Born Free USA is a national animal advocacy nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization vigilantly devoted to the helping and protecting all animals.
Here are some of the pet food myths the public has been duped into believing by the pet food industry.
1. "“Meat is the first ingredient” claim. A claim that a named meat (chicken, lamb, etc.) is the #1 ingredient is generally seen for dry food. Ingredients are listed on the label by weight, and raw chicken weighs a lot, since contains a lot of water. If you look further down the list, you’re likely to see ingredients such as chicken or poultry by-product meal, meat-and-bone meal, corn gluten meal, soybean meal, or other high-protein meal. Meals have had the fat and water removed, and basically consist of a dry, lightweight protein powder.
It doesn’t take much raw chicken to weigh more than a great big pile of this powder, so in reality the food is based on the protein meal, with very little “chicken” to be found. This has become a very popular marketing gimmick, even in premium and “health food” type brands. Since just about everybody is now using it, any meaning it may have had is so watered-down that you may just as well ignore it." "The better brands of pet food, such as many “super-premium,” “natural,” and “organic” varieties, do not use by-products. On the label, you’ll see one or more named meats among the first few ingredients, such as “turkey” or “lamb.”
These meats are still mainly leftover scraps; in the case of poultry, bones are allowed, so “chicken” consists mainly of backs and frames—the spine and ribs, minus their expensive breast meat. The small amount of meat left on the bones is the meat in the pet food.
2. They are fooling you and your pet: "There’s a unique, pungent odor to a new bag of dry pet food — what is the source of that smell? It is most often rendered animal fat, or vegetable fats and oils deemed inedible for humans. For example, used restaurant grease was rendered and routed to pet foods for several years, but a more lucrative market is now in biodiesel fuel production. These fats are sprayed directly onto extruded kibbles and pellets to make an otherwise bland or distasteful product palatable. The fat also acts as a binding agent to which manufacturers add other flavor enhancers such as “animal digests” made from processed by-products.
Pet food scientists have discovered that animals love the taste of these sprayed fats. Manufacturers are masters at getting a dog or a cat to eat something she would normally turn up her nose at." "Proteins are especially vulnerable to heat, and become damaged, or “denatured,” when cooked. Because dry foods ingredients are cooked twice — first during rendering and again in the extruder — problems are much more common than with canned or homemade foods. Altered proteins may contribute to food intolerances, food allergies, and inflammatory bowel disease.
3. Don’t be swayed by fancy labels, designer diets, or celebrity endorsements, they fool you by such labeling rules like--"The “With” rule allows an ingredient name to appear on the label, such as “with real chicken,” as long as each such ingredient constitutes at least 3% of the food by weight, excluding water for processing." "The “flavor” rule allows a food to be designated as a certain flavor as long as the ingredient(s) are sufficient to “impart a distinctive characteristic” to the food. Thus, a “beef flavor” food may contain a small quantity of digest or other extract of tissues from cattle, or even an artificial flavor, without containing any actual beef meat at all." “ingredient splitting” is where the manufacturers split up the grain fractions or the by-product fractions so that they can be listed lower on the ingredient list, but when all of the grain or by-product sources are added together, they total more than the muscle meat that is listed first. This is legally allowed by the USFDA.
Splitting is a common practice on dog food labels and it pays to be aware. Ingredients in dog food are listed in order of their weight – so the heaviest ingredients, those that make up the largest portion of the food, are listed first. Splitting is when a manufacturer lists different components of the same ingredient as separate items. For example, chicken and chicken meal are both chicken products. Brown rice, white rice, rice, rice bran, rice gluten and rice flour are all parts of the same ingredient – rice. Yes, there is a difference in the nutritional aspects of the different forms of rice – brown rice is more nutritious than white rice, and grain fragments are far lower quality and less nutritious than whole grains. But the issue around splitting is in determining quantity. The reason for the practice of “splitting” is essentially to make the ingredient list look better.
As an example, when there are large quantities of rice in the food, a manufacturer might choose to list the component parts separately. That way, although the total rice products may make up, say, 55% of the food and meat only 25%, it is possible to list the meat product first and then three or four individual rice products that each separately weigh less than the meat product. Combined, however, rice makes up more than double the chicken content. Manufacturers don’t disclose the quantity of ingredients on the labelling though. So you have to make the best assessment you can from the rest of the information given. Thus, while seeing the component parts of rice (or any other ingredient) is useful for determining the quality of ingredients used, when you’re trying to assess quantity you should always mentally add those component parts together. Splitting can also serve to increase the level of confidence one has in the quantity of particular ingredients used.
When you see two forms of the same meat ingredient, chicken for example, at the head of an ingredient list that can help you come to the reasonable conclusion that there is indeed a reasonable amount of chicken in the food.
The ingredient “chicken” means fresh chicken which is inclusive of its water content. Now water content is of course removed in the process of making dry dog food. It is thus likely that the true position of that ingredient (sans water) should be much further down the ingredient list than is stated. But if that were the first ingredient in a food, and the next ingredient is “chicken meal” then the practice of splitting can tell us that there was sufficient chicken meal in the food for it to be rated ahead of the first grain despite a portion of the ingredient split off. This serves to increase our confidence that the true first ingredient is that named – a form of chicken (meat product).
Please see http://cooking-ingredients.com/what-is-your-opinion-on-dog-food-ingredient-splitting.html
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/how-do-you-rate-the-foods.html
4. Don't assume pet foods are healthy just because they are of well known brands like Purina, and IAMs; and even touted by vetinarians, like Science Diet is. Slaughtered animals, as well as those that have died because of disease, injury, or natural causes, are sources of meat, by-products, and rendered meals. An animal that died on the farm might not reach a rendering plant until days after its death. Therefore the carcass is often contaminated with bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli. Dangerous E. Coli bacteria are estimated to contaminate more than 50% of meat meals. While the cooking process may kill bacteria, it does not eliminate the endotoxins some bacteria produce during their growth. These toxins can survive processing, and can cause sickness and disease. Pet food manufacturers do not test their products for bacterial endotoxins. Because sick or dead animals can be processed as pet foods, the drugs that were used to treat or euthanize them may still be present in the end product.
Penicillin and pentobarbital are just two examples of drugs that can pass through processing unchanged.
Antibiotics used in livestock production are also thought to contribute to antibiotic resistance in humans. Modern farming practices, adverse weather conditions, and improper drying and storage of crops can contribute to mold growth. Pet food ingredients that are most likely to be contaminated with mycotoxins (toxins from mold or fungi) are grains such as wheat and corn, and fish meal. Chemical residue such as Pesticides and fertilizers may leave residue on plant products. Grains that are condemned for human consumption by the USDA due to residue may legally be used, without limitation, in pet food. In 2006, Merrick Pet Care ( a so called premium dog food brand) recalled almost 200,000 cans of “Wingalings” dog food when metal tags were found in some samples. Please go to these sites and read the ingredients of Purina, IAMs, and Science Diet dog foods before purchasing them (even Purina Pro Plan is a one star out of six).
