One thing I can not understand is why do DOG owners feed their dogs "Garbage and Trash"?
When you go shopping, do you look at the labels on the food you buy? When you buy meat do you buy the best cuts of, BEEF, PORK, LAMB, CHICKEN, and FISH? Now REALY! When you buy Hamburger do you buy 90%, 80%, 70%. Do you even care what you eat and put in your body?
Well let me tell you a fact!
What You Are Is What You Eat! So Why Do You Feed Your Dog, "Garbage and Trash"?
Do you know what a By-Product is? Arteries, Fat, Organs, Feathers, Feet, Beaks, Hoofs, Bones!
Parts that are forbidden for human consumption by the "Federal Government" Thing like, Lungs and parts that are impractical or uneconomical as human food, such as cheek meat, tongue, or tail meat.
Do you know what Chemicals are, or Chemical Additives? How About "Preservatives" thing like; Hydrochloride, Pyridoxine, Biotin, Manganous Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate.
NEWS UPDATED MUST READ! JAN / 03
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Dog Eat Dog - What's Inside The Food We Feed our Pets
www.FlintRiverRanch.org
What is the differences between what us consumers think we are buying and what we are actually getting.
There are hundreds of different pet foods available in this country. And while many of the foods on the market are similar, not all of the pet food manufacturing companies use poor quality or potentially dangerous ingredients but many do.
It would be impossible for a company that sells a generic brand of dog food at $9.95 for a 40-lb. bag to use quality protein and grain in its food. The cost of purchasing quality ingredients would be much higher than the selling price.
The protein used in pet food comes from a variety of sources cattle, swine, chickens, lambs, or other animals are slaughtered, the choice cuts such as lean muscle tissue are trimmed away from the carcass for human consumption.
What is not used by humans are sold to pet food rendering plants known as by-products such as bones, blood, intestines, lungs, ligaments.
What many leading brands of pet food say it to us " we are DDA approved, " but not all ingredients are FDA approved before it is sent to rendering plants.
What we are not told is what other horrible parts or matrial goes to the rendring plants.
"Cats and dogs euthanised at clinics, pounds and shelters are sold to rendering plants, rendered with other material and sold to the pet food industry. Difficult as it may be to believe, millions of these dead American dogs and cats are processed each year at plants across North America. Eileen Layne of the California Veterinary Medical Association states "When you read pet-food labels and it says meat meal or bone meal, that's what it is - cooked and converted animals, including dogs and cats."
Road kill, slaughter house rejects, animals that die on their way to meat packing plants - all are acceptable ingredients for pet food under the "4D" rule - diseased, disabled, dead and dying. Steroids, growth hormones and chemicals used to treat cattle for infestations - including insecticide patches - again end up mixed into the final product. Meat from grocery stores past its final due date is also added to the mix, as are the Styrofoam trays and plastic wrap they were packed in.
Chemical Cocktail
The addition of euthanised pets goes beyond morally repugnant - it also introduces a host of chemicals not listed on pet food labels. At the rendering plant, time cannot be spared to remove even the green plastic bags the pets came wrapped in, let alone the insecticide laden flea and tick collars they were wearing. Even the very chemicals used to put these pets to death also find their way into the final product. "Facts of Sodium Pentobarbital in Rendered Products", a University of Minnesota research paper, stated that sodium pentobarbital, the barbiturate which is most commonly used to euthanize small animals,"survived rendering without undergoing degradation." When ingested, sodium pentobarbital has been shown to cause liver and kidney damage and renal failure. The pet food companies claim these chemicals are found in such low doses as to be harmless, but make no mention of what the cumulative effects of years of ingesting them may be. Before the meat even arrived at the rendering plants, it has already been saturated with chemicals. To comply with government regulations, all meat rejected by slaughter houses must be "denatured" - a procedure designed to make it unpalatable to humans, thus ensuring it cannot be resold as human grade meat.
