By: Sylvia Riley
Copyright 2006 Sylvia Riley
Some of the ingredients that end up in commercial pet foods are truly shocking. What’s more, many of these will not appear on the label and others are hidden under umbrella terms such as ‘meat meal’ and ‘meat by-products’. How can this happen? The pet food industry is highly unregulated. As Ann Martin, author of Foods Pets Die For, writes in her article The Pet Food Industry and its Questionable Practices, ‘Governments in the USA and Canada regulate the labeling of the food, the name and address of the company, the weight of the product, and whether it is made for a dog or cat - nothing more.’
The meats used in pet food can be extremely low grade and unfit for human consumption. Summarized as the ‘4 D’s’ (dead, diseased, disabled and dying), these can include roadkill, zoo animals and infected and cancerous meats.
At the rendering plants ingredients are highly heated and processed, destroying nutrients and enzymes, with strong preservatives added which do not appear on the labels. These include fat stabilizers such as BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytolulene), both of which are known to cause liver and kidney dysfunction and Ethoxyquin, a suspected cancer-causing agent. Semi-moist dog foods may also contain propylene glycol, a relation to ethylene glycol (anti-freeze), which can destroy red blood cells.
Pets in your pet food
Though reportedly not the case today, it is well recorded that dogs and cats have ended up in dog and cat food. In his 1990 article How Dogs and Cats Get Recycled Into Pet Food, John Eckhouse, an investigative reporter, wrote: ‘Each year, millions of dead American dogs and cats are processed along with billions of pounds of other animal materials by companies known as renderers. The finished products -- tallow and meat meals -- serve as raw materials for thousands of items that include cosmetics and pet food.’
Doctor of weterianry medicine Wendell Belfield in Foods Not Fit For a Pet (Earth Island Journal, 1996), reports that ‘federal and state agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration and medical groups such as the American Veterinary Medical Association and the California Veterinary Medical Association, confirm that pets, on a routine basis, are rendered after they die in animal shelters or are disposed of by health authorities, and the end product frequently finds its way into pet food.’
Toxic Grains
The very use of grains in pet food is questionable as grains are ill-suited to the digestive physiology of carnivores. This is especially so for cats who are obligatory carnivores and meet their glucose requirements through amino acids in their diet. Further, the grains used in dog and cat foods may contain mycotoxins, fungi that can cause chronic conditions and even death in both humans and animals. As the grains used in pet food are low grade, they are dealt with last in the handling process and because of this are often left in storage where insects, mites and mycotoxic molds can grow.
The consumption of dead mites can cause skin allergies. If your pet has skin allergies, change their diet first before turning to steroids which can be seriously detrimental to your pets health.
Alfatoxin poisoning, a common mycotoxin that grows on corn as well as other foods, has been reported for over 50 years. Vomotoxin is another mycotoxin found in wheat products. Where large doses of mycotoxins can cause cancer and even rapid death, small continuous amounts may suppress the immune system and damage organs over time, leading to long-term chronic health conditions.
Just recently at the end of 2005, over 100 dogs were killed in the United States because of alfatoxin found in pet food, with some 19 brands of Diamond dog food being recalled. It is likely there were many more deaths than those reported, and as alfatoxin attacks the liver it is likely surviving dogs may develop chronic liver disease or liver cancer in the future.
Toxic Chemicals
The toxin sodium pentobarbital, a chemical is used to euthanize animals and pets, has been found in commercial pet foods. The US Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine performed two studies (1998 and 2000) to test for pentobarbital. Of the 74 samples analysed, over half were found to contain pentobarbital. What’s more, none of the 43 brands and product lines that tested positive warned of its presence on their labels.
The FDA researchers also tested the food for the presence of dogs or cats but reported none present. It was believed the pentobarbital residues were entering pet foods from euthanized, rendered cattle or even horses.
The FDA say the small amounts of the drug found in these foods were harmless, but not all veterinarians agree. Long-term continual doses, even at small levels may be increase the onset of chronic and degenerative diseases.
Aside from the toxins and base ingredients of commercial pet foods, these harshly processed and high-carbohydrate products in no way match the natural diets dogs and cats would have eaten in the wild. They are species-inappropriate and ill-suited to canine and feline physiology. I recommend healthy, homemade, raw diets or optimum natural, holistic alternatives for the health and well-being of your dog and cat. Before embarking on a raw food diet (otherwise known as BARF – ‘biologically adequate raw food’), thoroughly research the area first as nutritional balance is essential.