1. http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com
2. http://hubpages.com/hub/Pet_Food_Ratings
3. http://www.petfoodratings.net
5. First, the annoyances –- shedding, scratching, smelly dog, bad breath. Corn, wheat gluten, and by-products, all inexpensive filler ingredients found in many commercial dog foods, are indigestible by dogs. Dogs detoxify through their skin, ears and gums what they are not able to digest causing the smell, ear build-up and tartar. It also causes the skin to be far more sensitive to normal allergens such as fleas and dust. Your pet will scratch, chew on its paws, or have red skin usually on the belly. By providing a food that is natural and completely digestible, your pet will have nothing to detox. Your pets immunity system will be stronger and therefore able to fight off true health problems. And because a natural diet is, well, natural, your are more able to control excess protein or fats in the diet that can cause liver, pancreas, and urinary disease. While a great diet is no guarantee your pet will never have a health problem, the better the diet the fewer trips to see the doctor. http://www.wooferspetstuff.com/food.html
A very important aspect of pet health is feeding your pet with low oxalate foods and making sure they get plenty of liquids. Oxalates are substance that bind together to form bladder and kidney stones, and since pets (especially cats) don't drink as much as they should to prevent this they all need a high percentage of moist foods, and foods of low oxalte content. Urine should be tested for its acidity or alkalinity using a test called "pH." A pH test showing 7.0 (neutral) or higher (above 7.0 means the urine is more alkaline). Your companion animal should have urine pH tests done routinely. Acquiring litmus paper strips from a local drug store and testing the urine yourself frequently is of great importance, due to the fact most pet owners don't really know what is in pet food, and are not thoroughly educated on pet health. For instance did you know that some of the Vitamin D from sunlight is absorbed through the pupils of the eyes? Vitamin D, from the sun is, also, synthesized in the skin and then secreted into the fur/hair. It is then digested orally, by animals, through the process of grooming themselves and others. A little organic applecider vinegar added to food helps keep the urine slightly alkaline, which in turn helps prevent bladder and kidney stones.
Here is a great site for promoting good pet health: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Dogs-701/preventive-diet-calcium-oxalate.htm
Below are three lists; the first is of high oxalate foods, the second is of low oxalate foods, and the third list is of foods that are just plain toxic to dogs. There are some foods in the first two lists that are,also, toxic to dogs. They were included for the benefit of your own personal human health. Before giving your pet foods from the second list (low oxalte foods) please cross reference it with the third list to be sure it is safe for your pet.
1. High Oxalte Foods:
BEVERAGES: Chocolate milk, Chocolate drink mixes, Hot cocoa, Tea (Black and Indian)
FRUITS: Berries of all kinds, Currants, Fruit cocktail, Lemon, lime, orange peels, Marmalade, Purple grapes, Rhubarb, Tangerine, and Juices from these fruits
VEGETABLES: Beans (green, wax, dried, baked), Beets and beet greens, Celery, Chives, Cucumbers (not peeled), Eggplant, Escarole, Green peppers, Green bell peppers, Greens of all kinds, Kale, Leeks, Okra, Parsley, Rutabagas, Spinach, Summer Squash, Swiss Chard, Watercress, Tomato soup, Vegetable soup
STARCHES: Amaranth, Fruitcake, Grits, Soybeans and all soy products including Tofu, Sweet potatos, Wheat germ and brand,
FATS and OILS: Nuts (peanuts and peanut butter, almonds, pecans, cashews, and walnuts), Nut butters, sesame seeds, tahini
OTHER: Carob, Chocolate
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2. Low Oxalate Foods:
BEVERAGES: Apple juice and apple cider; Barley water; Buttermilk; Lemonade or Limeade without added vitamin C; Kukicha twig tea; Milk (all types-but only lactose free reduced milk should be given to pets); Bigelow herbal hot teas: {(hot, brew time 4 min): Cranberry Apple, Cozy Chamomile, Purely Peppermint, Apple & Spice, Chamomile Mint, Cinnamon Orange, Hibiscus & Rose Hips}, Bigelow herbal iced Teas: {(brew time 10 min): Red Raspberry, Tahitian Breeze, Perfect Peach, Raspberry Royale}, Wine - port, red, rose, dry sherry, white;
FRUITS: Apples, Apricots, Avocados, Cherries (bing and sour), Coconut, Grapes, Melons (Cantaloupe, Casaba, Honeydew, Watermelon), Mangoes, Nectarines, Papaya (Hawaiin), Peaches, Pineapple, and Plums.
VEGETABLES: Acorn squash, Alfalfa sprouts, Asparagus, Cauliflower, Cucumbers without the peeling, Cabbage (white), Green peas (frozen), Lentils, Lettuce-iceberg (1/2 cup), Mung bean sprouts, Onions, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Red bell peppers, Water chestnuts, Turnips (roots), and Zucchini
MEAT and MEAT SUBSTITUTES like corned beef (canned), lamb, poultry, fish (haddock, plaice, and flounder), and pork (bacon in moderation)
Dairy products: Cheese, Butter, Eggs, Yogurt: Natural, nonfat, plain, Dannon Fruit-on-the-Bottom yogurts (except orange)
STARCHES: Bread (made without bran, wheat germ, or whole grains), Cereals, Rice
FATS and OILS: butter, margarine, mayonnaise, Vegetable oils
OTHER: salt, Gelatin (unflavored {Knox}), Vinegar (apple cider), Corn syrup (Karo) (1 tbsp),Honey (1 tbsp), Maple syrup, pure (1 tbsp), Sugar
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3. Foods (and a few other things) toxic to pets:
Aflatoxin is a cancer-causing poison produced by certain fungi in or on foods and feeds, especially in field corn and peanuts. That fungus can be any variety of Aspergillus, but aflatoxin is most often produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. The Aspergillus mold is white and gray and appears fluffy or feathery. Humans have a very high resistance to aflatoxin poisoning and rarely die from acute aflatoxicosis. But NO animal is resistant to aflatoxin poisoning, and birds and dogs are especially susceptible to the lethal effects of aflatoxin.
The U.S. FDA most rigorously tests peanuts and peanut butter destined for human consumption because they frequently contain aflatoxins and are widely consumed. (Has anyone wondered if a severe "peanut allergy" might actually be caused by aflatoxin?) Aflatoxin can also be found in tree nuts such as pecans, pistachio nuts, walnuts, and Brazil nuts, and in seeds such as sunflower seeds. Some of the crops most frequently affected by aflatoxin are: corn (maize), wheat, soy, and especially peanuts. The Aspergillus mold is more frequently found in crops which have been stressed by drought. This fungal mold grows mainly during storage, and grows best in conditions of high heat and/or high humidity. Containers of grains like corn shipped from China by sea through moist and hot tropical regions may be fertile breeding grounds for this fungus. The presence of aflatoxin at low levels IS SO COMMON in animal and human foods that the FDA considers it an "unavoidable" contaminant and only gets concerned when the concentration of aflatoxin in an individual food product goes beyond a certain "action level" - a low 20 ppb for peanuts and Brazil nuts, but a high 300 ppb for feedlot beef cattle feed, and 200 ppb for pig feed (ppb = parts per billion).
The U.S. FDA and Department of Agriculture are mainly concerned with foods that enter the human food supply, dairy animals that produce milk for human consumption, and animals whose meat is consumed by humans. You can see that levels of aflatoxin deemed safe for a cow or pig eating animal feed are much higher than safe levels for humans eating peanuts (yet humans are actually more resistant to this toxin.) But dogs are the MOST sensitive to aflatoxin, and pet dogs are being fed commercial dog foods which often contain the same wheat, corn, or soy which is fed to cattle and pigs. Your dog may be much more susceptible to aflatoxin poisoning even at those "safe" levels set for cows and pigs. Dogs have died after eating dog foods containing wheat or corn contaminated with the mold which produces aflatoxin.
Apple Pomace, Citrus Pulp, Grape Pomace - All are just inexpensive by-products with no real nutritional value and possibly contaminated material.
