The Pet Food Industry

by Arlena
(United States)

The Pet Food Industry

I am glad I found your website. Today a friend sent me two articles about the pet food industry including the actual contents in most of our prepared dog and cat foods, and I was appalled. It said, among other things, that 'meat by-products' may contain anything: euthanized dogs and cats, including their ground up flea collars, diseased or road kill animals, feces, as well as various chemicals for preserving everything from concrete to wood.

Without naming specific well-known brands, the article gave a list of key words to look for in the labeling, but went on to say that labels are designed to be vague and are highly miss-leading.

It further said that now, more than ever before, our dogs and cats are developing deadly diseases and terrible conditions at earlier ages - specifically kidney failure in cats. And, it implies that because of unsanitary conditions, lack of inspections or ethics, and various additives for prolonged shelf-life, our pets are slowly being poisoned.

I'm wondering where our veterinarians were all this time. And, why haven't they spoken out about the dangers in most commercial pet foods or the down falls of the pet food industry as a whole.

I started digging for recipes, and came upon your website, for which I am thankful. It is not going to be easy preparing homemade meals for my feline friends. My two cats are 4 and 10 and set in their eating preferences. They will eat both canned and dry foods. But, they've never cared for "people food", even fish or chicken. For the past five years I have also been caring for a feral female cat that is probably at least 7 years old. I tried shooing her away, but she loved my back yard because I have a bird feeder, and she was making a banquet out of the slower-moving doves. On the theory of if you can't beat them join them I began feeding her. The doves and other birds are safe now because she is fat and happy. I can't get closer than a few feet from her, but I am hoping to make contact because I plan to sell my house and move out of state. I'd like to take her with us. Or even better, sell the house to people who will take care of her.

I would like your comments on this latest news about the pet food industry.