RECALL ALERT: Breeder’s Choice Recalls Active Care Healthy Joint Dog Treats

Breeder’s Choice Pet Food of Irwindale, California has has issued a voluntary recall for a single batch of Active Care Biscuits-Healthy Dog Treats due to the presence of mold.

The recalled product includes the following information:

 Breeder’s Choice Active Care Healthy Joint Treats

 Product Code/SKU/ Material #: BCP-080

 UPC Code: 0130104895

 Size: 24 ounces

 Best Before Code: 19-Dec-2013

Products and product lots that do not appear in the above lists have not been affected.

According to a release from the manufacturer, the mold seems to have occurred due to varying dryer temperature settings for drying biscuits. This exposed the recalled product to excess moisture and has since been remedied.

Pet owners who fed their pets the recalled biscuits should watch for symptoms that may develop. Common symptoms associated with mold exposure include gastrointestinal issues such as loose stool.

At the time of this release, there have been no reports of human or pet illnesses associated with this recall.

What to Do?

For information, consumers are asked to call Central Customer Care line at 866-500-6286 or visit http://www.goactivedog.com

You can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.

Or go to http://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.

Original notification from the Dog Food Advisor

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Bear's P4ws

Belly Rub Bliss

The most amazing joy can be had from something as simple...

...as a belly rub

=)

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Bear's P4ws

For the Diabetic Dog – Homemade Liver Sponge Treat

There are not many recipes out there that cater to dogs who have been diagnosed with Diabetes, making it a little harder for the Diabetic dog pet-parent.  At Bear’s P4ws, we try to cater to our readers, and a request has recently come in for a treat that a reader’s diabetic pup can enjoy with great gusto.  

So, without further ado, the Bear’s P4ws kitchen is happy to present our Home-made Liver Sponge treat for the Diabetic Dog.  

This treat is very easy to fix, and should not be pigeon-holed as a strictly diabetic treat.  Even Bear (who is not at all Diabetic) loved them, and was more than happy to play taste-tester in our most recent Tuesday Treat experiment. 

Ingredients:

½ cup whole wheat flour (can be substituted for any other flour if need be)

2 eggs

1 ½ pounds of beef liver, cut into pieces.

Directions:

1)      Preheat your oven to 350 degrees (175 C)

2)      Line a 10x15 inch pan with parchment paper

3)      Optional: Lightly boil the beef liver before working with it.  It helps of you’re squeamish in terms of texture and smell

4)      Place liver into a food processor (or blender).  Pulse until it finely chopped

5)      Transfer liver into a new bowl and stir in flour and eggs

6)      Spread evenly in the prepared pan

7)      Bake for 15 minutes in over (or until the centre is firm).

8)      Cool and cut into small squares (Bear and I made squares that were approximately 1x1 inch)

**Because these treats have meat and eggs, store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for no more than 1.5 weeks.

Original Recipe by Barb  Maxwell)

Let us know if you tried this recipe at home, and if your fur-baby enjoyed them as much as Bear did.

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Bear’s P4ws

Pawdicure - Your Dog's Paw Pad Care

Caring for your dog’s paw pads should be as routine to every pet owner as caring for our own skin.  We are so used to our dogs being such wonderfully resilient animals that we forget just how sensitive and delicate certain parts of their bodies can be.  As Fido frolics around outside his paw pads undergo a certain amount of stress.  It is normal to start noticing that the surface of the paw pad becomes less smooth – dry and rough even, as cuts and abrasions develop and heal. 

Caring for Your Dog’s Paw Pads

Most dogs have a pretty high tolerance for pain and can endure certain paw pad injuries without complaint.  They’ll still walk, run and jump, but secretly they’re hurting.  By consistently checking out the pads of your dogs paws, you can ensure that Fido isn’t ambling along with any hidden injuries. 

Another indicator is how often your dog sits licking his paws.  Prolonged licking usually indicates discomfort and the area being licked should be examined. 