Apple seeds, cherry pits, peach pits, pear pips, plums pits, apricot pits, and the leaves and stems of all thses fruits contain cyanide, which is poisonous. While a few apple seeds may not cause a problem, the effects can accumulate over time if they are given to dogs regularly. Dogs should not be allowed to chew on a peach pit, cherry pit, apricot pit, or plum pit. Chewing can allow ingestion of cyanide. Chewing could also result in the pit being swallowed, causing continuous exposure to cyanide, or could cause the dog to choke.
Artificial coloring and dyes: All cause cancer. Your dog could die in as little as three weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6 (artificial colors), Titanium Dioxide -- all have been linked to many serious health issues. Please read reviews at http://www.rateitall.com/i-28097-pedigree.aspx
Artificial Sweeteners: Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, especially sugarless gum and candies. Ingesting large amounts of products sweetened with xylitol may cause a sudden drop in blood sugar in dogs, resulting depression, weakness, staggering and loss of coordination, seizures, all of which are symptoms of hypoglycemia. According to Dr. Eric K. Dunayer, a consulting veterinarian in clinical toxicology for the poison control center, "These signs can develop quite rapidly, at times less than 30 minutes after ingestion of the product" states Dr. Dunayer, "...therefore, it is important that pet owners seek veterinary treatment immediately." In humans, xylitol does not cause a drop in blood sugar; in dogs it does. There is also some evidence that some dogs may develop liver failure after ingesting xylitol.
Alcohol and hops are bad for animals. Ingestion can lead to injury, sickness, urination problems, and even death. An ounce can put a pet into a coma.
Avocados contain a toxic component called persin, which can damage heart, lung and other tissue in many animals. They are high in fat and can trigger stomach upset, vomiting and even pancreatitis. The pit is also toxic, and if it gets lodged in the intestinal tract, it can create a severe blockage requiring surgery. Remember, avocado is the main ingredient in guacamole, so keep pets out of the dip.
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_FoodAndKitchenSafety.php
http://blogs.dogtime.com/its-a-dogs-world/2009/05/avocados-are-bad
Bell peppers: see "peppers" below.
BHA and BHT are food preservatives and cause cancer; toxic to the liver and kidneys. They are both banned in Europe.
http://www.healthyeatingadvisor.com/9cancercausingchemicals.html http://www.purezing.com/living/toxins/living_toxins_dangerousingredients.html
Bologna and other processed lunchmeats contain lots of sodium nitrates, and fat, so they are not a good nutritional choice for a dog.
Bone meal is high in flouride. Bone meal is a mixture made of ground and crushed bones. Bone meal is originally used as an organic fertilizer for growing plants and also in animal feed. Bone meal used to be a major component in human dietary supplements but after a while it was found out that bone meals are contaminated with several toxic metals and hence the practice was stopped. Bone meal for dogs is often misconceptualized by the dog owners, that eventually cause bad effects on the pet's health.
http://ukagainstfluoride.blogspot.com/2009/07/bone-meal-is-bad-stuff-in-dog-food.html http://www.eatveg.com/petfood.htm
Bones: Only fully cooked bones cooked in stainless steal pressure cookers are safe for pets to eat, when fed in moderation. Too much calcium can cause calcifications that occur in blood vessels and block the flow of blood, which can lead to painful joints, lung and heart desease, and eventually death.
Broccoli is nutritious for dogs in small amounts, but if the amount exceeds about ten percent of their daily food intake the substance isothiocyanate can cause gastrointestinal irritation.
By-products: It is impossible to ascertain the quality of by-products and these are usually products that are of such low quality as to be rejected for use in the human food chain, or that those parts that have so little value that they cannot be used elsewhere in the human food industry. By-products don’t include one important thing; MEAT! For all intents and purposes by-products are meat-less. The AAFCO definition of chicken by-product meal is “a meal consisting of the ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcass of slaughtered chicken, such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs and intestines, exclusive of feathers, except in such amounts as might occur unavoidable in good processing practice.” To see if your dry dog food has hair or feathers in it put some in a bowl and fill it with water and let it sit over night then inspect--you may be surprised.
Caffeine in coffee grounds, coffee beans and tea can affect the central nervous system and heart. It can cause vomiting, restlessness, heart palpitations and even death.
Carrots. Many dogs love this vegetable as a healthy treat that also helps clean a dog's teeth. But be aware that carrots absorb more pesticides from the ground than all other vegetables, which is why farmers often plant a carrot crop to remove excessive pesticide build-up in the soil. It would be safer to feed your dog (and yourself) organic carrots grown on farms which use no pesticides at all.
Cat food is very high in fats and protein and when ingested by a dog, particularly in large amounts or on a regular basis, the cat food can cause a bout of potentially deadly pancreatitis. It should be noted that all high-fat foods – particularly ham and bacon - have the ability to trigger pancreatitis, therefore pet owners should also use caution when offering table scraps that are high in fats.
Cellulose, Corn Bran, Corn Cellulose, Oat Hulls, Peanut Hulls, Rice Hulls, Soybean Mill Run, Wheat Mill Run -- all are just cheap fillers with no real nutritional value and can contain ingredients such as wood.
Chocolate can be deadly! All chocolate, with its caffeine and a related chemical called theobromine, can raise your dog's heart rate to beat abnormally. It can cause seizures that will eventually lead to a coma. Baking or dark chocolate is the deadliest -- about nine times more toxic than milk chocolate (it contains the highest amount of theobromine). A chocolate-poisoned pooch will vomit, urinate more than usual, have diarrhea, and show hyperactivity before seizures start or can go directly into seizures.
Citrus fruits contain citric acid, limonin, and oils. These have been linked to irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression in dogs. (Of course, a single wedge of orange may only give your dog a stomach-ache or diahrea.) Citrus fruit such as oranges, lemons and limes or extracts of these kind of fruits are foods harmful to dogs because they can give your pet a laxative affect at either end of their body meaning you’ll find yourself cleaning up dog vomit or Diarrhea. Dogs produce their on vitamin C and usually do not need supplementation of Vitamin c (ascorbic acid).
Please see http://k9joy.com/dogarticles/dogfood01vitaminC.pdf
Corn Cobs: Many dogs have suffered and, in some cases, died after eating corn-on-the-cob, because the corn cob caused a partial or complete intestinal obstruction. Never allow your dog access to corn cobs.
Corn meal, corn gluten, corn oil is all indigestible to dogs, due to their short intestines. Corn is used as a cheap filler in many commercial pet foods, it just ends up in the poop pile in your yard! The presence of fillers tells you what the manufacturer thinks of their food. If your dog food lists corn as the first or second ingredient,you are paying for up to 25% filler in that food. Corn meal is the dried residue from corn after the removal of the larger part of the starch and germ, and the separation of the the bran by the process employed in the wet milling manufacture of corn starch or syrup, or by enzymatic treatment of the endosperm.
In plain english, that bit of corn leftover after most of the nutritious bits have been removed. It's about equivalent to sawdust in nutritional value. Cooked corn, however, is an acceptable ingredient in cat food. The differences in the nutritional needs and digestive systems between dogs and cats permits corn to be a good ingredient for cats. With dogs corn passes right through them with little to no nutritional value. corn gluten meal is a cheap waste product from the human food industry that provides incomplete protein for dogs. This ingredient is one of the hallmarks of poor quality foods. Wheat gluten meal, one of the ingredients that caused illness and death due to contamination in the recent Menu Foods recall, is similar -- a cheap source of poor quality protein used primarily by the lower-quality food producers. Rice protein concentrate, which was also involved in the pet food recalls, is a little better quality than the other two, but still provides incomplete plant protein rather than the more desirable animal protein. Soy protein has the same problem. Corn Gluten Meal is a by-product of corn through the wet milling process. Corn gluten is added to absorb the toxins that may be in the rendered parts when added to the cooking process.
