The Hidden Dangers of Irradiation
Do you check the labels of food products for
country of origin? Do you search the label for
the international symbol of irradiation, also
known as the "Natura" symbol? Usually
green, this symbol is a circle enclosing another
circle hovering over two leaves.
Irradiated food products are exposed to a high
level of radiation for the purpose of sterilizing
it. Scientists tell us that high levels of radiation
raises the energy level of the atoms and molecules
resulting in "free radical" atoms.
Irradiation is a method used for disinfecting
and preserving foods, most notably extending
shelf life.
While there is a consumer backlash against
irradiation in human products, irradiation is
becoming prevalent in the poorly regulated market
of pet treats. After all, if sterilization can
occur and extend the shelf life of dog and cat
treats, what could be better for the companies
selling them? Dog and cat treat products with
virtually no expiration date are popping up
at a pet store near you.
Should you be concerned, and if so, what can
you do? The best advocate that you can be for
both your family and your pet is by reading
labels. I can't emphasize this enough, even
if it means pulling out those grandparent-like
reading glasses. First, you should check pet
treats for the country of origin. If the product
is Made in China, the likelihood that these
three words are in tiny print on a back label
is very high. And, if indeed the product is
Made in China, as are the majority of pet treats
sold today, this should raise alarm bells for
the health of your beloved family member (see
FDA
warnings regarding imported pet treats).
After checking for the country of origin of
the dog or cat treats, you should then check
for the international symbol of irradiation.
Ironically, and perhaps not surprisingly, imported
pet treats and irradiation almost always appear
together. If the product has no expiration date,
you should also question that. Would you eat
a food that never expired?
What are some of the consequences of irradiation
in dog and cat treats? Cats have been shown
to be affected by irradiated food by experiencing
a disease of paralysis (cat food recall in 2008,
Australia), while dogs experience kidney problems.
While science has not proved that a long-term
diet of irradiated foods is safe for humans,
how can we assume it is safe for our companions?
Irradiation kills some bacteria, but it also
damages vitamins and enzymes, and combines with
chemicals to form new compounds, some of which
are toxic. Since irradiated foods lose vitamins
and damage natural enzymes, the body has to
work harder to digest. Studies on animals fed
irradiated foods have shown increased tumors,
reproductive failure and kidney damage.
So much of what pet owners buy for their dogs
and cats depends on their own level of awareness
about issues like irradiation, country of origin
and source products of the treats. Unknowingly,
many loving pet owners feed their beloved pets
toxic treats every day and are saddened when
these dogs and cats become inexplicably ill
and face enormous veterinary costs. Many times
in these situations, the damage has already
been done.
I can't tell you how many dog owners have emailed
me and called, telling me their stories, "If
I had only known." I was that person too,
whose own darling dog, Kona, nearly died from
imported chicken jerky from China.
Luckily Kona survived and our mission is to
raise awareness about the dangers of imported
pet treats and irradiated pet treats (many times,
one in the same), and to prevent the needless
suffering of cats and dogs in America.
Kona's Chips Healthy
Dog Treats
The Deadly Secret China Doesn't Want
You to Know About Dog Toys
Take a look at the tags on the toys that your
dog regularly munches on. Or, look at the tags
on dog toys at the pet store. You may be surprised
that not only at chain stores, but also in high-end
pet boutiques, the majority of the dog toys
are: Made in China.
Why should you be concerned? Consumer Affairs
reports that pet toys tested by veterinarians
found some toys that contained elevated levels
of lead, chromium and cadmium. Chromium is a
cancer producing agent, and with dogs putting
these products in their mouths, they are at
increased risks for health effects. Lead toxicity
can also build up over time in a dog's system
and smaller dogs are particularly vulnerable.
Veterinarians state that metal toxicity can
shorten dogs lives.
HealthyStuff.org reported that 45% of the
imported pet toys tested with hazardous levels
of dangerous toxins. Veterinarians report that
these toxins easily come off the toys in the
tests, which is bad news for dogs who like to
slobber on toys. Even worse is that there is
no regulation over this pet toy industry. Laboratories
testing these products confirm that it is becoming
more and more routine to find toxins on products
imported from China. Parents of young children
with pets have a right to be concerned as toddlers
may put dog toys in their mouths as well.
