How to Read Pet Food Labels

How to Read Pet Food Labels 

 

In the last post, I talked about how important it is to read the labels for not only us, but are pets, too.

I have two examples of pet food labels.  Generally, the first few ingredients contain most of the weight of the food. The other ingredients usually provide the vitamins and minerals needed to balance the nutritional needs of your dog.  Which dog food looks more nutritional to you?

Dog Food #1

INGREDIENTS: Ground yellow corn, chicken by-product meal, corn gluten meal, whole wheat flour, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), rice flour, beef, soy flour, water, meat and bone meal, propylene glycol, sugar, tricalcium phosphate, phosphoric acid, salt, animal digest, potassium chloride, sorbic acid (a preservative), dried peas, dried carrots, calcium propionate (a preservative), choline chloride, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, Vitamin E supplement, zinc sulfate, Red 40, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, niacin, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Vitamin A supplement, Blue 2, calcium carbonate, copper sulfate, Vitamin B-12 supplement, brewers dried yeast, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, garlic oil, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin D-3 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), calcium iodate, folic acid, biotin, sodium selenite.

Dog Food #2

INGREDIENTS: Chicken Meal, Wheat Flour, Ground Rice, Lamb Meal, Poultry Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Ascorbic Acid), Ground Wheat, Dried Whole Egg, Lecithin, Fish Meal, Brewers Dried Yeast, Wheat Germ Meal, Dried Kelp, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Ferrous Sulfate, DL-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (Source of Vitamin E), Zinc Oxide, Selenium Supplement, Manganous Oxide, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Copper and Colbolt, Niacin, Ascorbic Acid (Source of Vitamin C), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, D-Biotin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement.

Which food would help your pet thrive not just survive?

Are you a Label Reader?

Are you a Label Reader?

 

We have become label readers in for both human food and our pet’s food. We are starting to question what is in our pet’s food.  We know longer trust the “experts” or “testing labs” like we did in the past.  Nor should we!

We are starting to have concerns that our pet’s foods that contain meat-by-products can provide a nutritional, balanced diet for our furry friends.  By-products include diseased, contaminated, slaughterhouse meats, feathers, intestines, hair, animal road kill, euthanized companion animals and dehydrated garbage all mixed together are actually in manufactured pet foods.  We realize that some source of protein is important in our pet’s health. We know that proper nutrition is very important to mental, physical and psychological health in our animals.  The pet food industry is slowly changing.  We now see independent pet food companies supplying us with great food that we can feed our furry friends and not worry about how is affecting their health in a bad way.  We want our pets to thrive not just survive.

In upcoming blogs, I will be talking about what to look for in your pet’s food.

Is your furry friend thriving or just surviving???

Baked or Extrusion?

Baked or Extrusion?

Pet food can be manufactured in a couple of different ways.  I will explain two of the ways in this blog.

What is food extrusion?  This is the Wikipedia definition. 

In the extrusion process, raw materials are first ground to the correct particle size, usually the consistency of coarse flour. The dry mix is passed through a pre-conditioner, in which other ingredients are added depending on the target product; these may be liquid sugar, fats, dyes, meats or water. Steam is injected to start the cooking process, and the preconditioned mix (extrudate) is then passed through an extruder. The extruder consists of a large, rotating screw tightly fitting within a stationary barrel, at the end of which is the die^.  The extruder's rotating screw forces the extrudate toward the die, through which it then passes. The amount of time the extrudate is in the extruder is the residence time.

The extruded product usually puffs and changes texture as it is extruded because of the reduction of forces and release of moisture and heat. The extent to which it does so is known as the expansion ratio. The extrudate is cut to the desired length by blades at the output of the extruder, which rotate about the die openings at a specific speed. The product is then cooled and dried, becoming rigid while maintaining porosity.

Many food extrusion processes involve a high temperature over a short time.  Important factors of the extrusion process are the composition of the extrudate, screw length and rotating speed, barrel temperature and moisture, die shape, and rotating speed of the blades. These are controlled based on the desired product to ensure uniformity of the output.  Most pet food companies prepare their food by steaming it as quickly as possible, usually less than 2-3 minutes, and then extrude it under extreme pressure through a metal die (a steam extrusion process).  This process expands the food with air creating a uniform shape.  This method does not product a highly digestible food that your pet’s system requires.  This extruded food (cooked in a very short time) is usually almost “raw” and requires the addition of what many nutritionists feels is harmful chemical preservative (Ethoxyquin, BHA, BHT) to maintain a reasonable product shelf life.  These chemical products many be associated with dry skin, allergic reactions, dental disease, poor health and degenerative organ dysfunction.  Some of the effects of extrusion are listed below.

