Pet food brands

[Miranda&James 8]

I use Iams for my cat but it certainly doesn't cut down on any waste - I think she goes even more than a normal cat! And it still stinks.....

[sowens 0]

We have a beagle and she loves to eat anything she can get in her mouth, but she is highly allergic to most things, we found this out thru our vet. She was chewing her paws and had ear infections. Now she is on a strict lamb and rice diet by Nutro. It has worked the best and unless I can find something better ( more pure) as she is only allowed lamb and rice, thats the brand we will stick with. Hope all goes well with your furry friend.

Sherry

[rclouse 0]

Timmy the chihuahua will only eat Hill's Science Diet puppy food (even though he's an adult now) and popcorn. He only gets popcorn rarely, though.

Just read "Cesar's Way", I'm inspired. "Jew gotta be da pack leeeeder!"

[babybunny 2]

Where your Pet Food comes from & What's in it.?

We see pictures of whole grains, prime cuts of meat and human grade vegetables on the bag, and we assume there's some chef in a pet food kitchen cooking up the best for our loved ones. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth.Most of what makes up dog and cat food comes from the rendering plant.

To render, as defined in Webster's Dictionary, is "to process as for industrial use: to render livestock carcasses and to extract oil from fat, blubber, etc., by melting."When chickens, lambs, cattle, swine, and other animals are slaughtered for food, usually only the lean muscle is cut off for human consumption.This leaves about 50 percent of a carcass left over. These leftovers are what become what we so commonly find on pet food labels, such as "meat-and-bone-meal" or "by-products.

"So basically, what pets eat are lungs, ligaments, bones, blood and intestines.Some other things that go into rendering to make your Cat and Dog Food are:

* Euthanized companion animals Cats a Dogs

* Spoiled meat from the supermarket, Styrofoam wrapping and all

* Road kill that can't be buried on the roadside

* The "4 D's" of cattle: dead, dying, disease and disabled

* Rancid restaurant grease

When dead animals from cow pastures are picked up, they may not be rendered until up to a week after they are dead. Because of this, it is estimated that E. coli bacteria contaminate more than 50 percent of meat meals.

The rendering process destroys the bacteria, but it does not eliminate the endotoxins bacteria release when they die.

These endotoxin, which can cause sickness and disease, are not tested for by pet food manufacturers.When all this comes to the rendering plant, it's put in a huge vat and shredded.Then it's cooked at 220 to 270 degrees for 20 to 60 minutes. After it cools, the grease is skimmed off the top.

This is "animal fat." The rest is pressed and dried. This is "meat and bone meal."Dogs wouldn't eat this stuff in the wild, so why will they eat it out of their bowls? Their noses are tricked by the smell of it. The smell of animal fats for dogs and fish oil for cats is sprayed on the dry, bland kibble bits to make them appetizing.

These flavors usually come from rendered restaurant grease, animal fat, or other oils unfit for human consumption. Huge conglomerates use pet food companies as a cheap, and even profitable, way of disposing of the waste from their human food companies. Three of the five major pet food companies are owned by these huge corporations.

Who owns what? Corporation & Pet Foods:

Nestle: Alpo, Fancy Feast, Friskies, Mighty Dog, Purina One

Heinz: 9 Lives, Amore, Gravy Train, Kibbles-n-Bits, Nature's Recipe

Colgate-Palmolive: Hill's Science Diet

Proctor & Gamble: Eukanuba and Iams

Mars: Kal Kan, Mealtime, Pedigree, Sheba, Waltham's

VETERINARIANS AND PET FOOD: So why don't vets warn people? The question should be, what makes veterinarians think they can recommend food. In Food Pets Die For, Ann Martin says, Our family physician doesnt display weight loss products in the reception room So why is this going on in our veterinary clinics that do not specialize in nutrition. She says she considers it unethical for vets to sell pet food unless they are trained in pet nutrition.The reason your vet thinks so highly of the pet food they sell probably has more to do with money than nutrition. In vet school, the only classes offered on nutrition usually last a few weeks, and are taught by representatives from the pet food companies.

Vet students may also receive free food for their own dogs and cats at home. They could get an Iams notebook, a Purina purse and some free pizza.The companies also hire students to be representatives for the company and to promote their products to other students.This issue was even placed on the agenda for an Executive Committee meeting at the vet school at Colorado State University. According to the minutes discussion was held on how to handle dealing with pet food companies and their donations of pet food to the university. It was agreed to put together a task force to discuss this issue, investigate the possibilities, and make suggestions to the Executive Council on how to work with the numerous pet food companies that want to donate to CSU. There was no further mention of this topic in meetings since.

