Unveiling the Truth: Navigating the Pet Food Industry for Your Pet's Health

Exploring the pet food industry can uncover unsettling revelations. On the nutritional front, your pet's food might lack adequate protein, but what's perhaps more concerning is the potential presence of harmful substances like medications, plastics, and other toxins

Protein content

The issue with protein content is multi-layered. First, ingredient lists are based on pre-cooking weight values, often featuring fresh meat as the primary ingredient due to its high water content. However, numerous non-meat components in these foods, mainly grains like rice, can collectively contribute a lot more carbohydrates than protein. This tactic, known as 'splitting,' happens when a manufacturer “splits” a number of grain products into smaller portions across the ingredient list, masking their substantial carbohydrate contribution. Additionally, added grains are often remnants from human food processing, including discarded and moldy grains.

Second, not all protein in pet food is digestible. Indigestible proteins tie into our next concern: adulterated meat ingredients sourced from unsafe origins.

Pentobarbital, plastics and other toxins

While FDA regulations prohibit 'adulterated' substances in animal feed, they lack specific measures to prevent their inclusion. Startling reports from 'Food Pets Die For' highlight disturbing protein sources in pet food, ranging from zoos, animal shelters, and roadkill, to spoiled grocery store meats and sickened slaughterhouse animals. Shockingly, pet food makers have been found using raw animal material without removing inedibles like collars, ID tags, or plastic wrappings, during processing.

Incredulous, I spent a fair amount of time searching for more validation. The watchdog group, Truth About Pet Food (TAPF), provides a detailed description of a processing technique called “rendering” used in making the meat “meals” in pet food, citing a 2004 U.S. government Congressional Research Service (CRS) report that verifies some of these meat sources. TAPF also has a good overview of different feed grades that go into pet food that includes discussion of a pentobarbital recall fiasco, citing relevant FDA documentation and Freedom of Information Act requests. Both TAPF articles are worth the read, as well as the CRS and FDA cited sources. For example, the FDA confirms in a 2020 response to a TAPF petition that its policy is “one of enforcement discretion for the use of diseased animals or animals that died otherwise than by slaughter in pet food, as long as food safety hazards are controlled, and the animal food is not otherwise adulterated” (section II.B.1. “Final Response Letter from FDA CVM to Association for Truth in Pet Food.” The document can be found as an attachment if you scroll down the docket).

Skeptical, I invested considerable time seeking further validation. The watchdog group, Truth About Pet Food (TAPF), offers a comprehensive description of the 'rendering' processing technique used in creating meat 'meals' for pet food. They cite a 2004 U.S. government Congressional Research Service (CRS) report confirming certain meat sources. TAPF also presents an informative overview of various feed grades used in pet food, discussing a pentobarbital recall incident with references to pertinent FDA documentation and Freedom of Information Act requests. These TAPF articles, along with the cited CRS and FDA sources, offer insightful reads. For example, the FDA confirms in a 2020 response to a TAPF petition that its policy is “one of enforcement discretion for the use of diseased animals or animals that died otherwise than by slaughter in pet food, as long as food safety hazards are controlled, and the animal food is not otherwise adulterated” (section II.B.1. “Final Response Letter from FDA CVM to Association for Truth in Pet Food.” The document can be found as an attachment if you scroll down the docket).

I also came across the Association of Animal Feed Control Officials Regulatory - (AAFCO). This organization establishes guidelines for state and federal officials to define standards yet lacks regulatory authority. Their specifications include a guideline stipulating that meat should originate solely from slaughterhouses. While this guideline doesn't eliminate sick or diseased animals as allowable inputs, it could potentially aid. However, it remains a non-binding guideline for state and federal agencies without enforcement capabilities.

 You can read more about problems with the pet food industry here.

Seeking Solutions:

So, what can be done? Homemade human-grade food for pets is optimal, although it demands substantial research and time, often proving costlier upfront but potentially saving on future vet bills. Be to research the proper ingredients and supplements to assure a balanced diet and proper nutrition.

Short of homemade meals, consider these guidelines when choosing packaged dog food:

• Opt for pet food listing meat among the top two or three ingredients, particularly protein concentrates like 'turkey meal' or 'chicken meal,' specifying the exact meat type used. Meal is meat that has been processed to cook off the moisture content, and therefore has a high concentration of protein. Be sure to avoid any generically named meal, like “meat meal,” because that can be from almost any part of any animal.

• Ensure the food provides sufficient protein content in grams per serving, aligning with your dog's weight-based protein requirements.

• Avoid pet foods with 'by-products' ingredients, as these can comprise nearly any part of the animal.

While navigating the complexities of pet food can be disheartening, knowledge empowers responsible choices for your pet's well-being. Remember, awareness is key.