Corn is the #3 cause of allergies in dogs. Dogs do not digest corn well and would not eat corn in the wild. Corn gluten is a cheap source of protein and is used by many companies as a filler. corn gluten meal might reduce calcium and magnesium availability relative to meat meal. Corn gluten meal is a concentrated source of protein that can be substituted for costlier animal protein. In many bargain dry dog foods, corn gluten meal provides a large proportion or the total protein in the food rather than more digestible forms of protein such as meat.
Dough: Raw Bread Dough and Bread-making Yeast (The yeast which causes bread and pizza dough to rise will ferment and expand and produce alcohol in a dog's warm stomach, which can cause alcohol poisoning, disorientation, discomfort, vomiting or unsuccessful attempts at vomiting, bloating, and even rupture of the intestines - even in small amounts, since the raw dough expands to many times its original size. Small dogs are most at risk. If large amounts were eaten or you see significant swelling of the stomach - known as "bloat" - EMERGENCY TREATMENT is necessary. Do not waste time! Get your dog to the vet right away, as bloat can quickly cause serious problems and even the rapid onset of death.).
Raw Cookie Dough or Cake Mix (The baking powder which creates carbon dioxide gas bubbles to expand the cookie or cake mix can create gas in the warm stomach and intestines of a dog which eats the unbaked mix. The expansion of the raw mixture can cause flatulence, discomfort, and bloating. Ingesting large amounts could possibly cause a rupture of the intestines, so in this case, inducing vomiting as soon as possible may help. If significant swelling of the stomach or "bloat" has occurred, take your dog for emergency treatment IMMEDIATELY!).
Eggs whites and yolks: Raw egg whites contain avidin, an enzyme which ties up biotin (makes it unavailable for absorption into the body). Symptoms of biotin deficiency include dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), loss of hair, and poor growth. Continual use of raw eggs will cause the coat to become worse because it leads to a biotin deficiency. Additionally, raw eggs are often contaminated with bacteria, such as salmonella, and you could end up giving your dog food poisoning in addition to biotin deficiency. Cooked eggs are high in protein and are excellent
for dogs. It is only the raw eggs that should not be given to your dog. Cat food companies use egg for added protein, but some cats will have allergies to the egg yolks or whites. Watch canned food especially because many include egg. The ability of a protein to be used by the body and its amount of usable amino acids is summarized as protein quality (biological value). Egg has the highest biological value and sets the standard for which other proteins are judged. Egg has a biological value of 100. Fish meal and milk are close behind with a value of 92. Beef is around 78 and soybean meal is 67. Meat and bone meal and wheat are around 50 and corn is 45.
Ethoxyquin has been shown to cause mortality in fish. Ethoxyquin is also commonly used in spices to prevent color loss due to oxidation of the natural carotenoid pigments. The FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) in 1997 requested a voluntary reduction of ethoxyquin from 150 ppm to 75 ppm in complete dog foods. The U.S. Coast Guard requires fish meal to be heavily preserved with ethoxyquin or equivalent antioxidant. Evidently, spoiling fish meal creates such intense heat that ship explosions and fires resulted.
Fat: Spraying dry cat and dog foods made mostly from cheap grains and cereals (which a pet would normally refuse to eat, and probably shouldn't eat) with animal fats made from garbage "restaurant grease" and rancid cooking oils can fool a dog or cat into thinking this is a tasty meat, so he eats the low-quality kibble and even begs for more. Fats are what make a red meat taste good to dogs and cats and humans - which is why a prime rib steak which is marbeled with more beef fat than a sirloin steak is just plain tastier to a human, especially when barbequed or grilled and flavored with the smoke from burning fat which drips onto the charcoal or grill plate below. Thus the addition of fats for flavor fools the pet AND the pet-owner into thinking this low-nutrition dry pet food is what the pet craves. But these are not likely to be "good fats". We have learned in recent years that rancid oils and fats contain transfats which can potentially lead to cancer. Do you really want to feed your dog a dry pet food that has been sprayed with transfats just so he will eat something that even a dog would normally not want to eat?fatty foods are hard for a dog to digest and can lead to gastrointestinal upset, digestive disorders and pancreas inflammation. Pancreatitis symptoms include abdomen pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and depression, and this condition can even result in death.
Fatty foods are hard for a dog to digest and can lead to gastrointestinal upset, digestive disorders and pancreas inflammation. Pancreatitis symptoms include abdomen pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and depression, and this condition can even result in death.
Field corn and wheat are also very frequent hosts for Aspergillus fungus mold that produces Aflatoxin which can cause liver damage and death for dogs, the mammal most sensitive to Aflatoxin poisoning, and also, very deadly to cats. Humans have a very high resistance to aflatoxin poisoning and rarely die from acute aflatoxicosis. But NO animal is resistant to aflatoxin poisoning, and birds and dogs are especially susceptible to the lethal effects of aflatoxin.
Flavoring Agents: Animal Digest, Digest, Flavor, Glandular Meal -- No control over quality or contamination.
Flea and tick pesticides and chemicals are fat-soluble and are stored in the fatty tissues of the body, primarily in the liver and in the nervous system, and can effect the brain and other organs as well by disrupting the hormone (endocrine) systems. As these chemicals accumulate over time, they negatively affect nerves, hormones, and immunity. Symptoms to lookout for include anorexia, cancer, colic, convulsions, deformity of sexual organs, depression, diarrhea, foaming at the mouth, nausea, seizures, stiffness, vomiting and weakness, according to Anderson and Peiper. Pyrethrum is supposed to be a nontoxic insecticide made from chrysanthemum flowers,and is found in many flea repellant products, and is considered safe in its natural state. However, combine pyrethrum with chemical additives and you have a potentially dangerous environment for your dog. Chemical additives to look out for include diethyl toluamide (DEET), propoxur, diazinon, carbaryl, dichlorvos (DDVP).
Flea collars: constant inhalation of DDVP found in flea collars causes permanent damage and cancer in a dog's or cat's internal organs. (DDVP = Dichlorvos = Acute toxicity: is highly toxic by inhalation, dermal absorption, and ingestion, please see http://extoxnet.orst.edu/pips/dichlorv.htm ). Flea collars are constantly emitting DDVP in an invisible cloud vapor, and your pet is inhaling this as they wear it. You, also, inhale this when you hold your pet close to your face.
Garlic is safe in small quantities like in pet vitamins and brewers yeast for dogs, but it is still a member of the same family as onion, and contains thiosulfate. With onions, a single generous serving can cause a reaction. Garlic doesn't contain the high concentration of thiosulfate, but in large doses it can still be toxic.
Gluten: (also, see "Wheat..." Very important reading!) gluten from grains (Wheat, barley, rye, spelt, kamut, and triticale), and casein from cow milk products, and soy protein, and corn gluten are all used as adhesives, either as non-food glues or as binders in the foods we consume; some are even waterproof. Gluten is the substance that holds the small chunks of dry dog and cat food together. It is a cheap source of In an attempt to digest these grasses and their "glue" (along with dairy and soy), our stomach adds as much acid as possible to break them down. Heart burn, anyone? But, the increased acid is inadequate to eliminate the "glue". It is this sticky substance that adheres to the villi of the small intestine. Whether it be from wheat, cow milk, soy, corn, or the others mentioned, it adheres to these finger-like projections of the intestine- particularly those of the duodenum and jejunum, which are vital for the absorption of nutrients- effectively reducing the amount of those essential ingredients that would be absorbed into the bloodstream. What are those nutrients?