Effects

Extrusion enables mass production of food via a continuous, efficient system that ensures uniformity of the final product. This is achieved by controlling various aspects of the extrusion process. It has also enabled the production of new processed food products and "revolutionized many conventional snack manufacturing processes".

• Inactivation of raw food enzymes
• Destruction of certain naturally occurring toxins
• Reduction of microorganisms in the final product
• Slight increase of iron-bioavailability
• Creation of insulin-desensitizing starches, which are a risk-factor for developing diabetes
• Loss of lysine, an essential amino acid necessary for developmental growth and nitrogen management
• Simplification of complex starches, increasing rates of tooth decay
• Increase of glycemic index of the processed food, as the "extrusion process significantly increased the availability of carbohydrates for digestion
• Destruction of Vitamin A (beta-carotene)
• Denaturation of proteins. 

Example of food that has been extruded.

Oven Baked Pet Food

The oven baking process is quite simple.  A small 2 inch size biscuit is baked, moving slowly through the oven.  After the baking process, the biscuit is broken into smaller, irregular kibble ranging in size from tiny morsels to about ½ inch.  This process makes the food more digestibility and palatability, while most extruded food is less digestible.

The small morsels are very important as they digest very quickly in the pet’s system helping create immediate nutritional value for your pet.  In watching many dogs eat, dogs seem to “wolf” their food down.  The small pieces will digest in the dogs system. 

Digestion is very important to helping your pet thrive, not just survive.

Is Your Pet Food Worth the Price?

Is Your Pet Food Worth the Price?

 

I have found that the price of pet foods is in direct line with the quality of the food.  I’m sure you have found this with our foods also.  Have you ever purchased an off brand at the grocery store and it just didn’t taste quite right?  I know I have. The saying “you get what you pay for” is so true.  This is the same with the food we feed our pets. 

When you purchase a high quality dog food, you are investing in the food and also the health of your pet.  You are not paying for a brand name or national advertising. While the daily feeding cost of any pet food is important to the marketplace, super premium pet foods are highly concentrated and makes them cheaper to feed than other foods costing less per pound.  This is a great value to pet owners.  Owners are able to feed 25% to 30% less of high quality food while maintaining their dog’s good health and lifestyle.  It is our job to help our pets thrive, not just survive.

Mixed Breed Dogs

Mixed Breed Dogs

 

Many people believe mixed breed dogs are healthier than purebreds because they have a reduced risk of inheriting breed-specific disorders.
 

However, according to a five-year study of veterinary cases at the University of California, Davis, mixed breeds don't necessarily have an advantage when it comes to genetic disorders.
 

A review of over 27,000 records involving dogs with at least one of 24 genetic disorders revealed that 13 of the 24 problems are as prevalent in mixed breeds as they are in purebreds. Ten of the 24 are more prevalent in purebreds, and only one is seen more frequently in mixed breeds than purebreds.

Breeds that share a similar lineage also share a propensity for the same genetic disorders, whereas disorders that occur in both mixed breeds and purebreds derive from well-established gene mutations that are widespread in the general dog population.
 

Before purchasing a mixed breed dog, do some research on the different breeds in the dog and see what genetic disorders that breed may have.  Spending a little time before the purchase will save you time and money in the future with your new furry friend.

 

 

Recalls of Aflatoxin-Contaminated Dog Food Have Begun

Recalls of Aflatoxin-Contaminated Dog Food Have Begun

 

First let me give you the definition of aflatoxins.   Aflatoxins are toxins produced by a mold that grows in nuts, seeds, and legumes. 
The mold that produces aflatoxin may be found in the following foods:

• Peanuts and peanut butter
• Tree nuts such as pecans
• Corn
• Wheat
• Oil seeds such as cottonseed

 

Reuters reports high levels of aflatoxins have been discovered in bags of dog food in grocery stores in Iowa. And according to Michael Wright, the CEO of Pro-Pet, a pet food company in Ohio that recently learned some of its product was contaminated with aflatoxins, “Last year’s corn crop – it’s a huge issue. We test every load coming in. And we reject a lot of loads.”

