PAWPRINTS

Archive for the ‘Pet Nutrition’ Category

Many commercial pet foods ( and treats) contain lethal toxic substances which can cause serious illness or even death. To compensate for nutrient loss in the manufacturing process,  some chemically isolated vitamins and minerals are added  (with high tech names such as Pyroxidine hydrochloride, calcium pantothinate, iron carbonate, potassium chloride and manganous oxide.)

If you are feeding your pet commercial pet food, DO NOT FEED  those with the follwing additives:

Propylene glycol – Normally this is used as a de-icing fluid for airplanes. It is put into pet foods to maintain moisture and texture. It is added to prevent bacterial growth but also inhibits the growth of friendly bacteria within the intestines. Propylene glycol decreases the amount of moisture in the digestive tract leading to constipation and cancer.

Ethoxyquin – This was originally designed as a rubber stabilizer and herbicide but before its approval, it was considered a poison. At the outset, it was to be used as a grain preservative in feed for animals not expected to live for more than two years before they are slaughtered. It has been reported to cause liver cancer in dogs and malformations or even death in newborn puppies.

BHT and BHA – These have been very poorly tested. They have been reported to cause liver damage, metabolic stress, fetal abnormalities and serum cholesterol increases. Added to preserve already rancid fats in the food. Fats in this form are very difficult to digest and can lead to a host of health problems including diarrhea, gas, bad breath ,vomiting and worse.

Artificial Coloring – These don’t have to be labeled with any more definition than that. They are all coal tar derivatives which have been implicated in anything from cancer to birth defects.

Sodium Nitrate – This converts in the body to nitrosamines, which are very carcinogenic. They are added to retain the red colour to make the meat look fresh.

Thimerosal is a mercury containing preservative used in vaccines. Mercury is a known neurotoxin. There is a vast amount of research and discussions going on globally at this point in time relating to mercury in dental amalgams, vaccinations and the environment in general.

Many researchers are linking mercury to the tremendous increase in autism in children. If you do decide to immunize your animal,  insist on thimerosal-free vaccinations. They do exist..but they do not have the same shelf life.

Heavy Metal Toxicity – Because meat is high on the food chain, contamination with heavy metals such as lead and mercury is very much a concern. Spot checks on cat food have revealed lead levels ranging from .9 ppm to 7.0 ppm and dog food anywhere from 1.0 to 5.6 ppm.  It should never be over .5ppm.

For more information on the dangers inherent in many commercial pet foods, please  see the following:

What’s Really In Pet Food
Food Not Fit For A Pet
Food Pets Die For

North Grafton, Massachusetts (Feb 3rd, 2010)

A recent study has indicated that weight-control diets for pets have different calorie densities and recommended intake, and that in most cases pets will not lose weight or will actually gain weight if owners follow the labels’ feeding guidelines.

With almost 50% of domestic animals being overweight or obese, weight-loss diets are becoming increasingly popular in the pet food industry, and this is illustrated by the choice available to consumers.  A new study, carried out by Lisa M. Freeman, professor of nutrition, and Deborah E. Linder, DVM, of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, and published in this month’s Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association,  indicates that these diets will have varying results for pets

The study examined nearly 100 commercially available diets with weight management claims. Among the report’s findings is that dry dog foods range in calorie density from 217 to 440 kilocalories per cup (kcal/cup) and a recommended intake that ranged from 0.73 to 1.47 times the dog’s resting energy requirement. The diets also varied wildly in price – from 4 cents to more than $1.10 per kilocalorie. Similar findings were made in wet dog food (189 to 398 kcal/can) and cat food (235 to 480 kcal/cup) marketed for weight control

“There is so much information – and misinformation – about pet foods, it’s understandable that people are confused about what to feed their dogs and cats,” said Freeman. “To counteract these myths, people are accustomed to turning to the labels on food – but, as this study shows, packaging might not always be a reliable source of information.”

Under federal guidelines, pet foods labeled with the “lite”, “light” or “low-calorie” designations must provide the caloric content, and must adhere to a maximum kilocalorie per kilogram. More than half of the foods evaluated in this study exceeded the maximum. Based on feeding recommendations of these brands, most of the diets would not lose weight or would actually gain weight if owners adhered to the labels’ feeding guidelines

Reprinted from Pet Peoples Place

This news story is independently sourced and PetPeoplesPlace.com does not specifically endorse products or services offered by any company referenced in this article, or benefit from any association with any companies referenced.