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Canidae Pet Foods

A statement from Canidae:

September 2008
We apologize to all who have voiced their concerns with our new formulation. Canidae distributed letters to retailers, breeders, updated packaging, and provided in-store signage, however it appears that this message did not reach all of our customers.

The new formulation, with increased levels of meat protein, lowered carbohydrates, and an increased overall complex carbohydrate quality, provides the most nutritious, all natural, palatable products. Canidae never uses soy, corn, wheat, by-products, grain fractions, or fillers in our food.

If you believe your pet has experienced challenges related to the new formula we suggest feeding smaller portions multiple times a day. Adding warm water can decrease the chance of pets eating too quickly and not chewing thoroughly. It’s not unusual for pets to experience some digestive issues when transitioning, but if your problems persist, contact your veterinarian to rule out any underlying health concerns. For more tips, visit canidae.com/transitioningfromorig.html.

Due to increased commodity costs, we’ve changed our packaging sizes, reducing the overall weight by approximately 3-5 pounds per bag. The new sizes are more consistent with other brands and allow for easier handling.

We are committed to bringing quality products to pet owners and in June that commitment led us to Diamond’s manufacturing facility. Diamond facilities have rigorous quality control processes, utilizing a 141-point ingredient test protocol. All products are subject to a 10-point final product safety review and Canidae has also implemented hourly testing to confirm quality and product safety in our onsite laboratory. All Canidae products meet or exceed AAFCO nutrient profiles in USDA and FDA approved facilities.

At Canidae, we are committed to providing you and your pets the highest standard of excellence for product quality, palatability, and customer satisfaction. Please call 800-398-1600 or visit www.canidae.com to let us know what we can do to serve you better.

Canidae
Scott Whipple and John Gordon
Owners
PO Box 3610
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403

D. of Oregon City, OR October 21, 2008

D. of Oregon City OR (10/21/08)
We switched our dogs off Canidae cold turkey 4 days ago. We didn't bother with a gradual transition. Not only did our dogs stools return to normal immediately, my male stopped belching, and the one dog that was constantly scratching and chewing on herself stopped that day.

But something I had not noticed also corrected itself. One of my dogs eyes constantly wept and her left eye would from time to time have white tissue protrude from the outside corner around the bottom, pushing her eye back and up in the socket. Of course I spoke with my vet about this and everyone drew a blank. It was not a cherry eye and would happen repeatedly in a single day. If I applied gentle pressure, it would correct itself. I was preparing her for early spay surgery and asked that her eyes be checked while she was under. My vet thought it might be a growth of some sort putting pressure behind her eye. THEN prior to her surgery I switched her food from Canidae to HealthWise and in 48 hours I noticed her face looked markedly different. She looked like she USE to look..only I hadn't noticed the gradual change that had taken place. Her face had been swollen and the protruding tissue was the exposed swelling from around her eye.  Because she's a giant breed, I had not noticed the physical change.

After the switch in foods was when I noticed she looked like she use too and I asked my boyfriend if he noticed anything different about her. He said, Her face...it's like her sinuses were swollen and now they aren't. Can I say for sure it was a reaction to the new Canidae? Not without my vet having treated her....but it is interesting that since I changed her food..the tissue around her eye has not protruded, her eyes aren't constantly weeping and her face isn't swollen any more.

So IMO, I believe it was related and she was having a reaction to what ever they have put in their new recipie. And the other issues my dogs were dealing with are also clearing up. My other female dog lives to be in water and never had a problem with it when eating the old Canidae, but on the new Canidae when ever she would get wet there was some odd reaction between the water and her female parts...she would cry, lick and chew at her private area when she would get out of the pool. Since the change in food, this has also stopped. She again enjoys the pool with no ill affects. They are no longer lethargic, sleeping all the time and they are playing and eating regularly again.

Shame on you Canidae. Shame on you! You did more then add meat and barley and take out the rice. You know you did and so do the rest of us. Why don't you be honest. Too many pets and pet owners are suffering and spending money on unnecessary vet bills for it only to be some barley and more meat. Get real.

Elaine of Chino Valley, AZ October 21, 2008

Elaine of Chino Valley AZ (10/21/08)
I am enraged that for years I have fed my dogs canidae platinum. After 213 in vet bills to find out what was wrong with them, I come to find out that not only was the packagin different, which didn't phase me that much........but the FORMULA INGREDIENTS were changed.

I was totally unaware of these changes untill I questioned the feed store where I purchase this food. I think it is TERRIBLE that this was NOT put on the pachaging when the food was CHANGED. it could have saved a couple of hundred dollars in exams and blood work for dogs that had vomiting and loose stools. SHAME ON YOU CANIDAE.

Marnie of Madison, WI October 20, 2008

Marnie of Madison WI (10/20/08)
Add this to the experiences of other dog owners who fed their pets the new formula of Canidae. I thought the altered bag aesthetics were just that: aesthetics, for whatever marketing reasons. Also thought I had been giving my senior-ish pooch a high quality food. New bag opened Oct 2. We were on vacation from Oct 4-12 tho caretakers kept him on same (mild) meds for allergies that he's been on for years. This past Saturday, frightening 36-hour episode of vomiting, inappetance, lethargy, and finally bloody diarrhea. Emergency room.

He's on bland diet now, appetite returned late Sunday, out of the woods, I hope. This canNOT be simply a formula change, too many violently averse reactions. So I throw ours into the mix, in hopes anybody investigating Canidae as a new food for their dogs will approach such a switch cautiously and forewarned.

330 in vet bills so far but more importantly, an inflamed gastrointestinal tract in our dog that caused him considerable pain and misery.

Tracy of Big Bear, CA October 20, 2008

Tracy of Big Bear CA (10/20/08)
My dog has been on Canidae for over 9 years. Last Thursday we bought a new bag and apparently they changed their formula. After forcing him to eat it by adding gravy (he only ate ONE serving)he has had diarrhea for 2 days.

We should have paid attention because he was putting it in his mouth and spitting it back out!!! Guess he's smarter than we are. We will never use this product again especially after reading all the complaints and realizing a company that we trusted doesn't seem concerned.

Chad of Hardeeville, SC October 19, 2008

Chad of Hardeeville SC (10/19/08)
I have been researching many dog foods to find the right one for my dog. Upon my ingredients search on Canidea ALS I found this particular item that could be the cause of most of everyones problem. Enterococcus faecium. Enterococcus infection can cause complicated abdominal infections, skin and skin structure infections, urinary tract infections and infections of the blood stream. E. faecium is known to have a resistance to several types of antibiotics including quinolones and aminoglycosides. Resistance to penicillin was first observed in E. faecium in 1983, and in 1988 the first cases of resistance to the antibiotic of last resort, vancomycin, were detected in Europe. Resistance to several antibiotics and tolerance for adverse conditions makes E. faecium a major concern for the medical community, which has dubbed this microbe a supergerm.

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