What you Need to Know So That You Can Select Healthy Veterinarian Prescribed Dog Food
- Practitioners of Conventional Modern Veterinary Medicine - how much do they really know about diet and nutrition;
- The basics of what you need to know in order to make viable, healthy decisions about your dog's, cat's food;
- Examples of ingredients in Veterinarian prescribed food that pose serious health issues for your dog, cat;
- Examples of Veterinarian prescribed food that you should not feed your dog, cat.
1. 0 Conventional Modern Veterinary Medicine - Diet,
Nutrition
- Veterinarians are aggressively marketed to by large pet food companies with very deep pockets. These companies spend a considerable amount of money on:
- In-depth and intense marketing campaigns;
- Campaigns that are backed-up by skewed and biased data;
- Campaigns that rely on the fact that:
- Veterinarians are not taught about nutrition in any depth, and;
- What they are taught in university is, for the most part based on material prepared by the big pet food manufacturing companies.
While at first glance this might seem ok - its not, and here is why...
The material prepared by these companies is very biased - not objective, not truthful and not factual.
- This means that the veterinary students - in their brief one week of nutritional study do not get to learn about real nutrition, they only get exposure to very limited information based on skewed data and misrepresented information.
Fourthly - Upon graduation veterinarians are given financial incentive to endorse and stock the product of the company that supplied their university with ‘study’ material and food freebees.
Fifth - Read more here to understand why many conventional Veterinarians do not have a viable knowledge of nutrition.
- All of about 1 week worth of learning about nutrition;
- And the material studied was provided by a pet food company;
- Just how much perspective (non-biased understanding) and comprehensive depth of knowledge does the average veterinarian have?
- Well, in most cases very little and what they do have may be very biased in favour of a specific company’s product (i.e. Hill’s Science Diet, Royal Canine, Purina, etc.).
- Suffice it to say that the veterinarian student - now a practicing veterinarian really never had the opportunity to learn about real nutrition - not the students fault!
This lack of knowledge is evidenced by the dog and cat food sold by many veterinarians.
- A dog‘s and cat’s best defence against acquiring:
- Minor and major ailments is a strong immune system;
- Fleas, ticks, other parasites is a strong immune system.
- Multiple species inappropriate ingredients, including: rice, oatmeal and other grains, legumes, potatoes and other starchy carbohydrates.
- Condemned denatured meat and fats.
- GMO corn and GMO soy.
- Synthetic chemical-based preservatives and additives that are toxic and carcinogenic.
- Feed supply (not human-food grade editable) sourced ingredients additionally contaminated with:
- Aflatoxins
- Genetically Modified ingredients
- Endocrine disrupters.
- Your dog’s immune system cannot function properly, and;
- Your dog’s brain cannot function at optimum capacity;
- Your dog’s liver and kidney are forced to work over-time to try to eliminate toxins that build-up faster than they can be eliminated, and worse:
- Some of the toxins are bioaccumulative and are absorbed by the body (often by fat cells) at a faster rate than they can be eliminated by the body.
- Why will the food worsen the dog's condition?
- Well for example the food does not meet a dog’s real nutritional needs;
- The food contains toxins that an already taxed renal system will be forced to try to eliminate;
- The food also contains known carcinogens.
Decisions About your Dog's, Cat's Food
- Royal Canine:
- Hill’s Science Diet;Purina, etc.
- Read the ingredient label before you purchase the food;
- Many of these prescription foods contain ingredients that are not good for your dog’s health.
- Are formulated using very biased 'science', skewed and biased data gathering and elimination of any data that indicates that the product has issues;
- Rely on the fact that you, the consumer know nothing about nutrition, species appropriate food, GMO, toxins and carcinogens;
- Are marketed using terms that capture the consumers trust but those terms may be unregulated…
Dog and Cat Food that Pose Serious Health Issues
The following provides some examples of extremely health-harming ingredients that are often found in prescription veterinarian recommended foods. These are only a few of the health and life threatening ingredients found in these products.
- What It Is
- A by-product (left-over) from the processing of rice for human consumption;
- Brewers rice lacks the nutrient value found in whole ground rice and brown rice;
- It is a grain derivative.
- Why It is Used
- Plentiful, cheap and bulks up the food at little cost to the manufacturer;
- Issues
- Not species appropriate food;
- Little nutritional value;
- Example of a Healthy Alternative
- Pumpkin, Squash
- What It Is
- The seed of the corn plant, it is a grain;
- Why it is Used
- Corn is a readily available and very inexpensive filler.
