The “MyBowl” for Pets

October 7, 2011 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , ,

I just found a very scary website. It is a website that attempts to educate pet owners on proper nutrition for pets. Great idea, but unfortunately, the site is promoted by Science Diet. I decided to try and give this new “nutrition center” the benefit of the doubt and check out their “My Bowl”, which essentially tells you what “in theory” should be in your pets dog food. My findings are as follows:

I found the “MyBowl” to be disgustingly inaccurate with the potential to greatly harm dogs if fed a food with the recommended ingredients. According to “MyBowl”, your dog should have 50% carbohydrates in their diet and roughly 25% protein and 25% fruits and vegetables. According to the “MyBowl”, some of the “good carbohydrate” sources you should look for are wheat and corn….um, no? The thing I find most fascinating is the fact that Science Diet is attempting to replicate the MyPlate idea by the USDA. However, the human MyPlate is actually fairly correct. Just by looking at the plate, the division of grains, proteins, fruits, and vegetables is fairly equal (it looks like grain slightly favor the protein food group, but it’s pretty close). This is a fairly accurate example of what should be in a HUMAN diet. We are omnivores and get a benefit from all of the food groups. What fascinates me, is that generally Science Diet refers to dogs as omnivores as well. Since that is the case, wouldn’t it appear logical that their “MyBowl” resemble the portion sizes of the USDA’s MyPlate? At least that would make some sort of sense. However, since Science Diet makes pet foods that have very little protein and sometimes over 50% carbohydrates, they have decided to try to “educate” the public on their food products and not on what a dog should actually be eating. This is disgusting!

The truth is, your dog is a carnivore. He is designed to eat meat, not carbohydrates. With so many foods out there that contain 50% carbohydrates, it’s no wonder so many dogs are overweight, have dental issues, and have diabetes. Even our own doctors (and the USDA) do not recommend we eat a diet that contains 50% carbohydrates, so why is Science Diet recommending it for our pets?

To see for yourself the gross misrepresentation of what should actually be in your pets’ diet, check out http://www.petmd.com/mybowl

To see the MyPlate version by the USDA go here: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/

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Pet Obesity

August 29, 2011 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , , ,

There is a growing trend in the United States and it consists of overweight and obese dogs and cats. The fourth annual Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) National Pet Obesity Awareness Day Study found approximately 53% of cats and 55% of dogs were overweight or obese (1). While exercise is a very important factor in keeping the weight of our beloved pets down, it is not the only one. Considering that most people do not take their cats out on a walk and many strictly keep their cats indoors, there must be another factor contributing to the increased obesity in dogs and cats….that factor is diet.

What we feed out pets has a huge impact on whether our pets maintain a healthy weight. Unfortunately, about 90% of the foods available for your pets are really designed to make your pet gain weight. Don’t believe me…well, think about it this way, if you were to go to your doctor and tell him that all you ate every day was cereal, either in two separate meals or you just free feed on a box of cereal all day, he would look at you and say you were nuts. Furthermore, chances are you would probably be pretty sick too. That is equivalent to what is in many of the pet foods that are available on the market today. Granted, there are a few smaller companies that focus on making human-grade, species appropriate diets, but unfortunately they are few and far between. Most pet food manufacturers have absolutely no motivation to produce healthy pet food. What they are motivated by is the highest possible dollar amount that they can make on their products.

The nutrients available to your pets in many of the larger, more popular brands are not what your pets need to keep their weight low. Many of these foods are anywhere between 30% to over 50% carbohydrates (Hill’s W/D, the prescription diet for diabetes and weight loss in dogs consists of 50.6% carbohydrates…yes, Hill’s recommends giving a dog with diabetes a high carbohydrate diet…does anyone else see a flaw in this logic?). Many of the “Low Fat” and “Light” pet foods are the worse culprits with regard to their “method” of weight loss. These foods use the logic that by lowering the calories and fat and adding fiber, that your pets will loose weight. Unfortunately, by lowering the calories and fat and adding fiber, these foods are also raising the carbohydrate levels of the food and significantly lowering the meat protein levels. Just like in human food, the foods that are advertised as “low fat” are consequentially higher in carbohydrates. So, although your pets food may be low in fat, the high carbohydrate levels create extra calories that your pet will not burn, which will then be stored as fat (vicious cycle isn’t it?) (2).

The key to keeping our pets weights down is to feed them a species appropriate diet. While raw food may be too expensive for some pet owners, there are dry pet foods out there that attempt to get close to a species appropriate diet with their ingredients and protein, fat, and carbohydrate ratios (it’s not perfect, but for the cost it’s a viable option).

