Mountaintop Natural Pets

Source: PRNewswire.com, Mar 8, 2010

Nature’s Variety has expanded its voluntary recall of Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diets for dogs and cats to include the “Best If Used By” dates of 10/29/10 and 11/9/10 because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella.  Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the product or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may become lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, or vomiting. Some pets may experience only a decreased appetite, fever, or abdominal pain. If your pet has consumed any of the affected products and is experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The recall includes the following products with a “Best If Used By” date of 10/29/10 or 11/9/10:

• UPC#7 69949 60131 9 – Chicken Formula 0.75 lb trial sized medallions
• UPC#7 69949 60130 2 – Chicken Formula 3 lb medallions
• UPC#7 69949 60120 3 – Chicken Formula 6 lb patties
• UPC#7 69949 60121 0 – Chicken Formula 2 lb single chubs

In an abundance of caution, Nature’s Variety has also chosen to expand this voluntary recall to include all Chicken Formula and Organic Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diets for dogs and cats with any “Best If Used By” date on or before 2/5/11.  Nature’s Variety has elected to clear the market of raw frozen chicken diets as it implements a state-of-the-art new food safety process called High Pressure Pasteurization for use on all Nature’s Variety Raw Frozen Diets.

The products included in the expanded recall are any Chicken Formula or Organic Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet with a “Best If Used By” date on or before 2/5/11, including:

• UPC#7 69949 60131 9 – Chicken Formula 0.75 lb trial sized medallions
• UPC#7 69949 60130 2 – Chicken Formula 3 lb medallions
• UPC#7 69949 60120 3 – Chicken Formula 6 lb patties
• UPC#7 69949 60121 0 – Chicken Formula 2 lb single chubs
• UPC#7 69949 50121 3 – Chicken Formula 12 lb case of chubs
• UPC#7 69949 60137 1 – Organic Chicken Formula 3 lb medallions
• UPC#7 69949 60127 2 – Organic Chicken Formula 6 lb patties

The “Best If Used By” date is located on the back of the package above the safe handling instructions.  The affected product was distributed through retail stores and internet sales in the United States and Canada.

No other Raw Frozen Diets are involved in this expansion other than chicken, and no other Nature’s Variety products are involved.

Nature’s Variety now uses High Pressure Pasteurization on their Raw Frozen Diets as a unique process to kill pathogenic bacteria through high-pressure, water-based technology.  Having incorporated this state-of-the-art technology on a portion of their raw product offerings in late 2009, Nature’s Variety was able to confidently implement the process universally on all Raw Frozen Diets after the 2/11/10 recall in order to enhance food safety.  Nature’s Variety also utilizes a test and hold protocol to ensure that all High Pressure Pasteurized Raw Frozen Diets test negative for harmful bacteria before being released for sale.

“Nature’s Variety believes replacing all raw frozen chicken products on the market with new raw frozen chicken products that use High Pressure Pasteurization is an important and responsible step in order to reinforce consumer confidence and trust,” stated Reed Howlett, CEO of Nature’s Variety.  ”By recalling all raw frozen chicken products with ‘Best If Used By’ dates on or before 2/5/11, we can provide our pet parents with new raw frozen chicken products that have been processed through High Pressure Pasteurization. Adopting High Pressure Pasteurization is an important step to ensure that our products meet the strictest quality and food safety standards.”

Howlett stated, “Our commitment to consumers in the future is the same as it’s been in the past – to offer Raw Frozen Diets made from the highest quality ingredients, made in our own plant in the Midwest, by people who care deeply about pet nutrition, health, and happiness.”

If you are a consumer and have purchased one of these products, please return the unopened product to your retailer for a full refund or replacement.  If your package has been opened, please dispose of the raw food in a safe manner by securing it in a covered trash receptacle.  Then, bring your receipt (or the empty package in a sealed bag) to your local retailer for a full refund or replacement.

Consumers with additional questions can call the Nature’s Variety dedicated Customer Care line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-374-3142.  For additional resources about High Pressure Pasteurization or other Nature’s Variety food safety protocols, visit www.naturesvariety.com.

