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One of the biggest news that broke out in March was the dog food recalls that took place. This major occurrence caused a lot of panic among dog owners, who then stampeded to their veterinarians hoping to learn more about the issue. People learned more about the problem and as it turned out, even cat food have to be taken off store shelves. The dog food recalls are certainly a big problem; here's some information to enlighten you and your pet.

This issue came to light when it was observed that many dogs and cats exhibited symptoms of kidney failure, such as sluggishness and nausea, as well as drinking frequently and urinating more often than usual.

These took place around the time when one of the largest makers of dog and cat food in America, switched to a different supplier of their pet food ingredients. Since then, the company recalled almost 100 brands of their pet foods.

It was found that the gravy-thickener, wheat gluten, imported from China, contained the chemical melamine, which is used in the manufacture of plastics and which was added to the wheat gluten to make protein levels seem enhanced.

After the initial dog food recalls, traces of melamine in yet another ingredient, rice gluten, were discovered just a month later, leading to further recalls. Other melamine-related compounds have since been found, along with cyanuric acid, which is used in pool chlorination.

Corn gluten, imported by South African pet food firms also from China, has likewise tested positive for melamine and has been blamed for the deaths of about 30 dogs due to renal failure. It was reported in May that corn gluten had reached Canadian soil as well.

As if all that wasn't enough, in June, ExperTox, Inc., a Texas-based laboratory, detected lethal amounts of the pain reliever, acetaminophen, in pet food being tested for melamine and cyanuric acid.

Several other pet food companies have also recalled their products after an undetermined number of animals were either downed or even killed. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) puts the death toll at roughly 1,950 cats and 2,200 dogs.

Such staggering statistics, and those numbers were released back in late April. The extent of the chemical outbreak is confounding and has even led people to question whether or not humans are safe. So far, officials are quick to point out that none of the contaminants have been detected in human food.

What can you, the pet owner, do? Observe your dog closely. If you recognize the symptoms of kidney failure as mentioned above, do not hesitate to take him to the vet at once.

Do your own research and keep an eye on the constantly updated recall list to see whether or not your dog's food may be included. Better yet, switch to premium, human-grade dog food purchased at feed stores rather than grocery stores.

If you have the time and means, there are countless dog food recipes available for you to prepare yourself, so you know exactly what goes into your dog's system and you can be sure of his health and safety.

But most importantly, you have to stay in step with all the latest news and updates regarding any products for your pets. It's not enough to simply read a few news items on the dog food recalls. You need to be more observant and learn more about the products you purchase for your pets. That's definitely a big step in making sure that your pet stays healthy and well cared for.