For Pet's Sake Column

Left to Right: Katie, Jessie, and Sierra

This column is dedicated to the memory of Katie, beloved canine friend of Don and Marcia Mueller of Santa Barbara. On St. Patrick’s Day, as they said tearful good-byes to their lovable Labrador, Don and Marcia realized that they had brought the wee puppy home 15 years ago…on St. Patrick's Day.

It’s hard to believe that a year ago March 16, a massive pet food recall—the largest in U.S. history—made international headlines and sent the pet food industry into a tailspin. Gone were the days when we blithely plopped a bowl of chow down in front of our hungry hounds and famished felines without giving a second thought to its potentially harmful ingredients.

Today we scrutinize labels, we ask questions, we even cook for our four-legged friends. We avoid foods with ingredients like “byproducts,” “rendered meat,” and “artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.” We don’t roll over and believe everything the pet food companies tell us. It’s a sad fact, but there are pet food companies that focus on the numbers instead of the nutrition. Let’s face it: it’s cheaper to produce a product that’s brimming with byproducts and fillers, rather than real meat and other healthy ingredients like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. If I hear one more company claim that their product is “complete and balanced nutrition,” I’m gonna upchuck a hairball.

That’s why I decided to chat with Arden Moore, pet expert and author of “Real Food for Dogs: 50 Vet-Approved Recipes to Please the Canine Gastronome.” The book rocketed to the top of Amazon.com’s bestseller list and remains one of the online bookseller’s top selling cookbooks.

Karen: WHAT’S THE MOST STARTLING THING YOU’VE LEARNED ABOUT THE PET FOOD RECALL?

Arden: I believe the pet food recall was a wake up call for many pet food companies regarding the manufacturing process in a foreign country—namely, China . I believe that many companies strive to produce quality food for pets, but may not have had as many safeguards in place in supervising the production in a foreign country. Out of this tragedy, I believe the quality of pet food has improved. There are more organic foods, diets made in the United States , and better monitoring of the production. No one, including those at the pet food companies, wants to intentionally harm pets.

Karen: WHAT CAN GUARDIANS DO TODAY TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THEIR PETS (AS IT RELATES TO PET FOOD)?

Arden: Pay attention to the label—don’t be fooled by meaningless terms like “lite” or “human-grade quality.” Avoid products where the first ingredients are not real meat like fish, chicken or beef (like meat by products, wheat or corn). Instead, shop for products that best suit your pet’s age, activity level and health condition. Realize what you feed your two-year-old Beagle may not be the right choice when he becomes a “senior canine citizen” by age 7 or 8. Work closely with your veterinarian in choosing the right food for your pet to bring out the best health possible.

Also, be willing to spend a little extra in selecting quality food for your pet. It’s a win-win. Your pet eats better and is more apt to live longer and healthier. That means lower vet bills for you and a longer lifetime to share with your pet.

Karen: CAN YOU SHARE A COUPLE OF TASTY TIDBITS FROM YOUR BOOK THAT PET LOVERS WOULD FIND HELPFUL?

Arden: Here are five of my “Doggy Chef Ten Commandments” from Real Food for Dogs:
1. Wash your hands in warm, soapy water and rinse well before handling food.
2. Trim all meats of fat, and drain excess grease from cooked meats.
3. Provide fresh, filtered water daily for your pets.
4. Serve two or three small meals daily, not one large one.
5. Serve in ceramic or stainless steel bowls. Plastic bowls can get nicked or chewed and harbor salmonella and other parasites.

Karen: DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE RECIPE FROM YOUR BOOK?

Arden: Yes, here is a recipe for Marvelous Mutt Meatballs. Have some fun and hone your dog’s fetching skills by tossing him a few of these meatballs at dinnertime.

1 lb. ground beef
2/3 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 carrot, finely chopped
1 cup bread crumbs
2 eggs, whisked
3 teaspoons tomato paste (low sodium)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.
3. Scoop out by the spoonful and roll into mini-size meatballs.
4. Place the meatballs on a cookie sheet sprayed with nonfat cooking spray.
5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
6. Cool and serve a few to your dog. Store the rest in the refrigerator in a container with a lid.

Arden , thanks for your great advice and yummy recipe! It’s no secret that I’m a complete klutz in the kitchen, but I think I can whip up a batch of Mutt Meatballs for the canine connoisseurs in my life. Bone appetit!

Do you have a pet food recipe that has your four-legged foodie sitting up and begging for more? Let Karen know by sending them to her at karenleestevens@cox.net; she’ll share them with readers in an upcoming column.