Copy of the letter from Debra Chow Mars PetCare regarding the recall.
Today, we’re announcing a voluntary recall of selected bags of PEDIGREE Small Crunchy Bites Complete Nutrition and PEDIGREE Large Breed Food For Dogs, both of which are made in our Everson, PA facility. Thankfully, there haven’t been any reports of pets being affected by our food in this recall; however, we feel we must take this action as a precautionary measure after we were alerted of a possible link between dry dog pet food produced at the Everson plant and two isolated cases of people infected by Salmonella Schwarzengrund.
While none of the pet foods found in the homes were determined to contain Salmonella, the strain of Salmonella Schwarzengrund involved in the illnesses was detected in the Everson plant where some PEDIGREE products are produced.
You should know that we have numerous facilities throughout the country and Everson represents a very small portion of our manufacturing base (2.7%) of total PEDIGREE production. Rest assured, you can continue to have confidence in the quality and safety of products produced at all our other facilities.
We realize how important dogs are to your family. We are dog lovers too. And implementing this safety measure immediately is the best way we can protect them, their owners and the families who feed and trust PEDIGREE.
Please know we are doing all we can to make sure that these foods are no longer on store shelves. If, however, you believe you have purchased products affected by this voluntary recall, please return the product to the store where you purchased it for a full refund. If you want more information on specific product details and other information please visit www.petcare.mars.com
As the makers of PEDIGREE, our number one priority has always been, and continues to be, the health and welfare of pets and their owners.
Sincerely
Debra Crew
General Manager
Mars Petcare US
Technorati Tags: chihuahua, pet food, pet food recall
Sep 13, 2008 | | chihuahua feeding
The Chinese Crested is a loving and affectionate little dog that needs to be kept indoors due to temperature sensitivity. She is fairly active indoors and just needs that occasional walk. She can tend to dig and climb but barks little. She needs special care with her teeth and hairless varieties need their skin moisturized. It can be very difficult to find puppies for sale.
*Good With Children? They love children and are generally very affectionate. They are a delicate breed so children need to be very careful not to injure them. As a reminder, never leave a young child unsupervised with a puppy or dog.
*Good With Other Pets? They generally do well with other pets, especially if socialized with them early on.
*Temperament: This is a very loving and affectionate dog.
*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the Chinese Crested is approximately 9 to 13 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and around 5 to 12 pounds.
*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Chinese Crested is no exception. Be on the look out for skin allergies, patella luxation (congenital condition in which the kneecap dislocates), Legg-Perthes disease (hip joint disease, proabably genetic, affects hip joint and results in arthritis or inflamation and pain and lameness). The hairless variety appears to have more medical issues than the Powderpuffs (fully haired variety). The hairless will need sunscreen if exposed to much sun, plus they can have teeth problems and should not be given hard chew items like bones. Additionally, the hairless versions may have allergic reactions to wool and lanolin. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.
She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.
*Grooming. The Chinese Crested comes in two varieties, one with hair on just the head, tail and feet and the other completely covered in hair called the Powderpuff. The Powderpuff has a double soft and silky coat which can tangle easily. She needs to be groomed daily to help keep her from matting. The hairless needs bathing frequently and oils rubbed into her skin, but avoid lanolin or products containing lanolin. They do not shed much and may be a good choice for allergy sufferers.
Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.
*Life Span. The Chinese Crested can live between 10 and 14 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.
*History of Chinese Crested. They were developed in thirteenth century China through mixing the Chihuahua and Mexican Hairless Dog. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1991
Some Registries:
*American Chinese Crested Club
*UKC United Kennel Club
*NKC National Kennel Club
*CKC Continental Kennel Club
*APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
*AKC American Kennel Club
*FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
*NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
*KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
*ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
*ACR = American Canine Registry
Litter Size: 2 to 4 Chinese Crested puppies
Category: Toy
Terms To Describe: Loving, playful, entertaining, friendly, fine boned, graceful, elegant, loving, gay, alert
*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS
Odorless when hairless.
Loving companion dog.
They do not bark much.
This is a very clean dog.
*SPECIAL BAD POINTS
They like to climb.
They are diggers.
Can be injured due to the lack of protective hair.
They can have bad breath.
High and low temperature sensitivity.
*Other Names Known By: Chinese Powder Puff
*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.
