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
We saw that and think it is rather sad that when a brand becomes established the big guys barge in. Have a super Saturday.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes Molly
we saw that too and hope they don't change zukes!
ReplyDeleteWe have our paws crossed that Purina doesn't mess up our favorite treats from Zuke's which are all of them.
ReplyDeleteWe so agree with you Miss Kim... New and IMPROVED Always means... WRECKED in OUR opinion. We don't know WHY $$$$$ must come before anythingy else. BUTT it does Seem to be that way.
ReplyDeleteWe do not feed PURINA..although they have a PLANT in Zanesville which is only 18 miles from our hill.
We also want to say that NESTLE PURINA is one of those corporations that is doing too many products for OUR good. It is only for THEIR bottom line.
Zukes will no doubt CHANGE.. and we WILL need to be Cautious... they won't TELL us about the changes... they will just SNEAK and make them hoping that no one will notice. GRRRRRRRRR buncha Squirrels if you ask US.
BRAVO on this WELL thought out and VERY WELL DONE post.
I am not a Nestle's fan, but I have to go see what "Zuke's" is... sorry about that!
ReplyDeleteGood point about Delta Society! I didn't even remember that reason to dislike Nestle Purina for my post (there are so many). My Kerri is a therapy dog with TDI because we feed raw and they have no issue with that. Did you know that the Pet Partners (Delta society) rule applies if you ever feed anything raw? So not just raw feeders, but people who give the occasional raw egg, marrow bone or other raw animal part to chew on are also prohibited from their organization.
ReplyDeleteOh. We love Zuke's and hadn't heard. Hmm.
ReplyDeleteCammie!
We understand exactly what your saying and we agree with how you feel. We hate it when things like this happen.
ReplyDeletelove
tweedles
Ugh. The most frustrating thing is that you get these gigantic companies, like Purina, who make crappy dog food, but they also do a lot of public service stuff. So it's hard to totally not like them, but, yes, I totally don't like them. The PR stuff is likely to increase the bottom line. If they really cared about dogs, they'd make better food. But who knows, maybe buying a company that cares about ingredients will start change. Or not. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteMango Momma
I know I'm not talking about Nestle Purina... but this reminds me of how Nestle bought Kit-Kat.
ReplyDeleteNo matter how much they say that it's all for the best, IT'S NEVER FOR THE BEST. The fact that they try to dictate how people should feed their pets simply because they bought something that was already doing well, just means how awful their products are.
hello beaglebratz its dennis the vizsla dog hay oh no i do not like this nooz!!! trixie and me luk forward to owr zukes hip akshun treet evry morning and evry eevening i hope this duz not kawz that to chayndj!!! dont mess this up purina!!! ok bye
ReplyDelete