Article Source: http://articlekarma.com
NATURAL NUTRITION GUIDE FOR DOGS AND CATS: www.pet-nutrition-guide.com MIRACLE SUPERFOODS: www.miracle-superfoods.com
Common Cat Breeds for Everyday People
By: Jack Moundon
More than the previous thousands of days, cats have pretty much handled their breeding themselves. In the origin, they were used for target to chase and execute the rodents. Since the year’s growth, people began to breed cats more to our liking. At this present, there are numerous specific types of cats - which you are able to tell if you stare personally.
Clearly there are more than 70 different cat breeds these days, which are documented all the way during cat registries. Around 40 breeds are some registries that will recognize, and they rule out the other breeds such as tigers. There are also many different breeds such as the wild cats that have a longer hair.
In the history, there are several cat breeds that have origin. Several Japanese breeds, like the Japanese Bobtail can be traced back more than 1,000 years in olden times. Cats were really common and well famous all over the Medieval Japan. Although these days, the whole world and throughout Japan are a myth.
In North America, more common cat breeds that are found include the alley cat, Persian cat and long haired cat, as well as Siamese cats are common. Siamese cats are well-known to be destructive and to have a nasty temper. Most admired cats are the Persian cats – they truly adore companions, although they are very expense, depending on where you buy it and what type it is.
Alley cats are found in North America and it is the most common cat breeds. In fact, some different cat breeds, even though most people specify to them as alley cats. Alley cats are good pets and among the most bred. They are homeless and hundreds of thousand of them have nothing to do but mostly to breed.
The easiest technique to tell what breed he or she may be look like is mainly identifying the color, although some people choose that basically but isn’t as easy to recognize. For instance, Siamese and Persian cats have unusual looks. A Siamese cat is almost black all over its body and easily too recognized by their hair and extreme color. Persian cats are known easily on their body type and hair.
There has been quite a small number of breeds come along past hundred years. Cats were one of the most famous first pets. Lots of people own cats around the world. Many people like more cats over any other pet such as dogs. No matter breed of cat you own and be sure to get a pet that make us a great friend or a buddy for many years to come.
Article Source: http://articlekarma.com
Jack Moundon is the owner of Cat Central , Helpul information about cats health problems and meanings about their common behavior. Great gift for cat lovers and helping you cat stay healthy.
More than the previous thousands of days, cats have pretty much handled their breeding themselves. In the origin, they were used for target to chase and execute the rodents. Since the year’s growth, people began to breed cats more to our liking. At this present, there are numerous specific types of cats - which you are able to tell if you stare personally.
Clearly there are more than 70 different cat breeds these days, which are documented all the way during cat registries. Around 40 breeds are some registries that will recognize, and they rule out the other breeds such as tigers. There are also many different breeds such as the wild cats that have a longer hair.
In the history, there are several cat breeds that have origin. Several Japanese breeds, like the Japanese Bobtail can be traced back more than 1,000 years in olden times. Cats were really common and well famous all over the Medieval Japan. Although these days, the whole world and throughout Japan are a myth.
In North America, more common cat breeds that are found include the alley cat, Persian cat and long haired cat, as well as Siamese cats are common. Siamese cats are well-known to be destructive and to have a nasty temper. Most admired cats are the Persian cats – they truly adore companions, although they are very expense, depending on where you buy it and what type it is.
Alley cats are found in North America and it is the most common cat breeds. In fact, some different cat breeds, even though most people specify to them as alley cats. Alley cats are good pets and among the most bred. They are homeless and hundreds of thousand of them have nothing to do but mostly to breed.
The easiest technique to tell what breed he or she may be look like is mainly identifying the color, although some people choose that basically but isn’t as easy to recognize. For instance, Siamese and Persian cats have unusual looks. A Siamese cat is almost black all over its body and easily too recognized by their hair and extreme color. Persian cats are known easily on their body type and hair.
There has been quite a small number of breeds come along past hundred years. Cats were one of the most famous first pets. Lots of people own cats around the world. Many people like more cats over any other pet such as dogs. No matter breed of cat you own and be sure to get a pet that make us a great friend or a buddy for many years to come.
