What Happened to the Zuke’s Treats?

• Posted on 25 February 2014
• By Dr. Jill Tack
• Posted in nestle takeover of zuke’s, what happened to zuke’s, why does the pet beastro not sell zuke’s treats, zuke’s, zuke’s acquired by nestle
• 0

Unfortunately we’ve got some sad news as of late. On January 15, 2014 Zuke’s announced that Nestle Purina PetCare acquired the Zuke’s Company. Patrick, the founder of Zuke’s, is claiming that the Zuke’s brand will continue to run as an independent operation and continue to produce treats as they are now. However, with past acquisitions (California Natural to name one) and their track records, that promise only lasts as long as the contract states.

Unfortunately we’ve got some sad news as of late. On January 15, 2014 Zuke’s announced that Nestle Purina PetCare acquired the Zuke’s Company. Patrick, the founder of Zuke’s, is claiming that the Zuke’s brand will continue to run as an independent operation and continue to produce treats as they are now. However, with past acquisitions (California Natural to name one) and their track records, that promise only lasts as long as the contract states.

As a consumer we will never know what was agreed to and signed on the dotted line. I find most customers know when the formulas change just by how their dog or cat reacts to food or treats. Some animals end up with digestive upsets such as diarrhea and others end up with food sensitivities or allergy type symptoms. Our animals are good indicators of when companies change their formulas without notifying us!

Many of our customers have been Zuke’s fans because they offer such a variety of sizes and functional treats and they also did a great job of supporting independent retailers. They have unique flavors as well as treats that pinpoint ailments. They are also fantastic training treats. I’ve put this post together because unlike Zuke’s, we at The Pet Beastro are concerned about how this will affect your cat or dog. We know many of your pets have allergies, food sensitivities and their humans are conscious about what they feed their furry kids. We want you as a consumer to be educated about what you are feeding your pets.

Here’s the dirt on Nestle Purina:

• Large manufacturer, not independently minded
• Known to source ingredients from China
• Uses cancer-causing ingredients (pet and human foods)
• Uses GMO ingredients (Donated $1,169,400.00 to help defeat Prop 37 in California)
• Uses synthetic vitamins and minerals (like synthetic vitamin K, which is known to cause liver damage)
• Uses food dyes and colorings (known carcinogens)
• Large marketing budget
• Supports Big Box stores
• Several recalls on different food and treat brands throughout the years
• Nestle CEO is trying to control world’s water supply
• Nestle CEO is also trying to patent the Fennel flower and control a naturally available plant
• Owns medical food labs that mix foods with chemicals
• World-wide ethical issues and scandals over baby formulas
• Over use of Palm Oil which is destroying rainforests in Indonesia as well as wild animal environments

With all of the listed bullet points I would hope that you do some research for yourself to see how Nestle really isn’t a business that is supporting your pet’s health (or yours for that matter). You can see here on their own website how large of a company Nestle really is and all the subsidiaries they own.

As of now, all the Zuke’s in our store is from pre-acquisition. We will not be replenishing any of the Zuke’s brand. Therefore, if you are in love with one of their treats you may want to rush in and stock up before they are gone from our store for good. We are a store that strives to do better for your animals. I cannot have an item in stock that we don’t fully believe is in it for the health of your animal 100%. With that note there are plenty of other healthy treat options that are of the same size and texture.

Below is a list of list of treats that are comparable to the Zuke’s brand. Make sure you check them out next time you are visiting.

Zuke's Treat Substitutes Available at The Pet Beastro

Zuke’s Mini’s = CloudStar Tricky Trainers

Zuke’s Z-Bones = CloudStar Dynamo Dog Dental Bones (arriving soon!), Whimzees and Indigenous Bones

Zuke’s Z-Filets = Real Meat Jerky, Bell Rock Pet Greens Jerky

Zuke’s Links = PetKelp Kelpies, LincolnBark TreatSmart, ThinkDog Alligator Jerky, CloudStar Grain Free Soft & Chewy, Orijen Freeze Dried Treats

Zuke’s Hip Action = CloudStar Dynamo Dog

Sources: Pet Age Magazine, NaturalNews.com, unlatched.wordpress.com