Eukanuba Custom Care Sensitive Skin

Earlier this summer, you may remember that P&G Pet Care (Proctor & Gamble, which owns IAMS/Eukanuba) announced a voluntary recall of TWO lots of IAMS Veterinary Formulas-Feline Renal.

The company announced a couple days ago that it is now expanding the pet food recall to include all IAMS Veterinary Formula Diets (dry), Eukanuba Naturally Wild, Eukanuba Pure, and Eukanuba Sensitive Skin due to possible health risk. (Images of the affected products are posted on the right).
 
Any other IAMS or Eukanuba cat/dog diets, biscuits, treats or supplements are NOT included in this pet food recall & are safe & healthy for your pet.

The Procter Gamble Company (P&G) (NYSE:PG) is volunt

Eukanuba Naturally Wild

arily expanding its recall to include veterinary and some specialized dry pet food as a precautionary measure because it has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.  No salmonella-related illnesses have been reported. 
 
The following dry pet food products are included:

1. Iams Veterinary Dry Formulas-all sizes and varieties. “Best Buy dates” on package are 01July10 – 01Dec11: includes ALL UPC CODES

2. Eukanuba Naturally Wild-all sizes and varieties. “Best Buy dates” on package are 01July10 – 01Dec11: includes ALL UPC CODES

3. Eukanuba Pure-all sizes and varieties. “Best Buy dates” on package are 01July10 – 01Dec11: includes ALL UPC CODES

4. Eukanuba Custom Care Sensitive Skin – All dry sizes: “Best Buy dates” on package are 01July10 – 01Dec11: includes ALL UPC CODES

Eukanuba Pure

From the press release:

“ The affected products are sold in veterinary clinics and specialty pet retailers throughout the United States and Canada.  No canned food, biscuits/treats or supplements are affected by this announcement.  A full listing of UPC codes can be found at www.iams.com. 
        
         These products are made in a single, specialized facility.  In cooperation with FDA, P&G determined that some products made at this facility have the potential for salmonella contamination.  As a precautionary measure, P&G is recalling all products made at this facility.
        
         Consumers who have purchased the specific dry pet foods listed should

IAMS Veterinary Formula Canine

 discard them.  People handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product.  Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

IAMS Veterinary Formula Feline

        Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain.  If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting.  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.
 
For further information or a product replacement or refund call P&G toll-free at 877-340-8823 (Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST).”

For some incoming college students, leaving home without their best friend isn’t an option. Who wants to experience the best time of their life – which can also be one of the most difficult times – without their number one companion?

The health benefits of keeping a pet are well-documented. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pets decrease blood pressure, cholesterol levels & triglyceride levels. Additionally, they can create opportunities for you to exercise and socialize.

So when you’re suffering through a break-up, ol’ Fido can console you, help you trim the “freshman 15″ and lead you to your next lover!

*** If you’re planning to bring your pet to campus, it’s important that you understand the responsibility that you’ll have to undertake in order to keep him or her healthy and happy.

***Also — Remember, many colleges do not allow pets in dorms (that did not stop me or many of my friends however when we were freshmen!!)

Here are 10 tips to consider when brining your pet to college:

1. Check with your dorm or apartment management
A vast majority campus dorms across the country aren’t pet-friendly. So if you’ve already been assigned to one that prohibits any pet, you can attempt to back out of your commitment – though it may be difficult – and move off-campus. You can avoid such a mess altogether by researching if your college has pet-friendly dorms beforehand. More universities have become more relaxed with their pet policies as of late – MIT, for example, allows cats in four of its 11 dorms. Of course, most apartments allow pets, as long as you pay additional rent or fees.

2. Get your roommate’s approval
Regardless of whether you’ve been paired with a random person or you’re moving in with your lifelong (human) friend, you must seek their approval before your pet enters the equation. Your new roommate may have pet allergies, disapprove of the uncleanliness, or possess an irrational fear of the animal. If they say it’s a no-go, you can always find a more pet-friendly roomy.