About Nature’s Variety

Nature’s Variety specializes in natural, holistic dog and cat food.  The line of premium products was developed by families who have been practicing sustainable agriculture for more than 140 years, raising quality livestock and growing crops in America’s heartland.  Nature’s Variety offers the purest forms of pet nutrition – including a wide variety of protein choices in every pet food form (raw frozen diets, dry kibble diets, canned diets, and treats).  For more information about Nature’s Variety, visit www.naturesvariety.com.

Source: UPI.com, Feb 15, 2010

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says Nature’s Variety frozen chicken diet for dogs and cats is being recalled due to of possible contamination.

The FDA said the Lincoln, Neb., company initiated a voluntary recall of its chicken formula raw frozen diet with a “Best If Used By” date of “11/10/10″ because the product may be contaminated with salmonella. The company said the recalled product is limited to chicken medallions, patties and chubs varieties.

The recalled dog and cat food was distributed across the United States, with limited distribution in Canada.

Consumers with the affected products may return them unopened for a refund or replacement. If the package has been opened, consumers should dispose of the raw food by securing it in a covered trash receptacle and then take the receipt of the empty package in a sealed container to the place of purchase for a refund or replacement.

Salmonella can affect both humans and animals. Pets with salmonella infections may become lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever or vomiting. Some pets may experience only a decreased appetite, fever or abdominal pain. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans.

Consumers with questions can contact the company at 888-519-7387 or 800-374-3142.

More information is available at http://www.naturesvariety.com/news/32

Source: PRWeb.com, Jan 14, 2010

Green Pet Organics™ introduces Simply Wild™ Natural Dog Treats, all-natural holistic biscuits made for dogs. Simply Wild™ dog treats come in five different flavors, Maple Glazed Bacon, Peanut Butter, Grilled Bison, Lamb & Trout, Venison & Apple.

Green Pet Organics™ introduces Simply Wild™ Natural Dog Treats, all-natural holistic biscuits made for dogs. Simply Wild™ dog treats come in five different flavors, Maple Glazed Bacon, Peanut Butter, Grilled Bison, Lamb & Trout, Venison & Apple. Simply Wild™ can be used in conjunction with Green Pet Organics™’ Wild Alaskan Salmon Treats™ that are designed to support healthy hearts, joints, coats and skin.

Simply Wild™ treats are made with real whole foods like farm fresh vegetables, nutrient-rich fruits, human grade meats, wild game and omega-rich wild trout. Simply Wild™ treats are made wheat-free, corn-free and soy-free. Simply Wild™ Maple Glazed Bacon flavor contains Potato, Pork, Lecithin, Arrowroot, Blueberries, Maple Syrup, Natural Smoke, Rosemary. Simply Wild™ Peanut Butter flavor contains Barley Flour, Natural Crunchy Peanut Butter, Rolled Oats, Tapioca Flour, Water, Blackstrap Molasses, Brewer’s Yeast, Garlic. Simply Wild™ Grilled Bison flavor contains Potato, Bison Liver, Brewer’s Yeast, Lecithin, Blueberries, Arrowroot, Rosemary. Simply Wild™ Lamb & Trout flavor contains Barley Flour, Trout, Oats, Smoked Trout, Blueberries, Wild Rice, Garlic, Rosemary. Simply Wild™ Venison & Apple flavor contains Ground Barley, Ground Brown Rice, Venison, Apples, Peas, Carrots, Oats, Brewer’s Yeast, Garlic, Parsley, Rosemary.

In addition to Simply Wild™, Green Pet Organics™ also offers glass and surface cleaners specially designed for pets. These products include the Glass & Surface Cleaner and the All-Purpose Household Cleaner. Green Pet Organics™ is a leading manufacturer of 100% natural products for pets.

Contact Edward Lew at 1-800-306-7910 ext. 269 for more information about Green Pet Organics™’ products or visit www.greenpetorganics.com.

