Sherman’s News and Editorials

This article is especially important to me because of the recent pet food recall including both dog and cat food. Please visit your vet immediately if you see any signs that may appear “abnormal” behavior. It may have nothing to do with what they ate but it is better to be safe than sorry. As I write this article on March 25, 2007, the recall has widened to include all wet food as a safety precaution regardless of the date code, reports the Globe & Mail. Retailers have been asked to remove all of these foods. The “recall” list can be found by visiting www.menufoods.com/recall/. As you may or may not have heard there has been a huge pet food recall on numerous brands of dog and cat food that may contain aminopterin, rat poison. Yes, rat poison. At this time there is no news as to how it got into the food. It has been reported this has been the cause of at least 16 deaths as well as more that are very ill and receiving treatment. What can separate the premium food from mainstream? Sadly, current pet food regulations permit producer’s to use ingredients that you would never knowingly give to your dog or cat. In fact, you may be shocked to learn what some brands of pet food really contain. For example: the use of by-products (feet, bones and intestines, etc.), chemical preservatives (BHA and BHT) and grains that are often difficult to digest (corn, wheat, gluten and soy), which are often used as a protein source instead of meat. Be Aware of Unfavorable Ingredients By-products – basically this is what is left over when the good cuts of meat are taken for humans. Bones, intestines, heads, feet, tendons, ligaments and other body parts are known as by-products. Grains such as soy, corn, corn gluten and wheat gluten are often used as protein sources; however, they are often either inferior and difficult to digest. Chemical Preservatives including BHA, BHT and ethoxoquin can be very harmful to pets. Freshness – Big corporate manufacturers produce both dog and cat foods in massive batches which may last for a long period of time, so you might be feeding your animal food which is 6 months or even a year old. These are only some things to stay away from. Look to see if your dog or cat food contains vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and bacteria cultures to name a few. Remember, what your vet recommends as premium dog food might be the farthest thing from healthy. Lori Matthews studies health, nutrition and wellness. She enjoys writing articles on health for both people and pets. Please visit her site containing information on quality, premium dog food by Life’s Abundance This is an all natural, holistic dog food formulated by Dr. Jane Bicks. In light of the recent dog food recalls which have affected thousands of consumers and tainted over 50 brands, you can only imagine how important it is to feed our pets the proper food. It is obviously important to feed premium, quality foods for their wellness and in some cases even their mental well being.