Article Source: http://articlekarma.com
Jack Moundon is the owner of Cat Central , Helpul information about cats health problems and meanings about their common behavior. Great gift for cat lovers and helping you cat stay healthy.
Is Your Dog or Cat Taking In Any Vitamin Supplements Right Now?
By: Eddy K Elgin
Just like humans, animals just like dogs, cats and many pets need a balanced diet with proteins, carbohydrates, fats and water, just like humans do. However, these are only the starting point for a healthy diet. Pets also need vitamins and minerals to keep them healthy.
However, it is not easy to find independent information online on the subject of canine vitamin supplements. If you are considering a vitamin supplement for your dog, be extra careful about getting caught up in the articles from the websites promoting such supplements.
What you demand is to have an objective and independent information regarding your own need for dietary supplements, your pet's health can fall into the same category. Whoever sells the supplements says you need the supplements.
Just as we should check with our doctors before embarking on dietary supplements, so should you check hard by your veterinarian before you conclude on a supplement for your dog. Almost any website, store or publication that sells dietary supplements for pets will tell you that your dog does indeed need a supplement. However, just as humans can ingest toxic levels of vitamins and suffer dangerous side effects, so can your dog.
Your veterinarian can conduct a blood test to see if your dog is deficient in any vitamins and nutrients. Just as in humans there are medical conditions for which a supplement is warranted, there are medical conditions including mal-absorption issues that indicate a need for supplement for your dog.
In discussion with your veterinarian the possible need for a health supplement for your dog, you and your veterinarian should discuss the activity level of your four-legged friend.
Service dogs, such as guide dogs for the blind sometimes need health food due to their increased activity. Also, be sure to discuss the need for a supplement for your dog in conjunction with any ongoing medical condition your dog may have.
In modern years, there's been a lot of controversy over pet supplements. At one point, pet owners were concerned the FDA was going to pull all pet supplements off the market. Instead, the National Animal Supplement Council was formed. It's comprised mostly of pet supplement manufacturers whose mission is to forge compliance of supplement statutes.
The FDA regulates animal supplements the same way it does supplements for human consumption. Enforcement of the laws, though as in the human sector is lacking due to a shortage of resources. Some manufacturers take advantage of this knowing it will take a long time at worst, for the FDA to crack down on them.
If you are considering a vitamin supplement for your dog, make sure you consult with a veterinarian who does not sell supplements. This will help ensure you get an unbiased opinion as to whether you need to purchase a vitamin supplement for your dog.
After knowing why and how to choose a good vitamin supplement for your dog, it is important to realise that more information in vitamins for humans is also crucial. Earlier you are going to swallow any type of vitamin health food, you need to first consult your doctor.
However, many people sometimes tend to forget the quality and quantity of swallowing vitamins, without realizing the dangerous effects of over-consumption it, level while various kinds of these can treat chronic diseases.
Ergo, without a proper understanding of using proper vitamins to treat many chronic diseases, there will not be much illness free lifestyle to craving for.
Apply these effective tips as being highlighted here, together alongside an thorough understanding of vitamin supplements is important so that you enjoy your life once again.
Let me ask you a question, besides your pets are taking in vitamins, are you as a human being also consuming vitamins as well. If not, do you think it is about time to consider taking it.
Article Source: http://articlekarma.com
Eddy K Elgin is the author of the 17 Minutes Vitamin Supplements Tips and Resource. Drop by at Is Your Dog or Cat Taking In Any Vitamin Supplements Now for more details.
Just like humans, animals just like dogs, cats and many pets need a balanced diet with proteins, carbohydrates, fats and water, just like humans do. However, these are only the starting point for a healthy diet. Pets also need vitamins and minerals to keep them healthy.
However, it is not easy to find independent information online on the subject of canine vitamin supplements. If you are considering a vitamin supplement for your dog, be extra careful about getting caught up in the articles from the websites promoting such supplements.
What you demand is to have an objective and independent information regarding your own need for dietary supplements, your pet's health can fall into the same category. Whoever sells the supplements says you need the supplements.
Just as we should check with our doctors before embarking on dietary supplements, so should you check hard by your veterinarian before you conclude on a supplement for your dog. Almost any website, store or publication that sells dietary supplements for pets will tell you that your dog does indeed need a supplement. However, just as humans can ingest toxic levels of vitamins and suffer dangerous side effects, so can your dog.