The vital substances are calcium, iron, iodine, all B complex, vitamin C, most water-soluble vitamins, and most of our trace minerals such as zinc, boron, manganese, magnesium and more. In other words, just about everything that is important other than our fat soluble vitamins is absorbed by the duodenum and jejunum. How well can the intestinal tract function when it is coated with "glue"? The important thing to realize here is that this happens to some extent in everyone and every pet that eats these foods. The "big 4"- gluten (wheat, barley, rye), dairy, soy and corn- are doing to not only dogs and cats but millions of people. wheat gluten is used as a filler in many cat food brands. Cornmeal and corn gluten meal are used as inexpensive fillers in cat foods. Many cats simply are allergic to any form of corn and will develop itchy, dry skin. In addition, some veterinarians believe there is a link between fillers and cat diabetes. Cats are, also, often allergic to wheat products, so it's best avoided.For gluten free food and dog food see:
http://www.csaceliacs.org/gluten_grains.php
http://www.gicare.com/Diets/Gluten-Free.aspx
http://www.glutenfreeda.com/index.asp
(Wheat Flour, wheat grass, barley, oats, rye, soy products, food starchesare all high in gluten content.)
grains:
http://www.blakkatz.com/dryfood.html
Grains are one of the cheapest sources of protein, and with the lowest content, at that. Cats are not ment to eat grains. Cats and other members of the superfamily Feloidea are considered obligate carnivores as they have strict requirements for certain nutrients that can only be found in animal tissues. Cats cannot decrease activity of hepatic enzymes when fed low-protein foods — they must consume a high protein diet. Cats must eat meat to survive. But this is not the case with dogs. Dogs are omnivores and can decrease activity of hepatic enzymes when fed low-protein foods. They can tolerate more starch than cats. In fact, a dog's pancreas produces three times more amylase than a cat's does. (An enzyme produced in the pancreas and salivary glands that helps in the digestion of starches.) The best quality dog foods have gluten-free grains like wild rice, buckwheat, millet, amaranth, quinoa, teff, oats, and sunflower seeds.
Grapes and raisins are toxic for dogs. Grapes and raisins (which are dried grapes) will trigger acute renal (kidney) failure. They kidneys act as filters for toxins in the dog’s body, therefore, when the kidneys are not functioning properly, toxins accumulate in the body and lead to death due to toxins. Urine production will also slow significantly or cease in cases of grape or raising toxicity in dogs, so this can suggest a very serious problem if observed in an animal who may have accessed grapes or raisins.
Grease and fat: grease from cooking bacon, sausages, or any other foods--its all very bad. Your pet has veins and
arteries just like you. They can be blocked with fat and cholesterol just as easy. The immediate effects can lead to vomiting, diarrhea. Although the scent and flavor are appealing to dogs, but actual consumption is very detrimental all animals. Grease, fat, and fatty foods can lead to gastrointestinal upset, digestive disorders, pancreas inflammation (Pancreatitis), and definitely will lead to blood clots, strokes, and heartattacks. Pancreatitis symptoms include abdomen pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and depression, and this condition can even result in death.
Green potato peelings/skins: Potato poisonings among people and dogs are rare but have occurred. The toxin, solanine, is poorly absorbed and is only found in green sprouts (these occur in tubers exposed to sunlight) and green potato skins. This explains why incidents seldom occur. Note that cooked, mashed potatoes are fine for a dogs health, actually quite nutritious and digestible.
Liver: Raw liver or too much cooked liver (three servings a week) can lead to vitamin A toxicity. This can cause deformed bones, excessive bone growth on the elbows and spine, weight loss, and anorexia. Check the label of your canned dog food to be sure that it does not contain liver if you are giving your dog liver also.
Meat: an all meat diet for dogs is no good: Dogs are not true carnivores, because they can produce the essential amino acids and do not have to ingest them in their diet. Cats are true carnivores. Feeding all meat, or nearly all meat diets to dogs almost inevitably leads to feeding an improperly balanced diet, especially in the calcium and phosphorous ratios. There is no evidence that I know of that feeding more protein than is necessary for maintenance and repair of the enzymes, muscles, etc. in the body has any benefits. It doesn't make a lot of difference to the dog's system if the protein is high quality or low quality as long as it does meet those needs. It is necessary to feed higher quantities of poorer quality proteins, though. This is bad for dogs who already have kidney failure because it increases the amount of protein products the damaged kidneys have to deal with. It seems logical that it might help the kidneys to feed lower amounts of higher quality protein throughout life but there really isn't much evidence to support a beneficial effect except in dogs who actually have kidney insufficiency.
Macadamia Nuts: Eating as little as six nuts can cause anxiety, weakness, muscle tremors, and paralysis of hindquarters of a dog, which usually ends in a few days. Cause is unknown. See below "Nuts".
Menadione Sodium Bisulfate (Vitamin K3 = Synthetic Vitamin K) - Linked to many serious health issues.
Milk and milk products (lactose free milk is OK): The ASPCA includes milk on their list of people foods to avoid feeding your pets not because it’s toxic (like grapes, chocolate or xylitol), but because most dogs and cats lose the ability to digest milk after weaning. That is, since milk is no longer a regular part of the diet, their bodies quit making the enzyme lactase that is necessary to digest lactose, the sugar in milk. Basically, pets become lactose-intolerant–like some people–and develop loose stool, diarrhea, gas, vomiting and other GI upsets when given dairy products. Only give lactose free reduced fat milk to your dog or cat, it gives them calcium and vitamin D.
Moldy foods. If it's a mold like Aspergillus which produced aflatoxin it can be severely toxic or fatal to dogs.
Mulch isn't food, but there's one type tempting enough for dogs to eat. Some dogs are attracted to cocoa mulch, and will eat it in varying quantities. The coca bean shells can contain from 0.2% to 3% theobromine (the toxin ) as compaired to 1-4% in unprocessed beans.
Mushrooms: The ones eaten by humans are safe, but feeding mushrooms to your dog might lead him to eat wild mushrooms which may be poisonous enough to cause sickness or even death. Remove all wild mushrooms from your yard as a precaution. Mushrooms have little to none nutritional value. Consuming anything with no nutritional value prematurally ages the kidneys, pancreas, bladder, etc.
Nutmeg is a brownish spice often used in eggnog and mulled cider. It affects the central nervous system of dogs and may cause tremors or seizures. If larger amounts of nutmeg are ingested it can cause death (in humans too).
Nuts: Macadamia nuts and walnuts are toxic to dogs, and these foods can also trigger pancreatitis. Peanuts can trigger a deadly allergic reaction. Most nuts are not good for a dogs health since their high phosphorus content is said to lead to bladder stones. When dogs eat the Walnut seed hulls, they can get an upset stomach and diarrhea. The real problem is the fungus or mold that attacks walnuts after they get wet (from rain or sprinklers), which produces toxins. If the fungus or mold is ingested by your dogs, they can become very ill and possibly die. Signs that should alert you to walnut poisoning are vomiting, trembling, drooling, lack of coordination, lethargy, loss of appetite, and jaundice indications such as yellowing eyes and gums. Severely affected dogs can produce blood-tinged vomit or stools. Dogs can take several days to exhibit serious signs of illness.
Onions can cause hemolytic anemia ("Heinz factor" anemia), a condition where circulating red blood cells burst due to high concentrations of thiosulphate. An onion-poisoned dog will become lethargic, develop breathing difficulties and will have pale gums (check around the teeth). Fortunately, the toxins will pass through the dog's system, but until then, he or she may need a blood transfusion. Onions, especially raw onions, have been shown to trigger hemolytic anemia in dogs. (Stephen J Ettinger, D.V.M and Edward C. Fieldman, D.V.M. 's book: Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine vol. 2 pg 1884.) Stay away from onion powder too. Onions destroy red blood cells and can cause anemia, weakness, and breathing difficulty. Even small amounts can cause cumulative damage over time. This includes onions or chives - raw, powdered, dehydrated, or cooked.
