Does Nutro have too high levels of zinc, copper?
This from SSS! reader Linda, who has written several times before about Nutro pet food.
The Pet Food Product Safety Alliance had private testing done on samples believed to be Nutro Natural Choice Chicken Meal, Rice and Oatmeal Formula, and Nutro Max Puppy. The alliance says levels of copper were found in both foods that were above levels recommended by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which crafts guidelines for producing animal food.
Copper can cause health problems in some dog breeds.
The alliance also questioned the food's zinc content. While the amounts feel within AAFCO's guidelines, those amounts are 10 times higher than what would be recommend for human adults, based on body weight.
The symptoms of zinc toxicity “are consistent with the majority of those reported by consumers suspecting problems believed to be associated with feeding Nutro dry dog food,” according to the alliance.
Click here for a link, also in the alliance post, from the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia on zinc toxicity.
The Pet Food Product Safety Alliance was started by Don Earl of Port Townsend, WA. A retired real estate developer, he believes his cat, Chuckles, died from eating tainted pet food last year, when millions of pet food products were recalled. Earl said he offered to send Chuckles’ food to the Federal Food and Drug Administration for testing, but the agency declined.
Earl later filed a petition in federal court, calling for the FDA to “perform its duty” and investigate if other toxins, besides melamine, contaminated the food.
ANGIE BRENNAN, a Sun-Sentinel page designer,
lives with four dogs and one boyfriend. And has a lifetime of animal stories to share.
DIANE LADE, a reporter on the Sun-Sentinel's Help Team, has lived with cats, dogs, reptiles, fish, an iguana, and an armadillo.
CYNDI METZGER, editor of the Sun-Sentinel's Outlook section, is smitten with Bella, her poodle who regularly ignores requests to sit, stay and get off the ivory-colored sofa. 
JOHN TANASYCHUK, a Sun-Sentinel lifestyle writer, has lived with cats as long as he can remember. He and his partner currently share their home with three.