Experts are advising pet owners to check the
labels before purchasing and try to buy Made
in the USA toys whenever possible. Your dog's
life and health may depend on it. Ourmission
is to raise awareness about the dangers of imported
products for pets and to help save the lives
of innocent dogs by providing safe and healthy
products.
Kona's Chips Dog Toys Made
in the USA
Do You Know the FDA Warning Signs
For Dogs?
Our beautiful black Pomeranian, Kona, became
seriously ill in 2007 from eating chicken jerky
from China. After research, we found that both
the Federal Drug Administration and the American
Veterinary Medical Association had issued warnings
to dog owners about feeding chicken jerky products
from China. Believe it or not, most chicken
pet treat products in major chain stores and
pet stores are Made in China.
Most unsuspecting and loving dog owners have
no idea that the product they are feeding their
beloved dogs are made from foreign sources.
Many of these products are packed by an American
company and sold under their name, which is
displayed prominently on the package. However,
if you check the back label, near the bottom,
or underneath the package, you will usually
find in very small letters, these three little
words: Made in China.
Does your dog have these symptoms?
FDA Warning Signs:
* Decreased appetite, although some may continue
to eat the treats but not other food.
* Decreased activity or lethargy.
* Vomiting and diarrhea, sometimes with blood.
* Increased water drinking and urination.
(If your pet exhibits any of these symptoms
and you are feeding imported pet treats, discontinue
immediately and consult a veterinarian.) Dogs
can be wild about chicken jerky, but it's important
to find a source that is not imported and uses
USDA inspected and approved chicken with no
additives. Be sure to inspect your dog treat
packages for country of origin and ingredient
labels.
Sadly, reports continue about dogs falling
ill from chicken jerky products made in China.
Make sure your precious pet doesn't fall victim
to poisoning from foreign pet treats! To view
the warnings, see the following links:
FDA
Warning
AVMA
Warning
Busting the Myth That the Pet Food
Scare From China is Over
Coco
They took care of it, right?
Remember "way back" in 2007, when
scores of companies were recalling dog and cat
food due to contamination with melamine? Melamine,
which can be toxic in high doses, was found
present in gluten imported from China, which
brings elasticity or chewiness to pet food products.
While federal testing identified the melamine,
a New York State laboratory also cited aminopterin,
a rat poison, as the possible culprit in the
pet food. Numerous FDA Warnings were issued
while the media highlighted the food recall,
including the horrifying amount of pet deaths
across the nation.
While the exact number of dog and cat deaths
is unknown, one thing is sure: the scare from
toxic pet food imported from China was real
and it increased awareness from loving dog and
cat owners all across the country about the
dangers of imported pet food.
But that was 2007, and this is now. They took
care of it, right?
Our own black Pomeranian, Kona, nearly died
in 2007 from imported chicken jerky from China.
And that's over now too, right? Think again--the
brand that made Kona ill and the others that
are imported from China still sit on pet store
and big box store shelves today. And, guess
what? Despite the FDA Warnings and the warnings
from the American Veterinary Medical Association,
the products are still selling and more importantly,
still causing illness and death in dogs.
How can that be? Is it because the price of
chicken jerky from China is cheaper and pet
owners don't think about future veterinary bills?
Is it because people don't scour the labels
on the chicken jerky treats for three tiny words,
Made in China? Is it because they don't know
that irradiated treats, denoted by the green
Natura symbol on the bag, gives the treats an
unlimited shelf life and has been known to cause
cancer in dogs? Is it because American companies
and pet stores still import and sell these products
to make big bucks?
After Kona nearly died from eating tainted chicken
jerky from China, we started our own company
in order to raise awareness about the dangers
of imported treats and to prevent the needless
suffering of innocent pets. Since 2008, we have
continued to receive emails and phone calls
from heartbroken pet owners about their stories.