3. Budget your money
Among the many life lessons learned in college, budgeting is one of the most important. No longer is Mom or Dad on your side, wallet in hand, ready to cover all of your expenses without second thought. Tuition, room and board, books and food will inevitably put a large dent into your bank account, and if your parents help you out, they probably won’t be receptive to your pleas for additional aid. Before making the move, sit down and make a list of the items and services that you’ll need to purchase for your pet. It should include food, vet services (like random emergencies) and grooming. Then determine if you

Kitty Looking Out Dorm Window

can afford it, and if not, what measures will need to be taken in order to make it happen financially.

4. Stock up on the essentials
If money isn’t a problem, stock up on the essentials before departing on your journey to campus – it won’t be the only time you’ll be transporting your pet. Purchase an appropriate-sized crate that’s both safe and comfortable. Make a trip to the vet and refill medications. Also, supply yourself with any miscellaneous items that are used day-to-day, like leashes, toys and bones.
 
5. Budget your time
Most college students struggle to maintain a balance between class time, work time and social time… and very little of their time is spent at home. Just like with any healthy human relationship, your relationship with your pet, especially if it’s a dog, requires an investment in time. Set aside time EVERY SINGLE DAY to be with your pet, study in your room as much as possible to keep him/her company, and make sure they are properly exercised, socialized and fed. Potty train them before they set foot in your dorm room or apartment so that bathroom breaks won’t be laborious tasks.

6. Pet-proof your dorm or apartment
Survey your dorm or apartment to ensure your pet is safe from hazardous materials. Place medications, human food, cleaning materials and anything else that could make them sick in an unreachable area. Make sure wires and cords are out of sight to prevent chewing. Keep you toilet seat down and washer and dryer doors closed – if you’re fortunate enough to have those appliances. And cover all heating and air vents.

7. Establish pet-friendly areas
Keep in mind that you are, in fact, sharing your new home with your pet: so establish pet-friendly areas in your dorm room or apartment. If you have a cat, find a tiled floor – preferably away from the kitchen – to place his or her litter box. You can erect their scratching posts in an area in your main room that’s not visible, like behind the couch, or behind your bed in your dorm room. Also, find a comfy place to set up a bed for your dog when they aren’t sleeping at the foot of your bed.

8. Prepare to clean consistently
Although cats clean themselves, their efforts aren’t thorough enough to meet human standards. To compensate, you’ll need to consistently clean your dorm room or apartment so that it doesn’t become engulfed in fur and dander. Dogs are the most difficult to clean, so you’ll have to focus some time bathing & cleaning/brushing him/her.

9. Have a pet-sitter on standby
Those spontaneous college roadtrips are less doable when you have a pet to take care of full-time. Additionally, any extended time away from your home base could leave your pet lonely, depressed and hungry. Securing a consistent pet-sitter enables you to have your cake and eat it too. Your life will be richer for having the pet, but you won’t always be tied down by it. Fittingly, good friends who enjoy the company of animals make the trustiest sitters.

10. Bring him/her home every once and a while
If your pet has grown up around your family, be sure to bring him or her home with you when you go. It’s not fair for Fluffy to get left behind and not get to visit her “original” home. After all, your pet is a member of your family, and it deserves all the love in the world.

** Thanks to BestCollegesOnline for this report

** Photo Courtesy Digital Photography School

Thank you so much to all who entered the July Pet Photo Contest!

This was by far our most popular contest yet & we wish everyone could have won!

Based solely on reader comments and emails with votes, here are the winners!

1. Simba and Murphy (tied for first with over a third of the 475 votes)

2. Sasha the Red Riding Hood Dog

3. Sylvestor Micato

4. Diva

5. Shiloh and Shasta

Honorable Mentions:
** Gucci and Cheeto

If you read this before I contact you, please send me your mailing address!

Thanks again everyone;and look for the August contest coming up in a week

Jaime

Here are the current Top Five in the July Pet Photo Contest (remember you have until 7 pm this Thursday EST to vote via comment or email)!

1. Simba and Murphy

2. Sasha the Red Riding Hood Dog

3. Sylvestor Micato

4. Diva

5. Shiloh and Shasta

Honorable Mention:

Bella (“Another Bella” in the photo caption)

Summer Contest Rankings as of 2 pm this afternoon:

1. Sasha the Red Riding Hood Dog (ahead by 13 votes)

2. Diva (ahead by 5 votes)

3. Simba/Murphy (ahead by 3 votes)

4. Sylvestor MiCato (ahead by 2 votes)

5. Shiloh and Shasta

Honorable Mention: TIED between Bella the Westie and Cheeto (and only TWO VOTES  behind 5th place…)

Look for another update this evening as votes are coming in at ASTONISHING rates!! I haven’t even counted the last 20 in my Inbox yet!

