Link: http://blog.trilogyonline.com/post/2010/01/15/Are-you-overlooking-your-dogs-weight-problem.aspx?realname=40017955

When dogs carry too much weight they place an extra strain on all their organs. And, they can be at an increased risk for other health problems. But how do you determine whether or not your dog is overweight? And, if your dog is overweight, what can you do about it? Watch this helpful video to find out more about this important topic.

Click to read full story on dog's weight problems and see video.

Link: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm217826.htm

On July 1st a press release was posted by Feline’s Pride cat food announcing a voluntary recall of:

• Feline’s Pride Raw food with ground bone for cats and kittens
• Natural Chicken Formula
• Net Wt. 2.5 lbs. (1.13 kg., 40 oz.)produced on 6/10/10

because of possible Salmonella contamination. Pet owners who are handling the raw pet food may become infected with Salmonella. It is recommended that you thoroughly wash your hands after having contact with the raw cat food or any surfaces exposed to the product.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The product is packaged in uncoded plastic containers and sold frozen to private consumers nationwide. Once thawed, the pet food has a shelf life of about 1 week. The firm manufactures the pet food on an as-ordered basis. This recall affects only those orders placed and shipped from June 10 through June 17, 2010.

This product should not be fed to pets but should instead be disposed of in a safe manner (e.g., in a securely covered trash receptacle). People who are experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella infection after having handled the pet food product should seek medical attention, and report their use of the product and illness to the nearest FDA office.

Link: http://www.avma.org/petfoodsafety/recalls/2010/dynamic_100314.asp

Based on a number of consumer complaints that dogs became seriously ill or died from internal damage due to bone fragments, the Better Business Bureau issued a statement cautioning pet owners about feeding Dynamic Products' Real Ham Bone for Dogs to their pets. According to media reports, the FDA is investigating the complaints.

Read the Better Business Bureau statement...

Yet another pet food recall. If you have any of these products please return it to your local retailer immediately, then purchase your pet food and treats from a company that's never been part of any recall...like Life's Abundance!

Nature’s Variety has begun a voluntary recall of their Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet for dogs and cats with the “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10 because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The only products affected are limited to chicken medallions, patties, and chubs with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10. The date is located on the back of the package directly above the handling instructions.

This includes:

• 3 lb chicken medallions (UPC# 7 69949 60130 2) with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10
• 6 lb chicken patties (UPC# 7 69949 60120 3) with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10
• 2 lb chicken chubs (UPC# 7 69949 60121 0) with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10

According to Nature's Valley, no human or pet illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem and no other products are affected by this issue.

If you have purchased a bag of Nature’s Variety Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet (medallions, patties, or chubs) with the “Best if Used By” date of 11/10/10, they ask that you take one of the following steps:

• If your package has not been opened, 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.

Ellen Moon has a Labrador Retriever named Corey that is a third generation lab that she feeds Life’s Abundance pet food. Corey showed at the prestigious Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City on February 15th and 16th of 2010.

Corey is one of the only 15 females shown out of the 42 Labrador Retrievers entered worldwide. Corey’s pet food diet consists mainly of Life’s Abundance Premium dry dog food and Life's Abundance canned foods as toppers. Ellen also gives Corey Agility and Skin & Coat Formula supplements on a regular basis. Ellen said that Corey loves Tasty Rewards dog treats so much that it's her handler’s choice in the show ring.

Corey is truly a happy dog. Ellen said she’s always having fun and she makes everyone smile.

Thanks to The Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation, an English Bulldog will enjoy shelter and quality medical care until he can be adopted into a loving, forever family.

The charitable non-profit’s latest financial award has been given to the Southern California Bulldog Rescue which is dedicated to saving the lives of abandoned Bulldogs. Providing safe haven to these noble creatures, this rescue actively works to place Bulldogs in new homes and covers the medical expenses for more than 200 Bulldogs annually. Entirely funded through donations and operated by an all-volunteer network of dedicated Bulldog lovers, SCBR makes sure that every Bulldog that comes their way is cared for responsibly.

Read more about this heartwarming story of Spanky the bulldog and how his special needs request was granted. Full story on The Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation.

If you are unsure as to which size bag of Life's Abundance dry pet food to order, it is easy with the online Pet Food Calculator. Now you can instantly determine the most cost-effective and convenient Life's Abundance dog food or cat food autoship order.

Just select a Life's Abundance dry dog or cat food and enter the weight of the pet. Once submit is clicked, you can view the suggested daily serving amount range and the estimated number of days the different size bags will last.

In bold at the bottom of the box, there is a recommended bag size, number of days the bag will last and an Autoship frequency (in weeks). Now, there's no more guessing. The Pet Food Calculator does all the work for you!

For cat parents, use the cat pet food calculator...

For dog parents, use the dog pet food calculator...

Please note that the Pet Food Calculator works perfectly when browsed with the Internet Explorer, Safari and Firefox (version 2). There are some difficulties viewing the Pet Food Calculator in Firefox (versions 3.0 and 3.5) at this time.

Link: http://blog.trilogyonline.com/default.aspx?realname=40017955

We are happy to report on Trilogy's first step toward fostering a social media presence, with the launch of the Trilogy Blog, has been very successful.

The blog contains articles and videos that inform browsers about pet nutrition and behavior, as well as health care and more. It also contains articles on the Dr. Jane's HealthyPetNet Foundation, Trilogy's non-profit organization dedicated to assisting and giving financial aid to independent animal rescue groups across the country.

Since the key to social media is sharing information, we encourage you to check out the blog and, when inspired, to submit a comment or two. We would love to hear from you.

Visit our other pet food and treats blog...

Now you can give the gift of health any time of the year with Trilogy and HealthyPetNet pet food gift certificates (which can be purchased in any amount from $5.00 up to $500.00)!

It is so easy to order a gift certificate for pet food and treats. Just click on the link below and simply select from three attractive designs, choose the amount of your pet food gift and enter the recipient’s email address. You can even include a personalized message.

It's that easy to give a pet food gift certificate to friends and family.

Pet Food and Treats Gift Certificates...

On January 14th, the FDA issued a health alert for Merrick Beef Filet Squares. A dog treat packaged and distributed by Merrick Pet Care. Merrick Pet Care initiated a voluntary withdrawal of 72 cases of 10 oz. Beef Filet Squares from the market on January 11th, 2010 in cooperation with the FDA. The treats may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Merrick has noted they there are approximately 20 cases that have yet to be recovered and may be in consumers hands. Consumers have been told to dispose of any Beef Filet Squares from lot “9323 best buy 111911.”

More information can be found in this FDA announcement. Read announcement.

Now that the Holiday season is past we can focus on our New Year's Resolutions. Remember those? Stay fit. Lose weight. Become a millionaire. While the business mogul resolution may be a bit tough to accomplish in one short year, the staying fit and healthy one is pretty attainable. And, attainable for your pets as well.

Good health and nutrition is a lifelong investment. If one of your New Year's Resolutions is to stay healthy, then share it with your pets. It's a perfect time to introduce a healthier lifesytle for your dog and cat thought diet, supplements, healthy pet treats (watch those table scraps!) and exercise. Extra weight can put a lot of extra strain on limbs, joints and internal organs. Not to mention associate health issues like diabetes.

It's a good thing our pets respond to a beneficial weight-loss program. But how do you know if your pet is overweight.

In this short video, Dr. Sarah shows you how to learn if your dog is carrying too much weight, and gives advice on how to help your dog shed unwanted pounds.

Welcome to our new blog dedicated to information on helping your pets stay healthy.