Wellness Canned/Ownership discussion

[4leggersMom]

I have followed these "Wellness" posts off and on, please forgive me for not reading all of them, and maybe missing what I am about to ask.  I have one cat in the beginning of CRF, so he is 100% moist canned now.  I have been feeding Chicken Wellness and Naures Variety Praire Chicken with good results.  However, I went to a new pet store recently, and when I inquired as to whether they carried Wellness canned, I was told Elmer Glue bought the company out a couple months ago, and as a result she will not carry their food anymore, she suspects they will eventually change the ingredients.  Has anyone heard this, and what are your thoughts?  Thank you. 

[petslave]

EEEEEKKKK!!!  No wonder there is so much goop at the top of the cans now - merging products!  (just kidding)

I sure hope that isn't right.  I googled it & didn't see anything, but they may be trying to keep it secret.  Usually there is something on the internet about mergers & buyouts in the business news.  I'll keep looking because I don't like the idea of that!


Oh, 4leggers, if you decide to stay with their canned food, the Turkey has the lowest phosphorous level, which is important for CRF kitties.  I think the beef & salmon is low too, can't remember where it falls on the scale, and Chicken is just slightly higher then Turkey.

[jada]

OMG - We have to find out about this Elmer's Glue merger.
I sure would like to know.

Maybe that's why they're in Petsmart and Co.

[Offly_irked]

Back in January on the Itchmo main page somebody posted that Eagle Pack was bought by Elmer's... 

http://www.itchmo.com/tyson-foods-partners-with-kemin-industries-to-develop-palatants-for-pet-food-4491#comment-109022

I wonder if the casien used in the Elmer's glue and pet foods is giving fuel to this or if they really have acquired a pet food company...

[JustMe]

strange bedfellows.  Damn, I'll be pissed if this is true.  The only other one we using regularly is Instinct, which is getting out of my price range now, so they only get it several times a week.   

[catbird]

Hopefully one of our ace researchers will be able to find out if this is true.  Menusux?  we need you.

Wanted to add that there is less and less enthusiasm for Wellness at my house over the past couple of months. 

[petslave]

I did some searching last night & came up with nothing linking the 2 companies, even at the "parent company" level.  This lists some of the pies they have their hand in at Elmers:

http://www.hoovers.com/elmer's-products/--ID__121503--/free-co-profile.xhtml

One article I read says Elmer's has no milk products in it, it's all manufactured chemicals, so not sure if the casien connection is true.  I'm all Elmered out, maybe someone else can take a stab at it!

[JustMe]

I looked, too, this morning, Petslave, when I read the post.  Even looked at Old Mother Hubbard, found nothing. 

[Offly_irked]

Is there another company that own's Elmer's that would have acquired a pfc?

And this indicates that Elmer's quit using casien after WWII:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/210688/unique_uses_for_elmers_glue.html
"The Borden Co. purchased the Casein Co. in 1929, because the Casein Co. happened to be the leading manufacturer of glues made from casein, which is a milk by-product. In 1932, Borden had introduced Casco Glue, the first nonfood consumer product. Borden expanded into synthetic resin glues that did not use casein after World War II. What we know today as Elmer's Glue-All first appeared under the name Cascorez, and was packaged in two-ounce glass jars with wooden applicators. Sales for his household product did not really start to take off until 1951, when Elsie's husband, Elmer was chosen for the product's new marketing symbol. It wasn't until 1952, that Elmer's Glue-All had been repackaged into the familiar plastic squeeze bottle with that orange applicator top."

Also found reference that they bought Eagle Brand Foods, not Eagle Pack pet foods - not related that I can find....

and this on  PetAg & Bordens:

http://www.animalnetwork.com/ppn/detail.aspx?aid=25942&cid=4074&search=
"1930s
PetAg begins producing companion animal nutritional supplements. Founded in the 1930s as a division of Borden, Inc., PetAg invented the category of neonatal or newborn nutrition.

"The pet industry has dramatically evolved over the years,' says Darlene Frudakis, president and chief operating officer of PetAg. "Consumers have become much more health conscious for both themselves and their pets.'"

And, it looks like PetAg develops further:

http://www.agr.state.il.us/marketing/news/September_2007/September2007MarketingPerspectives.html

I"n 1986, PetAg began a new chapter in its history as a separate company independent of Borden. At that point it expanded into new markets both domestically and internationally, and began to make strategic acquisitions. In 1991, we acquired Rawhide Brand?, a leading line of dog chews."

"Our newest innovative introductions of Rawhide Brand? Dog Chews include the Fresh Bark Dental Mint Chew to answer the specific dental needs of dogs. Rawhide Brand? is a perennial favorite of dogs and dog owners. Rawhide Brand? Dog Chews provide variety, innovative patented processes including marinade flavors, and added nutriceuticals such as Glucosamine. The patented Safety Knot? bone design is hand crafted to prolong the chewing process. These high quality, healthy products are perhaps the most popular ultra premium dog chews. Pet owners stay loyal to Rawhide Brand? and Chunky Chew? products because they know these are the safest and longest lasting dog chews for breeds of all sizes. "


http://www.petag.com/index.asp

[4leggersMom]

Thankyou for all your respones.

I asked my husband if he recalls whether the owner of the pet store mentioned "Bordens", or just "Elmer Glue".  He thinks she may have mentioned Bordens, however we were both so focused on "Elmer Glue" we can't recall.  Owner seemed like she knew what she was talking about as far as them being bought out, she also seemed very in tune to what she found acceptable.  Will question her further when we return. 

Petslave, thank you.  I tried to get him to eat Wellness Turkey, but he refused.  I will check out the phosphorus levels for Logic canned, which is what I want to rotate him to (although, I about fell off my chair looking at my receipt for three cans of that).  Thankfully he does well on Natures Variety Praire, he will not eat the instinct. 

[mainecoonpeg]

I searched high and low and all over the place and have concluded that I don't even possess a pinky nail size of talent that menusux has

Help.......we need menusux for this one.

Although I did laugh my head off at petslave's "so much goop at the top of the cans....merging products"

[petslave]

AHAH!  So the Eagle Pack connection is correct!  Hope it doesn't go that way for OMH too.

Kind of like Clorox buying Burt's Bees natural health & beauty aids.  Gross.

Thanks for all the sleuthing, and Kathy gets the gold star for best finds.....

[3catkidneyfailure]

Double gold star, Kathy. Good find and looks like time for an email
direct to OMH.

[petslave]

Did you know Wellness cat food has only been around since 2000?  I thought it was a lot longer than that.  Interesting info about the co. on their website:

http://www.oldmotherhubbard.com/about_history.html

[mainecoonpeg]

Still kathy.....your find was wonderful and I am just one of many who is very grateful