Plump whole chickens, choice cuts of beef, fresh grains, and all the wholesome nutrition your dog or cat will ever need.

These are the images pet food manufacturers promulgate through the media and advertising. This is what the $15 billion per year U.S. pet food industry wants consumers to believe they are buying when they purchase their products.

This report explores the differences between what consumers think they are buying and what they are actually getting. It focuses in very gene...

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Author: Animal Protection Institute
Posted here: April 21, 2007

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The practice of boiling down euthanized dogs and cats for industrial fat and protein causes an uproar in St. Louis

by Stephanie Simon

ST. LOUIS -- It started with footage of Blacky and Scoop, melt-your-heart dogs with no one to claim them, alone at the city pound--and due to be put to death within hours. "No one wants them. Alive, that is," the reporter said.

The film then cut to a rendering plant that boils down the city's euthanized dogs, along with dead pigs and cows...

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Author: LA Times 2002
Posted here: April 21, 2007

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and why should you care!

You have probably heard the scary stories of feathers and beaks and "things" commonly found in pet foods... you may have experienced the pain and expense of caring for a chronically ill animal or may simply be waking up to the nutritional benefits to your own health and are wondering how this could also effect your animals. What ever your reasons, hopefully you will get out the ingredient list of what you are now feeding and compar...

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Author: Lisa Newman
Posted here: April 21, 2007

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Whenever a problem is presented to a holistic vet usually one of the first questions asked is "What are you feeding him/her?"

The subject of food, especially of "pet" food, is surrounded with controversy regarding which brand provides what; which is better, brand x or brand xyz; so called "premium" brands and all the magical things they will do for your animal; the "mythical" all the nutrition in one bag your animal will ever need; and on and on and on!

Probably the most expensive sing...

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Author: Marina Zacharias
Posted here: April 21, 2007

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The most frequently asked question in my practice is: "Which commercial pet food do you recommend?" My standard answer is: "None."

I am certain that pet-owners notice changes in their animals after using different batches of the same brand of pet food. Their pets may have diarrhea, increased flatulence, a dull hair coat, intermittent vomiting or prolonged scratching. These are common symptoms associated with commercial pet foods.

In 1981, as Martin Zucker and I wrote How to Have a Health...

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Author: Dr. Wendell O. Belfield DVM
Posted here: April 21, 2007

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Even though Diamond, Country Value and Professional brand dog foods have been recalled for containing highly toxic aflatoxins, they have caused an estimated 100 dog deaths in recent weeks, say Cornell University veterinarians, who are growing increasingly alarmed. Some kennels and consumers around the nation remain unaware of the tainted food, which may have been shipped to more than two dozen countries, and as a result, they continue to give dogs food containing a lethal toxin.

To better scr...

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Author: Susan S. Lang
Posted here: April 21, 2007

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May 10, 2006

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that at least 76 dogs nationwide are believed to have died as a result of eating contaminated Diamond Pet Foods.

The company has recalled 19 varieties of dog and cat food because tests showed high levels of aflatoxin, a naturally occurring toxic chemical that comes from a fungus found on corn and other grains that causes severe liver damage in animals.

The company recalled products manufactured at it...

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Author: MSNBC News Services
Posted here: April 21, 2007

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