| Dogs, especially puppies, are so innocent to their | | | | regulation allows manufacturers to use ingredients |
| surroundings that they'll experiment anything once, | | | | you wouldn't feed your pet in you knew. Look for |
| even if it's harmful. Even this morning, as I was | | | | the word "by-products" on the label. This can mean |
| spraying an organic insecticide made from flowers, | | | | feet, bones and intestines. |
| my miniature schnauzer took a few licks to see what | | | | Because dog food manufacturers have to make sure |
| is was. Just like snakes, dogs use their tongues to | | | | the product won't spoil, typically 12 months, they |
| test the environment. This spray isn't that bad | | | | include preservatives. Fats used in dog food would go |
| because it's all natural. Still, even natural repellents are | | | | rancid, so they use synthetic preservatives called |
| pretty hard on the kidneys. | | | | butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated |
| Dogs will try anything, even more than cats, which | | | | hydroxytoluene (BHT), propyl gallate, propylene glycol |
| seem to be the most finicky pets you could own. So | | | | which is also used as a less-toxic version of |
| when you are putting out the dog food, chances are, | | | | automotive antifreeze, and ethoxyquin. Look for |
| even if there is something bad in there, if it tastes | | | | these on the label. There is not much information |
| good enough, they'll eat the whole bowl and look at | | | | documenting their toxicity, safety, interactions, or use |
| you to see if more is coming. And by the way, make | | | | in pet foods that may be eaten every day for the |
| sure you're not overfeeding your puppy. Don't feed | | | | life of your dog. Propylene glycol was banned in cat |
| them scraps or your unfinished food. That's a lot of | | | | food because it causes anemia in cats, yet it is still |
| food for an animal that doesn't get out very much. | | | | allowed in dog food. |
| With nowhere to burn off the food, your pup will put | | | | These potentially cancer-causing agents such as BHA, |
| on the pounds. | | | | BHT, and ethoxyquin are allowed at pretty low levels. |
| So if dogs can't tell you how the food tastes, or | | | | Using these chemicals in dog foods has not been |
| read the label to see if there is anything in their food | | | | thoroughly studied, and long term build-up of these |
| that might be rough on the kidneys or digestive | | | | agents could be harmful. Because of the questionable |
| tract; it is up to you, their caretaker, to carefully | | | | data in the original study on its safety, ethoxyquin's |
| check what is in that big bag that sits in the pantry. | | | | manufacturer, Monsanto, was required to perform a |
| With the recent horror of the Chinese putting | | | | new, more rigorous study in 1996. Monsanto didn't |
| anything in mix, it is time for you to do a little label | | | | find significant toxicity associated with its own |
| investigation to make sure you are not slowly killing | | | | product, but in July 1997 the FDA's Center for |
| your dog with ingredients that still make it onto | | | | Veterinary Medicine requested that manufacturers |
| American shelves. | | | | voluntarily reduce the maximum level for ethoxyquin |
| First, a little lesson in economics. Dog food | | | | by half, to 75 parts per million. |
| manufacturers are in business for one, primary | | | | The ball is in the air on ethoxyquin. Some pet food |
| reason - and it isn't to make dog food! It's to make a | | | | critics believe that ethoxyquin is a major cause of |
| profit. Dog food is only the vehicle to get them | | | | disease, skin problems, and infertility in dogs, others |
| profitable. This being the case, know that if they can | | | | claim it is the safest, strongest, most stable |
| save money on manufacturing and beat the | | | | preservative we have for pet food. And ethoxyquin |
| competition, they will. They don't do this because | | | | is approved for human foods, preserving spices such |
| they want to hurt your pet. They do this because if | | | | as cayenne and chili powder, at a level of 100 ppm - |
| they don't - the way their business model works - | | | | but it would be pretty hard for even the most |
| they will lose money and sell less dog food. | | | | hard-core spice lover to consume as much chili |
| Have you been to the dog food aisle lately? Some | | | | powder every day as a dog would eat dry food. |
| stores have two or three aisles. There is huge | | | | Ethoxyquin has not been tested with cats. Still, it is |
| competition on price and ingredients. You'll find your | | | | commonly used in veterinary diets for both cats and |
| normal dog food; names you've grown up with, and | | | | dogs. |
| then you'll find newer, organic or special diet dog | | | | What is the answer? What I suggest is that you |
| foods. So know that there is not a lot of concern | | | | contact suppliers who make dog food in small |
| going on for your dog - just marketing what may | | | | batches and ship them to your door. These |
| catch your fancy. But you need to be aware of | | | | companies are few and far between, but they do |
| what to look out for on those labels. | | | | exist and they have higher quality ingredients with |
| Since Fido will probably eat the same food day in and | | | | none of the dangerous preservatives. I discuss this in |
| day out, it is important to look past the attractive | | | | detail on my website. |
| labels and clever marketing. Current pet food | | | | |