Mom Kim here - the Beaglebratz were first going to post about this but like the control freak I can be sometimes, I took over. To me it's rather a disturbing piece of news that I first read Friday over at the Dog in the Desert blog - yes, Zuke's has been bout out by Nestle Purina - there is a statement about it HERE
(The press release is no longer on their main page - I updated the link)
I want to be open-minded about it - do a wait and see how the list of ingredients change however, even though the statement said "every recipe will remain the same...." it also said "...or be improved". I am a firm believer in "if it ain't broke then don't fix it". In my long career as a government employee, I have experienced first hand when things are "improved". I also have read so many blog posts and your comments about the great taste and great quality of Zuke's and there again, I have first hand (or is that dog) experience of just how much the Beaglebratz love their Zuke's - just the way they are.
What gets me the most or maybe it's the question I have -
why on earth did Zuke's sell to Nestle Purina? (Of course I know the best answer - MONEY. Both of the Beaglebratz have been or are registered therapy dogs with Pet Partners (formerly Delta Society). A few years ago Pet Partners received a significant donation from Purina - shortly after that, plus the placement of one or more of Purina's CEO's or some high up person on Pet Partner;s board of directors, the decision was made that if you fed your therapy dog a raw diet then the dog could no longer be with Pet Partners - luckily the Beaglebratz were not included in this but the national group lost MANY members over this. Anyway, like the Beaglebratz, I digress from the real news which is in the subject line of this post.
Anyway, for a few years now, Nestle Purina has left a yucky taste in my mouth - I just hope it doesn't move over to Zuke's treats. One other quick note - when I research dog foods, I often check out DogFoodAdvisor. Ever since I first read about the ingredients in Pro Plan and looked at other Purina food listed on that site, I couldn't believe that a company that not just claims but does so much for the dog world can be so low on it's dog food ingredients (although if you listen to their claims, those ingredients are some of the best).
Ok, I am not trying to get anyone to change their minds about the dog or cat food they are feeding - if anyone feeds that food and their dog is healthy and lively and the skin, hair and eyes look good then obviously that food works for your dog or cat.
One final note - their food does contain a significant amount of corn or sorn gluten. Now producers of corn disagree that corn is an allergen - who knows except WE AS PET PARENTS KNOW WHAT MAKES OUR DOGS AND CATS TICK (or as the case may be, ITCH).
(The press release is no longer on their main page - I updated the link)
I want to be open-minded about it - do a wait and see how the list of ingredients change however, even though the statement said "every recipe will remain the same...." it also said "...or be improved". I am a firm believer in "if it ain't broke then don't fix it". In my long career as a government employee, I have experienced first hand when things are "improved". I also have read so many blog posts and your comments about the great taste and great quality of Zuke's and there again, I have first hand (or is that dog) experience of just how much the Beaglebratz love their Zuke's - just the way they are.
What gets me the most or maybe it's the question I have -
why on earth did Zuke's sell to Nestle Purina? (Of course I know the best answer - MONEY. Both of the Beaglebratz have been or are registered therapy dogs with Pet Partners (formerly Delta Society). A few years ago Pet Partners received a significant donation from Purina - shortly after that, plus the placement of one or more of Purina's CEO's or some high up person on Pet Partner;s board of directors, the decision was made that if you fed your therapy dog a raw diet then the dog could no longer be with Pet Partners - luckily the Beaglebratz were not included in this but the national group lost MANY members over this. Anyway, like the Beaglebratz, I digress from the real news which is in the subject line of this post.
Anyway, for a few years now, Nestle Purina has left a yucky taste in my mouth - I just hope it doesn't move over to Zuke's treats. One other quick note - when I research dog foods, I often check out DogFoodAdvisor. Ever since I first read about the ingredients in Pro Plan and looked at other Purina food listed on that site, I couldn't believe that a company that not just claims but does so much for the dog world can be so low on it's dog food ingredients (although if you listen to their claims, those ingredients are some of the best).
Ok, I am not trying to get anyone to change their minds about the dog or cat food they are feeding - if anyone feeds that food and their dog is healthy and lively and the skin, hair and eyes look good then obviously that food works for your dog or cat.
One final note - their food does contain a significant amount of corn or sorn gluten. Now producers of corn disagree that corn is an allergen - who knows except WE AS PET PARENTS KNOW WHAT MAKES OUR DOGS AND CATS TICK (or as the case may be, ITCH).
DON'T FORGET THE REAL REASON FOR
THIS BLOG POST-
ZUKE'S BOUGHT OUT BY NESTLE PURINA!
(The next post should be by the Beaglebratz)
Mom Kim