Here's an excerpt from a customer's email we
received yesterday:
"In 2009 we started feeding our dog
chicken jerky that was made in China. I questioned
'China' after hearing all the bad stuff about
pet foods coming from there, but we trusted
the owner of the pet shop and she said the chicken
strips were checked by the U.S. and were safe.
We bought them and gave them to our dog. But
when our dog had her yearly wellness blood screen
done, two items for kidney function were really
elevated, indicating kidney disease: B.U.N.
(blood area nitrogen- elevated numbers may indicate
kidney disease, intestinal disease, dehydration,
nutritional disease) and Creatinine (indicates
kidney disease).
Then my sister told me about USA made
Kona's Chips. I went to their site
and found information that sounded exactly like
Coco's bad blood results. We immediately got
rid of the China-made chicken strips and ordered
Kona's Chips. Coco loved them, both the chicken
and turkey. She's been eating them daily for
a few months now and yesterday we had her yearly
blood screen done. I told my vet what we've
been thinking, that the China made chicken strips
were the problem with her two previous blood
panel results. We were anxious to see her new
blood screening results. He just called me.
Her results are all NORMAL.
Every item is within the normal ranges! He is
convinced (and it's exactly what we suspected)
that the chicken jerky from China had caused
her kidney functions to be elevated in her blood
work. He said it's very fortunate that we quit
using them when we did. Keep up the great work,
Kona!"
Barb - Michigan
The above email was recently received and it's
well past the 2007 pet food scare from China
recall. But they fixed that, right? It's over,
right?
That story was just one of the many we have
received, from the heart-broken breeder whose
puppy mistakenly ate an entire package of imported
chicken jerky treats wrapped under the Christmas
tree, and died within 24 hours from kidney failure
on Christmas Day, to the darling stroller-riding
3-pound Chihuahua from Los Angeles who died
within hours of eating one tainted chicken jerky
strip from China.
News Flash: It's not over. Read your pet food
and treat labels. Check chicken jerky bags for
three tiny words: Made in China.
Follow the advice of the veterinarian who replied
to our customer when asked about chicken jerky
imported from China: "I would never feed
my dog ANYTHING that was made in China."
Fight the profit mongers who want to make the
big bucks at the expense of your pet.
The Awful Deadly Truth About Steroid
Use For Dogs
Is your dog taking steroids for any conditions
such as allergies, immune diseases, inflammation
from arthritis, stomach and intestinal inflammation,
or a host of other problems for which steroids
are given to our pets?
Dangerous Side Effects:
Are you aware of the awful side effects these
drugs can cause, sometimes turning deadly? The
most frequent side effect in dogs is increased
thirst. Side effects of anti-inflammatory steroids
can be numerous. In dogs and less often in cats,
the most commonly seen side effects include
an increase in thirst and appetite, followed
by an increase in urine production, and possible
weight gain. Glucocorticoid drugs (steroids
with the big name) have an effect the body defenses,
such that dogs that are taking these medications
at higher doses, especially those on longer-term
prescriptions can develop infections more easily.
This can lead to conditions such as cystitis
(bladder infection), whereby bacteria infect
the bladder lining, and the irritation resulting
from this can lead to an urge to go that can
come on suddenly and leave no time to gracefully
exit to the yard for a proper urination.
Other very common side effects of glucocorticoid
drugs are panting and weight gain. Less common
are side effects on the liver and adrenal glands.
The potential for liver and adrenal changes
are well-recognized. Sometimes mood alterations
can occur. These mood changes may make the dog
irritable and sometimes can result in a "nice"
dog suddenly snapping at its owners.
Long term usage of steroids (usually over a
period of months), may induce internal changes
to the patients body, resulting in an over-production
of the patient's cortisol (patient's own body
steroid) production. This condition, known as
Cushing's disease, can necessitate the need
for specific treatment. Skin lesions can occur
in pets with over-production of cortisol, which
can result in hair loss, or red, angry, patches
of skin which form scabs over time, or result
in a thickening of the skin in the affected
area.
Some of the more commonly used drugs of this
class include Prednisone, Prednisolone, Medrol,
Dexamethasone, and Triamcinolone.
