Dangers of Pet Food
If you’re still feeding your pets commercial pet food you may want to reconsider. Here’s a few reasons for you to reevaluate the “cheap” brand you’ve been buying. Maybe you’ve been paying “big bucks” because the deceiving television ads and flashy packaging claim it’s “wholesome and balanced” and so delicious your pet will love it.
Like most food products designed to feed people, the bulk of it is garbage. Today, disease and early death is plaguing our pets too. The quality of most commercial pet food is not only poor, it’s downright toxic and dangerous. With the surge in popularity of “pet prescriptions,” it’s evident unscrupulous corporations (industrial food & chemical industries) have infiltrated and corrupted our animal’s food and medicine supply as well.
Top Brand Natural Dog Food
Even though this un-name company is a privately-owned company, pet food giant Diamond Pet Foods is the manufacture, not the name on the product.
Food manufacturers continued their journey into refining rapeseed and canola oils until they came up with a formula in the late 1970’s to genetically manipulate the rapeseed plant by seed splitting. This seed split oil produced canola oil with less erucic acid and higher amounts of oleic acid. This was the oil referred to at the time as LEAR as in Low Erucic Acid Rapeseed.
Although there are not the previously high levels of erucic acid in canola oil there are still reasons for serious concern if you use canola oil.
Problems with Canola Oil
Canola oil has still been linked to Keshan’s disease (characterized by heart lesion,) as well as a host of other health concerns.
Source: Dr. Josh Axe
Granted, commercial pet food has had a bad reputation for many years. Typically it comprises the dregs of leftover animal body parts so ghastly, it makes a hot dog look good.
It isn’t just the main ingredients that are more than questionable, but the untested and unregulated genetically modified organisms that when consumed are akin to playing Russian roulette. (Over 80% of the processed industrial food typical to grocery stores contains gmo’s.) Corn is generally the number one ingredient you’ll find listed in inferior commercial pet food. Most corn in the US is genetically modified, and if that weren’t enough, it’s been chemically altered with Monsanto’s Round Up weed killer to withstand repeated spraying by more Round Up weed killer. According to the 2011 International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications report, 88% of the corn used in pet foods and animal feed (animals used in the meat-packing industry) and 93% of soybean crops are genetically engineered. These ingredients are found in virtually every processed food (that is not organic or non-gmo verified) found in grocery stores.
It gets worse. A 2009 (NCBI) government feeding study on the effects of genetically modified corn fed to rats, shows significant kidney and liver disease after only a 90-day feeding trial.
It’s shocking to learn that gm foods are not regulated, AND considered safe by the FDA. (One of the advantages of being a Fringe Dweller, you’re eating real food.)
Purina’s Beneful line of dog food.
Here’s how Beneful describes their Original flavor kibble:
BENEFUL® BRAND DOG FOOD ORIGINAL HELPS KEEP YOUR DOG HAPPY AND HEALTHY WITH A PERFECT BALANCE OF HEALTHFUL INGREDIENTS, QUALITY NUTRITION AND SUPERB TASTE. IT’S MADE WITH WHOLESOME GRAINS AND REAL BEEF, AND ACCENTED WITH VITAMIN-RICH VEGETABLES.
The only truthful part of this statement is the superb taste. And that’s only because the manufacturer sprays the food with rendered animal fats, making it irresistible to hungry dogs.
In truth, the number one ingredient in all of Beneful’s recipes is corn, a commonly-used filler that provides very little nutrition to dogs. In addition to providing little nutritional value, corn has a high glycemic index, raising your dog’s blood sugar, and is not easily digested by dogs.
The next ingredient in this so-called “healthy food” is chicken by-product meal. This is essentially the waste that’s left over after the good meat has been removed: feet, beaks, undeveloped eggs, and organs (the only nutritious part of by-product) that are “unfit for human consumption.”
They go on to say more...
What does a good pet food look like?
Feed Your Pet the Best Food You Can Reasonably Afford.
Your pet’s food should NOT contain corn, soy or grains. These ingredients are not biologically appropriate. Corn and soy ingredients have been linked to a wide variety of health problems in pets, including allergies, skin disorders, IBS, cystitis, oral disease, and GI disorders.
Balanced Homemade or Commercially Available Raw Food Diet
According to many pet authorities, this is the best diet you can feed your pet. However, it is imperative you choose a recipe that is nutritionally balanced. (If making your own.) Animals have specific nutritional needs and they must be met. We have excellent books in the pet care section of our Amazon store and in our happy pets page. Cat lovers check out Mother Nature knows what a cat should eat.
NEWSLETTER
HOME
HEALTHY LIVING
OUR BLOGS
MORE AT EDEN'S
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
EDEN'S FAVORITES
How can you be sure your pet’s food is safe?
Shop where pet food is sold with integrity. In our neck of the woods, our little doxie Scampy, loves to visit Mudbay Natural Dog & Cat Foods. He picks out his own treats and knows each of the friendly “muddies,” who graciously indulge him with a pat and a scrumptious treat!
When buying your companion’s food, look for the USDA Organic certification or make your own using recipes found in the resources below. Choose an ethical company that takes pride in their products by using ingredients sourced from healthy, grass-fed animals and organic veggies. Commercially available balanced raw foods are offered dehydrated or freeze-dried. Look for freeze-dried raw food in the freezer section of your specialty dog & cat food store. Canned or dry food should specify human-grade on the label.
Summary:
-
Choose
-
Certified organic
-
Grass-fed animals
-
Organic veggies
-
Pet store with integrity
-
Verified homemade recipes
-
Human-grade specified canned or dry food
As a pet owner, your knowledge about your companion animal’s nutritional needs will ensure they live a vibrant and healthy life. Your caring and foresight may save you grief and exorbitant doctor bills!
Eat healthy, be healthy, live long.
Resources:
The Dangers of Genetically Modified Ingredients in Pet Food
by Healthy Pets with Dr. Karen Becker
Unlocking the Canine Ancestral Diet: Healthier Dog Food the ABC Way
by Steve Brown (Author) sold by Amazon
Foodmaking recipes for your cat and lots of information every cat lover should have.
A Comparison of the Effects of Three GM Corn Varieties on Mammalian Health
by US National Library of Medicine- National Institutes of Health
You Might Also Like
Shop Eden’s Corner
Whether you’re window shopping, or serious, we have carefully selected products for you and the health of our planet. Your generosity helps us keep the lights on, Thank You!
Disclaimer: Eden’s Corner does not endorse some products you may find (below) on Amazon. Amazon does their best to offer you products that honor our philosophy.
As an affiliate of Amazon, we endeavor to offer the best quality and lowest prices as always through Amazon.com.
Your purchase helps partner with us in supporting this website and the valuable work we do for you.
We thank you and wish you good health, wellness and Love.
Subscribe to our free email to gain easy access to the best life changing content we have to offer!
Eden’s Corner does not diagnose or treat specific conditions, and the information provided by Eden’s Corner website does not substitute for treatment by a veterinarian. A great vet is an invaluable resource and we suggest you discuss your pet’s diet and care with them.