Hi All, I have just been made aware of something quite shocking and I wanted to share this information with all of you. I have just finished a very eye opening book called Mad Cowboy by Howard Lyman. He was a former cattle rancher who is now out of the business and turned vegan. In his book he spoke of something called rendering plants. In these rendering plants they grind up a variety of dead animals including diseased farm animals, euthanized cats and dogs as well as road kill and fecal matter! They then lable this mixture as "Protien concentrate" and add it to animal food! Mr Lyman claims that this additive is in almost all pet food. Obviously I am concerned and do not want my cat eating this as part of his diet. I wrote to two pet food suppliers to get their response. Hills Science Diet admitted that they do in fact use rendered animals in their cat food. Pet Guard which is an organically based food assured me that they do not! Pet Guard also does not used factory farmed animals but uses free range animals that are free of antibiotics and hormones. My Ben will be a Pet Guard kitty from now on. Please write to the manufactures of your pet's food to make sure that they do not use this rendered additive. Sheep can also carry a disease called "Scrapie" which is similar to Mad Cow Disease. Hills uses rendered lambs in their food. Very scarry!
thank you for the heads up on pet food. that was really gross. and I feel a little betrayed because I always use science diet (dog). Do you know of any good dog foods I can feed my guys?
This is not true about all pet foods,look at your bag,if it says by-products or corn it is not a good food to feed your animal.By-products mean heads,feet and intestines.Also check out the stuff that Iames is doing to there animals that are being used to test their foods,its horrible and down right cruel.Iames also makes Ecanuba.Good premium foods contain Chicken meals,or other type of meals these meals are made from pure meat that you and I can eat.Some also contain corn gluten,which is the protein source of the corn,they also contain wheat and rice and these sre highley digestable.Not all foods are best for you pet,but if you find a good premium food that works stay with it.And by the way the storie about road kill and animal shelter animals have been around for years and is not true.They do use these animals but its for soap and fertilizers.All the garbage that is left over from meat plants is what is used in pet foods.I look at this way if you would'nt eat it don't let your pet eat it.Prevention to future problems is the key to keeping you pet healthy and happy for many years.
Hi, I've been having to use Hill's prescription diet c/d formula for my older male cat for several years. So this is disturbing news to say the least. Since it is prescribed for prevention of urinary crystals, is there an alternative that will be effective for this? I hope so, because I also have a 1 year old male, and a 10 month old male. They will need a great alternative as well. Thanks.
go to www.naturalpetfood.com They have a list of possibilities that you can look through. Check through the lists of ingredients. You don't want anything that says "by-products". Some of these foods may naturally support urinary health. Please post back if you find one. I am sure there are others out there who have the same issue. Happy New Year!!
Wow its great to see more and more people becoming aware about the foods they feed their pets. I've been trying to decipher through all these labels for the last several years for both people and pet food. As with people food you need to know exactly what the label is saying. You also need to read between the lines when it comes to Organic, Natural, Free Ranged, and Grass Fed.
As for pet food; The first thing you need to look at is the ingredient list. If the first through fifth ingredient is Corn, Soy, Wheat, or a by-product PUT IT BACK!!! A good food should also have two(2) different protein sources preferably a red meat and a white meat. ie; white meat(poultry or waterfowl) red meat(mammals ). Personnaly I don't buy ANY dog or cat food that contains ANY of those products ANYWHERE on the ingredient list. Corn, Soy, and Wheat are fillers that only give excess fats or carbohydrates to the diet. Many dogs also have allergies to these products. It's been a LONG time, but last I recall no Supermarket sells a quality pet food. Science Diet IMHO is just as bad as Ol'Roy, Iams, Eukanuba, and old Purina. These all contain corn, soy, and wheat in addition to fillers and by-products. All vegetarian dog/cat foods are just as bad as the ones that contain by-products. These pets are FIRST carnivores then omnivores. Many of there vital nutrients come from meat, and cannot be obtained through plants. There are many pet foods out there and yes some are definitely better then some. You have to find what you like and what works best for your dog or cat.
I use CANIDAE and FELIDAE, but have also had good luck with Royal Canin. My aunt feeds Royal Canins' Sensible Choice which she's had very good luck with feeding her Chows. I supplement with eggs (from my free range, antibiotic free, humanely raised chickens), ground raw meat (from meat, hearts, tongue, and kidney from grass fed free ranged pigs, cows, goat, and lamb), kelp, and raw fresh garlic. This same diet is fed from puppyhood - Senior with slight modifications. I have had no medical problems with my guys who range from 1yr - 7yr. The seven year old is a Mastiff. If your aware the larger the dog the shorteer the life span. Mastiff have ~10yr life span. My girl is just a spry and agile as she was at 1yr. Did I also mention that she has a completely luxated left hip, and that she has 95% use of! Good diet and proper excersise is key.
A few side notes;
**Hormones are not allowed in raising hogs or poultry. Therefore, the claim "no hormones added" cannot be used on the labels of pork or poultry unless it is followed by a statement that says "Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones."
