Admittedly, I am a label Nazi. And I don’t 
buy dog treats made in China. Ever looked at the label on a bucket of Chicken Jerky treats in Costco? China. And, according to a client who recently sent me a warning, they’ve been irradiated for safety. There is a small flower-like symbol on the package that says, “Irradiated for Safety.” There are reports of young dogs getting cancer who had eaten a fair amount of treats from China. Is it the radiation? I don’t know. But, it’s China. Dogs are a food source in that Country. We don’t share the same compassion for our furry family members. Of course there is recall of some sort. Sadly, dogs have been getting sick..and worse, for years.
I was in a feed store the other day in the dog treat isle. One brand boasted they were made by An American Company. “That’s weird,” I thought. “I’ve never seen that on a package before.” I turned it over and read the fine print. Made in China.
On another note, lets talk about those wonderful, big cedar dog beds sold at Costco. Maybe other places too, but that is where I have purchased them. In fact, I have four of them in my house. They smell good. Like Cedar. And cedar is a natural pest deterrant. Pest, as in flea. Ever opened one of those beds? There is hardly any cedar in it at all! It is full of a material that looks like batting. SO, what is the fragrant cedar smell that lingers for months? Artificial fragrance. Many people are allergice to chemical fragrances. And I suspect my dog is also…I am in the process of working with Dr. Wright, a homeopathic veterinarian, to isolate whatever is causing her skin to itch. I know I am sensitive to chemical fragrances and have been reacting to something the past 8 months or so, and I think it may be her beds.
Fragrance is a big deal. There is a profound difference between natural essential oil and fragrance. In fact, if you see the word, “fragrance” anywhere on a label, you are looking at a chemical. Fragrance is code for chemical. Even if the front of the label says it contains natural essential oils, the fine print in the list of ingredients may reveal a different story.
Why does it matter?
When we inhale the scent of an essential oil, the odor molecules travel up the nose where they’re registered by the nerves of the olfactory membranes in the nose lining. The odor molecules stimulate this lining of nerve cells and trigger electrical impulses to the olfactory bulb in the brain. The olfactory bulb then transmits the impulses to the amygdala and other parts of the limbic system of the brain. Olfactory responses to odors induce the brain to stimulate the release of hormones and neurochemicals that in turn alter the body’s physiology and behavior…natural essential oils promote health and balance.
Chemical fragrances are volatile compounds that linger in the air adding to indoor air pollution and contribute to poor indoor air quality. Fragrance formulations often contain high concentrations of potent and long lasting synthetic chemicals for which very little data exists regarding their health and safety. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) acknowledges that poor air quality contributes to a host of physical and neurological problems including headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and forgetfulness. Eighty to 90% of fragrance chemicals are synthesized from petroleum products and are designed to disperse quickly into the air where they can linger on fabrics and surfaces for months.
Okay, so back to the beds. I want a bed I can put in the washer and know it will get clean to the core. Short of that, I think a homemade option would be nice. At least you would know what your dog is sleeping on and inhaling. I am incapable of making a decent dog bed, so I am buying a few new. The best I’ve found are made in Montana. The filling is made from recycled plastic bottles, so when it comes out of the washer and dryer it is CLEAN! If you order them thru my website, the Company will drop ship to your house and you won’t pay for shipping. I currently have two different styles on the way for Dharma. If you’d like to take a look-see and live nearby, she would be happy to show you her goods 
In the meantime, READ LABELS. There are plenty of dog treats made in America. And there is nothing wrong with making your own by baking a chicken breast, sprinkled with little garlic powder…