In May 2000, Purina made the announcement that in an effort to help university, veterinary hospitals provide optimal nutrition recommendations for dogs and cats, Ralston Purina is funding three new veterinary diet technician positions. They donated $100,000 to support these positions for the first year. How would you feel about a company that paid your salary?

CHEMICALS IN PET FOOD:Because the ingredients in pet food aren't exactly as pure as consumers are made to believe, not only is the food unhealthy, it may also be poisonous.When the "food" comes out of the rendering plant, there's no way it would be bought by a consumer or eaten by a dog. To make it more pleasing to the eyes of owners and the mouths of animals, the producers of pet food add a myriad of chemicals.To keep the food fresh, the first thing added is a preservative. The bags of food must stay fresh through shipping and on the shelf. There are several synthetic preservatives out there:

* Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)

* Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)

* Propylene glycol (also used as automotive antifreeze)

* Ethoxyquin

Their is little known about the effect these chemicals may have on an animal. Some experts and veterinarians claim ethoxyquin is the best and safest preservative on the market, others claim it is a potential carcinogen, causing skin problems and infertility in dogs.Some other things that may be added to your dog or cat food are:

* Coloring agents

* Drying agents

* Flavoring agents

* Lubricants

* Nutritive Sweeteners

* Texturizers

IS THERE CAT AND DOG IN PET FOOD?:Reporter John Eckhouse was one of the first people to discover the practice of sending euthanized pets to the rendering plants.He quoted an employee of Sacramento Rendering as saying, "Thousands and thousands of pounds of dogs and cats are picked up and brought here every day."When a vet tells a grieving owner that they'll "take care" of their dead loved one, they usually mean sending it off with the disposal company for rendering. This is all perfectly legal. Many veterinarians and especially shelters don't have the money to bury or cremate animals.Although many in the pet food industry deny that they use euthanized animals, proof that the practice goes on continues to surface.

Also Do you know what is in meat meal, the major constituent of dry dog/cat food?...Urine, fecal matter, hair, pus, meat (from animals, afflicted) with cancer and T.B., etc."

All I can say is that if you must buy meat for your companion animals, buy organic!

stop making up CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP

[46]

My cat was on Science Diet and Fancy Feast. That was until she tasted Whiskas.

Science Diet was snubbed from that fateful day until she diet.

[Meliss 0]

I've heard horrible things about animal cruelty from the IAMS company....animal testing etc. I suggest going to a Natural Pet Food store- or find a small local company who can order holistic food for you.

[Peter Miami 0]

Where did you read that?

[danae 0]

I've heard horrible things about animal cruelty from the IAMS company....animal testing etc. I suggest going to a Natural Pet Food store- or find a small local company who can order holistic food for you.

Yes you are absolutely right. They engage in a huge amount of animal research.

IMO it is completely crazy that they can directly cause the suffering and death of thousands of animals, in order to 'aid the nutrition' of others. Who are they to decide which animals should die and which should live?

Some information can be found here

And as for my talking ####### shonjaved- so what, just because you hear some new information you disregard it as nonsense?? Please.

The topic discussed here is what food is best for ones companion animals. I provided some info regarding the hidden nasties in regular pet food. A simple google search will confirm what I have said. No, its not necessarily common knowledge- this is because the large corporations have nothing to gain, and much to lose, in promoting it!

The AAFCO allows pet food ingredients to come from a variety of potentially unsavory sources, including the four “d’s” of slaughterhouse waste: animals that are dying, diseased, downed (no longer ambulatory), or dead prior to slaughter. It also permits roadkill and euthanised animals as pet food ingredients.

[cmartyn 0]

Iams kills cats and dogs testing their food. Its so easy to make Cat and Dog food. And way way cheaper. There are lots of recipies around.

http://www.iamskills.com/your_help.shtml

I mean enough allready with P&G and their bullshit.

Edited July 6, 2006 by cmartyn

[Nagishkaw 510]

as some of you know, I have a rather large menagerie of pets here

due to some health issues with one of my cats, he needs to be fed a good quality food, otherwise he will pass blood and have painful discharge from his eyes. The brand I used for him in Canada is not available here in the US, so we switched them to Nutro's Natural Choice food, which we were told was a good quality food. However now, 6 months later, he is experiencing some discharge again, and we're considering changing the food.

We have also been feeding our dogs Nutro's Max puppy food, which we also were told was a good quality brand. Well, although our pups have energy and are healthy, they REALLY stink when going #2... I mean worse than dogs usually smell...

so I am hoping my fellow animal-loving VJ'ers can recommend a good quality pet food for both cats, and for dogs. After all, nothing is better than getting the info from those who have been there

P.S.:

I read the responses on the thread before the move to the new server, and it seems like Iams and Science Diet are the most recommended so far...

thanks for the input, my little kittyrs old and only 6lbs, his brother Ike weighs in at 11. Ike doesnt have the same health issues that Silas does, Silas was the runt, and will not put on weight. I spent almost $1000 on blood work and tests to find out that there's nothing wrong with him other than the sensitivity to food, but he's skin and bones, always has been.