The July Pet Photo Contest winners are in a SERIOUSLY close, neck-and-neck run for both first and last place…!!!

(You guys have done a great job of recruiting friends and family to come and vote for you – KUDOS!)

I wanted to update you so you can send MORE and MORE friends here. (The BEST way to do that is to post on Facebook the original post that features your pet’s picture.)

Please explain to your friends that they can only vote ONCE in an email, and ONCE in a comment. For example, I received an email last night saying. “We vote two times for XX and there’s two of us so that’s FOUR votes for XX.” I can only count that as one vote, as only one is allowed per email address and one per comment.

There are some NEW NAMES in the rankings since yesterday…!

Leaders as of 7:00 pm tonight:

1. TIE AGAIN between Diva and Murphy/Simba (they have same owner so they are both being voted for)

2. Sasha the Red Riding Hood dog

3. Sylvestor MiCato

4. Tigger

5. Shilo and Shasta TIED with Cheeto

This is just a WARNING…FYI

I know the July Photo Contest is extremely popular and super-competitive this month, and I LOVE you all for entering and I love all the amazing photos I’ve received — but I discovered something today. And I was “un-pleased” to put it lightly.

SEVERAL contest entrants are sending MULTIPLE emails from the SAME IP address & simply changing the name and making up an email…

I have replied to several of these emails to test them and gotten them bounced back because the email address does not exist.

I am not going to name names because you know who you are and I respect your privacy and I understand you want to win! However- please do not underestimate my Internet technology and blogging knowledge…

When I receive your comments – your IP Address appears as well, so I know exactly how many votes are coming from one home…

***This is “vote-stuffing” and if it happens ONE MORE TIME, you will be eliminated from the competition as this is not only unethical – its totally unfair to the people who have legitimately sent friends and family here to vote – plus it’s inappropriate behavior — IT’S CHEATING — and I’m a bit offended that some of you are trying to trump the contest in this manner. .***

If you have multiple persons living in your home, please mention that in your comment. Votes with invalid email addresses will not be counted.

Also, maybe I didn’t explain this clearly so bare with me, but the only way you can vote TWICE is by:

1. Leaving a comment

AND

2. Sending an email

–You cannot send TWO VOTES in one COMMENT OR one EMAIL.

S0 — now that that is overwith, an update.!!! (phew!)

As of now, this is the order of the winners, and remember there are still 6 days left to vote!

1. Simba and Murphy (in the lead by four)

2. Sasha the caped dog (two votes behind)

3. Diva TIED with Sylvestor MiCato (each one behind)

Last two I still haven’t tallied up yet…

Good luck!

And remember – there are AT LEAST three more contests this year with awesome prizes, including more from Bissell, Inc and Furminator, and including pet store gift cards… Plus I never give one person a prize within a six-month period….so it’s fair for everyone.

As of now — it’s actually 10 minutes late, no more photos will be entered into the July Photo Contest; it is officially closed.

Please come back in early August to see what THAT contest holds for my loyal readers and fans… (it’s another REALLY GOOD ONE sponsored by a BIG TIME pet company… hint hint)

**Again, based on the sheer number of entries I reveived for this July pet photo contest — I am extending the VOTING deadline (NOT the SUBMISSION deadline). 

**The voting period is being extended (in fairness to those whose pictures were not posted until this week & tonight) to July 29th. 

 You can keep voting all the way until 7 pm on July 29th. Winners will be announced sometime on Friday July 30th on the blog.**

It seems that certain pet owners are sending LOADS of friends to vote for their pets, so if you haven’t done that yet – I seriously encourage you to… post my entry with you pet’s picture on Facebook, Twitter, or your blog so you can get some votes.

As of now, here are the top five most voted for pets over the last couple weeks. (Remember – this contest is being judged SOLELY on comments and emails to me with votes. You can vote two times by commenting AND emailing to thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com.)