In Canada, the chemical used to "denature" is Birkolene b. In Natural Pet Magazine, Ann Martin writes "According to the Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant and Health, the composition of this chemical cannot be disclosed." In the US, there are a variety of other methods that can be used: "In my time as a veterinary meat inspector, we denatured with carbolic acid (phenol, a potentially corrosive disinfectant) and/or creosote (used to preserve wood or as a disinfectant). Phenol is derived from the distillation of coal tar, creosote from the distillation of wood. Both substances are very toxic. Creosote was used for many years as a preservative for wood power poles. Its effect on the environment proved to be so negative that it is no longer used for that purpose. According to federal meat inspection regulations, fuel oil, kerosene, crude carbolic acid, and citronella (an insect repellent made from lemon grass) are the approved denaturing materials."
Dr Wendell Belfield, DVM, former USDA Vet, "Let's Live" Magazine
The chemical cocktail does not end there, either. To prevent rancidity, a fat stabiliser is added to the finished product. Dr. Belfield writes "The common chemicals used are BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytolulene), both known to cause liver and kidney dysfunction. Some European countries prohibit the use and importation of these preservatives. Another fat stabiliser often used is Ethoxyquin, suspected of being a cancer-causing agent.
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And here is one that was sent to me, and when we checked on the food it fell far
short of what is health! But read what they tell you about their food and how good
it is..
Recent pet owner studies indicate that 92 percent of consumers rank their pet's digestive health as a major area of concern. Focused on the health and well being of dogs. Complete dry dog food, a breakthrough formula that helps keep dogs healthy from the inside. Benefiting from 65+ years of pet food expertise, complete is the only dog food that contains a unique, natural prebiotic fiber that promotes healthy digestion in dogs.
Extensive studies prove that Complete increases beneficial bacteria levels in a dog's digestive tract. Other studies also indicate that increased beneficial bacteria may assist in nutrient absorption and stimulate immune function.
As always, a complete and balanced product with antioxidants, helps build a healthy immune system.
Nutritionists and veterinarians worldwide recommend that this new, breakthrough formula be fed to dogs every day for maximum benefits to their digestive systems. Combined with routine, annual veterinary check-ups, Complete is an important partner in the overall health of dogs.
"With its unique fiber in combination with its superior nutrition, Complete sets a whole new standard for dog food," said director of veterinary relations. "Our high-quality, innovative ingredients make it easy for dog owners to provide their dogs a food to support digestive health and overall well-being."
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So what is 100% Nutritionally Complete for your Dog? What should you feed your Dog? This is what I found out about the food we feed our dogs and let me tell you it made me think!
The first thing we have to understand is "NUTRITION"
Most dry dog foods are soybean, corn or rice based. Some of the better brands have meat or fish meal as the first listed ingredient. Although higher priced, they are worth the price. Premium dog food and name-brand grocery store foods contain protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins, and minerals, five of the six basic nutrients necessary for your pet's good health. You provide the water. With few exceptions, these foods do not need supplementation.
Dietary requirements for dogs can vary according to activity and stress levels and medical history.
Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are necessary for energy. Dogs expend energy in many different
ways. For example, Feeding Mothers, heavy exercise, and regulating body temperature during cold
weather can cause dogs to expend a lot of energy. Outdoor dogs are likely to experience increased
levels of exercise and thus require a higher percentage of protein and fat for energy production than
a dog who stays indoors most of the time.
Select a premium meat or fish based dog food with about 25% protein and 15% fat for both pups and adults for growth and optimal nutrition. Extremely active dogs may even need a percentage or two higher. Select the lower percentage for an older dog who is healthy, but not very active. Do not add supplements, especially calcium, unless recommended for a particular purpose.
CALCIUM
All dog foods available today have more than enough calcium for a large or giant breed, so
supplementation with this mineral is not indicated. A study involving Great Danes showed that
administering excess calcium to puppies caused osteochondrosis dessicans (OCD), a disease
affecting formation of bone and cartilage, and stunted growth, and other studies at two universities
produced similar results.
VITAMIN'S
What vitamins should dogs get. Some individuals believe that Vitamin C helps prevent injuries and
fight the stresses of obedience and conformation shows. Others say it assists in the fight to prevent
hip dysplasia and arthritis. Still others believe that dogs produce their own vitamin C in sufficient
quantities to meet individual requirements. Everyone does agree, however, that vitamin C is needed
for good bone development and the strengthening of surrounding ligaments.
Well the more I look in to the right food to feed our dog's the more I was getting confused! So we have asked our vet, other breeders and read every book we could put our hands on! And then we found this info right under our nose.