Oxalate substances cause kidney and bladder stones and they are very painful, and are plentiful in cheap dog food. For oxalate level in human foods see
http://www.lowoxalate.info/food_lists/alph_lod_food_chart.pdf
http://www.branwen.com/rowan/oxalate.htm
Peanuts and Sunflower Seeds. These, and peanut butter, are not normally toxic. But the sunflower seeds or peanuts and particularly the hulls are too often contaminated with Aspergillus fungus mold that produces Aflatoxin which can cause liver damage and death for dogs, the mammal most sensitive to Aflatoxin poisoning. Peanuts and other nuts and seeds are probably something you should NOT risk sharing with your dog, because of its high sensitivity to aflatoxin poisoning and the frequent presence of some low amount of aflatoxin in peanut products, pistachios, pecans, walnuts, and sunflower seeds.
Peppers contain capsaicin, which irritates a dog's skin, nose, eyes, and gastrointestinal system. Sweet bell peppers do not contain capsaicin. However, the green bell pepper is high in oxalates where the red bell pepper is low in oxalates. The red bell pepper is more mature than green, orange or yellow bell peppers. They are rich in carotenoid phytonutrients and contain almost eleven times more beta-carotene than green bell peppers as well as one and a half times more vitamin C. Red peppers also supply seven times as much beta-cryptoxanthin, another carotenoid, as well as some lycopene, which research suggests may be linked with lower risk of prostate cancer. Other phytonutrients specific to red bell peppers are lutein, and zeaxanthin, which are known to help prevent macular degeneration and cataracts.
Plants and plant pesticides and fertilizers can make your pet mortaly sick. Although it depends on the type of plant consumed by your dog, symptoms to look out for include breathing difficulties, convulsions, excessive salivation, gastroenteritis, skin rashes, stomach upset, swallowing difficulties, vomiting, and watery eyes and nose. Please read "Are you Poisoning Your Pets?", by Nina Anderson and Howard Peiper. Some of the deadliest plants and flowers include dieffenbachia (dumbcane, has big leaves and straight, stalk something like a rubber plant), mistletoe, poinsettias, laurel, rhododendrons, azaleas, daphne, lantanas, holly, delphiniums, foxglove, irises, lilies of the valley, amaryllis, morning glories, and daffodils. The bulbs of daffodils, narcissus, and jonquils trigger severe gastroenteritis; hyacinth bulbs cause trembling and convulsions. Avocado leaves and unripe stems, rhubarb leaves, spinach leaves and tomato vines, stems and leaves can also be harmful.
Poultry: Turkey skin may cause acute pancreatis in dogs, partly due to it's high fat content. Poultry bones, like all other bones can only be safely fed to pets after being fully cooked in a pressure cooker. Raw poultry bones may be a little more flexible than cooked ones, but still are very hard and can splinter in the stomach. Test this for yourself: Take 3 chicken legs--one raw, one fried or boiled, and one that was fully cooked in a pressure cooker. See "bones".
Propyl gallate, a chemical preservative, is believed to cause skin irritations and gastric upsets. It is not permitted in foods for infants and small children because of the propensity of gallates to cause blood disorders. It is widely used in conjunction with 2 other preservatives – BHA and BHT – all of which cause cancer. Immediates side effects from consumption are stomach and skin irritability, as well as allergic reactions that impact breathing. It may also cause kidney and liver problems. Although the FDA considers propyl gallate safe, in other countries it is either banned or very limited in use.
Propylene glycol is not allowed in cat food as it has been shown to cause anemia. However, it is still permitted in dog foods! It is a cosmetic form of mineral oil found in automatic brake and hydraulic fluid and industrial antifreeze. It is used as a humectant food additive (attracts moisture), labeled as E number E1520; as an emulsification agent in angostura and orange bitters; as a moisturizer in medicines, cosmetics, food, toothpaste, mouth wash, and tobacco products; as a carrier in fragrance oils; as an ingredient in massage oils; in hand sanitizers, antibacterial lotions, and saline solutions; in smoke machines to make artificial smoke for use in firefighters' training and theatrical productions; In electronic cigarettes, it is used to deliver vaporized nicotine; as a solvent for food colors and flavorings; as an ingredient, along with wax and gelatin, in the production of paintballs; as a moisture stabilizer (humectant) for snus (Swedish style snuff); as a cooling agent for beer and wine glycol jacketed fermentation tanks; as a less-toxic antifreeze in solar water heating systems; as a solvent used in mixing photographic chemicals, such as film developers; in cryonics; as a working fluid in hydraulic presses; as a coolant in liquid cooling systems; to regulate humidity in a cigar humidor; as the killing and preserving agent in pitfall traps, usually used to capture ground beetles; as an additive to pipe tobacco to prevent dehydration; to treat livestock ketosis; as the main ingredient in deodorant sticks; to de-ice aircraft; and as an ingredient in UV or blacklight tattoo ink.
In the skin and hair, propylene glycol works as a humescent which causes retention of moisture content of skin or cosmetic products by preventing the escape of moisture or water. The Material Safety Data Sheet warns users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as this strong skin irritant can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage. It is one of the most widely used chemicals in the manufacturing industry as a solvent in many pharmaceuticals, including oral, injectable and topical formulations; as a humectant food additive, labeled as E number E1520 a binder, emulsifier, and an antifreeze. It is an ingredient in makeup, shampoo, deodorant, detangler, styling mousse, cleansing cream, mascara, soap, skin cream, bubble bath, baby powder, conditioner, toner, after shave, baby wipes, tire sealant, rubber cleaner, de-icer, stain removers, fabric softener, degreaser, paint, adhesive, and wallpaper stripper. Note: Infrequently propylene glycol may also use the acronym MEG, but as an abbreviation of methyl ethyl glycol- the industry standard acronym for propylene glycol is PG or MPG (monopropylene glycol). The industrial norm is to replace ethylene glycol with propylene glycol when safer properties are desired. Post menopausal women who require the use of an estrogen cream may notice that brand name creams made with propylene glycol often create extreme.
Raw or undercooked crustaceans: Those who eat raw or undercooked crab or crayfish may acquire Paragonimus westermanii or a related lung fluke. Asia, Africa, Central and South America, and some Pacific islands are areas of highest risk. Adult Paragonimus spp. worms live in lung tissue. Like C. sinensis metacercariae, the infective stage of Paragonimus spp. found in crabs and crayfish is tiny, so victims won’t have any idea the food isn’t safe. The infection may cause no symptoms, or the infected person suffers chest pains, various respiratory symptoms, and lung damage. Not uncommonly, worms travel to other parts of the body including the brain and heart where they sometimes cause fatal illness. See
http://birds.suite101.com/article.cfm/human_parasites_in_raw_fish
Raw fish: Raw fish can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly. Raw fish (fresh water or salt water) can contain many different parasites. These parasites travel to different organs (lungs, intestines, brain, heart, etc.) , and over time can cause great discomfort and death. Cod and herring regularly contain many parasites, and should never be consumed raw. Salmon Poisoning Disease (SPD) is primarily a problem in the Pacific Northwest and California when raw salmon is digested. But if you feed a raw meat diet it can be a problem anywhere. It is caused from the infection by a rickettsial organism, Neorickettsia helminthoeca. SPD has been known since the early 19th century in North America. It had been observed that dogs that ate raw salmon frequently died however the connection between the fluke and the rickettsia was not established at this time. It is unusual in that the rickettsial organism does not directly infect the dog but is instead carried by a parasite, a trematode (flatworm or fluke) called Nanophyteus salmincola through two intermediate hosts first: freshwater snails and salmonid fish (salmon, trout and steelhead). Nanophyteus salmincola are found to infect freshwater snails particularly Oxytrema plicifer.