Source: Businesswire.com

Dynamite Marketing, which makes natural dog food and nutritional supplements such as a probiotic for dog health, is inviting Facebook fans to enter a drawing to give 200 pounds of its Super Premium Dog Food as a charitable donation to the animal shelter of the winner’s choice.

In addition, Dynamite will donate one pound of natural dog food to the Idaho Humane Society for every fan who signs up by March 19.

This continues Dynamite’s practice of making charitable donations as an incentive. Last year it offered top distributors the choice of a prize such as a trip to Hawaii or a charitable donation to the organization of their choice. The result was $22,000 in donations to animal charities.

“We tossed around ideas in our brainstorming sessions, trying to determine what would really motivate people who use our dog food and other products,” said Callie Novak, Dynamite vice president. “They are passionate about making the world better. We attract people driven by projects that help animals, improve soil, and save lives. The local animal shelter is always a favorite, and a place where we can contribute to dog health. For many of our fans, giving to a charity actually is more of a motivation than a personal prize.”

Dynamite has been making all natural dog food for four generations. It also makes natural food and nutritional supplements for cats, horses and virtually every member of the animal kingdom. Dynamite products are available through more than 4,000 individual distributors across the country.

All products use only natural ingredients and are made in the United States for quality control. Dynamite’s recently developed Ultimate Dog Food is a raw, natural dog food that does not need to be refrigerated.

Additional information is available at www.DynamiteMarketing.com or by calling 1-800-697-7434.

Source: Businesswire.com, Dec 14, 2009

After years of treating pets and studying both Western and Eastern veterinary medicine, two Nashville veterinarians have founded Pet-Tao Pet Foods to provide dogs a diet designed to help them lead a longer, healthier life.

During their decades in private practice, veterinarians Dr. Marc Smith and Dr. Casey Damron encountered numerous clinical cases that did not respond to the treatments used in traditional veterinary medicine. They wanted to provide more for “man’s best friend” — not only in treatment options, but also in prevention strategies.

Upon completing training at the Chi Institute, the veterinarians concluded that fresh food based on sound Eastern principles is the foundation for a long, happy, and healthy life. After two years of intensive research and development, the vets have launched Pet-Tao Pet Foods, believed to be the first dog food that combines the strengths of Western Nutritional Science with the time-proven theories of Eastern Medicine, primarily Eastern Food Therapy.

In Eastern Food Therapy, food items are chosen and combined in ways to heal the body as well as keep it in balance. The focus is on the effect the food has on the body after it is eaten. Each food item is described as having energetic properties such as warming, cooling, or flavors that act on the body in certain predictable yet different ways.

Pet-Tao Pet Foods is now being sold nationally through a network of 70 partner veterinarians, select retail locations, and direct to consumers through www.pet-tao.com. Testimonials from appreciative dog owners are flooding in from across the country. For instance, Moose, a seven-year-old male castrated Yellow Lab, had numerous medical problems including obesity, skin and ear disease, and a thyroid condition. On the Pet-Tao Yin Diet for 120 days now, Moose has lost 11 lbs.; his skin disease has improved by 50 percent; and his thyroid medication has been reduced by 50 percent.

Pet-Tao Pet Foods is made from human-grade ingredients, consisting primarily of muscle and organ meat (beef, chicken, turkey and fish), vegetables and culinary herbals. It is all-natural with added vitamins and minerals and has no artificial preservatives or flavors.

For more information, visit www.pettao.com or call 615-934-3832. Also, check out Pet-Tao news on Facebook and follow Dr. Smith’s blog.

Source: PRWeb.com, Nov 24, 2009

Ragazzilife.com, the web based social network for dog parents and certified canine nutritionist Stacy Alldredge host a fun and informative culinary event. Stacy Alldredge will talk about natural, well balanced and home cooked dog cuisine and prepare special tasting menus for dogs to try on site. Parents will be able to network and mingle while enjoying complementary cocktails, wine and gourmet hors d’oeuvres. The event is hosted in a fabulous and private NYC Soho loft.

Why is it that as a society, our diets have taken a positive turn towards whole, organic, and unprocessed foods, yet our “best friends” are still getting servings of dry or greasy mystery chunks? What is really in your dog’s food?