Also, what would you recommend for our stinky pups?

any other suggestions would be appreciated!

When animals are euthanized, the chemmicals used for that is in the deceased animals and the bi products used are what goes into the making of most pet foods. I understood your commercial brands contain it, and heard Nutro does, also. I do animal rescue, mostly wild birds nowdays, but have always fed dogs and cats Eukanuba, which is made in CA. just read the lables, and maybe you can even go to a health food store for more natural products. just a suggestion. As for the elderly feline, their no different from humans in the aging process, so maybe yours is telling you his/her poor organs can no longer support a diet like they used to when they were younger. food allergies are common.

some of us people just cant tollerate certain foods, why not cats and dogs, too?

We have a beagle and she loves to eat anything she can get in her mouth, but she is highly allergic to most things, we found this out thru our vet. She was chewing her paws and had ear infections. Now she is on a strict lamb and rice diet by Nutro. It has worked the best and unless I can find something better ( more pure) as she is only allowed lamb and rice, thats the brand we will stick with. Hope all goes well with your furry friend.

Sherry

Beagles are known for their notorious appetites. How old is your Beag? sometimes older dogs chew their paws and develope what they call lickanomas , which are raw sores. Currently, my Beagle ( age 14 ) has been picking up the habit. I just think it is out of borebom, or something lacking in her diet, but i cannot imagine what it is.

[babybunny 2]

I've heard horrible things about animal cruelty from the IAMS company....animal testing etc. I suggest going to a Natural Pet Food store- or find a small local company who can order holistic food for you.

Yes you are absolutely right. They engage in a huge amount of animal research.

IMO it is completely crazy that they can directly cause the suffering and death of thousands of animals, in order to 'aid the nutrition' of others. Who are they to decide which animals should die and which should live?

Some information can be found here

And as for my talking ####### shonjaved- so what, just because you hear some new information you disregard it as nonsense?? Please.

The topic discussed here is what food is best for ones companion animals. I provided some info regarding the hidden nasties in regular pet food. A simple google search will confirm what I have said. No, its not necessarily common knowledge- this is because the large corporations have nothing to gain, and much to lose, in promoting it!

The AAFCO allows pet food ingredients to come from a variety of potentially unsavory sources, including the four “d’s” of slaughterhouse waste: animals that are dying, diseased, downed (no longer ambulatory), or dead prior to slaughter. It also permits roadkill and euthanised animals as pet food ingredients.

its all craaaaaaaaaaaaap.

there are other causes in the world - than causing ####### on the Pet thread - geezz..

[danae 0]

My intention was not to 'cause #######'. Merely to provide some information which was appropriate to the topic.

If you want to live in blissful ignorance, go ahead. Fine with me.

So of all the 'other causes' in the world- of which i am aware there are many- im curious, what role do you actively take in working for them?

[Tim and Bethanie 1]

I use Iams for my cat but it certainly doesn't cut down on any waste - I think she goes even more than a normal cat! And it still stinks.....

Iams is icky! It is now available in your grocery store aisle, you get what you pay for. It is just a cheaper version of Eukanuba products. Our Eukanuba rep wanted to send us a comp bag of IAMS cat food to feed in the facility, I swear the cats made the most gawd awful smell when eating that stuff. We have now switched to Pro Plan indoor formula, rather pay for this than get the freebie stinky poop maker Iams. Posted this on a poll, for those of you with indoor cats that hate the odor Pro Plan indoor works miracles.

[Ban Hammer 13,427]

I use Iams for my cat but it certainly doesn't cut down on any waste - I think she goes even more than a normal cat! And it still stinks.....

Iams is icky! It is now available in your grocery store aisle, you get what you pay for. It is just a cheaper version of Eukanuba products. Our Eukanuba rep wanted to send us a comp bag of IAMS cat food to feed in the facility, I swear the cats made the most gawd awful smell when eating that stuff. We have now switched to Pro Plan indoor formula, rather pay for this than get the freebie stinky poop maker Iams. Posted this on a poll, for those of you with indoor cats that hate the odor Pro Plan indoor works miracles.

major change in my cat when i went from science diet to pro plan. it don't seem like something died anymore

[babybunny 2]

My intention was not to 'cause #######'. Merely to provide some information which was appropriate to the topic.

If you want to live in blissful ignorance, go ahead. Fine with me.

So of all the 'other causes' in the world- of which i am aware there are many- im curious, what role do you actively take in working for them?

I am active in many causes. Thats my business! your intention are excactly that. to cause CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP! your not providing information - your providing CRAPPY Propaganda:angry: