In a federal court in Miami a nationwide class action lawsuit was filed against pet food companies. It alleges the pet food industry misleads consumers about the ingredients in cat and dog food.
An example of ‘false advertising’ that is given is the advertisement of dog food as though it is people food when in reality the proteins inside the bag are coming from leftover hooves, chicken feet, feathers, heads and bones considered inedible by people.
Another complaint is the usage of the confusing term ‘meal’. It sounds good and most dog owners don’t know what this means exactly. Attorney Jeffrey Maltzman says that meal comes from a rendering plant that grinds up leftover parts, or diseased or sick animals unfit for human consumption, and it is superheated.
Questions arise whether the dreaded 4D’s are still present in cat and dog food. 4D’s is an industry term that stands for dead, diseased, dying and disabled animals. These are eligibly used in pet food. The fifth D stands for drugged.
Unexplained today is the reason why pentobarbital is found in dog food. A spokesperson from Pet Food Institute said their members “have certified that they do not use any dogs or cats in their products”.
As we have seen lately on this blog, several actions are taken by pet food companies to improve pet food safety and quality assurance. However, many stories are told about what’s ‘really’ in dog food.
WHO IS TO BELIEVE?
Have a look at this commercial movie by John Albrecht, a holistic dog food manufacturer’s point of view:
John says cereal grains such as corn, wheat and soy should not be in pet food as these are highly indigestible by dogs placing stress on the organs. Also these grains are known allergens. In cheap dog food these ingredients are often the main ingredient.
I was surprised to see that the number one ingredient in a dry dog food I bought at the vet’s was ‘cereals’. It wasn’t even specified what kind of cereals were present! At the moment I’m feeding my dog a different product where meat is the number one ingredient. The label also claims this is meat approved for human consumption. And as I can tell from what comes out of my dog, the you-know-what, I conclude he is now absorbing the nutrients from his food. With the cereal-rich dog food his dung was too soft and appeared unhealthy.
Not all dog food manufacturers and dog food brands are equal. There are huge differences in both quality and price. Not all are bad but you have to get yourself informed about dog food so you are able to make the right decision. Visit BestDogFoodGuide.com and learn how to choose the best dog food for your canine companion.
PS I’m not feeding my dog Life’s Abundance, the advertised product in the movie and I’m not affiliated with either company.