- Issues
- Corn provides very little nutritional value;
- Not a species appropriate food;
- The corn used in the manufacturing of pet food (i.e. in North America) is grown from Genetically Modified (GMO) Round-up Ready (Agent Orange – a nerve gas and a pesticide) seeds;
- GMO corn is proven to cause the growth of tumours;
- For more information on the dangers of feeding your dog food that includes corn and corn derivatives read here.
- Example of a Healthy Alternative
- Pumpkin, Squash
- What It is
- Menadione , Sodium Bisulfate, Meadione Sodium Bisulfite , or (K3) is a synthetic vitamin K derivative;
- Why it is Used
- It is readily available and inexpensive;
- Issues
- Toxic – to kidneys, liver, mucous membranes;
- Repeated or prolonged exposure can produce damage to target organs;
- Carcinogen;
- Mutagenic.
- Example of a Healthy Alternative
- Blueberries, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Collard Greens, Kale, Kelp, Parsley, Spinach, Swiss Chard – all are wholefoods that are good for dogs and cats
- What Is It
- Powdered Cellulose is made from wood pulp;
- Why it is Used
- Powdered Cellulose is an inexpensive fibre;
- It increases the volume of the food;
- As a fibre to move food through the digestive tract.
- Issues
- Has no nutritional value;
- There are much better forms of fibre however by using powdered cellulose the pet food manufacturer can save up to 30% of the cost of using better ingredients.
- Example of a Healthy Alternative
- Non-GMO beets
- What It Is
- Soy is derived from soybeans;
- Soy is a source of protein and filler;
- Why it is Used
- It is inexpensive;
- Issues
- The soy used in the manufacturing of pet food (i.e. in North America) is grown from Genetically Modified (GMO) Round-up Ready (Agent Orange – a nerve gas and a pesticide) seeds;
- GMO soy comes with many health risks that effect both health of body and mind - for more information on the dangers of feeding your dog food that includes soy and soy derivatives read here.
- Not a species appropriate food;
- Example of a Healthy Alternative
- Protein from good quality meat
- What It Is
- `Tapioca
is derived from the cassava bean;
Tapioca is an inexpensive filler;
An inexpensive source of fibre; - Why It is Used
- Tapioca is readily available and inexpensive;
- It increases the volume of the food;
- And is an inexpensive source of carbohydrates;
- Gluten free, so Tapioca can be used as an alternative to wheat flour when the presence of gluten can exacerbate a health condition.
- Issues
High in Calories and is associated with weight gain; - Contains almost no nutrients;
- Tapioca that has not undergone proper processing can cause cyanide poisoning;
- Example of a Healthy Alternative
- Pumpkin, Squash
- What Is It
- A chemical based preservative used to stop fat from going rancid and to prevent unpleasant odours;
- Why It is Used
- It is readily available and very inexpensive;
- Issues
- TBHQ is a chemical based toxic, carcinogenic preservative – read about all its life threatening health effects here.
- Example of a Healthy Alternative;
- Rosemary, Sage
- Why It is Used
- Inexpensive and readily available source of Omega-6 fatty acids
- Issues
- Not a first quality product – often purchased from restaurants (i.e. frying oil, when it can’t be used again for human food prep – rancid or contaminated, it is poured into a container, placed at the back of the restaurant and sold to pet food manufacturers);
- These vegetable oils are all derived from GMO crops;
- These vegetable oils have high levels of pesticide residue;
- Carcinogenic;
- Toxic.
- Example of a Healthy Alternative
- Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Sunflower Oil – though not as good as coconut or olive oil, is still a healthier alternative
- Why It is Used
- Wheat is added to dog food as it is an inexpensive source of carbohydrates.
- Issues
- Wheat is not a species appropriate food;
- Wheat has a high glycemic index;
- Wheat is quickly converted by the body into sugar, which spikes insulin levels, spikes Omega-6 fatty acid levels;
- Wheat is high in fructan – fructan can ferment in the GI tract, causing an overgrowth of bad bacteria (Candida) that in-turn causes yeast infections;
- The wheat used in pet food is not screened for Aflatoxins – a naturally occurring fungus that can cause liver and kidney damage and liver cancer;
- Wheat can cause or worsen:
- Anemia;
- Arthritis;
- Cancer;
- Elevated blood-sugar levels;
- IBS – Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Inflammation of brain cells;
- Increase in hunger;
- Weight gain.
- Example of a Healthy Alternative
- Pumpkin, squash
Wheat Gluten
- What Is it
- Wheat Gluten is the protein part of the wheat kernel.
- Why It Is Used
- An inexpensive form of protein and a carbohydrate;
- Issues
- Wheat is not a species appropriate food;
- Wheat gluten has a high glycemic index;
- Wheat is quickly converted by the body into sugar, which spikes insulin levels, spikes Omega-6 fatty acid levels…
- Wheat Gluten can cause or worsen:
- Anemia;
- Arthritis;
- Elevated blood-sugar levels;
- IBS – Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Inflammation of brain cells;
- Increase in hunger;
- Weight gain.