The infected snail forms part of the salmonid species food web and is ingested. Neither the fluke nor the rickettsial organism act as pathogens in the fish. The dog is exposed only when it ingests the secondary host - an infected fish. After the dog ingests the fish, the encysted fluke larvae burst and embed in the dog’s intestinal tract and the rickettsia are introduced. The cycle continues when ova are excreted in dog feces to infect snails. It is necessary for your dog to eat raw salmon to get salmon poisoning disease. A sudden onset of symptoms occur 5-7 days after ingestion of fish. Initial symptoms include lethargy and anorexia. Peaking of temperature between 104-107 in the first two days and then slowly returns to normal. Persistent vomiting by the fourth day. There is bloody diarrhea within a few days of vomiting onset. The diarrhea is often bright yellow color. There are enlarged lymph nodes. In the acute stages, gastrointestinal symptoms are quite similar to canine parvovirus. Nasal and ocular symptoms can resemble canine distemper. If left untreated, SPD has a mortality rate of up to 90%. Treatment is supportive to maintain hydration as well as antibiotic therapy to kill the disease producing organism. Dogs that survive are immune. It is preventable by cooking all fish before feeding your dog. If you are outdoors hiking or camping or live near streams and rivers were salmon spawn, keep a close eye on your dog and don't let your pet run free to insure that no fish carcasses are ingested. Please see your vet immediately if you suspect your dog has ingested raw salmon.
In the US, the incidence of tapeworm infection is restricted primarily to those of Scandinavian descent and to Jewish women who taste raw freshwater fish such as carp, pike and whitefish in preparing gefilte fish. Swallowing live tapeworm larvae can cause a tapeworm infestation. The tapeworms may live in the human intestinal tract for several years. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, weakness, weight loss and anemia. Doctors successfully treat tapeworm infections with medicines. Please see Please see
http://birds.suite101.com/article.cfm/human_parasites_in_raw_fish
Seafood: (vetinfo4cats.com) see also "Raw fish" and "Raw or undercooked crustaceans" Like beef, seafood is another leading cause of feline allergies. If you suspect fish is to blame, stop choosing seafood based cat foods and stick to venison or duck.
Seeds: see "Apple seeds..."
Soy: Too much soy and rice bran can eventually contribute to heart problems in cats and some dogs. Soy is a vegetable protein (so right there it is not "natural" for cats), though it is added to a lot of cat food. It's a plant and really unnecessary to a cat's health. It is high in protein and being added to kitten food so they can say it has higher protein, which they need for growth, but really they need a higher percentage of meat protein. The phyto-estrogens in vegetable protein can cause hormonal imbalance, increasing the T4 that the thyroid secretes (this can lead to hyperthroidism if it is part of a cat's diet long term). Soy also contains trypsin inhibitors which interfere with protein digestion (why add more protein from this source if it isn't going to be utilized by the cat's body?). Soy also has phytic acid which interferes with mineral absorption. Soy, also, contains goitrogens - substances that depress thyroid function. Corn, soy, and wheat are three of the biggest culprits in food allergies in dogs.
Most people don’t realize that soy can be a highly allergenic food, causing stomach and other gastrointestinal discomfort or problems. Soy has a high concentration of phytoestrogen, a molecule which is molecularly similar to the body’s own estrogen. High estrogen levels are linked with breast cancer, and the science is still incomplete if plant-sources of estrogen may be linked with increased cancer risk. For patients who are at high risk for breast cancer, it is typically recommended that they eliminate soy from their diets.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, potassium and phosphorous levels in soy exceed that of protein produced by animals. When kidneys begin to malfunction, their ability to remove normal levels of potassium and phosphorous is already impaired. Those seeking to improve kidney function must limit intake of foods with high traces of these minerals. This is an important reason to consult a renal dietitian before adding soy to the diet. Soy contains plant estrogens (phyto estrogens such as estriol), which act like animal estrogens and can interfere with reproduction and normal growth in cats and dogs. Soy contains trypsin inhibitors which block the action of enzymes which are needed to digest protein.
Soy beans contain hemaglutinin which causes red blood cells to clump together. Of all plants ever studied, soy beans contain the highest level of phytates, which are phosphorus compounds that bind to certain minerals and block the absorption of calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc - and can lead to various mineral deficiencies. Continual consumption of unfermented soy can cause a severe deficiency of zinc. While phytates in whole grains can be deactivated simply by soaking or fermenting, the phytates in soy are extremely resistant to reduction techniques during processing. Only through a long period of fermentation would the phytate content be reduced by enzymes known as phytases (as happens in the production of tempeh, tamari, miso, nattu and shoyu, which are healthier forms of soy consumed by humans). Soy beans lack some important nutritional elements which are naturally found in all animal products: Cysteine, Vitamin B12, Vitamins A and D, and cholesterol. When soy is substituted for real meat or meat byproducts, these elements will be lacking in the cat or dog food. Soy is the primary source of protein in about half of the supermarket brand cat foods and the situation is similar for dog foods. By 2006, 89% of the soy produced in the USA was genetically modified to withstand high levels of pesticide use. It's bad enough that the soy may be a GMO, and worse that it might contain higher levels of pesticide residues.
Note that grains which are deemed unfit for human consumption by the U.S. Department of Agriculture due to pesticide residue are still legal to use without limitation in pet foods. Dogs need animal protein from animal meat, and the more soy or cereals in the dog food, the less meat and animal protein it contains. Low quality protein causes the urine to be alkaline. A dog or cat fed high quality, easily-assimilated, animal proteins tends to have acidic urine, which prevents the growth of germs and helps dissolve some types of bladder stones and gravel. The optimum ph level of dog urine should be slightly alkaline.
http://www.lbah.com/canine/urolithiasis.htm
Sweeteners: Cane Molasses, Corn Syrup in any form, fructose, sorbitol, sugar, sucrose, glucose, ammoniated glycyrrhizin, propylene glycolDI-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate -- All are just simply tricks to get your pet to eat garbage. Completely unnecessary ingredients. See above "Artificial sweeteners"
Tap water has flouride and chlorine. (Tap water will kill a baby bird in two days.)
http://www.manataka.org/page1854.html
Tomatoes: The leaves of ripe tomatoes and potatoes contain solanine, which can incite drooling, severe gastrointestinal upset (vomiting and diarrhea), loss of appetite, drowsiness, central nervous system depression, confusion, behavioral changes, weakness, dilated pupils and slowed heart rate in dogs. Tomatoes, potatoes and rhubarb contain oxalates, which trigger abnormalities with the nervous system, kidneys and digestive tract. Especially toxic are green tomatoes, green potatoes, potato skins, and tomato leaves and plants, can trigger tremors, seizure and heart arrhythimia, so tomatoes should never be given to dogs.
Turkey skin and ham fat may cause acute pancreatis in dogs, partly due to high fat content.
