Chicken jerky...what's your take on this issue?

[phunluvin82]

Here's a link to the most recent article I've seen about this:
vitals.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/13/12724875-jerky-treats-from-china-blamed-for-pet-deaths-owners-sue?lite

This is not the first I've heard about potentially tainted/dangerous chicken jerky treats, but some of the first info I read was not on very reputable websites, and sounded rather alarmist. But as I continue to hear more about it, I'm wondering what other pet owners think.

We do give our dogs chicken jerky treats, but not from the brands that are listed in this article (which are Waggin Train, Milo's Kitchen, and Canyon Creek Ranch). Do you think these products are safe or is there a real problem with them? Would you (or do you) give your dog(s) chicken jerky treats? Do you avoid these brands?

I'm just curious. I would never want to risk my pets' health, but I am trying to gauge how legit this is...and if it's still okay to give if I stay away from the 3 brands listed.

Thoughts, opinions, etc?

[mrs.jacinthe]

I only feed my pets high-quality treats made in the USA, or stuff I've made myself. I feel better knowing that there are some quality control standards here, even if it's not the same as the "human grade" stuff.

ETA because I'm an idiot and posted before I was done:

That being said, I don't think dried chicken of itself is the problem here. The problem is that the manufacturers cut corners and outsourced their production to facilities with fewer quality control standards. So if you find some USA-produced chicken jerky made by a reputable, high-quality (read, likely small and more expensive) company, I'd feel comfortable feeding those.

[mrsd2006]

Ditto Mrs J. I was at my sister's house this weekend and saw a bag of the Waggin Train jerky treats in the cabinet, and I just threw it in the trash.

[calico]

I stopped feeding Kai the Waggin Train and Canyone Creek Ranch chicken treats after they gave her a horrible case of the shits. Now I give her dehydrated chicken from Aunt Jeni's Home Made. So far, so good. I like that they are a local company and have a good reputation around here. Supposedly everything is sourced and made in the US.

[phunluvin82]

This is good to know...I looked at our brand when I got home and, while it's not one of the ones listed, it is made in China. So I think I need to look into other brands to find something better to give them.

[mmp]

I don't buy any chicken jerky treats. Not worth the risk to me, no matter the brand.
I buy raw chicken feet, though. Grossrs me out, but my dogs love them.

[worthyfox]

We gave the ones from Milo's Kitchen to our dog a couple weeks back. We came home after day #1 and he had thrown up and defecated all over his kennel (not normal for him). So we cleaned him and the kennel up, and he seemed to be fine (still eating, drinking water, didn't throw up although his BMs were watery). Next day, same thing. The only thing we had changed recently were the treats, so I looked it up and found some information about these warnings and decided to throw the rest out. We haven't had an issue since.

[mrsd2006]

You can also try dehydrated sweet potatoes