With that in mind, you should be responsible in caring for your dog’s paw pads, because a little infection can go a long way. Here are some tips on how to help your dog survive a day without getting paw pad injuries:

Avoid walking on anything black (asphalt):  asphalt is usually hotter than a concrete sidewalk when exposed to the sun. However, if walking on asphalt is unavoidable, then try to limit the time that your dog walks on this surface and always keep them moving. Think of it as running your fingers through a candle and not getting burned – the same is true for dogs as they cross the blazing sidewalks. In short – do not make them stand still or their paw pads will be toasted.

Walking on sand, especially darker sand can also be excruciating for dogs and their paw pads. This does not mean avoid all beaches. Let your dog walk alongside the shoreline instead, where the cool temperature of the water can heal their sore paw pads. You can also try letting your dog walk along lighter sand.

Many sharp objects like broken glass and sharp rocks can be at the beach or even in the streets, so it is important that you check your dog’s paw pads from time to time for any cuts or damage to his paws.

Treat any paw pad injury by washing it first, and then drying with a clean towel. Use antiseptic such as betadine, or even natural remedies like Neem Oil or Coconut Oil. Then, wrap it in rolled gauze and bandage it. Rewrap as necessary.

Caring for your dog’s paw pads is your responsibility as a pet parent/owner.  It ranks right up there with proper feeding, regular walks and copious amounts of affection.  Include checking up on your dog’s  paw pads in Fido’s regular care routine.  Believe me, your pooch will love you all the more for doing so.

(Inspired by a post  by The Dogington Post)

How do you care for your dog’s pads? Let us know – share your ideas and care tips!

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Bear’s P4ws

RECALL ALERT: Virbac Recalls Six Lots of Iverhart (Heart-worm Preventative)

Six lots of Iverhart Plus Flavored Chewables, a heart-worm preventive, have been recalled because of a stability issue involving the medication’s active ingredient ivermectin, the American Veterinary Medical Association reported this week.

The manufacturer, Virbac Animal Health of Fort Worth, Texas, did not issue a public recall notice. A spokesperson could not be reached to comment.

A selected amount of Iverhart was recalled:

• Large dogs (51 to 100 pounds): lots 120076, 120086 and 120856.

• Medium dogs (26 to 50 pounds): lot 120202.

• Small dogs (up to 25 pounds): lots 120196 and 120844.

Iverhart Plus, a generic equivalent to Merial Ltd.’s Heartgard Plus, is formulated for the prevention of heartworm disease and for the treatment and control of roundworms and hookworms.

Stability concerns led Virbac to recall a single lot of Iverhart Max Chewable Tablets in April 2012. A lack of stability can reduce a medication’s efficacy.

Veterinarians or pet owners who have questions may contact Virbac Technical Services at 800-338-3659, ext. 3052.”

Source: Pet MD

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Bear’s Paws

A healthy dog is a beautiful dog!

As dogs age their skin and coat can become dry and brittle – one way to add moisture and shine to your dog’s coat is flax-seed and oils and Fatty acids.  These are essential ingredients to any pet’s diet.  They  help to improve the texture of his coat, making for fuller, shinier hair. Healthy skin and a healthy coat are not only beautiful to look at and to pet, but also give a good indication of your dog’s internal health.

This Shiny Coat Dog Treat Recipe is not only healthy for your dog but taste good!

Ingredients

1 cup whole wheat flour

(can also be substituted with gluten free option such as rice flour or buckwheat)

1/4 teaspoon of salt

4 1/2 tablespoons flaxseed meal (substitute with salmon oil or cod liver oil)

1 egg

1 tablespoon of honey

1/3 cup of beef or chicken stock

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a baking sheet with butter or a little oil.

In a bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and flaxseed meal.

In another bowl combine the egg and honey.

Stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture and add stock until the dough has the consistency of drop biscuits.

Drop heaping tablespoons of the dough onto the baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch between the biscuits.

Bake for about 15 minutes.

Remove, cool on a wire rack, and store, tightly covered, in a glass or ceramic container for up to a week (or in the freezer for up to three months)

Enjoy!

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Bear's P4ws

What Bear Likes Best

What Bear likes best

is playing peek-a-boo under towels and blankets.  

A wonderfully happy way to pass the time

=)

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Bear's P4ws