(Stock photo via Pexels) We've all likely read that highly (or ultra) processed foods are generally not healthful for us and that we should reduce the amount included in our diet. Kibble is a highly processed food and for many pets, it constitutes nearly 100% of their diet. Cancer researchers at the Medical University of … Continue reading Kibble Study Underway at MUSC
Category: pet food
Bugs in the Pet Food Bowl
One of the more surprising things that happened while I was on hiatus is the insect based pet food trend. Developed in response to concerns about the deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions and unsustainability associated with the use of protein obtained from livestock, insect based pet foods purport to offer a reduced carbon footprint. But Swedish … Continue reading Bugs in the Pet Food Bowl
Discussion: Will Big Food Protect Our Pets from Toxic Ingredients?
One of the revelations resulting from the massive 2007 pet food recall was that many different brands of dog and cat food are made by a few large corporations. When news first broke that Pet Food Brand A, found to be contaminated with melamine, was sickening and killing family companions, many owners felt their pets were … Continue reading Discussion: Will Big Food Protect Our Pets from Toxic Ingredients?
Mental Health Break: Vintage Cat Food Ads
My how things have changed. For the better? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Discussion: Should Corporate Shelter Donations Come with Strings Attached?
The Santa Clara Co Animal Care and Control facility in CA took in roughly 2500 dogs and cats last year. Since 2008, the shelter has gotten its pet food for free from Hill's (makers of Science Diet) in exchange for pushing the products on its website and to adopters. The contract is up for renewal … Continue reading Discussion: Should Corporate Shelter Donations Come with Strings Attached?
Science Says Dogs’ Digestive Systems Evolved with Humans
I know the "Dogs do not have the enzymes needed to digest grains!!!!!!!!!111!!!11" camp had to be hatin' this study which found that dogs' digestive systems evolved over time to better allow them to digest starchy food. Now there's more bad news: another study has found the same thing: The team then compared corresponding genes … Continue reading Science Says Dogs’ Digestive Systems Evolved with Humans
Slate Article: Kill Shelter Pets and Feed Them to Your Own Dogs and Cats Because WhaddayaGonnaDo?
Most pet owners don't like to think about killing pets in shelters. Even fewer like to think about the possibility of those dead shelter pets being ground up for use as an ingredient in pet food. While I don't know of any unequivocal proof that dead shelter pets sent to rendering facilities end up being … Continue reading Slate Article: Kill Shelter Pets and Feed Them to Your Own Dogs and Cats Because WhaddayaGonnaDo?
Are there body parts from research primates in your pet’s food?
I was reading an article on the KTBS website about a hand and foot - originally suspected as being human but later found to belong to a primate - which turned up at a Louisiana rendering plant. Rendering plants, for those who don't know, take animal remains - sometimes whole, sometimes parts - and grind/boil/obliterate … Continue reading Are there body parts from research primates in your pet’s food?
MD Seeks to Increase Access to Spay-Neuter for Low Income Owners
Ever since seeing the true colors of the pet food industry during 2007's massive pet food recall, I haven't trusted the lot of them. I think far greater regulation and transparency would be required before I could consider trusting pet food manufacturers again. And since neither of those things appears to be on the horizon, … Continue reading MD Seeks to Increase Access to Spay-Neuter for Low Income Owners
Dog Food Wonkery: A History of the Market
This link goes to a lengthy page of excerpts from the book The Lost History of the Canine Race by Mary Elizabeth Thurston. It's so lengthy, that only the dog-food-wonkiest among you are likely to read it from beginning to end but I wanted to share it and see if anyone has comments, disputes, or … Continue reading Dog Food Wonkery: A History of the Market