It is also important to watch the serving sizes that you give your pet. The guidelines on the back of a pet food bag are a great starting point, but some pets may require more or less than the recommended feeding guidelines in order to maintain a healthy weight. An example would be a dog or cat that is a couch potato, these pets will generally require less of the recommended feeding amount, as they will not be burning as many calories throughout the day.

Although exercise is not the only reason for pets to be overweight, it is a significant reason. While feeding your pet a species appropriate diet is a key component to keeping your pet at a healthy weight; exercise is a great way to help your pet build muscle mass, which will also help them burn calories by increasing their metabolism (2).

It is also important to watch the treats that you give your pets. I am not a huge fan of biscuits, since if you are already feeding a processed kibble it is better to stick with meat based treats. Freeze-dried meaty treats, dehydrated treats, and slow roasted meat treats are all great examples of ways to give your pets treats without upping their carbohydrate intake (which would be the case if you gave your pet biscuits). But as with everything, moderation is very important.

To wrap it up, the key to your pets maintaining a healthy weight is feeding a species appropriate diet (and watching serving size), exercise, and sticking to meaty treats (in moderation).

Resources:

1)      Association for Pet Obesity – http://www.petobesityprevention.com/fat-pets-getting-fatter-according-to-latest-survey/

2)      Article by Dr. Karen Becker – The Skinny on Low Fat Diets http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/07/07/the-skinny-on-low-fat-diets.aspx

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Salmonella and Pet Food

August 2, 2011 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

On July 29th, Nestle Purina recalled a limited number of Purina One Vibrant Maturity DRY cat food bags due to a potential salmonella contamination. Now this got me thinking…for some reason, many veterinarians are concerned with consumers feeding their pets raw food, with the theory that the chances of coming in contact with salmonella is a lot higher in raw food than dry food. However, with just looking back over the recalls from 2010 – 2011, this logic seems to be significantly flawed.

From what I have been able to gather on-line, there appears to have been 13 recalls in the past year and a half for pet foods and treats contaminated with Salmonella. 10 out of the 13 recalls were from DRY pet foods and treats, and only 3 were from raw pet foods. These numbers also do not include the several other DRY pet foods that were recalled for mold (Wysong), plastic hat pieces in the bags (Nutro), Vitamin D Overdose (Blue Buffalo), Aflatoxin (Old Yeller, Kroger), and Low Thiamine levels (Wellness). It seems to me that there is a significant higher danger of your pets coming into contact with not only salmonella, but other much more serious recall issues from DRY pet foods than they ever would if they were eating a raw food diet. Below is the list of pet foods recalled for salmonella in the past year and a half.

1. Hartz Naturals Reel Beef Treats

2. Merrick Dog Food – Beef Filet Squares & Texas Hold’ems

3. P&G – Iams and Eukanuba Specialized and “Veterinary Formula” Dry Dog Food Recalls (Also Included Eukanuba Naturally Wild, Pure, and Custom Care Sensitive Skin)

4. United Pet Group – Pro-Pet Adult daily Vitamin Supplement for Dogs

5. Natural Balance Pet Foods Inc. – Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food

6. Rollover Premium Pet Food Ltd. (Canada) – Pork Tenders Premium Dog Treats

7. Nature’s Variety – Raw Frozen Chicken Diets

8. Merrick Pet Care – Beef Filet Squares Dog Treats

9. Primal Pet Foods – Raw Chicken & Salmon Cat Food

10. Merrick Pet Care – Jr. Taffy Pet Treat

11. Several Pig Ear Companies (Merrick, Bravo, Boss Pet)

12. Purine One Vibrant Maturity Cat Food

13. Feline’s Pride – Natural Raw Chicken Cat Food

I would like to point out that the chances of a healthy dog or cat showing symptoms of salmonella poisoning is rare. Healthy dogs and cats have a very acidic stomach which generally destroys all pathogens. I found a great article by Dr. Karen Becker that discusses the truth about salmonella and raw feeding. She also discusses how to keep your family safe from salmonella infection. I encourage everyone to read this article, since as I have pointed out; salmonella contamination is not just localized to raw food (and is in fact more common in dry pet food).

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Natural Balance Recall!

June 19, 2010 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , ,

On Friday, June 18th, Natural Balance issued a voluntary recall of their Sweet Potato and Chicken, 5# and 28# formulas with “best buy” date of June 17, 2011.  The food is being voluntarily recalled after a test by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found salmonella in the batches.

