Saturday, July 5, 2008

What's Really in Pet Food - grains

My first tidbit is about what is in commercial pet food. I'm sure you have seen the advertising for these products and they sound convincing. They have pictures of meat and vegetables, but if you read the labels, it will tell you otherwise.
Most commercial pet foods are filled with grains. Grains are high in carbohydrates and are a poor source of protein, most grains are "animal feed" grade and come with allergens, toxins, mycotoxins and the cooking at high temperatures create acrylamides, a potential carcinogen. Grains may cause the most long-term harm of all the major ingredients in commercial dry food.
The grains in dry pet food are the ideal breeding ground for storage mites and mold. Recent veterinary studies have shown that the grains used in dog foods may be a major contibuting factor in symptoms of allergies in dogs.
Tidbits to reduce problems with dry foods:
1. Feed foods which use only human edible grains. 2. Buy fresh bags of food. (Watch the date on the bag, the fresher the better). 3. Buy small bags of food. (Given time heat, humidity, mites and mold grow). 4. Keep the food dry. 5. Store dry food in the freezer to avoid problems. 6. Do not buy bags that are torn. 7. If the food is off-color or has an off-smell, toss it. 8. If your dog won't eat it, don't force him. 9. If your dog acts strange after eating dry dog food, take the dog and the food to the vet.