What should I feed my pets in light of the recall?
Because we don't yet fully understand the problem, there is no easy answer to this question. I am continuing to feed my pets their same non-recalled dry pet food. Here are some general guidelines you may choose to follow:

• DO NOT FEED
  - Recalled foods with the specific listed product codes.

• AVOID FEEDING
  - Foods containing any wheat gluten, especially if the company does not guarantee that they have documented the source of their gluten and found no link to the contaminated wheat gluten supplier or source. Some pet owners may consider this recommendation extreme but until we the facts are known, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that wheat gluten-containing products may represent a potential risk.

• DO FEED
  - Complete and balanced diets from a major food manufacturer that does not contain wheat gluten. Only one or two of  the Science Diet or Eukanuba varieties were voluntarily recalled and none have thus far been reported to test positive for melamine.

• CONCLUSION
  - We do not fully understand what is causing the deaths and illness associated with this pet food recall There are as many unanswered questions as answered ones at this time. These recommendations are based upon the best available information at present.
  - Home cooking for pets is more complicated than you might imagine. Pet owners should consult a veterinarian trained in nutrition before considering this as a long-term solution. PetDiets.com
  - Feeding raw-food diets is highly controversial and brings significant risks of human health resulting from exposure of children and adults to improperly prepared and handled raw foods in their kitchen. There have been numerous documented cases of human Salmonella poisoning from families feeding pets raw-food diets. Consult your veterinarian before attempting to feed your pet raw foods.

• HOMEMADE DIET RECIPES
  - I recommend visiting PetDiets.com for information on preparing homemade meals for your pets.
  
  PLEASE NOTE: This recipe should be fed for not more than 2 months. Pet owners are advised to set up a consultation with their veterinarian at the end of this period to revisit feeding requirements and to consider either re-instituting commercial food products, or a consultation with a clinical nutritionist.

  Standard Pet Formula - adequate for healthy dogs and cats over 6 months of age 1 pound fresh boneless skinless chicken breast 2 and 2/3 cup cooked white rice 1 Tablespoon safflower oil 1/4 tsp Morton's lite salt 1/4 tsp iodinated salt 3 grams of calcium carbonate without vitamin D (regular Tums - check size) 1 Centrum adult multivitamin-mineral supplement (no special senior, ocular, women's or other versions) 1/4 tsp taurine powder (or 500 mg tablet) (taurine is optional for dogs - essential for cats) Sauté chopped chicken breast in oil until thoroughly cooked. Add rice and salt. Grind Tums (calcium carbonate), multi vitamin/mineral tab, and taurine supplement together. Add to cooled mixture. Store in refrigerator. Larger batches may be prepared in advance and stored in the freezer.

  Nutritional profile 40% protein (Dry matter basis (DMB)) 12% fat DMB 6% calcium DMB 4.3% phosphorus 1.4:1.0 calcium:phosphorus Calories: 1046 kcal per batch or 1.12 kcal/gram Batch size: 932 grams To feed, calculate caloric needs and divide into twice daily feeding. One recipe batch should provide adequate intake for a 40-45 pound dog for 1 day. Adjust intake to maintain ideal body weight Visit www.PetObesityPrevention.com for daily caloric needs for dogs and cats.