The last week of February, the Hy-Vee Inc. grocery chain recalled five different products in its private dog food line due to high levels of aflatoxins in the corn used in the formulas. The dog food was produced at a Kansas City Pro-Pet plant and distributed across eight Midwestern states.

The behavior of the A. flavus and A. parasiticus molds makes it very difficult to control or minimize aflatoxin contamination, or to accurately assess the extent of the problem. There can be pockets of plants that are heavily contaminated, while the rest of the crop is relatively mold-free, so analyzing occasional random samples of corn plants can give misleading results.

The corn used had been tested before it was added to the dog food, and the finished product was also tested.   Somehow,  the contamination wasn’t discovered until a random bag was pulled from a store shelf in Iowa by an inspector for the Iowa Department of Agriculture.

Hy-Vee officials have pulled the dog food as a precautionary measure.   No illnesses have been reported.  The dog food was distributed to Hy-Vee stores in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin between October 26, 2012 and January 11, 2013.

If you have purchased a recalled bag of food, you should stop feeding it to your pet.  You may also return the food to the store.  They will give you a full refund for unopened or opened bags.

What Do Most Pet Foods Have in Common?

What Do Most Pet Foods have in Common?

Most pet foods contain some by-products and chemical preservatives.  With the use of low quality products and chemical preservatives can be associated with some health problems in our pets.

For example, dry skin, allergic reactions, dental disease, poor health, poor degenerative organ dysfunction (liver and kidney).  Healthy feeding also means less medical bills.  There is a strong connection between high quality food and the dynamic of the health of our pets.

Foods will spoil without some form of temperature control or preservative. Chemicals like ethoxyquin (used to stabilize rubber), BHA and BHT (which can cause liver and kidney dysfunction) are necessary in ordinary pet foods that go from manufacturer, to the retail store and then to us, the consumer.  Have you ever looked at the expiration date on your pet’s food?  The expiration date can be up to two years.

In the production of the better dog foods, the use of Vitamin E is used as a fat preservative (tocopherols).  Vitamin E is an antioxidant that retards the oxidation of other vitamins and acts as a preservative for up to 6 months.

If your pet’s food has a shelf life longer than 6 months, it may contain many of the preservatives that are harmful to the health.

Remember, we want our pets to thrive, not just survive.

When Your Pet's Eyes Turn Cloudy, Should You Be Concerned?

When Your Pet's Eyes Turn Cloudy,

Should You Be Concerned? 

 

• Nuclear sclerosis is a condition seen primarily in older pets that causes the pupils of the eyes to take on a cloudy bluish-gray appearance.
• Nuclear sclerosis is considered a normal change to the lens of the eye in middle aged and older animals. The condition comes on gradually and pets are able to adapt to the changes in vision that occur.
• Many pet parents confuse nuclear sclerosis with cataracts, a much more serious eye disorder also common in older pets. It’s important to make an appointment with your vet if you notice changes in the appearance of your pet’s eyes or his ability to see.
• No treatment is necessary in pets with nuclear sclerosis, but there are many things you can do to help slow age-related changes in your pet.

Slowing Down Age-Related Changes in Your Pet

The most important thing you can do for a pet with nuclear sclerosis is slow down age-related changes.

• Keep your pet in good physical condition and at a healthy weight.
• Don’t allow your pet to be over-vaccinated or given unnecessary medications such as pest preventives or other drugs. Try to keep your pet in a “green” environment by eliminating toxic household cleaners and chemical-laden shampoos.
• Feed your pet a diet rich in antioxidants, preferably through a living, raw, whole fresh food diet. Antioxidants, specifically vitamins C and E, scavenge free radicals and can slow down the degenerative changes in your pet’s eyes.
• Add bilberries in pill or raw food form to your pet’s food. Bilberries are an excellent source of flavonoids and have antioxidant properties as well. Combined with vitamin E, they are known to protect the eye tissue in humans and halt lens clouding.
• Talk with your holistic vet about other supplements that can benefit your pet’s ocular health, including beta-carotene, lutein, astaxanthin, glutathione, SOD (super oxide dismutase), and alpha lipoic acid. Also talk with your vet about nutraceutical eye drops and Chinese herbs that have been proven effective in slowing lens degeneration.

Most importantly, if you see changes occurring in your pet’s eyes, have your dog or cat evaluated by your veterinarian to make sure you’re doing all you can to prevent further degeneration.