- Example of a Healthy Alternative
- Meat
Should Not Feed to Your Dog, Cat
Here are some examples to assist you in understanding what you don’t want in your dog’s ‘Prescription’ Diet. The examples provided below contain ingredients known to:
- Cause food sensitivity and allergies;
- Cause behavourial issues;
- Cause minor and major illness;
- Cause toxic loading;
- Cause Cancer;
- These foods – despite the manufacturer’s claims, may not promote the health of your dog or cat…
Purina Veterinary Diet - Example
Purina
Veterinary Diets HA Hypoallergenic® Canine Formula
Ingredients (Dry)
Starch, hydrolyzed soy protein isolate, vegetable oil,
calcium phosphate, partially hydrogenated canola oil preserved
with TBHQ, powdered cellulose, corn oil,
potassium chloride, vegetable gums (gum arabic, guar
gum), choline chloride, DL-Methionine, salt, magnesium oxide, lecithin,
taurine, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, manganese
sulfate, niacin, calcium carbonate, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate,
calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin supplement, garlic oil,
Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, Vitamin D-3
supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione
sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium
selenite. I-4571
Royal Canine Veterinary Therapeutic Formula (Diet) - Examples
Royal
Canine Veterinary Therapeutic Formulas – Calm Dry
- Spike insulin levels;
- Create low serotonin levels, and;
- Cause inflammation of brain cells;
- Low Serotonin levels are associated with anxiety;
- Inflammation of brain cells is linked to behavourial problems;
- Low PS levels are associated with low levels of Omega-3, low PS levels are associated with anxiety;
- Soy and soy by products (vegetable oil, mixed tocopherols) contain endocrine disruptors which can lead to thyroid problems which is associated with anxiety and behavioural problems.
‘formulated to assist in the management of diabetes mellitus’
Ingredients
‘formulated to assist in the management of severe adverse food reactions'
Ingredients
Hill's® Prescription Diet® - Examples
Hill's® Prescription Diet®
r/d® Canine Weight Loss-Low Calorie with Chicken
Ingredients
Whole
Grain Corn,
Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal, Powdered Cellulose, Soybean
Mill Run, Chicken Liver Flavor,
Chicken, Dried Beet Pulp, Soybean Meal,
Lactic Acid, Soybean Oil, Caramel
Color, L-Lysine, Potassium Chloride, DL-Methionine, Iodized Salt, Vitamin E
Supplement, Choline Chloride, vitamins (L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of
vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A
Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine
Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), minerals
(Manganese Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium
Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, L-Carnitine, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols & Citric Acid,
Phosphoric Acid, Beta-Carotene, Rosemary Extract.
Hill's® Prescription Diet®
r/d® Canine Mobility
Ingredients
Whole
Grain Corn,
Chicken By-Product Meal, Flaxseed, Soybean Mill Run, Brewers Rice, Soybean Meal,
Pork Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols
and citric acid), Chicken Liver Flavor,
Powdered Cellulose, Fish Oil, Lactic
Acid, Potassium Chloride, L-Lysine, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride,
Iodized Salt, DL-Methionine, Vitamin E Supplement, vitamins
(L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement,
Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate,
Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic
Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), L-Threonine, Taurine, Soy Lecithin, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, minerals (Ferrous
Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium
Selenite), L-Tryptophan, L-Carnitine, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid, Chondroitin Sulfate,
Phosphoric Acid, Beta-Carotene, Rosemary Extract.
- Chicken liver flavour is a chemical based additive.
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Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld
thank you so much for this eye-opening outstanding article!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I was appalled when I read the ingredients in the dog food our vet prescribed for our dog that has urinary tract problems. I kept telling my husband that dogs don't eat corn and that the food was loaded with GMO's and probably had traces of pesticides in it. Your article confirmed what I was thinking. Off to get an organic dog food for our Sophie today!
ReplyDeleteThrowing waste products that are unfit for consumption into a huge pot and cooking it at high heat, then labeling it "veterinary recommended" and selling it to unsuspecting but well meaning pet owners (as well as charging an arm and a leg for it) is criminal activity. I feed raw and cook for 11; once you get a system it's quite easy, inexpensive, and rewarding to know the food you're serving your companions is of the best quality. As for that, I can prepare good food for my animals MUCH better and more tailored to them than someone in a white lab coat ever could. This is an excellent, excellent blog and I wish more pet owners were interested in being proactive when it comes to their pets health.
ReplyDelete