Mitch Endick
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/chinese-crested-puppy-and-dog-information-79428.html
Feb 28, 2009 | | chihuahua feeding
I’m not talking about something that requires batteries. No, I’m referring to the twenty-two breeds recognized by the AKC as being toy dog breeds - from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier. They make great human companions, adapt well to smaller spaces, they are generally good-natured and they’re cute.
With so many people “down sizing” their homes and living in more compact areas, toy dogs and other small dogs may offer the perfect choice in a canine companion. But first, you need to assess your environment to determine if a toy dog (or any pet) is compatible with your life style.
While toy dogs in general can make good companions in small apartments, some breeds adapt more easily to these conditions than others. Toy Poodles, for example, adapt well to small spaces, and they are “non shedding” which is important if you have allergies.
Will you be leaving the dog alone while you work? While no one wants to leave their pet alone all day, sometimes it is unavoidable. There are many opinions as to whether you should leave a dog at home for eight or nine hours per day. Some feel it is not fair to the dog, while others do it successfully, and have happy, well-adjusted pets. Develop a morning and evening routine with your dog in which you feed them, walk them, and play with them so they know what to expect. Some experts say that dogs have no sense of time, so they can’t tell if you’ve been gone eight minutes or eight hours.
Obviously, ensure the dog has plenty of water and that the dog’s barking will not disturb others.
If you have small children, you may want to delay getting a toy dog or get a larger breed. Toy dogs can be quite fragile, and small children may indeed think the dog is a toy. When the child is old enough, a dog is a great way to teach responsibility by feeding and caring for the dog.
Do you have other animals in the house? Some toy breeds do not tolerate children, other animals or strangers very well. Others, such as the Bichon Frise (BEE-shon FREE-zay) are very sociable, and get along well with other dogs.
As a group toy dogs are more difficult to train than larger dogs. So you will need to be patient while house training your toy dog. Again, some breeds have a reputation for being easier to train than others.
In many ways, toy dogs are less expensive and more convenient to live with. Obviously, they eat less, their beds, mats, and crates are smaller and they require less fenced area if you let them out. With many more travel facilities being “pet friendly,” your toy dog can be a great traveling companion. Many breeds can be “carry on luggage.” While I don’t recommend it, I’ve known people who have taken their toy dogs along on their motorcycle trips!
Toy dogs can be good home protectors, too. Breeds such as the Chihuahua and Pekingese are naturally wary of strangers and bark readily at unusual noises.
Finally, we can make some generalizations about the characteristics of various breeds, but keep in mind that dogs - like people - are individuals, and they may or may not possess the characteristics of their breed. For that reason, you may want to consider an older dog rather than a puppy so that you can observe the dog’s behavior.
OK, if you’re determined to get a toy dog, and have done your research to determine which breeds best fit your lifestyle, what should you do to ensure you get a healthy, happy, well behaved pet? Should you consider a pure breed or a mixed breed?
While many people will only consider a pure bred toy dog, understand that pure bred dogs (of any size) will have more genetic-related health problems than mixed breed dogs. The reason is that pure breeds started with a very small population of dogs, and it is kept that way to ensure consistency in the breed. Thus genetic problems are carried on from one generation to the next. If you’re willing to accept these risks and the inevitable veterinarian bills, then go for a pure bred toy dog.
It’s now possible to have a pure bred dog’s DNA tested to see if it carries, has, or is free of specific genetic diseases. The problem is that DNA testing can only be performed for a few certain diseases specific to a given breed.
Mixed breed dogs, on the other hand, come from a much larger gene pool, so the chances of chronic genetic disease are much lower. “Mixed breed” can be a misnomer because some “mixed breeds” may have no pure bred dogs anywhere in their linage. Therefore, mixed breeds don’t develop any of the, well, “deformities” that are the hallmarks of pure breeds, like the Dachshund (back problems) or Bulldog (breathing and many other problems). Mixed breeds have evolved to the right size and shape of what a dog should be. And, since many pure breeds are bred for certain behavioral traits, mixed breed dogs are more even tempered.
Another reality is that pure bred toy dogs have become fashion accessories for the rich and famous, and the price of toy puppies has risen accordingly. It’s not uncommon for pure bred puppies of certain breeds to bring several thousand dollars. A better alternative is to check out pet adoptions and rescue centers. Not only will you be giving a dog a home, but you’ll be helping to prevent over breeding.
The Internet has many, many good sites to help you learn more than you ever wanted to know about toy dogs - or any dog - for that matter. With a little research, you can find an ideal companion you’ll enjoy living with for many years.