Your veterinarian can conduct a blood test to see if your dog is deficient in any vitamins and nutrients. Just as in humans there are medical conditions for which a supplement is warranted, there are medical conditions including mal-absorption issues that indicate a need for supplement for your dog.
In discussion with your veterinarian the possible need for a health supplement for your dog, you and your veterinarian should discuss the activity level of your four-legged friend.
Service dogs, such as guide dogs for the blind sometimes need health food due to their increased activity. Also, be sure to discuss the need for a supplement for your dog in conjunction with any ongoing medical condition your dog may have.
In modern years, there's been a lot of controversy over pet supplements. At one point, pet owners were concerned the FDA was going to pull all pet supplements off the market. Instead, the National Animal Supplement Council was formed. It's comprised mostly of pet supplement manufacturers whose mission is to forge compliance of supplement statutes.
The FDA regulates animal supplements the same way it does supplements for human consumption. Enforcement of the laws, though as in the human sector is lacking due to a shortage of resources. Some manufacturers take advantage of this knowing it will take a long time at worst, for the FDA to crack down on them.
If you are considering a vitamin supplement for your dog, make sure you consult with a veterinarian who does not sell supplements. This will help ensure you get an unbiased opinion as to whether you need to purchase a vitamin supplement for your dog.
After knowing why and how to choose a good vitamin supplement for your dog, it is important to realise that more information in vitamins for humans is also crucial. Earlier you are going to swallow any type of vitamin health food, you need to first consult your doctor.
However, many people sometimes tend to forget the quality and quantity of swallowing vitamins, without realizing the dangerous effects of over-consumption it, level while various kinds of these can treat chronic diseases.
Ergo, without a proper understanding of using proper vitamins to treat many chronic diseases, there will not be much illness free lifestyle to craving for.
Apply these effective tips as being highlighted here, together alongside an thorough understanding of vitamin supplements is important so that you enjoy your life once again.
Let me ask you a question, besides your pets are taking in vitamins, are you as a human being also consuming vitamins as well. If not, do you think it is about time to consider taking it.
Article Source: http://articlekarma.com
Eddy K Elgin is the author of the 17 Minutes Vitamin Supplements Tips and Resource. Drop by at Is Your Dog or Cat Taking In Any Vitamin Supplements Now for more details.
Choosing The Right Cat Food
By: Jack Moundon
A cat’s nutritional diet basically consists of protein, which is found in fish and meat products; taurine as well as other enzymes, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.
Being obligate carnivores, cats cannot thrive primarily on vegetarian diets although cat food manufacturers can incorporate vegetables into their diets. Carbohydrates may not also be a primary nutritional requirement in cats as well although some cat foods contain wheat, rice and corn as fillers.
There are a number of reasons why you should feed your cat with a variety of both canned and dry cat food, as suggested by many nutritionists. For one, canned food contains water that helps supplement a cat’s water needs, given that cats do not usually drink water on a regular basis. And just like humans, cats may also become bored with the same type of food that you may be feeding him. Moreover, although cats rarely develop food allergies, they may still be allergic to some ingredients over time. You may also want to prevent your cat from developing food addiction. This condition is when a cat becomes addicted to a particular type of food and may not want to eat any other type of food anymore. Food addiction in cats can be easily dealt with by feeding him a variety of food right from the start. .
Many cat owners buy cheap cat food in order to save on food expenses. However, you may not actually be getting your money’s worth as some cheap cat food do not give the right amount of nutrients that your cat needs. As a result, your cat may consume twice as much than they would when consuming a normal serving of premium cat food. Also, continued feeding of cheap, substandard food over time may lead to malnourishment and even health complications.
When buying the right cat food, make sure that it has complied with AAFCO’s standards for complete and balanced nutrition on its label. Its protein source should also be labeled beef, chicken or lamb instead of meat alone. Make sure that it is the first ingredient listed on the label. Always check its expiration date.
Look out for chemical preservatives such as BHA. BHT, ethoxyquin and propyl gallate, corn meal as fillers or an excess of carbohydrate fillers. Moreover, beware of labels that read ‘animal digest’ ‘by-products’, ‘meat and bone meal’ as well as added sugars, as these may not be suitable for your cat’s health.