Vitamin suppliments: Vitamin supplimentation should always be corroborated with an animal nutriton specialist, and not just any local vetinarian. Why? Please see http://www.tailblazerspets.com/pdf/PFR_REPRINT_Vets&Nutrition.pdf
For example: The principal function of vitamin D is to promote calcium absorption in the gut and calcium transfer across cell membranes, thus contributing to strong bones and a calm, contented nervous system. It is also well recognized that vitamin D aids in the absorption of magnesium, iron and zinc, as well as calcium. Actually, vitamin D does not in itself promote healthy bones. Vitamin D controls the levels of calcium in the blood. If there is not enough calcium in the diet, then it will be drawn from the bone. High levels of vitamin D (from the diet or from sunlight) will actually demineralize bone if sufficient calcium is not present. Vitamin D will also enhance the uptake of toxic metals like lead, cadmium, aluminum and strontium if calcium, magnesium and phosphorus are not present in adequate amounts. Vitamin D supplementation should never be suggested unless calcium intake is sufficient or supplemented at the same time. Also, when supplementing vitamins it is necessary to choose the right one--there are at least 3 vitamin D's: D, D2, and D3. The same is for vitamin E. Vitamin K has 5 kinds--K1, K2, K3, K4, and K5.
Walnuts: see "nuts"
Wheat and wheat gluten or meal products: Gluten is the protein in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is usually in the following: Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP) (unless made from soy or corn), Flour or Cereal products (unless made with pure rice flour, corn flour, potato flour, or soy flour), Vegetable Protein (unless made from soy or corn), Malt or Malt Flavoring (unless derived from corn), Modified Starch or Modified Food Starch (unless arrowroot, corn, potato, tapioca, waxy maize, or maize is used), Vegetable Gum (unless vegetable gums are carob bean gum, locust bean gum, cellulose gum, guar gum, gum arabic, gum aracia, gum tragacanth, xanthan gum, or vegetable starch), Soy Sauce or Soy Sauce Solids. Any of the following words on food labels usually means that a grain containing gluten has been used: "stabilizer", "starch", "flavoring", "emulsifier", "hydrolyzed plant protein". Gluten is a long-chain protein which makes it difficult for our digestive system to break up (humans, dogs, cats, etc.).
Often gluten will enter the small intestine partially intact. Not only because of it's complex structure but also because it too has been manipulated to be even more complex than ancient wheat, gluten becomes a target for our immune system. The walls of the small intestines may be damaged to the point where toxins and bad stuff leaks through where only nutriments are supposed to go. Gluten is the tough elastic protein in wheat, rye, barley and other grains. The presence of gluten is what allows bread to expand and become bread; this is due to its very highcontent of the sulphur containing amino acid cystine, which gives gluten its elastic and expandable qualities. It is, however, what also makes gluten very difficult to digest because gluten is not easy to breakdown. If a person's digestive system is even minorly compromised, it is likely the gluten will not be fully digested and will be allowed to pass through to the intestines, where undigested proteins are the perfect nourishment for bad bacteria.
Because of the physical nature of gluten, it is an especially unfavorable substance to have in the intestines. It tends to stick to intestinal walls and combine with another hard to digest protein, casein. The two proteins can form an adherent mass on the intestinal walls that makes absorption of essential nutrients problematic or impossible. It can also make the passage of waste material extremely difficult (constipation) contributing to overall body and bowel toxicity. This intestinal build-up can put an enormous toxic burden on the body, making it vulnerable to an infinite amount of chronic conditions. It can also cause a rapid passage of food or alternate difficult and rapid passage of waste through the system.]
Gluten is one of the few substances that does not have to be digested to be absorbed into the blood stream. If the gluten makes it past the liver, which is equipped to manage partially digested substances but can be overloaded already, then the undigested gluten will be allowed to pass into the bloodstream where it is not recognized as "self" by the immune system. The immune system will then initiate an immune response against the gluten causing a wide range of allergic symptoms. The more widely recognized symptoms include bloating, gas, water retention and a stuffy nose. The lesser known reactions primarily exhibit them themselves mentally. In recent years there has been growing evidence that those who suffer from certain forms of schizophrenia, autism and multiple sclerosis benefit from a gluten free diet seeing a marked improvement in their symptoms when gluten is removed.
Chrones disease and Celiac disease are two conditions in particular that are directly related to intolerance for gluten. Chrones disease is an intestinal disease where the small intestine is dysfunctional, and results in considerable pain and discomfort when one side of the intestine has turned inside on itself. This disease is frequently associated with a long history of gluten consumption. Celiac disease is an example of an extreme intolerance and allergic reaction to gluten. Symptoms include rapid passage of food through the intestines (diarrhea) which does not allow for proper absorption of important nutrients, the inability to digest fats, bloating, gas and associated discomfort. One of the most significant contributing factors in autism appears to be undesirable foods and chemicals that often reach the brain via the bloodstream because of faulty digestion and absorption.
Much of the impetus for recognising the importance of dietary intervention has come from parents who’ve noticed vast improvements in their children after changing their diets. The strongest direct evidence of foods linked to autism involves wheat and dairy, and the specific proteins they contain – namely, gluten and casein. These are difficult to digest and, especially if introduced too early in life, may result in an allergy. Fragments of these proteins, called peptides, can have big impacts in the brain. They can act directly in the brain by mimicking the body’s own natural opioids (such as the enkephalins or endorphins), and so are sometimes called ‘exorphins’. Or they can disable the enzymes that would break down these naturally occurring compounds. In either case, the consequence is an increase in opioid activity, leading to many symptoms described as autism.
Researchers at the Autism Research Unit at Sunderland University have found increased levels of these peptides in the blood and urine of children with autism. Exorphin peptides are derived from incompletely digested proteins, particularly food containing gluten and casein. One of these, called IAG and derived from gluten in wheat, has been detected in 80 per cent of autistic patients. So the first problem is the poor digestion of proteins. A lack of sufficient zinc and vitamin B6 could contribute to this, as both are essential for proper stomach acid production and protein digestion, yet are often deficient in autistic children with pyroluria. Gluten can be removed from wheat flour, producing wheat starch, however, 100% of the gluten in wheat flour cannot be removed. Still, according the the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), if a certain amount of the gluten is removed, the food product can be labeled "gluten-free." Products with any form of starch, autolyzed wheat protein, brewer’s yeast, malt, farina, Kamut, dextrimaltose or maltodextrin, textured vegetable protein, vegetable starch or meal, may either be predominantly wheat products or contain wheat. Quinoa, amaranth, tapioca, nut flours, rice, millet, and buckwheat are all gluten free.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-gluten.htm
http://www.foodforthebrain.org/content.asp?id_Content=1632
Xylitol, a natural-source sweetener, is often used in sugar-free candy and gum. Eating large amounts can cause a drop in blood sugar for dogs - but not humans - which can lead to weakness, staggering, and other symptoms of hypoglycemia). A sudden drop in blood sugar could result in loss of coordination and seizures, sometimes less than 30 minutes after your dog ingests enough Xylitol.
Other miscellaneous foods that are toxic to dogs include: raw eggs and egg whites, raw fish, nutmeg, salt, tobacco, trash items, persimmons, marijuana, yeast and dough containing yeast, marijuana, hops, human iron supplements and xylitol, which is contained in chewing gum and candies.
Read more at Suite101: Toxic Foods for Dogs: Learn What Foods are Poisonous to a Dog
http://petcare.suite101.com/article.cfm/toxic_foods_for_dogs#ixzz0d5DHe5Gg
Learn how to cook for your pet: http://www.2ndchance.info/homemadediets.htm
Compare dog food ingredients and be aware: Reviews: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/ Good brands to buy are Canidae's All Life Stages is excellent. Four Star, Natural Balance, Solid Gold, Innova, Flint River, Timberwolf Organics, or Wellness. Be sure to transitions slowly as all of these foods are much higher quality than anything from Purina - Beneful is one of the worst foods.
compare nutrition quality of ingredients
http://ingredients101.com/cgf.htm
