Commercial Dog and Cat Food - What's in That Bag?

Like humans, what your dog or cat eats matters. It matters for their health because food supplies your pet with nutrition. And it matters to quite a few corporations... Pet care is $28 Billion a year industry.

Prior to the 1950's family pets were fed meat and table scraps... "people food". In an effort to popularize commercial pet food, manufacturers marketed it as "complete" - positioning it as better for pets than people food. Ironically, "premium" brands are positioned as better because they're more like people food.

What's Important About Commercial Pet Food?

First you should understand that pet industry is not regulated like human food is. Which means you can't assume a certain level of safety.

Animal food safety in the US is the responsibility of the FDA via the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The CVM regulates mainly livestock food - animal feed products, medicated feed, additives and animal drugs. The FDA "partners" with AAFCO - the American Association of Feed Control Officials - to fulfill its responsibility for the pet industry. AAFCO is a private advisory board. It is staffed with a number of pet manufacturers and some government agencies.

Nearly all packaged foods - both for pets and people - have preservatives to prevent quick spoilage.

ONE of the differences between made-for-people food and made-for-pet food is the preservatives that are used. Some of the preservatives allowed in pet food are dangerous chemicals. They are effective in extending the shelf life of the food; HOWEVER, they may shorten the life of your pet.

Preservatives To Avoid

BHA - Butylated Hydroxyanisole and the related compound BHT - Butylated Hydroxytoluene preserve fats from breaking down and going rancid. BHA is associated with hyperactivity, liver damage and stomach cancer.

BHT is suspected to cause liver damage and thyroid and bladder cancer.

Ethoxyquin is another fat preservative used in pet food. It's also used as a pesticide. The FDA has banned Ethoxyquin from human food, but does allow it in pet food. In 1997, the FDA did request manufacturers VOLUNTARILY decrease the amount used. Studies show Ethoxyquin increases kidney, stomach and bladder cancer. It's also been linked to autoimmune diseases. Some manufacturers simply list it as "E" on the label.

Propyl Gallate is used to preserve fats and oils. It's been associated with allergic reactions, stomach and skin irritation and kidney and liver disease.

Propylene Glycol is another preservative. It's been linked to kidney damage and liver abnormalities. As well, cats often get "addicted" to food with Propylene Glycol.

Better Preservatives

The most common non-chemical preservatives are: Vitamin E, Tocopherols and Vitamin C. Some of the natural/organic brands use Rosemary extract as a preservative.

Before grabbing that next bag or can, flip it over and scan through the ingredient list. Your pet will fare better without the more dangerous preservatives.

Dog and cat nutrition matters to their health. Many commercial pet foods fill the belly but compromise your pets health. DogAndCatZone.com. Better pet care with nutrition, herbs and Bach Flower Essences.

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