For more information please view:

http://www.petproductnews.com/headlines/2010/06/18/potential-salmonella-contamination-prompts-natural-balance-voluntary-recall.aspx

As a side note, Pet Country discontinued Natural Balance after the food was recalled in 2007 for Melamine poisoning.

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Iams Cat & Kitten Food Recall!

June 12, 2010 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , ,

On June 9th, Proctor and Gamble (the new owner of Natura Pet Products), posted that they are recalling specific canned cat foods due to low levels of Thiamin (Vitamin B1).

The canned cat food that were recalled are:

Product Name Date on Bottom of Can
Iams ProActive Health canned Cat and Kitten Food – all varieties of 3 oz & 5.5 oz cans 09/2011 to 06/2012

According to P&G,”early signs of thiamine deficiency may include loss of appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss.  In advanced cases, signs may include ventroflexion (downward curving) of the neck, wobbly gait, falling, circling and seizures.” If your cat is eating this food and has experienced any of these symptoms it would be best to contact your veterinarian immediately.

As a side note, Pet Country has not, and will never sell Iams pet food (or any food like it).

Link to article:

http://media.iams.com/iams/en_US/data_root/html/recall_message.html

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Is All Pet Food Created Equal?

May 18, 2010 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

I recently had a conversation with someone about the standards of pet food. This person worked for a very well known pet food company and claimed that all pet foods were relatively similar. Her argument was that since all pet food must pass AAFCO’s (Association of American Feed Control Officials) nutrient profiles, that they were all nutritious enough to keep pets healthy. After all, as long as the guaranteed analysis looks good, there is no reason to question the ingredients that make up that guaranteed analysis….right?

The interesting thing about the nutrient profile standards set up by AAFCO is that the nutrient profile in no way guarantees the digestibility or quality of ingredients in the pet food. All that is required is that a food meets a minimum or maximum percentage on the guaranteed analysis of a label. Pet food companies would like us to believe that the Crude Protein found on its guaranteed analysis label is coming from meat. This is not the case; in fact, Crude protein encompasses all of the protein found in the product (it does not have to come from any meat source at all)! Technically, as long as you were to throw a vitamin pack in the food, someone could make a pet food that passes the nutrient profile standard with car tires, leather boots, and horse tails. These three ingredients contain protein, fat, and fiber, and with the addition of a vitamin pack, one has created a pet food that passes the nutrient profile standards.

Below, I have compared two very different pet foods with the ingredients found in a common kid’s cereal. I believe we would all agree that it would not be healthy to feed kids cereal for every single meal, every day, for their entire lives. Yet, the ingredients in pet food #1 (a mainstream food found in your local supermarkets) are very similar to the ingredients found in the Kid’s Cereal. According to AAFCO, that’s fine, since Pet Food #1′s nutrient profile meets all of the minimum requirements for the nutrient profile set by the organization. Pet Food #2, in great contrast to pet food #1, contains a variety of meat sources. The ingredient panel is completely different from the one found on the Kid’s Cereal.

Bottom line, pet foods are not created equal. Your pet may be able to survive on pet foods that meet the minimum nutrient standards set by AAFCO, but that does not mean that your pet will thrive (or even live very long) on every pet food on the market.

Pet Food #1 Kid’s Cereal Pet Food #2
corn, soybean meal, beef and bone meal, ground wheat flour, animal fat (bha used as preservative), corn syrup, wheat middlings, water sufficient for processing, animal digest (source of chicken flavor), propylene glycol, salt, hydrochloric acid, potassium chloride, caramel color, sorbic acid (used as a preservative), sodium carbonate, minerals (ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, manganous oxide, copper sulfate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), choline chloride, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, vitamin A supplement, niacin supplement, D-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement), calcium sulfate, titanium dioxide, yellow 5, yellow 6, red 40, BHA (used as a preservative), dl methionine. While grain corn, sugar, corn meal, corn syrup, canola and/or rice bran oil, salt, tricalcium phosphate, Trisodium Phosphate, Red 40, Yellow 6, Blue 1, and Other Color Added, Natural and Artificial flavor, citric acid, malic acid. BHT Added to Preserve Freshness.

Vitamins and Minerals: Calcium Carbonate, Zinc and Iron (mineral nutrients), Vitamin C (Sodium ascorbate), A B Vitamin (niacinamide), Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B1 (Thiamin monoitrate), Vitamin A (palmitate), A B Vitamin (Folic acid), Vitamin b12), Vitamin D3.