Article Source: http://articlekarma.com
Jack Moundon is the owner of www.the-cat-central.com , Helpul information about cats health problems and meanings about their common behavior. Great gift for cat lovers and helping you cat stay healthy.
A cat’s nutritional diet basically consists of protein, which is found in fish and meat products; taurine as well as other enzymes, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.
Being obligate carnivores, cats cannot thrive primarily on vegetarian diets although cat food manufacturers can incorporate vegetables into their diets. Carbohydrates may not also be a primary nutritional requirement in cats as well although some cat foods contain wheat, rice and corn as fillers.
There are a number of reasons why you should feed your cat with a variety of both canned and dry cat food, as suggested by many nutritionists. For one, canned food contains water that helps supplement a cat’s water needs, given that cats do not usually drink water on a regular basis. And just like humans, cats may also become bored with the same type of food that you may be feeding him. Moreover, although cats rarely develop food allergies, they may still be allergic to some ingredients over time. You may also want to prevent your cat from developing food addiction. This condition is when a cat becomes addicted to a particular type of food and may not want to eat any other type of food anymore. Food addiction in cats can be easily dealt with by feeding him a variety of food right from the start. .
Many cat owners buy cheap cat food in order to save on food expenses. However, you may not actually be getting your money’s worth as some cheap cat food do not give the right amount of nutrients that your cat needs. As a result, your cat may consume twice as much than they would when consuming a normal serving of premium cat food. Also, continued feeding of cheap, substandard food over time may lead to malnourishment and even health complications.
When buying the right cat food, make sure that it has complied with AAFCO’s standards for complete and balanced nutrition on its label. Its protein source should also be labeled beef, chicken or lamb instead of meat alone. Make sure that it is the first ingredient listed on the label. Always check its expiration date.
Look out for chemical preservatives such as BHA. BHT, ethoxyquin and propyl gallate, corn meal as fillers or an excess of carbohydrate fillers. Moreover, beware of labels that read ‘animal digest’ ‘by-products’, ‘meat and bone meal’ as well as added sugars, as these may not be suitable for your cat’s health.
Article Source: http://articlekarma.com
Jack Moundon is the owner of www.the-cat-central.com , Helpul information about cats health problems and meanings about their common behavior. Great gift for cat lovers and helping you cat stay healthy.
A great way to take care of your Cat
By: badland lounge
Do you have trouble with other cats entering your home during the night, or even during the day, that make a mess in your house, or eat your little kitty's food?
Look no more! We managed to create the perfect product for you to use in order to say good bye to that kind of trouble.
It's called Microchip Cat Flap! And it's a microchip that is going to be "installed" on your cat which means this product is collar free. Since most cats don't enjoy collars, and they are not acting the same when they wear them.
So what this product will do basically is to have a microchip on your cat, and a cat door that will get a message from your cat when she's going to enter your home. You can program this, you can select to let your cat go out only during the day, and let your cat inside during the night. This thing is going to save a lot of cats, since there are many dangerous things for cats at night, like other fighting, cars and many others.
With this product you will be more in control of your cat, and in the same time, your cat won't even know that.
The best thing about this product is that you can easily allow only your cat, or cats in your house. If you've had a lot of trouble with other cats, be sure that the Microchip Cat Flap is going to keep them away.
Article Source: http://articlekarma.com
Micro Chip Cat Flaps---------------Pet Doors
Do you have trouble with other cats entering your home during the night, or even during the day, that make a mess in your house, or eat your little kitty's food?
Look no more! We managed to create the perfect product for you to use in order to say good bye to that kind of trouble.
It's called Microchip Cat Flap! And it's a microchip that is going to be "installed" on your cat which means this product is collar free. Since most cats don't enjoy collars, and they are not acting the same when they wear them.
So what this product will do basically is to have a microchip on your cat, and a cat door that will get a message from your cat when she's going to enter your home. You can program this, you can select to let your cat go out only during the day, and let your cat inside during the night. This thing is going to save a lot of cats, since there are many dangerous things for cats at night, like other fighting, cars and many others.
With this product you will be more in control of your cat, and in the same time, your cat won't even know that.
The best thing about this product is that you can easily allow only your cat, or cats in your house. If you've had a lot of trouble with other cats, be sure that the Microchip Cat Flap is going to keep them away.
Article Source: http://articlekarma.com
Micro Chip Cat Flaps---------------Pet Doors