---
title: "Commercial Pet Food Companies"
url: https://healthierdogs.com/commercial-pet-food-companies/
type: post
date: 2018-02-07
modified: 2018-03-26
markdown_url: https://healthierdogs.com/commercial-pet-food-companies.md
author: "Brigitte Smith"
---

# Commercial Pet Food Companies

Dear Brigitte

![Commercial Pet Food Companies](http://healthierdogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/dog-eating2-300x161.jpg)I do so look forward to your newsletters and emails. And, I can say that I not only [boycott IAMS](http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com/Iams), but every large dog food company out there. IAMS is probably no worse than the others - they just got caught, that's all!

Unfortunately, there is nothing that the large pet food companies can to that can shock me anymore. Whether it's intentionally [using poor quality ingredients](http://healthierdogs.com/whats-really-in-commercial-dog-food/) in order to maximize profits, poor quality control, sloppy handling of perishable product or an bad attitude that 'this is just for dogs - so who cares what goes in to it'. And about mistreating their animals? They're considered test subjects, not pets - the dog food companies consider them part of their disposable overhead. If one of the dogs or cats die - they can easily get another one; there's plenty of them at the pound. Like I said, NOTHING shocks me anymore.

About a year ago I received a postcard from the company that produces Kirkland's (Costco) brand of lamb and rice formula dog food. I had evidently purchased a case of potentially contaminated dog food, and they were writing to alert me that it was on the recall list and could possibly be tainted. They told me to take the case back to Costco for a refund or replacement. I never did. Unfortunately, the case of dog food was long gone by time the postcard arrived, having been consumed by my wonderful Standard Poodle, Jared.

Jared was truly a very lucky dog, and suffered no ill affects. However, not before I spent over $300 in vet fees to have him fully checked out, and tests run to be certain there was no contamination in his system, or lingering problems. That was the last time I purchased any and all ingestible dog or cat products for my pets - entirely!!

As distressing as it seemed at the time - it was a far cry better than what most companies did - which was NOTHING! Most companies attempted to deny any contamination, and I don't know of any other company that sent out a postcard! So at least they were attempting to alert the public of a problem with the food. Nevertheless, it made me acutely aware to how susceptible all of us are to [purchasing inferior products](http://healthierdogs.com/whats-really-in-commercial-dog-food/), and changed my attitude about purchasing cat and dog food, forever.

![Commercial Pet Food Companies](http://healthierdogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/dog-food4-300x130.jpg)Now, I personally cook every meal for my dog and two cats, from scratch - including all of their treats. Nothing but the best ingredients are used. No whey, corn, glutens, additives, by-products, or anything artificial goes into my treats or food. Only the highest grade, human-quality ingredients are used. If I wouldn't feel good about eating it myself, or serving it at my dinner table - it doesn't get fed to my dog or cats. I've spent countless hours researching the right combination of ingredients and working with my vet to ensure that I make a healthy, delicious and nutritious treat for dogs and cats.

I've given my treats to friends as gifts for their pets, and they have become so popular, that I'm being asked to sell them. The dog food, too.

Thank for again for the wonderful information you so generously pass on, and I will look forward to many more of your [Healthy Happy Dog](http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com) emails.

With warmest regards,
Sally Dawn and
Jared, Phantom & Pearl