The Ruff Report: Pricey foods may actually be bad for your pet

Pet parents who feed their dogs and cats those more expensive natural, organic and holistic foods that are touted as better may find this hard to stomach, but a leading veterinary nutritionist says they are no healthier or safer than conventional chow and may even be less nutritious.

The Hunt of Her Life: A book about a rescue dog that will touch your heart

In many instances, these pet foods - which can cost twice as much - have the same ingredients as regular food, but the natural preservatives used in them may result in the quality of the food degrading more quickly, according to Dr. David A. Dzanis, a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition.

"There is little scientific basis to show that natural products are safer, healthier or more nutritious," Dr. Dzanis said during a presentation titled "Pet food myths and fallacies" at an annual conference of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Story continues below

----------------------------------------------------------------------

A book about a rescue dog
that will touch your heart

THE HUNT OF HER LIFE, is a nonfiction book about Samantha, an unwanted rescue dog who the author adopts at age 2. This beautifully designed deluxe full-color book, by longtime newspaper journalist Joseph A. Reppucci, contains more than 60 vibrant color photos of dogs to help illustrate the compelling and uplifting story of Samantha - a pretty tricolor bird dog who uses her warm personality to win people over and build a new family after being put up for adoption by a hunter because she is gun-shy and afraid to hunt. Learn how she uses her special bonding abilities with people to help her eventually make a transition from the hunting fields to family life. While reading the The Hunt of Her Life, you will travel with Samantha and the author along a trail filled with surprising twists, sudden turns, mystery and even what some call a miracle. And when the journey is finished, you may never look at people and their pets, motherhood - and perhaps even God - in the same way. The Hunt of Her Life is must reading. It will take you on a captivating journey - a trip like no other - that will touch your heart.

Available at:

Createspace.com (an Amazon.com company)

Also find it on: Amazon.com

Like it on:  Facebook/thehuntofherlife

Join us on:  Goodreads.com

CLICK HERE FOR A FREE LOOK INSIDE THE BOOK 

----------------------------------------------------------------------
 Story continues here

"In fact, some have questioned the ability for natural preservatives to prevent product degradation as effectively as the synthetic, which if true, could lead to spoilage, loss of nutritive value and potential adverse effects," Dr. Dzanis added.

Natural pet food

Many pet owners mistakenly assume that natural pet products contain better ingredients and are safer than conventional pet foods, but in many cases they basically contain the same ingredients at a much higher price, Dr. Dzanis states.

Under Association of American Feed Control Officials guidelines, a natural product must contain no chemically synthetic ingredients, according to Dr. Dzanis. However, many natural pet foods do contain some synthetic trace nutrients like vitamins, minerals and taurine (a heart supplement) to formulate a complete and balanced product. Makers of natural pet food can do this because the AAFCO allows use of a disclaimer such as "natural with added vitamins and minerals" to qualify the addition of synthetic nutrients.

"Thus, the bulk of ingredients in a 'natural' pet food and a traditionally formulated pet food may be the same," Dr. Dzanis explained.

By definition, natural pet foods cannot have chemically synthetic non-nutritive ingredients - such as artificial preservatives, flavors or colors - so natural preservatives - such as mixed tocopherols (extracted) or citric acid (fermented) - are used, Dr. Dzanis stated. But these natural preservatives can be less effective than chemical ones - like synthetic ethoxyquin or propyl gallate - thus the natural food may spoil and lose its nutritional value.

Organic pet food

Organic foods, which differ from natural, are frequently are touted as free of pesticides and hormones, given the consumer the impression that they are safer for pets, Dr. Dzanis states.

Organic refers to a system of production and manufacturing for ingredients and products. For example, organic grains must be grown without genetic engineering or use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. Organic beef must be from cattle allowed daily access to outside areas and fed organic feeds with no antibiotics, steroids or other drugs. These and other requirements are codified in U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program regulations, according to Dr. Dzanis.

"However, these rules are not considered by NOP as a means to ensure safer, healthier or more nutritious foods, Dr. Dzanis states. "In fact, there is no regulatory distinction in the tolerable levels of pesticides, drugs or other residues allowed in organic versus conventional products (even though lower residues may in fact be a result)."

NOP approval is simply a confirmation of the organic production process, Dr. Dzanis states. "The purchaser is left to his or her own determination as to whether the costs merit the perceived benefits."

Holistic pet food

No rules or definitions exist for a pet product to be labeled holistic, which pretty much leaves a consumer on his own to make a determination on whether a holistic food's ingredients are any different or better from a conventional pet food, according to Dr. Dzanis.

More reports about dogs and food:

Here's a better way to feed your pet
 This common artificial sweeter is killing dogs
 Beware of this sickening way to feed your pet
Pricey food may actually be bad for your pet
 Toxic levels of chemical found in dog foods
Cheap pet food leads to costly health problems
Higher price no guarantee of pet food's quality 
This popular pet treat is killing dogs and cats
Chocolate, candies mean danger for dogs
Appetite ferocious for premium pet food 
More pets being told 'eat your veggies'

The Ruff Report's dogs and food Home page

"Notwithstanding its consumer appeal, there are no regulatory definitions or standards for a holistic pet food above or beyond any other pet food. Thus, use of the term has no effective meaning," Dr. Dzanis states.

------

The Ruff Report is a column that appears on MySetterSam.com, a blog written by Joseph A. Reppucci, a retired editor from The Patriot Ledger in Quincy, Massachusetts. Mr. Reppucci worked as a reporter and editor on major daily newspapers in the Boston area for more than 30 years. He is the author of the book, The Hunt of Her Life, a heartwarming story about his once-in-a-lifetime rescue dog. Find it on Createspace.com and Amazon.com.

HOME

THE RUFF REPORT
So easy to read. You choose the topic! 
Adoption | Behavior | Food | Health 
 Rescue | Safety | Surveys and Studies

Like MySetterSam on Facebook