Janet Winter
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/is-a-toy-dog-right-for-you-172975.html
Feb 14, 2009 | | chihuahua feeding
*INFO:
I just got her a week ago and her breathe smelt then, I have only been feeding her Pedigree *Small Breed dog food…Is there something I can buy that will get rid of the tuna breathe, or some other type of food to feed her…..PLEASE HELP, THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Pedigree is a terrible food. It could be a part of the problem. Slowly change her over to Wellness, Merrick, Eagle Pack etc. Puppy formula of course. Long term this will help her overall condition.
Has your pup been wormed? Worms can also cause bad breath.
Bad breath is usually a sigh of dental problems, but with a pup so young it's unlikely.
You should also start brishing your dogs teeth on a regular basis with dog toothpaste. Small breeds are very prone to dental problems so you maybe saving your dog a lot of future pain by doing this. Make sure she has lots of good quality chew toys that will help keep her teeth clean too, but they won't do it on their own. Feeding dry food will help clean her teeth too.
Oct 15, 2008 | | chihuahua feeding
He was kenneled in a breeding kennel for about a year, so humans are terribly exciting to him-he was used to short visits, maybe just at feeding time. How can I get him to relax and chill like my other dogs? Spending time with the pack helps, but he surely is an uptight little fellow.
hes gonna be nervous for awhile just make sure you feed him good and give him water ,and keep him warm .after a couple days he'll start relaxing .(they sit there and shake half the time anyway )good luck
Oct 15, 2008 | | chihuahua feeding
The puppy was from a professional breeder and I had only had her two and a half weeks. I did everything right from feeding her honey to her dog food which was presoaked in water. I am devastated. Is their anything that I could have done better?
your puppy was only 6 &1/2 weeks old when you got her? most "professional" breeders would wait at least 10 to 12 weeks before homing their puppies! as for what caused it…the only way i can see would be to get an autopsy(not sure what its called for dogs!=S) done on your puppy! it could have been anything that caused her death!
Oct 14, 2008 | | chihuahua feeding
She is 8 months old and weighs about 3 pounds. I just don't know how often or how much I should be feeding her! She is due to see the vet in 2 weeks but thought I would see what you all have to say here! THANKS!!!!!
OK For the people who are so PERFECT as to NEVER IN THEIR ENTIRE LIFE have a TYPO the question I MEANT to ask is "HOW MANY TIMES A DAY SHOULD I FEED MY CHIHUAHUA?"
And actually she IS a GENIUS! And probably could handle math problems better than I.
Have a look here.
Oct 13, 2008 | | chihuahua feeding
i have 5 dogs
2 pits 4 yo & 11months
Pomeranian who is almost 11 yo
4yo cocker span.
and a chihuahua–2 yo
should i be each of them a different age group or is there a
ALL-STAGE food
maybe a 40lb bag for $50 (give or take)
lamb
no chicken they wont eat it…dont know why?
Canidae All Life Stages
http://www.canidae.com/ingredients/whyalllife.html
Can't do better.
Oct 12, 2008 | | chihuahua feeding
I feed him only wet food. He hates dry food. I have been feeding him 1 table spoon of wet food 3 to 4 times per day. Should I feed him more or less?
You should continue to feed him 3-4 times a day for a few more weeks, then go down to 3 times a day for a while. Gradually you can go to 2 times a day if you want to, but it would be best to feed 3 small meals rather than two larger meals.
What kind of food are you feeding him? You might look into some organic natural diet options, or even raw food.
Oct 10, 2008 | | chihuahua feeding
I have had dogs all my life so know alot about care and feeding, however we have never had a chi before. I would like to know what health issues they are prone to, are they easy or hard to train, special foods….etc. Any info appriciated. Thanks.
For the one who asked….my mom is 65 and in decent health. Also, are they good with other (larger) dogs and cats????
Chihuahuas are the smallest breed in the world. They eat only little since they have little stomachs. They tend to get jealous and they need to be cuddled allot! For training it depends on the dog itself. They are small little dogs and they are prone to health issues do to their little size.
http://www.nextdaypets.com/directory/breeds/1100072/
Here is a link to info on this breed. It gives you ratings on how difficult or easy is to train and their characteristics.
Add me to your contacts and I will be happy to answer anymore chihuahua questions you have.
If you take my advice do NOT listen to people that say "Oh well chihuahuas are such bad dogs they yapp allot and they are evil and mean" It ALL depends on the breeder or its mother. Not every chihuahua is the same. They all have individual personalities.
Oct 09, 2008 | | chihuahua feeding
