Don’t Buy Too Much Dry Pet Food at Once / Improperly Stored Feed Deteriorates, Threatening Health

By JULIE YOUNG

Toxic pet food caused the recent deaths of more than 100 dogs nationwide, but experts say improper food storage and handling at home also can threaten animals’ health.

“Sometimes people buy too much at a time, 30 pounds of food for a 15-pound pet, so that it’ll last six months,” said Justin Fall, a veterinary technician at Swift Creek Animal Hospital.

“It isn’t very fresh anymore, and some of the vitamins and nutrients start breaking down over time when they’re exposed to air.”

A better strategy is to buy only enough to last two to four weeks, said Rich Schneider, marketing manager of feed for Richmond- based Southern States.

“Come back in and get fresh food and ensure that the quality is there,” Schneider said.

Food should be stored in air-tight, hard-plastic or metal containers. Paper bags are subject to insect or rodent infestation. “Sometimes a rat or mouse will chew into the bottom of the bag and start laying pellets,” Fall noted.

Pet food shouldn’t be stored near stoves, hot-water pipes or heating ducts. Heat and moisture can cause food to lose its quality more rapidly.

Southern States offers the following safety tips:

— Don’t buy pet food bags that are torn, dirty or otherwise damaged.

— All food should have a code date or best-if-used-by date. Ask your retailer to explain the code if you have questions.

— Look for food manufacturers who stand by their product with a money-back guarantee.

— Look for the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) statement in the ingredient analysis section of the bag. It indicates which breed, age and lifestyle the food is intended for.

— Discard food that’s molded or smells different from when it was opened.

— Ignore pets’ pleas for snacks or table scraps. An occasional treat is fine, but snacks are not designed to provide complete, balanced nutrition.

— The American Veterinary Medical Association says the following foods could be harmful or potentially deadly to dogs and cats: coffee grounds, chocolate, yeast dough, macadamia nuts, fatty foods, avocado, grapes/raisins, onions, tea, alcohol, salt, garlic, chewing gum, candy and breath fresheners containing xylitol. Rotting garbage could contain molds or bacteria that cause food poisoning.

— Fall said pet owners should be alert for vomiting, diarrhea or loss of appetite. If a symptom persists more than a day, call your veterinarian.

In addition, veterinarians recommend paying close attention to ingredients. Buy dog food that has meat listed as the first or second ingredient. If corn, rice or soybeans are the first ingredient, consumers are advised to choose another food.

The Food and Drug Administration continues to investigate the aflatoxin poisoning incident involving 19 brands of Diamond, Country Value and Professional dog food.

Information on the recalled products can be found at

www.diamondpetrecall.com.

Contact staff writer Julie Young at jyoung@timesdispatch.com or (804) 649-6732.