 Fresh deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, russet potato, fresh deboned pacific salmon (a natural source of DHA and EPA), herring meal, sweet potato, peas, fresh deboned lake whitefish, fresh deboned northern walleye, chicken fat (naturally preserved with vitamin E and citric acid), chicken liver, salmon meal, fresh deboned turkey, fresh whole eggs, fresh deboned herring, sun-cured alfalfa, salmon oil, chicory root, dehydrated organic kelp, pumpkin, carrots, spinach, turnip greens, apples, cranberries, saskatoon berries, black currants, choline chloride, psyllium, licorice root, angelica root, fenugreek, marigold flowers, sweet fennel, peppermint leaf, chamomile flowers, dandelion, summer savory, rosemary, sea salt, vitamin supplements (vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, niacin, vitamin C, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12), mineral supplements (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, selenium), dried Lactobacillus acidophilus, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product.

Link to the FDA’s website about AAFCO’s nutrition standards:

http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/ucm047120.htm

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P&G Buys Natura Pet Products!

May 6, 2010 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , , , ,

I am sad to report that Natura Pet Products, makers of EVO, Innova, Healthwise, California Natural, and Karma has been purchased by Proctor and Gamble, the parent company of Iams and Eukanuba.

Natura Pet Products was founded in 1992 by John and Ann Rademakers and Peter Atkins in Santa Clara, California. The company has always stressed the importance of animal nutrition and strived to make the best pet foods on the market. In contrast, Proctor and Gamble, a company that has been under pressure by animal rights organizations for their alleged cruel animal testing practices, is the parent company of Iams and Eukanuba, two foods that take a very different stance on pet food quality and animal nutrition.

I personally cannot see any good that will come of this acquisition. The one thing that set the Natura brands apart from many pet foods currently on the market was the fact that they were privately owned. They manufactured their dry food in their own manufacturing plant and expressed a genuine passion for improving the quality of our pets’ health through their natural foods. Proctor and Gamble’s business ethics have been continuously questioned and the quality of their Iams and Eukanuba pet foods leave little to be desired. While this may be a good financial move for Natura, it is a sad day for the many pet owners that stood behind that Natura brands and wanted to support a privately owned company who cared about the wellbeing of our pets.

News Links:

http://www.pginvestor.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=104574&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1422726

http://www.iamscruelty.com/

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Ask The Trainer – Free Dog Training/Behavior Consultation!

January 5, 2010 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Pet Country has partnered with Ann Garland of DogSpeak Dog Training to offer a FREE Dog Training and Behavior Consultation.

It doesn’t matter if your dog came from a shelter, a rescue, or a breeder, we know you may have some questions about your dog’s behavior. Ann Garland is going to be at Pet Country in Lake Forest, CA on Saturday, January 16 at 2pm to answer your dog training questions:

  • How do I get my dog to stop pulling on her leash?
  • What are the benefits of taking my dog through an obedience class?
  • Help! My dog still isn’t housebroken.
  • My dog jumps on everyone – how can I stop that?
  • Can I find the dog of my dreams at a shelter?
  • How much exercise is enough for my dog? When she lays down and won’t move is that a clue?
  • How can I get my dog to stop barking at everything that moves?
  • Is my dog right for an agility class?
  • My dog is aggressive toward other dogs on our walks – what can I do?
  • Is eating the couch/lawn furniture/wall a sign of separation anxiety?
  • Should I get a second dog? What about a third dog?

These questions and more will be answered, so bring your questions and a chair to sit on to Pet Country on:

Saturday, January 16, 2pm

To Reserve Your Spot Please Call (949) 583-0078.

Please Leave Your Name and Phone Number. Each Session Is Limited to a Maximum of 10 People.

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Barking for a Park in Lake Forest

November 28, 2009 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , , ,

Join the Friends of Lake Forest Animals in Barking for a Dog Park in Lake Forest.

A Bark Park will enable you to:

Socialize with other dog owners, exercise with your best friend, play with your best friend, avoid a $200+ fine for loose dogs in city parks, share advice on training, diet, medical problems, aging, vets, and more.

Your dog will have a great time: running, chasing, fetching, and making friends and being part  of a pack.

They need your support to make this happen! FOLFA Bark Park planning meeting will be held Monday, November 30th at 6:30pm at the El Toro Library.

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Biscuit Bonanza!

November 28, 2009 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , ,

The Friends of Lake Forest Animals (FOLFA) will be at the store today between 11:00am and 1:00pm to give away free dog and cat biscuits!! This is to thank everyone for showing their support towards their organization and cause.

The FOLFA currently hosts pet food distributions for people who have lost their jobs, a domestic violence program, and a trap neuter and release program. They are also actively involved in trying to get a dog park and animal shelter in Lake Forest, CA. All of which have been helped by the generous donations of community members.

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