The nation’s top selling dog food contains the following ingredients: Meat by-products, Modified corn starch, Soy flour, Potassium chloride, Tricalcium phosphate, Titanium dioxide colour, Salt, choline chloride, ferrous sulfate, Thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, manganese sulfate, niacin, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin B-12 supplement, pyroxidine hydrochloride, potassium iodide, folic acid, and sodium selenite.

What a mouthful – literally.

And what in the world are those ingredients? www.RagazziLife.com (the social network for dog owners) will be hosting an event on Wednesday December 9th from 6:30-9:30pm with special guest canine nutritionist and behavioral Stacy Alldredge. Stacy will dispel rumors and concerns associated with home cooked, natural and well balanced dog cuisine as well as prepare and create special tasting menus for all dogs to enjoy!

Does Fido need to lose a couple pounds? Is Spot allergic to most foods? Should Boomer just eat healthier? Stacy will present three different recipes that target and help your dog’s dietary issues. With Stacy’s certified nutrition expertise, no pooch will leave hungry, but they’ll all leave healthier. And with ingredients straight out of most people’s traditional holiday dinner menu (apples, asparagus, turkey, fish, beef, pasta, rice and more), event attendees will know that their dogs are eating as well as they are this holiday season.”

For more information please visit: http://www.ragazzilife.com/store

Wag, Wine and Dine
Wednesday, December 9th
6:30pm – 9:30pm
Safe Harbor Loft
446 Broadway (b/t Grand and Howard)
3rd Floor

About RagazziLife.com:
RagazziLife.com is an exclusive web based initiative for dog-parents. Based on the deep bonds that dogs can offer, it’s no surprise that we’ve transformed from dog owners into uncompromising and unconditional dog-parents. The idea of this user-friendly, invite-only community is to connect these uncompromising dog lovers so they can interact by email, chats, dates, and fun events with their dogs.

Once a member of the online community, users will have access to discover the best services, the best products, and the best information for their dog. RagazziLife.com will offer several sections of the site:

About Stacy Alldredge:
An ardent advocate on behalf of dogs for approximately 20 years, Stacy Alldredge is a specialist in canine behavior problems and a certified canine nutrition specialist. Stacy has successfully trained several thousand dogs and their guardians to enhance the quality of both their lives. Stacy was the canine nutritional consultant on the recently published cookbook, THROW ME A BONE: 50 Healthy, Canine Taste-Tested Recipes for Snacks, Meals and Treats by Cooper Gillespie. She lectures regularly and has been featured on ABC’s Good Morning America, NBC’s Today in New York, Fox News as well as New York 1. Stacy is a consultant to numerous national and regional veterinary and breeder organizations as well as a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, The United States Dog Agility Association, The National Club for Dog Agility, and The North American Flyball Association, as well as multiple certificates in Applied Animal Behavior.

Source: Send2Press.org, September 15, 2009

Ask Ariel Your Pet Nutritionist (www.AskAriel.com) is hosting a pet nutrition and holistic veterinary care seminar “Natural Cures For Pets” to help save the lives of homeless pets. With the current economy, abandoned cats and dogs are entering shelters at an alarming rate and Ask Ariel is hoping the seminar will raise much needed funds to help save them. The pet nutrition and holistic veterinary care seminar will provide valuable tips to help pets live longer and healthier lives through holistic pet care using nutrition and natural pet supplements. Speakers are Dr. David Gordon, Medical Director, VCA Arroyo Animal Hospital and Susan Blake Davis, Pet Nutritionist and founder of Ask Ariel Your Pet Nutritionist.

“Natural Cures for Pets” will provide an overview of holistic veterinary care and teach pet owners about the best foods to feed their pets as well as how to use nutritional supplements for common pet health issues. The seminar will be held on Saturday, September 26th from 10 – 11:30 a.m. at VCA Arroyo Animal Hospital in Lake Forest, CA. Admission is a $15 donation to Ariel Rescue, an IRS approved 501 (c) (3) public charity that saves the lives of shelter dogs in impoverished communities. Seating is limited so please RSVP by email at askariel1@gmail.com or phone 949-499-9380.

