Pet Consumer Report warns commercial pet foods can lead to allergic reactions, intestinal upset, skin disease, kidney and liver failure, and cancer.




"Most commercial foods are loaded with preservatives, additives, by-products, fillers, and sodium. One or all of these ingredients could be detrimental to your pet's health, causing a range of problems like allergic reaction, intestinal upset, skin disease, kidney and liver failure or even worse, cancer. Another thing the major pet food manufacturers do not tell you is that many commercial brands also contain the 3 "D's" (Dead, Dying or Diseased animal parts). The fact is, when a dairy cow or a farming chicken becomes ill, they don't just dispose of the body, they sell it to pet food manufacturers. This represents millions of dollars to the ranchers of the world."






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Did you know some pet foods actually contain sawdust, chicken beak and animal toe nails? Where does your dog or cat food rate? This is a gross topic with gross injustices. It is one you need to read.




Many claim crude by-products as a source of protein on the label of their foods. Let us give you an example; While it is a true statement shoe leather is a source of protein, neither you or your pet would actually derive any nutritional benefit from eating shoes. The reason is, the protein is not "biologically available." Said another way, you or your pet's system cannot extract any measurable amount of protein from that source.




There are so many different brands of pet food on the market today for dogs and cats. How do you know which is the best for your pet? Many promise good health, top of the line nutrition and natural ingredients. But is your animal really getting it? Reading labels is the most important step in finding a food worthy for your pet.




Most commercial foods are loaded with preservatives, additives, by-products, fillers, and sodium. One or all of these ingredients could be detrimental to your pet's health, causing a range of problems like allergic reaction, intestinal upset, skin disease, kidney and liver failure or even worse, cancer. Another thing the major pet food manufacturers do not tell you is that many commercial brands also contain the 3 "D's" (Dead, Dying or Diseased animal parts). The fact is, when a dairy cow or a farming chicken becomes ill, they don't just dispose of the body, they sell it to pet food manufacturers. This represents millions of dollars to the ranchers of the world.




We can show you what to look for so you can make the best decision for your pet. Do not just buy a food because it advertises "Natural" or "Premium". Base your decision on the following:




1. Fillers are a red flag. The first ingredient on a label is always your main ingredient as you probably know. Make sure the first one or two ingredients are not fillers. Fillers are usually, wheat or corn. Avoid these in your pet food. Do not be fooled by "fancy" fillers like Quinoa, oatmeal, millet, etc. These have been ingeniously added to the ingredients list because recently people have discovered them as a healthy part of the human diet. But animals have a completely different set of needs and reactions to these foods. Foods with a high level of fillers are not giving your pet a well-balanced healthy meal. Instead he/she will be getting a meal which will make him feel full. Your pet can become bloated, even lethargic. Over time, he or she may suffer from digestive complications, distension or organ disease. Wheat and corn for example, are the number one cause of food related allergies and intestinal upset in animals.


2. Know the meat source. Beef or chicken "by-products" means this brand does not contain pure beef or chicken. By-products are hair, feet, ears, and noses, tail's, fat and any other left over part of the animal that was not used for human grade food. The FDA approves by-products for pet food but not for human consumption. Look for meat such as lamb, beef, turkey or chicken (to name a few). These are good, healthful ingredients. If you see "meal" as in chicken meal, that means it contains ground-up bone. This is not necessarily bad for your pet. It should just have a true protein source such as meat in it as well.


3. Keep preservatives and additives away. Most preservatives and additives are known to cause cancer over long term consumption for animals and humans. Cumulative effects take hold especially if your dog or cat eats twice a day every day, year after year. There are alternatives to foods laden with chemicals and by-products. Truly all-natural foods do not contain chemical preservatives or additives and will state it proudly on their labels. You will have a hard time finding these high-integrity brands such as California Natural, Wysong and others at your local grocery store. However, they can be found worldwide in pet stores (especially small pet specialty stores), feed stores, through the Internet and occasionally in pet supply warehouses. Now, these are no longer only available to pet professionals "in the know" who have special access to the best care and products for animals.


4. Do not listen to just your breeder, just your vet, groomer or pet store clerk. Take their opinions and listen to your heart. These good people all come from a personal reference and pride that what they know and have been doing for their animals is the best. Have you ever met the people whose opinion is the only way. They do what they have done forever, and their parents before them and so on. Offering you advice different than what they feel is sufficient for their pet(s) or being open to another way would be like admitting a personal defeat. You definitely want to avoid their opinion.






Remember no one will ever care about your pet as much as you. You must seek out good information like these reports and professionals always looking for the best products and improved formulas.






http://www.petconsumerreport.com/ezine/petfood.htm