Standard Pet Diet VS. Alternative Diet & Lifestyle

Written & Published By: Leanne Sansonetti

August 24, 2017

Personal Experience & Independent Research Since I can remember growing up with dogs, and now that i am a dog owner myself, I make it a point to give my puppy the very best diet. Before I had any real knowledge of what a standard pet diet consisted of, I would buy brand named foods such as, Purina, Iams, Beneful, and ALPO,  just to name a few. I had no idea that I was feeding my dog the same toxic chemicals that were being put into our food supply. 

I now own a rescue named Poe whom I have mentioned on some of my social sites. We chose Newman's Own Organic Dry & Wet Dog Food Mixed, along with grass fed organic red meat which we buy locally.

Some pet owners feed their pets a raw diet which some pets may or may not have issues.

Always keep track of your pets bowel movement and behavior when trying new foods. If someone asked me my opinion on what an ideal diet for both cat and dogs, I would suggest the following.

When possible stick to an Organic/Holistic diet with the right balance of protein. Try to avoid foods containing soy, grains and meat by products which most Organic/Holistic brands do not have in them. With my own experience Organic/Holistic brands that do have grains my dog has had some very bad gas and upset stomach, so I make sure that his food is grain free.  

Through research in the past 8 years I have become knowledgeable and have a better understanding as to what ingredients are in brand named foods. To my surprise I have found that these companies which I will list below, have the very same harmful ingredients as in human food such as, GE, GMO, GM, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sodium, and many more toxic ingredients that have lead to many deaths in pets. 

Recalled Brand Name Pet Food, Treats, & Toys *These brand names in some cases have killed or made the pet very sick*

Please Note: That some of these Brand Names have been labeled Natural that's why its very important to research any withdrawals or recalls on the food you are going to buy for your pet. Also Some recalls may only be for something none threatening, for example, to rich in a mineral or vitamin such in Fromm Dog Food Recall of March 2016.

I will list as many companies with recalls/withdraws as I can. I will also list the safer foods in a different section of this article. You can research any of these name brands online and what dates for the recalls/withdraws.

Brand Name Foods  Purina Dog Food Recall,  Blue Buffalo Recall,  Iams Puppy Food Recall PetSmart Great Choice Dog Food Recall,  Mallbatch Pets Dog Food Recall Fromm Dog Food Recall,  Vital Essentials Dog Food Recall, Wellness Dog Food,

Party Animal Dog Food, Pedigree Dog Food Recall,  

Big Dog Natural Dog Food Recall, Nutro Dog Treats Recall,  Bil-Jac Dog Food Recall Stella & Chewy’s Dog and Cat Food Recall,  Small-batch Dog & Cat Food RecallDave’s Dog Food Recall,  Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food Market WithdrawalBlue Buffalo Dog Chews Recall, Evanger’s and Against the Grain Dog Food Recall,  Centinela Withdraws Duck Jerky Treats from Stores,  Bravo Dog Food Recall

Good ‘n’ Fun Beef-hide Chicken Sticks Recall,  Natural Balance Dog Food Recall,  K-9 Kraving Raw Dog Food Recalldingo,  Dog Chew Treats Recall,  OC Raw Dog Food Recall,  Nature’s Variety Instinct Dog Food Recall Tremenda Sticks Dog Chews Recall,  Nylabone Dog Chews Recall

*For more information on recalls & withdraws, please click on the link listed below*  http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-recalls/dog-food-recalls-by-brand/

20 Most Horrible Brand Name Pet Foods  Purina Beneful (Original),  Purina Dog Chow,  KIBBLES N BITS (Original) Ol Roy,  Pedigree Adult,  IAMS Pro Active,  ALPO Brand Dog Food  Twin Pet,  KAL KAN,  GRAVY TRAIN,  Doggy Bag  Dog Food,  Ever Pet Cesar,  Hi Point Dog Food,  ShowTime Dog Food,  Retriever Hi Protein Big Red Dog Food,  Purina Moist & Meaty Burger,  DAD’S Econ-O-Mets Retriever Mini Chunk.