Usdi's Story
We are reminded of the story of Usdi, a beautiful
beagle, who lived for only nine years, when
she should have lived much longer. This unfortunate
dog was the victim of overuse of steroids. Usdi
developed skin allergies. She was first taken
to the vet with this problem at about age 2.
It was a continuing problem for her. And she
was routinely given Vetalog - a steroid - over
the next 7 years. By the time Usdi had passed
the point of no return, she was suffering not
only from Diabetes, but breathing difficulties,
heart disease, unexplained weight gain, probably
kidney and liver failure and possibly Cushings
disease.
It is not uncommon for steroids to be given
for dogs, and in particular skin allergies are
often treated with steroids. The use of steroids
should be questioned. They can, and do, cause
a multitude of side effect - including causing
Cushing's Disease in dogs, and Diabetes in both
humans and dogs. Steroids are occasionally necessary
- but never safe. There certainly are situations
where steroids have saved lives in cases of
acute illness of various types. But they're
given out far, far too readily, for all manner
of illnesses.
The Safe All Natural Holistic Alternative
Are you aware that nature has provide a safe
and natural alternative in a derivative from
the Yucca Plant that serves as a Steroid Alternative
for pets?
Why subject your pet to harmful steroids when
there is a natural organic alternative? There
is an outstanding, safe, all natural supplement
derived from the Yucca plant, which contains
steroidal saponins, nature's most powerful anti-inflammatory
agents. Yes to Yucca will promote symptom relief
similar to steroid medications with none of
the side-effects. Reduces pain as well as bute
and aspirin without the gastric side effects!
This product is pure concentrated extract, not
powdered waste product, and contains 85% bio-available
saponins versus 3-7% in other bulk products.
For arthritis, bone and joint problems, soft
tissue swelling, digestive, bowel problems and
colic. Tissue swelling reduces blood flow through
injured areas which slows recovery; toxins build
up and irritate the liver and kidneys. Yucca
cleanses these organs, promotes blood flow and
tissue repair, while preventing further degeneration
and injured tissues. Reduces the "itch"
of allergies, eliminating the need for steroid
drug treatments. May reduce inflammation in
brain area responsible for seizure activity.
Use topically for wound and hot spot treatment.
Do your dogs, small pets, and horses a favor
by checking out this centuries used and well-known
holistic and SAFE alternative to steroids: Yes
To Yucca!
You Can Discover Results to Your Pet's
Health With Fatty Acids
Understanding fatty acids can be the key to
turning around your pet's skin and coat condition
and a host of other ailments. There are two
main types of fatty acids: omega-6 and omega-3.
Omega-6 is primarily derived from foods such
as flax, pumpkin seed, and soybean oil, while
omega-3 oil comes from cold water marine fish.
The omega-6 or Linoleic Acid (LA), while essential,
is traditionally high in most pet food formulations
and regular diets (even in human diets). So,
what happens when your pet has an inflammatory
skin condition such as excessive itching, scratching
and licking, the omega-6 actually worsen problems
like inflammatory skin lesions. Arachindonic
acid, a derivative of the omega-6 acid LA, is
the precursor of pro-inflammatory factors which
cause skin flares, itching and pain.
Introducing omega-3 fatty acids into the diet
of the affected dog counterbalances adverse
affects of omega-6 fatty acids and improves
the general condition of these pets, diminishing
skin inflammation. In addition, research has
shown that omega-3 may be helpful in reducing
the inflammation associated with arthritis and
other inflammatory diseases such as colitis
and inflammatory bowel disease.
The benefit list of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation
goes on, and I've tried to list the majority
of them as follows. Pet coats which are dull,
brittle and dry respond well to this type of
supplementation. Some research suggests that
omega-3 may be useful to prevent allergies to
inhaled substances such as pollens and molds
in animals. Omega-3's are essential for the
proper development of the retina and visual
cortex, and evidence suggests may prevent certain
cardiac related problems such as arrhythmias,
high blood pressure, high triglycerides and
cholesterol.
Since cancer is a rising concern among pet
owners, it should be noted that omega-3 fatty
acids have been shown to slow the development
and metastasis of certain cancers. Omega-6 fatty
acids, on the other hand, have been shown to
stimulate tumor development.