Details about “Natural Cures For Pets” can be found on the Holistic Vet and Pet Nutrition Journal blog (www.askariel1.blogspot.com). Recent topics covered on the blog include natural treatments to treat kidney disease in cats, foods that contribute to allergies in dogs and holistic treatments for cats and dogs getting chronic urinary tract infections. Pet owners learn that many of these chronic pet health conditions can be caused by certain foods. For example, the common practice of giving dogs peanut butter can cause allergic reactions, yeast overgrowth and ear infections.

“Many pet owners are frustrated because their pets suffer with chronic health conditions such as endless scratching and itching, canine arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease; conditions where conventional veterinary care has offered limited options. Many of these pet health conditions can be successfully treated using holistic veterinary care including dietary changes, nutritional supplements and acupuncture,” says Susan Blake Davis.

Davis, along with Dr. David Gordon, holistic veterinarian, address a full range of pet health concerns on their blog “The Holistic Vet and Pet Nutrition Journal” (www.askariel1.blogspot.com). Pet owners can submit questions to the blog about their pet’s health problems. Advice is offered so that pet owners can understand their options from both a conventional and holistic veterinary standpoint. For example, owners that have senior dogs with arthritis may be giving their dogs daily pain medication without realizing the benefits their dogs can experience using joint support supplements. While medications may help with the dog’s pain management when necessary, the Holistic Vet and Pet Nutrition Journal explains how fish oil and other joint support supplements along with acupuncture and chiropractic, can help improve the dog’s mobility and quality of life overall. The popularity of The Holistic Vet and Pet Nutrition Journal as well as holistic pet Web sites such as www.AskAriel.com follow an ever-increasing trend by pet owners who are looking for answers beyond traditional veterinary care to improve their pet’s health and longevity.

100 percent of the proceeds from “Natural Cures For Pets” will be donated to Ariel Rescue, an IRS approved nonprofit charity whose mission is to save the lives of shelter dogs in impoverished communities. Since 1999, Ariel Rescue has saved the lives of over 1,200 dogs that would otherwise have been euthanized. Ariel Rescue volunteers rescue the dogs from animal shelters, bring them to the veterinarian and then feature the pets on www.petfinder.com.

For more information about Ask Ariel Your Pet Nutritionist, Ariel Rescue or Susan Blake Davis, CCN, pet nutritionist, please visit www.askariel.com or call 949-499-9380.

Source: PhilliBurbs.com

We all want to learn how to take better care of our favorite pups, right? Well, Dr. Deva Khalsa, a vet with over 25 years of practice in Veterinary Homeopathy, will be appearing at the Princeton Barnes and Noble at the beginning of August to speak about her new book “Dr. Khalsa’s Natural Dog: A Holistic Guide for Healthier Dogs.”

The event is taking place on August 7th at 7:30 pm. Seating and space is limited, so make sure to get there early. What can you expect from Dr. Khalsa’s presentation? Lots.

The discussion will include a demonstration of holistic dog food preparation techniques followed by a Q&A session. There will also be a book signing after the event.

Dr. Khalsa graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School in 1981 and traveled to study homeopathy in far away places as India, Brazil and England. She has taught seminars with Dr. George Mc Leod, author of “Homeopathy for Dogs, Homeopathy for Cats,” “Homeopathy for Horses” and the “The Veterinary Materia Medica.” Dr. Khalsa was a featured speaker at the first International Homeopathy Veterinary Conference at Oxford, in England She has also lectured on Homeopathy at many other conferences, both in the United States and abroad. She is a co- author (composing the chapter on homeopathy) of the book Healing Your Horse and the author of the newly released, Dr. Khalsa’s, The Natural Dog. Dr. Khalsa is also a Professor of and a Fellow of the British Institute of Homeopathy and resides in New Zealand.

The Princeton Barnes & Noble is located at 3535 US on Route 1 South in the MarketFair Mall, Princeton, NJ.