Toxic Ingredients & Side Effects  Carrageenan, Ethoxycin, BHT, Propylene glycol, BHA (butylated hyroxyanisole)Food dyes, Corn syrup / Corn, Byproducts, Xylitol, Sorbitol, High Fructos Corn Syrup, Corn and wheat gluten, Meat and grain meals and by-products, Bone MealBHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole), BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) Ethoxyquin, Food Dyes (Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, 4-MIE), PG (Propylene Glycol), Rendered fat, Soy, Gluten, Wheat, Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Ethoxyquin​ Monsanto manufactures Ethoxyquin as a preservative used to prevent the fat content of dog food from becoming rancid. Interestingly, this preservative is also used a pesticide in pear orchards.

Why is it dangerous? While banned in the European Union, Ethoxyquin continues to cause health problems for pets in America.

Side effects from consuming Ethoxyquin include:

Liver damage

Kidney Damage

Thyroid Damage

Allergic Reactions

Reproductive Issues

Leukemia Birth dEfects (if consumed while pregnant)

Cancerous tumors

Death

BHT

Manufacturers in the food and beauty industries incorporate BHT, butylated hydroxytoluene, as a safeguard against rancidificaiton.

Why is it dangerous?

In 2011, Chemico-biological Interactions published the results of a study conducted by the Pharmaceutical Department of the University of Colorado which showed that BHT directly led to inflammation in the lungs and increased tumor growth, particularly in the liver.In the study on mouse lungs, inflammation consistently led to cancer. BHT is also an allergen, skin irritant, and negatively affects the reproductive systems.

What is the Alternative?

Choose a dog food that lists Vitamin E as a preservative instead of BHT. Propylene glycolProplyene glycol, a preservative, is also included in canned dog food because it retains water, keeping the food moist.

Why is it dangerous?

The FDA prohibits the use of proplyene glycol in cat food because it damages red blood cells, yet it is still present in dog food. This preservative also causes intestinal blockage and lesions in the stomach.

What is the alternative?

Vitamin E, C, and flavinoids are natural antioxidants that will preserve the food without damaging your pet. BHA (butylated hyroxyanisole) Like ethoxycin, BHA is waxy solid used to keep the fat in pet food from turning rancid.

Why is it dangerous?

While the FDA contends that BHA is safe at low doses, the repetitous diet of dog food with BHA has a cumulative effect on the dog. The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment of the state of California found that in lab studies, cancerous tumors consistently grew in the presence of BHA. BHA also halts the blood clotting process.

What is the alternative?

Purchase pet food that lists vitamin E as a preservative rather than BHA. Food dyes Industrial food production plants include food dyes in recipes for aesthetics. For example, green food dye is added to make spinach-flavored kibble green while orange food dye mimics the orange hue of carrots. No nutritional value is gained from the dyes.

Why is it dangerous?

Non-organic food dyes are chemically created, and it is these chemicals that cause problems for both dogs and humans alike. The number one complaint is hyperactivity. Consuming food dyed artificially also damages organs and increases the risk of cancer.

What is the alternative?

When scanning labels, look for food dyes that are naturally sourced. For example, beet juice is a natural substitute for Red Dye 40 while annatto is frequently used to replace artificial orange dyes. Corn syrup / Corn Corn (among other grains) is used as a filler in both cat and dog food while corn syrup sweetens the food, making it more palatable.

Why is it dangerous?

Corn: Some Cats and dogs can tolerate grains while others can't, but meat should compromise the majority of pet food because cats and dogs are carnivores. Corn and grain byproducts become unhealthy additions because there is little quality control over these ingredients. Like the meat byproducts, the “corn” in pet food is not held to the same standards of human consumption and therefore can be moldy or otherwise inedible.