1. Diva the Dog

2. Murphy and Simba (tied — same owner so people vote for both)

3. Tutti Frutti

4. Nietchze

5. Cheeto

Here are the last of the entries!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!! Send all you know here to vote — the prizes are the BEST I’VE EVER GIVEN OUT IN THE HISTORY OF THE BLOG!!!

Abby Lester

Another Bella

Another Bella II

BEAR

Bella's Worn Out from the Wii Fit!

Bigs and Minnie

Cute cat from Traci

Another Cute Cat from Traci

Easter

Finnegan

Freddie

Geddy

Jacob

Kitten from Desiree

Mini Me

Monroe

Sasha!!!! (This one CRACKED me up!)

Sasha II

Sasha III

Sophie-Kay

Sylvester MiCato

Sylvester MiCato II

Tigger

Tigger II

Our Friends Shiloh and Shasta

*** Don’t forget everyone — ONE DAY LEFT to get your pet pictures into me for the July Pet Photo Contest!! They must be received via email by 9 pm EST tomorrow – Thursday, July 22nd! (Email to thougthsfurpaws@gmail.com.)

Don’t forget ALSO that prizes include:

-  A VERY EXPENSIVE Bissell handheld pet vac (thank you Bissell, Inc for the donation of this one!) — 1st place winner gets this only

- Two ergonomic Furminators (retail value over $50)

- A Dog Teeth Cleaning Kit (retail value over $75)

- Boutique puppy products/shampoos/etc

- TONS of toys and treats and gift cards from Petco/PetSmart

- New special Martha Stewart pet toys

As of now, here are the top five most voted for pets over the last couple weeks. (Remember – this contest is being judged SOLELY on comments and emails to me with votes)

1. Murphy and Simba (tied)

2. Tutti Frutti

3. Nietchze

4. Cheeto

5. UNKNOWN!!!

Right now all the winners are KITTEHS!!! C’mon Doggies — get your parents to send some voters your way!!!

Obviously the more people who send their friends and family here to vote, or post it on Facebook, or send a mass email to me are the ones getting all the votes! So get out there and get your pets some votes!!

In the mean time, here are some more pictures in the running. One last post of pictures tomorrow (and maybe one Friday if last-minute-people send me pix late tomorrow night as I astill have about 20 more to get up here)…

So here are some more photos for you guys to peruse through and vote on!

Kitty I from Sam

Kitty II from Sam

Kitty III from Sam

Sadie

"Pierre in Paris"

Ginger

Ginger II

Tiger

Jemaine

Jemaine II

Jemaine III

Kitty from Vikki

Kitty II from Vikki

Smokey

Smokey II

Chase

CHEWY

Chewy II

Captain

Captain II

Captain III

Dog from Catherine

Dog from Catherine II

Dog from Catherine III

Pup from Lisa

Pets from Lisa

Based on the sheer number of entries I’m getting for the July pet photo contest — I am extending the VOTING deadline (NOT the SUBMISSION deadline). Please have all entries in by 9 p.m. EST on July 22nd. (Email entries to thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com as a JPEG or GIF file please.)

**The voting period is being extended (in fairness to those whose pictures are being posted later) to July 29th. Winners will now be announced on Friday July 30th.**

We’re shocked at how many entries we’ve received for this contest so far! Thanks for entering everyone – we really wish we could reward ALL of you for your adorable fur babies “photogenic trait!” Thank Goodness we will be having another two or three photo contests this year so everyone has more chances to win really cool stuff (including Bissell products, Furminators, cat toys, dog toys, pet treats, and tons of pet products:) )

So here we go… here are some more entries! Don’t forget to re-post, Tweet, post on Facebook or do whatever you have to to get friends and people to vote for your pet — as winners are being judged ONLY on votes in Comments and emails to us here…

Kitty's Name Unknown from Melanie

Ryoma

Nietzsche

Nietzsche II

Nietzsche III

Nietzsche IV

Diva

Diva II

Monkey

Akela

Kitty from Kennison

Pup from Kennison

Kennison Kitty II

Kitty from Katie

Katie Kitty II

Katie Kitty III

Meko

Meko II

Kitty from Tara P

Calypso

Tinker

Griffin

Griffin II

Griffin III

Missy

*** DON’T FORGET to send ALL your friends here to vote for your pets — or have them email their votes to thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com.

Good luck!

More photos to come tomorrow or Tuesday:)