More than 400 veterinarians and academics in canine and feline nutrition gathered in San Francisco
to discuss nutritional connections in pet diabetes, renal failure, old age, and cancer, connections that have implications for humans as well. More than 40 papers were presented on diabetes management, growth and development, obesity, neonatal health, immunology, gastrointestinal health, renal health, geriatric nutrition, and physical stress and nutrition.
More than 16 million Americans suffer from diabetes and the number is increasing. The number of
dogs and cats with diabetes is also on the rise. Although there are obvious differences between
humans and animals, Iams and leading universities have found some connections between diet and
the disease that may ultimately benefit humans.
Starch is the food component most likely responsible for the rise in blood glucose immediately after
a meal, according to researchers. However, it has been proven that certain forms of starch,
including sorghum and barley, actually help control a dog's blood sugar levels.
"We have found that a dog's glycemic response, which is the increase in blood sugar and insulin
levels after eating, is affected by the type of starch used in food," said Greg Sunvold PhD, a
nutritionist with "The Iams Company". "We know that by nutritionally managing blood sugars, we can
potentially reduce insulin therapy and minimize diabetic episodes in both animals and humans. This
recent animal science establishes new options for human diets."
Like humans, pets are affected by the aging process and changes in immune systems. Differences
between old and young animals and how function and disease resistance are altered show that
some medical conditions related to aging can be managed nutritionally.
Many human cancer patients find they are unable to maintain adequate body weight. These patients
suffer from a form of malnutrition called protein-calorie malnutrition. Healthy animals can combat
long periods of starvation through decreased metabolic rate, but animals that are sick or injured
require more energy, which increases metabolism.
A study by Glenna Mauldin DVM, MS, DACVIM of Louisiana State University showed that
animals suffering with cancer, receiving radiation, and fed a high protein, high fat diet maintained
body weight better than those fed typical diets. "Humans undergoing cancer treatment might benefit from the findings in our study, which shows that a highly digestible and energy-dense diet can be effective in maintaining nutritional status," Maudlin said.
Renal failure, characterized by the inability of the kidneys to perform normal functions, is a common
illness of humans and animals. Symptoms such as vomiting, anorexia, lethargy, pruritis, and tremors
can result from renal failure and prohibit humans and animals from pursuing normal daily activities.
The research has spawned a new theory about protein and its effects on kidney disease.
"For years, physicians and veterinarians have treated renal failure by reducing protein levels in
diets," said Gregory Reinhart PhD, an Iams researcher. "After working with leading universities, we
have now found that restricting protein in a dog's diet may do more harm than good by potentially
putting the companion animal at risk of protein malnutrition."
Iams found that a diet with moderate protein levels does not have adverse effects on canine renal
patients: it helps animals maintain muscle mass, increase energy levels, and maintain normal activity.
A moderate protein diet has been found beneficial in managing renal failure in humans as well.
The Iams Company has also discovered that fermentable fiber sources can aid a dog's kidney
function by using the colon to dispose of toxic compounds. This proprietary process, called the
Nitrogen Trap, shifts excretion of nitrogen waste products from the urine to the feces, allowing the animal with renal problems to eat a higher protein diet with beneficial effects. Researchers learned that humans and dogs have similar reactions to fermentable fiber and have incorporated this approach into a liquid product developed for humans who require kidney dialysis.
High blood pressure in the kidney deteriorates the organ rapidly, and a decrease in blood pressure
can slow the progression of kidney disease. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids found in fish oil and
flax decrease high blood pressure in the canine kidney, a process that could have application for
human patients as well.
"Pet owners should look for food that includes the optimal balance of Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty
acids, which is a ratio of five Omega-6s to one Omega-3," said Dan Carey DVM of the Iams
Company. "With careful monitoring and planned management, dogs can have reduced clinical signs and slower progression of renal failure. However, renal failure is a complex disorder, and Carey advises pet
owners to consult a veterinarian if the pet shows signs of renal disease.
Up Date on Iams / Eukanuba
Natural Preservatives
The Iams Company has developed an innovative Natural Preservative System for
our foods so you can feed your dogs a high quality diet made with natural
preservatives like mixed tocopherols, citric acid and
lecithin.