The presence of mold creates mycotoxins, which is the number one cause of pet food recalls.Corn syrup: Consuming food on a daily basis with corn syrup leads to weight gain and diabetes. Because so many foods contain corn syrup, it’ s no surprise that nearly one in 400-500 dogs are diabetic.

What is the alternative?

Be diligent about purchasing grain-free pet foods. Avoid foods and treats that contain corn syrup. Byproducts Rendered meat byproducts consist of waste products from the food industry. Livestock that died of disease or age, expired grocery store meats, and remnants left over from restaurants are three examples of waste products present in byproducts. Byproducts that do not specifically list which animal the waste came from is likely to contain beaks, bones, feet, or other organs from a mix of animal species.

Why is it dangerous? Because pet food companies include diseased animals and condemned animal parts in byproducts, there is a high risk for toxic ingredients including:

Traces of the euthanasia drug Fungus Bacterial pathogens Free radicals

What is an alternative? Pet food manufacturers list byproducts as animal fat, blood meal, or meat and bone meal on the nutrition labels. Search for pet foods that clearly mark “No filler or animal byproducts.” Xylitol Xylitol, a sugar alcohol, is a commonly used sweetener in sugar-free products such as gum, candy, and toothpaste. Xylitol exists naturally in fruits and vegetables; however, xylitol extracted for use in food and oral health products is derived from corn cobs.

Why is it dangerous? It is well known that xylitol caused hypoglycemia, low blood sugar, in dogs. However, a recent study by the ASPCA indicated that severe liver damage is associated with xylitol consumption.  Because xylitol is becoming more present in human foods and snacks, it is even easier for a dog to ingest xylitol. Never feed human desserts to your dog, especially if it may contain this sweetener.

What is the alternative? Out of precaution, consider creating a xylitol-free home. Sorbitol Like xylitol, sorbitol is a sugar alcohol extracted from corn (in this case, cornstarch). Sorbitol has also been prescribed for humans as a laxative or as an ingredient in a laxative.

Why is it dangerous? Apart from causing diarrhea in dogs, sorbitol can cause dogs to enter into a vicious cycle of hyperactivity followed by exhaustion.

What is the alternative? Avoid any pet foods with sorbitol listed as an ingredient. Be cautious of giving a dog any table scraps containing sorbitol.

How do you know if your dog has been affected by these ingredients? If you suspect your dog has ingested any food containing these ingredients, keep a journal of any suspicious symptoms and contact your dog’s veterinarian. Symptoms to watch for include:

Increased thirst Increased urination Extreme fatigue and weakness Swelling anywhere on the body Jaundice Indigestion Stomach pain

Chinese-made treats , Toys & Pet Food Brands is linked to over 1000 pet deaths

PETCO became the first national pet food store to halt the sale of Chinese-made treats this week, due to concerns over contamination—but it won't be the last.

Already the rival retailer Pet Smart has announced that it will follow suit in taking Chinese pet treats off its store shelves. Over 1,000 dog deaths have been linked to problems with the imported jerky treats, but this problem goes back years.

The Food and Drug Administration has been investigating thousands of reports of pet illnesses linked to jerky treats going back to 2007, most of which involve Chinese products, though there's been a spike since last October.

It's still not clear exactly how the treats may be contaminated, or exactly how the products may be hurting the dogs and other pets that eat them. But this is hardly the first time that tainted Chinese-made food products have made the news.

There was a massive pet food recall in 2007 that implicated Chinese producers, and there were worried that those ingredients could have made it into the human food supply. There have also been concerns about lead paint on Chinese-made toys exported to the U.S.But any worries about contamination in Chinese exports pales compared to the danger that homegrown Chinese food poses to the country's own citizens.

Food safety scandals are rampant, and by some estimates as much as one fifth of the country's soil is contaminated. Chinese who can afford it buy imported food whenever possible—and those who can't just hope they're lucky. Tainted pet food may get the headlines in the U.S., but food safety is far worse—for animals and people—in China itself. ConsumerAffairs.com randomly chose 4 Chinese-made pet toys from a Wal-Mart store and tested them for the presence of heavy metals and other toxins.