Offering your dog or cat a high-grade omega-3
supplementation derived from the finest marine
sources, with no preservatives, starch, yeast,
artificial flavors or colors, is easy with a
formula we've developed. Many veterinarians
recommend a regimen of at least 9-12 weeks of
supplementation to determine whether results
are achieved.
Super
Koat
Does Your Dog Have Painful Joints?
Have you noticed your dog having trouble getting
up stairs or jumping onto the couch (even if
he's not supposed to?) Limping or wincing during
activity, lagging behind, groaning or difficulty
when getting up or lying down? These behaviors
and more may be indications that your dog needs
relief from painful joint conditions. The signs
may be obvious such as pain upon being touched,
or more subtle, like suddenly seeking cool areas
to lay down in an effort to soothe inflamed
joints. Being alert to the signs of joint pain
in your dog and treating the condition can greatly
improve your dog's quality of life and prevent
more serious problems.
Glucosamine and chondroitin, when combined,
provide a powerful treatment to not only alleviate
discomfort, but also acts as a preventative.
For dogs already in pain, it can help to slow
the progression of arthritis by starting to
rehabilitate the joints, soothing the discomfort
and allowing for easier movement. It can also
be used in younger dogs to decrease the chance
of suffering from arthritis later on.
Chondroitin acts as a lubricant for joints and
glucosamine assists in growing and repairing
joint tissue. With up to 30 percent of dogs
suffering from osteoarthritis, or if you wish
to prevent this condition in your dog, you will
want to consider supplementing with a high quality
pharmaceutical grade powder such as Jammin'
Joints. Steroids and prescription medications
can often cause unwanted side effects. Studies
have shown that the natural supplements of glucosamine
and chondroitin reduce the enzymes which destroy
cartilage, decrease inflammation, and enhance
cell activity working to rebuild cartilage.
You should expect your pet to experience positive
results within 2-4 weeks.
Your dog deserves relief!
Jammin'
Joints
Why Your Dog Needs Vitamins Too!
Do you take vitamins? Your pet should too!
Does your dog always eat the proper foods and
get all the required nutrition? How can you
maximize your dog's chances for a longer and
healthy life? Is your dog a finicky eater? Does
he have allergies, joint or arthritis problems,
or a dry coat that needs help? Is your dog suffering
from a health condition and need nutritional
support for healing? Feel confused by the nutritional
supplements that are on the market for pets?
Read on and discover the new world of health
for your precious pet!
The following is from CNN, by Joan Shim, CNN.com/living,
December 11, 2007:
"If you take a multivitamin every morning
and perhaps a supplement or two because you
care about your health, does it make sense to
do the same with your dog or cat? Stephanie
Pendleton of Emerald Isle, North Carolina, caught
on to pet supplements a few years ago when she
noticed that her 13-year-old cat, Sierra, wasn't
up to her usual antics. She was having a hard
time jumping up on the counter, and she wasn't
playing as much as she used to," Pendleton
says so she researched Sierra's problem online,
and learned about the joint supplements glucosamine
and chondroitin. "Sierra is jumping all
over the place again," Pendleton says.
Demand for supplements is on the rise. Simmons
Market Research Bureau says approximately 17
percent of pet owners give their cats and dogs
some type of supplement.
You may wish to consider supplementing your
pet's diet with high grade organic holistic
vitamins. Check the labels to make sure that
your pet vitamins contain only the highest quality
natural ingredients with no harmful ingredients
or fillers, no pesticides, yeast, sugar, starch,
artificial flavors, colors or pesticides.
If your dog is having joint problems, a mixture
of glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate
is a great product to start with for joint and
tissue rehabilitation. Chondroitin lubricates
the joints while glucosamine helps grow and
repair joint tissue. Glucosamine has been clinically
proven to not only acts to inhibit the progress
of arthritis, even more importantly it will
actually begin the process of rehabilitating
and reversing the damage that has already been
done. Even if your pet does not yet have arthritis,
the glucosamine can be used as a preventive
measure that will lessen the likelihood your
pet will ever have to suffer from this debilitating
disease. There are number of dog teams that
use this type of formula as a preventative measure
against injuries and to keep their dogs in top
condition.