Dogs thrive on diets high in protein and fat. Fat is
essential for healthy skin, shiny coats and for
carrying important fat-soluble vitamins. But without
preservatives, fats can become rancid and the
nutritional quality deteriorates. The Iams Company’s
new natural preservative system is a special blend of
natural products that effectively preserve the quality
of our foods – so you can be sure your dog is getting
fresh, wholesome nutrition in every bite.
A SPECIAL NATURAL BLEND FOR MAXIMUM EFFECTIVENESS:
The Iams Company’s natural preservative system is new and innovative. We don’t
just stop with vitamin E. We add mixed tocopherols, citric acid, rosemary extract
and natural emulsifiers like lecithin and mono and diglycerides. All these unique
ingredients are essential for preserving the high quality diet that is so important for
the health and well being of your dog.
Following is an explanation of the key elements of our new natural preservative
system:
*Mixed tocopherols are antioxidants extracted from vegetable oils. Vitamin E is
one of a group of four different tocopherols the Iams Company adds to protect
against rancidity.
*Rosemary extract and citric acid are antioxidants found in plants. Rosemary has
historically been used to retard flavor deterioration.
*Lecithin and mono and diglycerides are important natural emulsifiers. They
prevent the separation of fat from the other ingredients, and ensure even
distribution of the natural preservative system in the food.
Questions about our natural preservative system? Call Iams Customer Service at
1-800-863-4267.
Link to IAMS Eukanuba Web Site ( www.iams.com )
Link to AAFCO Web Site
When we found this out, I started to read more and more and started to compare labels on dog food and then the whole picture started to come in to focus!
As we have become more conscious of the amount of meat in our own diets, we have also
begun to wonder about meat in dogs food. Some folks have switched away from beef, and are
looking for a dog food with little or no beef, so companies have responded with chicken, lamb, and
turkey-based foods. Some owners want a vegetarian diet for their dogs, and a couple of small
companies provide such a diet.
So when I started think, what would I like to feed my dog? Only one company came in to the whole picture!
"IAMS" So now we know what company makes the best pet food! "OR" DO THEY?
We have found over the years that one pet food will not take care of the need's of every
pet. So we have started to find that every dog is not the same! So working with other
pet owners and breeders, we have tried other brands and have found through testing that
the brands that "WE USE And RECOMMEND" are the IAMS / Eukanuba - Hill's - Diamond pet food companies.
You can find out more about "IAMS - HILL'S & DIAMOND" by clicking on the following links:
Hill's NaturesBest:
Science Diet Nature's Best is available in three canine lifestage/varieties:
Fresh Ingredients,
A Pure, Clean Taste
and Healthy,
Wholesome Nutrition.
Only the Best
for Your Pet.
Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul™ brand dog food is proud to bring your pet a complete and balanced all natural pet food.
Made from the finest, simplest ingredients including four fresh meats, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, our pet food provides a nutritious, well-balanced base for a happy, healthy, and wholesome pet.
So all that is left to study is the different types of dog food.
So here is what I have found out about "DOG FOOD" doing my research.
The first prepared dog biscuit appeared in England after the US Civil War in the 1800s, and the
industry in the US began shortly thereafter as a byproduct of breakfast cereal processing. American
manufacturers included dried meat scraps in their dog meal for a balanced diet. The canning of
horsemeat unsuitable for export began in the 1920s, and within 10 years, nearly 200 brands of
canned food were available.
The pet food industry took an enormous leap after World War II when the consumption of meat
increased and the availability of by-products led to development of the rendering industry and new
uses for meat and bone meal. At about the same time, researchers at Ralston Purina developed a
new method of cooking swine and poultry feeds, which led in turn to further production of dry dog
food. Dry foods gained in popularity and owners frequently top-dressed the kibble with canned meat.
Thus the stage was set for an explosion in types of canned and dry foods and development of the
convenient semi-moist foods and snacks now available.
Early kibble foods were made from a dough of grain flours, meat meals, dairy products, and
vitamins and minerals baked in large pans and broken after cooking. The development of the
extrusion method, in which the dough was pressed through a rotary machine that molded or shaped
the pieces before baking, revolutionized the growing industry. Today, many kibbled foods are
prepared in a mixing pressure cooker and the resulting dough is extruded through a die and
expanded with steam and air into small, porous nuggets. These nuggets are coated with a liquid fat,
carbohydrate, or milk product for added calories and palatability. These feeds must be at least 40
percent carbohydrates in order for the process to work and must be packaged in bags with a
grease barrier of impermeable material such as plastic-coated paper.
