crowbelle's Diaryland Diary

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Forewarned is Forearmed

FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED...

I am quoting an article I read today in our local evening newspaper, written by Glenn and Judy Goldman, entitled:

"Should pet owners take steps to protect against mad cow disease?"

A reader writes in with this question:

Q: I am wondering if you have advice for pet owners regarding commercial pet food and its contents, in particular, "animal byproducts."

"I have cats, but not dogs, at this time. I made my own dog food with my dogs in the past, but cat nutritional needs are so different that I feed mine commercial dry and moist food. Both have animal byproducts listed as ingredients.

"With mad cow disease now recognized here, I e-mailed several of the companies to ask what the byproducts were, and if they are considering being more careful to eliminate neuro and small intestinal tissue. They will not answer - which in itself seems like an answer.

"I am troubled by this as we humans have probably spread these diseases by our habits of feeding "animal byproducts" to other animals. Also, there is some human consumption of animal pet foods among the poor. I think this is an area we all need to make others aware of. What do you think?"

Glenn E. Goldman responded to the reader's letter as follows:

A: "We think you are absolutely right to be questioning the contents of the food you feed your pets and the source of those ingredients. When pets in this country went from eating home-cooked meals and table scraps to commercial foods about 50 years ago, the incidence of canine cancers, intestinal diseases and other problems increased. Life spans decreased. Besides environmental toxins, diet was one important variable. A similar decline in pet health has been seen in other countries when the change to commercial foods was firmly established there.

"We, as consumers, want to believe that dog-food manufacturers know what is best for our canine companions. However, a growing list of concerned canine professionals see the Assoc. of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), the agency that sets standards and oversees the industry, as weak and ineffective, and its standards flawed.

"Pet owners should read labels. Avoid foods containing meat byproducts, which is what is in many brand-name dog foods.

"These byproducts are the worst of the worst and can include not only animal heads, feet and viscera, but sometimes sick and diseased animals. Even the rendered carcasses of euthanized pets have been used. Fillers such as soy and corn may sound healthy, but dogs have a hard time digesting these, and some breeds are allergic to them.

"The bottom line is that the ingredients in commercial pet foods are not whole foods, are of variable quality, are sometimes contaminated with toxic mold and fungal growth, contain harmful additives, and are overly processed, thus destroying many of the nutrients.

"In fact, manufacturers are forced to make these overly processed foods nutritious by fortifying them with vitamins and minerals. A growing number of veterinarians advise that dogs, like humans, should eat whole, natural foods, free of chemical additives and suited to the needs of the individual dog.

"The number of premium high-end pet foods that contain real meats of a grade humans would eat, as well as whole foods, and few, if any grain fillers or chemical additives, are now on the shelves of many specialist pet supply and feed stores.

"Interestingly, some of the dog foods, thought just a few years ago to be healthful alternatives to those made by the brand-name dog food manufacturers, are now considered just slightly better in the face of some of the newer, even more healthful brands on the shelves.

"As for mad cow disease, that is a real concern. The owner of a local store that sells pet food confided that he hasn't heard from any industry newsletters or distributors about the problems of mad cow disease. In his opinion, byproducts are "scary things anyway," representing animal parts that humans don't eat or the USDA has rejected for human consumption.

"This store owner doesn't sell much beef-based food; he carries mostly those containing chicken and lamb. According to another local store owner, most of the premium, high-end foods, like Wellness, Innova, or Solid Gold, are made with human-grade meat and few, if any, fillers.

"Troy Borge, an FDA investigator, directed us to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration web site (www.fda.gov) for answers to our questions about pet foods, byproducts and mad cow disease.

"According to an FDA statement in May 2003, "The Food and Drug Administration has learned from the government of Canada that rendered material from a Canadian cow that last week tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, also known as mad cow disease) may have been used to manufacture pet food, specifically dry dog food, some of which was reported to have been shipped to the U.S.

"It is also important to stress that there is no scientific evidence to date that dogs can contract BSE or any similar disease. In addition, there is no evidence that dogs can transmit the disease to humans..."

"Another FDA statement said, "With the exception of cats, no pets (companion animals) are known to be susceptible to the infectious agent that causes BSE in cattle. No evidence of BSE has ever been found in dogs, horses, birds, or reptiles. However, cats are susceptible.

"Currently in the U.S., rendered products that are prohibited from cattle feed are acceptable for use in pet food. Such products include meat and bone meal, for example."

"This is all a bit disconcerting, to say the least. We would direct our readers, who are interested or concerned, to go to this (FDA) Web Site for more complete information.

"You are wise in pointing out that in the U.S., there are those who might, indeed, consume foods produced solely for animal consumption. Not only the poor, but children and even adults will sometimes like the taste of certain pet products and occasionally eat them.

"We never would have thought to point this out.

"Thanks for writing."

The above was written by Glenn E. Goldman who is a dog behavioral consultant and trainer. He and Judy run a local dog training business. They can be reached at [email protected] (please indicate the Salem News in the subject line) or at Essex Country Newspapers, c/o Paws for Thought, 32 Durham Road, Beverly, MA, 01915. Their Web site is here:

Glenn and Judy Goldman