pet supplies and pet care information (www.petsmart.com). PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and pet products; and offers complete pet training, pet grooming, pet boarding, doggie day camp and pet adoption services. Since 1994, PetSmart Charities®, Inc., an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization, has funded more than $70 million in grants and programs benefiting animal welfare organizations and, through its in-store pet adoption programs, has helped save the lives of more than 3 million pets.

CUSTOMER INFORMATION AND CONTACTS:
www.petsmartfacts.com
customercare@petsmart.com
1-888-839-9638
NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
Jennifer Ericsson
PetSmart Media Line (623) 587-2177
mediarelations@ssg.petsmart.com

Lawrence animal lovers pack natural ingredients into homemade pet treats, MA January 13, 2009

Source: LJWorld.co, By Sarah Henning, January 12, 2009

When Khristina Kirstatter got her first dog, Maggie, almost 20 years ago, she went to the store to stock up on some treats for the little pup.

Photo by John Henry

Khristina Kirstatter turned her love of dogs into a business, Lucky Paws Bakery. On the left is Nina, a 4-month-old boxer, and on the right is Yuri, a 2-year-old boxer.

When she flipped over package after package, she was appalled to see the unpronounceable ingredients on the back.

“I looked at the ingredients, and when you can’t even pronounce the words, it’s like, that’s not good. And so I started baking for Maggie, way back then,” Kirstatter says. “I was kind of a freak for even thinking about baking for your dogs, because there was no such thing.”

From there, she made it her hobby to make sure other dogs ate as well as hers, soon forming the Lucky Paws Bakery. These days, the Lawrence resident has 40 to 50 dog biscuits in her repertoire — including everything from a blueberry biscuit to one with a garbanzo bean base — and even does custom cakes for doggie birthdays and holidays.

She uses organic ingredients, nothing artificial, and doesn’t even dye the treats specific colors, preferring instead to focus on fun shapes and names — like Peamutt Butter Puppies and Pupparazzi Pizza Pleasers. And her clan of happy dogs gets a chance to taste-test every one before they are sold at Hy-Vee and the Casbah Market, 803 Mass., and on her Web site at www.luckypawsbakery.net.

Dianne Morgan, who is behind Good Dog! biscuits made in Lawrence, says both her clients and their pooches can tell the difference between homemade and store-bought treats.

“Yes, they are different from store brands. First, they are hand-made in small batches on a weekly basis, so they are always fresh. Second, you won’t find any ingredients in our biscuits that can’t be found on a grocery store shelf. And last, they taste better,” says Morgan, who sells her biscuits at The Community Mercantile, 901 S. Iowa, and Pawsh Wash, 1520 Wakarusa Drive, among other places. “Ask any of our clients which product their pets prefer. My own dog won’t even eat a Milk-Bone anymore.”

Kirstatter concurs. She says her animals wouldn’t know what to do with processed foods — and that they’re better for it.

“They’re no different than we are,” Kirstatter says.

Photo by John Henry

Khristina Kirstatter’s homemade dog treats.

One thousand stray dogs die of contaminated food, Taiwan January 6, 2009

Source: www.chinaview.cn, Jan 5, 2009

TAIPEI, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) — Moldy food killed more than one thousand stray dogs in shelters, Taiwan’s agricultural department said on Monday.

The dog food was contaminated with aflatoxin, a chemical produced by fungus, which caused liver damage in the dogs.

On Dec. 22, 2008, the agricultural authority received a report which said more than 300 dogs died at two shelters in Taipei county.

Staff with the shelters said the dogs were extremely weak, jaundice, and had blood in their urine. The symptoms are typical of liver damage.

According to Taiwan media, another 1,000 dogs, with the same symptoms, reportedly died in Yunlin, Tainan and Kaohsiung counties.

The agricultural department did not give any details on when any of the dogs died or how many others might be affected by the tainted food.

The dead dogs were fed with food produced by Ji-Tai Forage Company. The brand name was “Peter’s Kind-Hearted Dog Food”.

The food only went to pet shelters on the island. It was never exported or sold by retailers, the agricultural authority said.

The company, located in Yunlin, made the dog food with 1,500 tonnes of moldy corn which was imported from Pakistan last November.

The company produced 50 tonnes of dog food with that corn. Twenty tonnes of it went to dog shelters on the island.

The agricultural authority ordered Ji-Tai to reclaim and destroy the other 30 tonnes of tainted dog food on Dec. 30, 2008. It said this has already been done, although it did not give a date.

Ji-Tai also produced 1,450 tonnes of pig food with the moldy corn However, Yunlin county authorities found no toxic pig food in spot tests.

It is unknown whether any of the pig feed was exported off the island.

According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), samples taken from thed og food showed it contained up to 150 ppb (parts per billion) of aflatoxin. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the level should not exceed 20 ppb for animal feeds.

In a statement released Monday, Ji-Tai apologized for the contaminated dog food and said it would not shy away from it’s responsibility.

Holiday feasts are not for pets November 20, 2008

Source: <cClatchy Newspapers, By DR. GREG McGRATH, Wednesday, November 19, 2008

At this time of year, veterinarians are especially concerned about what their patients may be eating.

You’ll see our warnings about feeding repeatedly because around this time of year, every year, we see pets brought in with very preventable illnesses caused by improper feeding or a lack of proper safeguards for the garbage can.

The arrival of the holiday season will mean an increase in the number of pets visiting veterinarians for upset digestive systems due to consuming “human food” items. There are numerous tempting dangers for dogs and cats at this time of year.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are typically times of holiday feasts in our homes and can be a source of tempting handouts or plates of leftovers for pets. Feeding dogs and cats foods they are not accustomed to can cause a number of problems, from simple vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, to intestinal obstruction or perforation or pancreatitis. The most serious offenders are fatty handouts such as meat trimmings, bones and spicy dishes. We also seem to see many dogs that develop GI problems after eating tomato-based foods.

A couple of years ago, our hospital had a dog brought in a few days after Thanksgiving that had a severe case of pancreatitis caused by leftover ham. This dog was seriously ill and suffered a great deal over the next few days, though it eventually recovered.

Pet owners need to resist the urge to give their pets leftovers or “people food” as treats, and also be sure trash is secure so that pets don’t get into the garbage for tempting things they can smell. The garbage can adds a couple of new risks to the picture in the form of bacteria that may proliferate on unrefrigerated food and food wrappings such as aluminum foil that pets may ingest from the trash. Even leaving a plate or food item out on a countertop or table can inspire some pets to unbelievable athletic feats, jumping or climbing to a location their owners thought the pet could never get to. Place all leftovers away securely.

One statement I’ve heard time and again about feeding leftovers is some variation of “I smelled it and it smelled bad, so I fed it to my dog.” It never ceases to amaze me. If you wouldn’t eat it, by no means should you feed it to your pet.

The safest rule is never give your pets human food. It’s natural to want to share with our companions during the holidays, but this can lead to unnecessary suffering, not to mention sizeable healthcare bills. Purchase healthy treats made especially for dogs and cats, and give your pet a modest treat (not a handful) when you are enjoying your holiday delicacies.

It’s a type of “tough love,” but you and your pets will be happier and healthier by being careful with holiday foods. Your pet’s doctor hopes not to have to treat one upset tummy from “people food” this year.

Dr. Greg McGrath is a veterinarian at Cedar Lake Pet Hospital in Biloxi, Miss.