**Bison because they are not a domestic animal considered "wild" or "exotic" fall under different regulations. The #1 is that Hormone and Antibiotic use are not allowed
Natural; A product containing no artificial ingredient or added color and is only minimally processed (a process which does not fundamentally alter the raw product) may be labeled natural. The label must explain the use of the term natural (such as - no added colorings or artificial ingredients; minimally processed.) .
Organic;
The organic crop production standards say that:
Land will have no prohibited substances applied to it for at least 3 years before the harvest of an organic crop. The use of genetic engineering (included in excluded methods), ionizing radiation and sewage sludge is prohibited. Soil fertility and crop nutrients will be managed through tillage and cultivation practices, crop rotations, and cover crops, supplemented with animal and crop waste materials and allowed synthetic materials.
Preference will be given to the use of organic seeds and other planting stock, but a farmer may use non-organic seeds and planting stock under specified conditions. Crop pests, weeds, and diseases will be controlled primarily through management practices including physical, mechanical, and biological controls. When these practices are not sufficient, a biological, botanical, or synthetic substance approved for use on the National List may be used.
Livestock standards
These standards apply to animals used for meat, milk, eggs, and other animal products represented as organically produced.
Animals for slaughter must be raised under organic management from the last third of gestation, or no later than the second day of life for poultry. Producers are required to feed livestock agricultural feed products that are 100 percent organic, but may also provide allowed vitamin and mineral supplements. Producers may convert an entire, distinct dairy herd to organic production by providing 80 percent organically produced feed for 9 months, followed by 3 months of 100 percent organically produced feed. Organically raised animals may not be given hormones to promote growth, or antibiotics for any reason. Preventive management practices, including the use of vaccines, will be used to keep animals healthy. Producers are prohibited from withholding treatment from a sick or injured animal; however, animals treated with a prohibited medication may not be sold as organic. All organically raised animals must have access to the outdoors, including access to pasture for ruminants. They may be temporarily confined only for reasons of health, safety, the animal's stage of production, or to protect soil or water quality. The NOP and Organic guidleines have made leaps and bounds since the end of 2002 I believe. Giving Organic labels more credit. You can familiarize yourself with the organic regulations http://www.ams.usda.gov/NOP/NOP/NOPhome.html
Free Range, Cage Free, Grass Fed; IMO are the most unregulated, and the labels carry ALOT of gray. It is extremely difficult to find any regulations/guidlines concerning these labels through the FSIS, USDA, and FDA. Also I have read nothing concerning the use of antibiotics and hormones is these animals raised in this manner. Though from my experience the local grass fars around here don't use them. Due to the lack of regulations some of these claims made by producers are not what we think. Cage free can be a large open building with access to a enclosed covered area outside which can be dirt or grass. Free Range can be a large enclosed area outside where the land is not properly managed and the meat is still mainly being grown off grain and/or hay supplemented with availble grass. Grass fed should mean that the animal is being grown and maintained by the grass, and supplemented with grains and hay when neccassary. Again these labels are not closely regulated, so in a way your hoping for the best.
Sorry for such a long post, but I hope I shared some good info here.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: eponashorses,
Hi All, More shocking news. This one about Iams pet foods. I was just on Utube and found a startling video that you should all check out. The title of the video is: Iams Cruelty: sponsored suffering. there is also a link that gives more information including a list of pet food companies that do not test on animals. htpp://www.iamscruelty.com
Thank you all for posting such great information on food! I'd been very happy with Wellness brand cat & dog food, since it's "human grade" with no by-products, etc. But like MouseMom2001, now I need a "special diet" food-- one of my cats is in early stage renal failure. Unfortunately, Hill's Science Diet is the most well-known company for special diet petfoods (for intestinal, kidney, and urinary problems, etc.) & my vet recommended Hill's Science Diet for that reason. However, I've never been comfortable with any food containing "by- products," for all the reasons your posts have indicated. I went to the PetGuard website and the naturalpetfood.com website. They both have great foods listed, but no "special" diets for cats with kidney failure. I've also been to several Feline Chronic Renal Failure websites, but all the various brands of special foods they recommend contain by-products (Royal Canin, Purina, Neo Diet, Hills, Eukanuba). Do any of you know of any other companies/websites I should try? The vets I've talked to all say that i "need not worry" about by-products. No help there! All the best food companies (organic, no by-products, human-grade, etc.) aren't branching out into special diets yet. If I have to make my own food for my cat, I will-- but it will be tough to cook up dead animals for him, since I'm vegan. Thanks for any ideas you might have. It's great to read so many posts by animal guardians who are concerned about what they're feeding the animals in their care!
