Yucko. No Wonder Dogs Don't Like Dog Food

March 18, 2001
Sacramento, California, USA

The pups on the dog food commercials sure seem to devour the stuff.  Why won't Wags eat it?

Maybe Wags has read the recent findings published by the Animal Protection Institute earlier this week.  The article, entitled "What's Really In Pet Food", asks and answers some rather unsavory questions.

For one: What do you suppose happens to those 50-gallon drums of restaurant grease they keep out in the alley for weeks?  You guessed it; it gets sprayed on pet food, in order to make it more appetizing (Mmm, works for me!).

But beyond the excusable culinary faux pas—using ingredients like chicken lungs and cow esophagi—, it seems that there are more serious areas for concern, regarding commercially-produced food for companion animals.

While the API stops short of accusing individual dog food brands in its lengthy report, it does send the message that there are widespread, negligent practices that go on, largely unregulated, in this $11 billion per year pet food industry (USA alone).

The article states: "What most consumers don't know is that the pet food industry is an extension of the human food and agriculture industries. Pet food provides a market for slaughterhouse offal, grains considered 'unfit for human consumption,' and similar waste products to be turned into profit."

So what does that mean for Wags?  That means that he can't always rely on USDA inspectors to make sure his food is contaminant-free.  The API cites a 1999 case where a fungal toxin got through to 54 brands of dog food (produced by Doane Pet Care), and at least 25 dogs were killed before it was pulled off the shelves.

So are we just supposed to stop buying dog food?  In a word: yes.

The API suggests, "Stop buying commercial pet food. Or if that is not possible, reduce the quantity of commercial pet food and supplement with fresh foods. Purchase one of the books available on pet nutrition and make your own food."

Want to try your hand in canine cuisine?  Here are a few recipes.

Another good site for further reading: NaturalDogFood.com

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