Semi-moist foods are cooked combinations of soybean meal, sugar, fresh meat or meat
by-products, animal fat, preservatives, and humectants (wetting agents that allow the product to
stay moist but not spoil). The dough is extruded into a variety of shapes to resemble ground meat
or chunks of meat to appeal to the buyer; the dog doesn't care. The coloring in semi-moist foods
can turn the dog's manure reddish.
Canned foods come in four types: ration, all-animal-tissue, chunk-style, and stew. The ration foods
are ground and cooked into a liquid, then canned. The animal-tissue foods are not liquefied before
canning and may include chunks of identifiable by-products such as arteries. Chunk-style foods are
ground and shaped into chunks to disguise the by-products, then covered with gravy before the can
is sealed. Stews are designed to please the owner.
Finally, frozen dog food is available in limited distribution. This is a meat-based food with no
preservatives, made with fresh meat. It generally contains a sweetener such as cane molasses that
adds to the caloric content. It must be kept frozen until ready to use and the unused portion must
be kept refrigerated.
As each improvement in shape, texture, or form is devised, more chemicals are added.
Propylene glycol is a humectant in semi-moist foods.
In all, more than 200 different ingredients are used in pet foods, according to Petfood Industry
magazine.
So now you know everything I know, and the rest is up to you! So next time you buy food for you pet read the label and
think " WOULD I EAT THAT?"
Read the ingredients in Dog Biscuits! I will never buy a $1.50 box of Biscuits again!
UPDATE: April,03
We have been working with a lot of people that have been doing studys on dog food.
And One More Thing!
What You Are Is What You Eat! So Why Do You Feed Your Dog, "Garbage and Trash"?
TRY THIS!
If you think, you are feeding your pet GOOD FOOD? "EAT SOME!!"
You may even be slowly killing your DOG!
The following is a letter that was sent to me from: www.FlintRiverRanch.org
(Prebiotic fiber helps stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in a dog's digestive system.)
Developed by teams of top nutritionists and veterinarians from around the worldwide, Complete is 100 percent nutritionally complete and is available in the following varieties: High Quality Protein from Beef & Chicken; Lamb Meal, Rice & Barley.
Research by Simin N. Meydani DVM, PhD of Tufts University shows that several antioxidants,
especially Vitamin E, can help animals avoid viral infections and live long, healthy lives. With age,
Vitamin E levels in dogs naturally decrease, which means the older immune system may not be able
to adequately defend itself against disease. Meydani's research shows the addition of Vitamin E in
an older dog's diet can enhance the immune response so that it resembles the response of a
younger dog.
Chronic renal failure is one of the most frustrating conditions a veterinarian faces because it is
common, irreversible, and inevitably fatal. However, recent findings enable veterinarians to
nutritionally manage the condition so the pets can maintain healthy, normal lives. Some researchers
believe that physicians may find the research helpful to manage renal conditions in humans as well.
( www.aafco.org )
AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials)
is a national organization that regulates the manufacture, distribution
and sale of animal feeds. It also licenses food that meets AAFCO nutrient analysis,
but this isn't as desirable as feeding trials. In the nutrient analysis studies,
food is chemically analyzed for content. During feeding trials, the food is fed to dogs, and they're regularly monitored.
CLICK HERE>>>
For more INFO on Nature's Best
Puppy with Real Beef
Adult with Real Beef
Adult with Real Chicken
For information about other Science Diet products, Visit www.sciencediet.com
Chicken Soup
CLICK HERE>>>
In each of these types, the filled cans are sterilized.
For example,
Food starch, gums, and colors are ingredients in gravies.
Flour, gums, and mineral salts are binders in meat chunks.
Artificial flavors and colors are added for palatability and owner eye appeal.
BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, and mold inhibitors are preservatives.
And are finding that a lot of dog food companys are starting to see the light!
So this page is far from done! So when we say: "We Found The Best Food" Hold On!!
Remember in the beginning I said:
