What's in Your Pet's Food?

Our companion animals are often our best friends. So why would we feed them the same processed food, day in day out? Not only is it boring, but it’s unhealthy, too. Nowonder they gaze at us accusingly (cats) or imploringly (dogs) as we eat our meals in front of them!

Dogs and cats have nutritional needs similar to ours. They require wholesome foods that will support their bodies’ daily requirements for protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids. Nutrition plays a key role in your animal’s behaviour and can either cause or alleviate irritability, moodiness and aggression. But unfortunately, today’s pet food industry is not always accurate in what it deems "nutritionally balanced." It is up to pet owners to educate themselves in order to make healthy choices.

Both Canada and the US have no official laws requiring quality control for pet foods, which leaves the pet food industry to regulate itself. In the US, only the text on pet food labels is regulated. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), a national organization of federal and state officials, provides ingredient definitions and product names, though its canine and feline "nutrient profiles" are primarily nutrient minimums with maximums stated. In Food Pets Die For (NewSage Press, 1997), author Ann Martin writes: "The AAFCO has no enforcement authority. This organization does not undertake any analytical testing on pet food nor does it determine the sources of the protein, fibre or fats used in the product. It does provide an extensive list of ‘ingredient definitions,’ which gives a wide leeway for the pet food industry to use the cheapest ingredients available."

This lack of regulation opens the door for the multi-billion dollar industry to cut costs at every opportunity by compromising the quality of ingredients used. It is therefore wise to learn how to interpret pet food labels and know what questions to ask manufacturers.

Understanding The Labels

Protein is the building block of all cells and must be the primary ingredient in pet food. Because protein is so vital to dogs and cats for maintaining proper balance of hormones, muscles, bones, skin and blood components, it should be derived from a healthy animal source. But because no regulations control what can and cannot go into pet food, a host of frightening components may make their way into your pet’s food bowl.

The number-one ingredient to avoid is meat meal. Mystery meat meal can contain anything from recalled and condemned meats (along with their packaging), to roadkill, slaughterhouse offal, zoo animals and euthanized dogs and cats with their flea collars and ID tags intact. Look for foods that specify the exact meat source such as lamb, chicken or fish meal and avoid those that list byproducts. Seek out foods that are guaranteed as human grade. This will ensure that the ingredients used are fit for human consumption.

Carbohydrates are glucose molecules that provide energy to all living cells, enabling them to maintain metabolism, reproduce and survive. Quality carbohydrates include whole grains such as brown rice, whole oats and quinoa. Choose these over processed flours, as whole grains have greater nutritional value. Dogs require more carbohydrates than cats. Because cats utilize protein for energy, cat owners must be even more careful in choosing their food. Beware of a practice called "splitting." A manufacturer can list grains, most often corn, in its various forms such as corn, corn gluten meal and ground corn. This is because if corn would be listed on its own, it would exceed the listed protein and therefore have to be indicated as the primary ingredient.

Essential fatty acids are needed for the body to support its every function, from cellular reproduction to sustaining brain and nervous system function. Although EFAs are added to pet foods, most are cheaply derived, heated and are most likely rancid by the time they reach your pet. Supplement your pet’s diet with first cold-pressed, organic vegetable oils such as safflower (omega-6), flax oil and fish oils (omega-3). On average, a 50-pound (23-kilogram) dog would need one teaspoon of vegetable oil per day. For an average healthy cat, EFAs can be given at half a teaspoon per day.

Preservatives are necessary to keep packaged food from going rancid. Commercial pet foods need to prolong the shelf life of their products and strong chemical preservatives may be added to accomplish this. The three most common chemicals are BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and ethoxyquin. All three of these have been proven highly toxic. They are detrimental to the kidneys and liver and cause brain deficiency, allergies, hair loss and behaviour imbalances. Ask manufacturers if they add these to their pet foods. If not, ask if they test the raw materials when they arrive at the plant. No laws require them to list any of these ingredients, so pet owners must do their own research. Opt for foods that use natural antioxidants such as vitamins E and C as preservatives. They may cost a little more but are well worth the price. Fortunately, many health food stores carry lots of quality pet food products.

Preparing homemade meals for pets is an alternative that more and more pet owners are opting for. Instead of feeding him leftover table scraps, prepare your pet’s food as you would your own. Many wholistic veterinarians and breeders nationwide highly recommend a raw diet, saying it is the closest to what dogs and cats would eat in the wild and therefore more compatible with their body systems. Once meats are cooked, vital enzymes are destroyed, causing a dog’s or cat’s digestive system to work harder while prohibiting nutrients from being efficiently absorbed.

Although many people are concerned with parasites and bacteria found in raw meat, it is important to remember that dogs’ and cats’ digestive systems are not like ours. If the meat is fresh, USDA inspected and human grade, dangerous bacteria would be rarely encountered. For extra precaution, you may disinfect it with grapefruit seed extract, vinegar or lemon juice. Add a small amount of garlic for further protection and nutritional benefits. Never feed pets raw fish, which does contain parasites that must be destroyed by cooking. Ready-made raw food diets are available on the market. Make sure that they meet HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point, or food handling) requirements, are nutritionally complete and do not contain byproducts, chemicals, fillers, charcoal or other inactive ingredients.

These simple guidelines will guarantee a happier, healthier pet!

Do-It-Yourself Dog Chow

Combine equal amounts of meat, grain and vegetable:

Meat: raw or cooked beef, lamb, chicken or turkey, preferably free range/organic. Organ meats are acceptable, but don’t overdo the liver.

Grains: Oats, quinoa, rice or barley (cook slowly and well).

Veggies: Greens should make up a majority of the vegetables. Steam green beans, broccoli, Swiss chard or Chinese greens. Also use carrots, peas, squash, zucchini, cauliflower, lightly steamed or pur? in a little water. Potatoes are fine but must be cooked. A small amount of tomato is OK (too much is acidic), but never give onion.

Do-It-Yourself Cat Chow

For cats, more care is needed regarding food choices then for dogs. Find commercial cat food containing no byproducts or meat meal. Add 10 per cent steamed and mashed fresh vegetables such as carrot, squash (acorn, spaghetti, winter), turnip, sweet potato and pumpkin. You can also add a teaspoon or a tablespoon (depending on size of cat) of poultry, beef or fish cut up into tiny pieces. In Europe, raw meat for cats is common. But if you are concerned about bacteria, you can serve the meat cooked. For more information on nutritional research for cats, visit felinefuture.com.

Recommended Reading

Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts About Pet Food, by Ann Martin (SagePress, 1997).
Protect Your Pet: More Shocking Facts, by Ann Martin (SagePress, 2001).
Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats (Rodale Press, 1995).
Earl Mindell’s Nutrition and Health for Dogs (Prima Publishing, 1998).