How about supplementing your dog's diet with
garlic? One of nature's miracle nutrients, garlic,
is considered by veterinarians to target circulation,
digestion and nerves; may purge toxins, stimulate
the lymphatic system and immune system. Garlic
is a favorite which supports the skin, liver,
immune system and digestive functions.
For as long as people have been using garlic,
they have also been feeding it to their animal
companions. Its properties have proven far reaching,
easy on the body and safe to use. In the past
fifty years, during the rebirth of holistic
medicine in the United States, garlic has been
in the forefront. Herbal health for pets recommends
garlic, especially for its incredible anti-parasitic
and anti-septic properties. Garlic has also
benefited pets with cancer, diabetes, liver,
heart and kidney disease, uncontrollable staph
infections and a host of other conditions, as
well as been a staple in preventative protocols.
It has been widely used by hundreds of thousands
of pet owners with no reported negative side-effects.
Follow hundreds of years of "proven use"
of this miracle herb, as garlic is known to
be.
For the ultimate health foundation for your
pet, you should consider giving a multi-vitamin,
garlic and Vitamin C. A multi-vitamin is needed
since even with the best of packaged canned
or dry dog food, much of the vitamin and mineral
content may be lost during manufacturing. And
although these substances are added back after
the food is processed, they still break down
quickly when exposed to light and air. The most
carefully prepared home cooked foods, and even
raw diets can lack some essential vitamins and
minerals due to variations in quality and freshness
of ingredients. And even under the best circumstances,
pets can need extra support to ward off illness
or combat the effects of stress or environmental
toxins.
Vitamin C, known to support immunity has been
found to protect and support tissue such as
skin and connective tissues in the joints of
the body. It acidifies urine and may build resistance
to allergies. Vitamin C can help pets in the
following ways:
* Provides a key nutrient in the body's defense
system and provides antioxidants
* Great detoxifier - helps the liver to cleanse
the body
* Stimulates immune function
* Keeps urinary tract and bladder walls strong
- helps keep the urine acidic, while helping
destroy bacteria
* Promotes healthy red blood cell production
in bone marrow
* Natural anti-histamine and antiviral powers
* Reduces pain and inflammation, while increasing
circulation
* Helps animals with hip dysplasia, loose joints
and supports growth and maintenance of connective
tissue
* Necessary for the production, formation and
maintenance of collagen. (The substance that
binds muscles, blood vessels, ligaments,
tendons and cartilage)
* Helps prevent the harmful side effects of
steroids
Finally, does your pet need help with his/her
coat? Essential fatty acids reduce inflammation
associated with allergies (reduces skin damage)
and are most times missing, or in insignificant
amounts in commercial pet food. Omega-3's help
your pet to maintain a shiny, healthy coat and
provides relief for periodic outbreaks of itching,
dry skin, hot spots, visible redness and rashes.
Veterinary research throughout the world has
shown these oils which provide provide support
for canine and feline skin and coat disorders.
These oils have been found to be very effective
in pets with allergies and skin disease and
can reduce the amount of corticosteroid or antihistamine
needed to control itching.
Recently, a friend came to us with a pomeranian
that he rescued from the animal shelter. The
dog's coat was thin and patchy and the skin
underneath was dry with white flakes in places.
It was easy for me to see that there was a nutritional
deficiency going on which could be remedied
with proper supplementation. Correcting the
dog's diet was necessary, which I will speak
to in a subsequent article. But also key was
the administering of a high grade omega-3 supplement.
The owner tells me he saw improvement within
weeks; the coat began filling in and becoming
more lustrous. The dog's skin was much less
dry and irritated. Of course, a multi-nutritional
supplement along with the base of garlic and
Vitamin C supplementation will continue to provide
a cleansing and healthy regimen for optimal
sustained health for his newest family member.
Give your pet the gift of health this year
and next time you take your vitamins, consider
giving some to your precious pet too! Kona's
Chips Supplements