I am sorry to hear about your kitty's renal disease. I am still using the Hill's prescription c/d diet, because I have not found a suitable replacement. You may have to start there for now and use the Hill's prescription k/d diet ( canned and/or dry). Also, I know dandelion tea can help remove toxins from the kidneys, and may help the renal issue with or without the food. Just steep it to the strength you think your cat will handle and cool it to luke warm, then mix into something the cat will eat or drink. You may have to use a dropper directly into the cat's mouth. I don't know the weight of your cat, but up to 1/4 cup a day, once a day should help. It also will give your cat more fluids. There may be a dandelion pellet as well that is really tiny and will dissolve in cat milk easily, or can be given by mouth easily, check with the best local herb store you can find. I have one that is also a pharmacy and very helpful. If it is in or nearing final stages, then sub-cutaneous fluid injections may become necessary if that is your choice. The results vary from cat to cat. There is a great forum that I visit for loads of info on everything from grieving a pet, to disease. There are some very helpful people on there that have been through what you are going through now, and can give you info on diet, holistic, and allopathic treatments. I highly recommend it.
Hi All!! I have been studying dog food for a very long time, so I was thrilled to see this topic. I have never recommended Science Diet Dog Food for a variety of reasons, now I have more reasons not to recommend it! I do want to make a comment about by-products though. I have been told for years to avoid them and in most cases this is true. However, I have been feeding Purina Pro Plan for years and love it. I was alarmed to see that a few of the Pro Plan formulas do contain by-products. I called Puria to inquire about this concern. They read me a definition of by-products and assured me they DO NOT use heads, feet, stomaches, etc. They said they DO, however, use hearts and livers, etc. This did not alarm me because there are many good nutritional qualities from these organs. They said they put these organs under the title of 'by-products,' but these do not include anything bad. I would suggest calling the dogfood company and inquiring about what "by-products" really means to them. I suggested to Purina to distinguish this on their ingredient list. Just some food for thought
Thanks for the idea about dandelion tea, MouseMom2001. That would definitely help his kidneys. For now i'm still using Hills k/d, but will search for alternatives... thank you for the website (lightning-strike.com) also. So far I've been able to get extra water in my cat & haven't had to start sub-Q fluids yet. That will come later, I'm sure. I've found a forum that deals specifically with feline chronic renal failure, also, & will ask those folks about more alternatives. Thanks!
Great idea, newday711--we can always call companies and ask them exactly what their "by-products" entail. I'm sure it's different with each company and perhaps even with different food formulas within the company. Thanks for your post.
I just went to meowmix.com and checked on their product. the first ingredient was yellow corn! Cats are carnivores not vegetarians. The third ingredient was chicken by-products. Not a healthy choice. Usually the cheaper grocery store pet foods contain a lot of fillers and by-products. I also noticed in the ingredients that there were lots of artificial colors and dyes. I would never feed this to my cat. Please go to the web sites of your pet foods or give them a call. You can also find the ingredient listings right on the can of pet foods.
I have been watching this discussion growing and saw the post by grumpymamaw5. I too, was startled, to say the least, about what they are putting in the food that is supposedly good for our animals. I use Innova, as I have 3FIV+ cats of my own and two FIV+ foster cats. I checked out the food that I have been given by the rescue groups that my shelter helps...YIKES!
But I am not finding what I am looking for...a list (come-on, there has to be a list) of the good foods that we can feed our cats without worry...still looking...
and this list.. http://animalark.eapps.com/animal/PetFoods.nsf/$$PetFoodsByManu?OpenForm ...rated several foods (though they are mostly dog foods. This last list is very interesting. They have a link that lets you know the "rating system", which includes the by-products and corn/wheat/rice.
While I didnt find the "list" that I was looking for, I did find a few answers. I hope that the time that I investigated, helps someone else.
Reflectdawn--Thanks very much for your post; your research is definitely helpful. I'm so disgusted by the ingredients in the Hill's prescription diet I'm supposed to feed my cat that I'm going back to one of the better foods. The websites you listed are very helpful--thanks much!
It really is scary out there. Not only do we have to worry about the foods we eat, but also the foods of our pets. It is all about money and profit! It makes me sick. Check out Pet guard www.petguard.com. this food is without by-products, artificial falvors, artificial color, preservatives, sweeteners or sugars. The first three ingredients are good: Turkey and Rice: Turkey, Turkey broth, Turkey liver, dried egg. Tender Beef and Wheat Germ: Beef, Chicken, Beef broth, Mackerel Fish, Chicken and Liver Dinner:Mackerel, Chicken, Chicken Broth Chicken Liver, Ocean Fish. I have contacted this company on several occasions. They always e-mail me back within the day. They do NOT use factory farmed animals and all their animals are without steroids, growth hormones or antibiotics. It does cost a bit more but it is worth it. In MA they are $1.19/can at Whole Foods. My cat, Ben, loves the food and has more energy than any cat I have ever known. My Vet admitted that it was a good food even though they tries to sell me on Science Diet! I wonder if Vets are paid to recommend certain foods?? It amazes me how our companion animals are now getting all the same diseases that humans are. Anyway, Thanks everyone for contributing to this forum! Such awesome information!! Together we can make a difference. ROAR!!!!