Here is what they found:

A green latex stuffed toy contained high levels of lead and chromium; The same latex toy also showed traces of cadmium, arsenic and mercury; A cloth catnip toy tested positive for cadmium; and Lesser amounts of cadmium were found in a cloth hedgehog dog toy and a plastic dumbbell toy for cats;

How poisonous are lead, chromium and cadmium?

All metals are toxic to body cells because they compete with the nutritional minerals in the body – and win. The nutritional minerals are displaced and cannot be used by the body. Lead affects the nervous and digestive systems, and poisoning can show itself as vomiting, abdominal pain, lack of appetite, seizures, loss of coordination, blindness, and behavior changes. Chromium is a known cancer producing agent, causing cancer in the bladder and kidneys, and lungs if it is inhaled.Cadmium adversely affects the joints, kidneys and lungs. Lead is the toxin to be most worried about – it isn’t expelled naturally by the body, it just accumulates and so the symptoms, and poisoning, will be progressive.

How much is too much?

According to Cornell University (in the United States), symptoms of nervous system poisoning appears in dogs and cats when the daily intake of lead is 5 mg/kg of body weight. There’s no readily available information on Chromium and Cadmium, though it’s believed that the intake of these metals has to be higher than lead before they are considered to be toxic.

Does this mean that the dog toys tested are safe?

Two veterinarians approached by ConsumerAffairs.com stated that the amounts of lead, chromium and cadmium were too low to pose any health risk to cats and dogs. However one of the vets, from Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, stated that the risk of these heavy metals to pet health depended on how much had been absorbed into the body.

What do dogs do with toys?

They lick and chew them, they don’t admire them from a distance!What did the tests find – that the toxic materials easily came off the toys, so if a dog does what comes naturally to him, a few licks and a bit of chewing could easily result in your dog quickly absorbing the heavy metals into his body.To me, that does not sound safe. We are constantly exposed to heavy metals through the water we drink and food we eat – why expose ourselves to even more when there are plenty of

alternatives?

What’s the alternative?

You can buy toys that aren’t made in China and other countries that still use the same old manufacturing processes that China does, and/or you can make your own. When Zoe was a puppy she got far more fun from chasing an empty plastic milk bottle around the house than she did from any bought toy – apart from her Kongs (which are manufactured in the United States)!

I’ve just purchased a book on making dog toys, so I’ll share a few ideas with you shortly. In the meantime here are two links to web pages showing you how to make braided dog ropes – they are quick and easy to make, and just as good as any bought dog chew toy:

Fleece Rope Dog Toy , Make a Dog Toy out of Dish Towels If you have ideas for other homemade toys, Lead Poisoning, Heavy Metal Poisoning, Wal Mart dog toys, China made dog toys, homemade dog

A List of safe Organic pet foods *Some of these brands you may only find online*

Life’s Abundance – Cats & DogsEarthborn Holistic – Cats & DogsZignature – DogsHolistic Select – Cats & DogsNewman's Own - Cats & Dogs Eagle Pack – Cats & DogsNature’s Logic – Cats & DogsCanine Caviar – DogsAnnamaet – Cats & DogsPet Curean – Cats & DogsBlackwood – Cats & DogsOrijenFromm

Listed above are brands that have not been bought out by other companies such as in:

*Castor & Pollux bought out by Purina and Natura Karma is owned by MARS Pet Family Brand (Mars Petcare had PEDIGREE®, IAMS®, WHISKAS®, ROYAL CANIN® and BANFIELD®. Other leading brands include: KITEKAT®, CESAR®, NUTRO®, SHEBA®, CHAPPI®, CATSAN®, FROLIC®, PERFECT FIT®, GREENIES®, EUKANUBA®, CALIFORNIA NATURALS®, INNOVA® and EVO)* I wouldn't feed any of these brands to my pet!