Use this Information to Choose Healthy Pet Foods!
By Richard Monson
Unfortunately it took a recent recall to underscore the importance of your choosing the best foods for your pets. Hopefully the contamination was an accident, but since the source appears to be from a Chinese supplier, the distance and country relationships make for a difficult and lengthy conclusion to this matter.
The seriousness of this emphasizes the need to know what makes up your pet's food. I have written about this before, but the information bears repeating. Do you know where most raw materials for pet foods come from? Rendering plants do a service as a way to dispose of 4D animals (Dead, dying, diseased or disabled). Many of their animals come from road kill, pounds (pets that have euthanized), milk and meat producers. Out dated products come from supermarkets and stores.
The service provided is a necessary one, but much of the raw material is questionable: A chemical named Sodium Pentobarbital is used to euthanize animals. This chemical residue does not break down completely, or even partially, in the short rendering process and remains within the tissues, blood, etc. of the carcasses used to produce pet foods. You may be feeding this toxin even if you purchase "Premium" pet foods.
The AAFCO (Association of American Food Control Officials) issues guidelines for pet food production. Their acceptable list goes: Livers infested with worms or with cirrhosis, lungs filled with pneumonia, abscesses or cancerous material. This is not the total list.
Los Angeles alone sends 200 tons of euthanized cats and dogs to rendering plants every month. Included collars, IDs, tags and plastic bags all of which for economic purposes are not removed, but ground and processed with the dead carcasses.
The question now is how can you acquire the necessary proper information? Veterinarians try, but generally are not knowledgable about nutrition, because nutrition classes are an elective class. Even if the veterinarian has taken a class or two you must remember: The classes are taught by Pet Food Manufacturers Representatives! Who else has more education in pet foods, but with such a slanted view that they will promote their own as well as supply students with free pet food for their use. How much do you think their influence has on your veterinarian?
Dog food companies and the like, such as: Grocery Manufacturers of America, Natural Food Processors Association and the Pet Food Institute hire high powered lobbyists to influence law makers AGAINST new labeling requirements for pet foods. Try influencing your Senator or Rep against lobbyists. Any reduction in labeling requirements or no change at all allows the manufacturers Bottom Line to increase!
If you use wise judgment in choosing or making your own pet foods you can lengthen your pet's life and also make life happier and more comfortable for both of you.
About the Author:
Richard Monson is an entrepreneurial spirit with many interests. Pets are continuous companions in his life. Having lived on a farm he has concern for animals and out of necessity has studied animal nutrition and health. His interests in chemistry, physics and biology have provided him with the curiosity to look for answers beyond the usual methods. His pet website is at: www.NotablePets.smmsite.com.
Article courtesy of www.ezinearticles.com.
