Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts About Pet Food

by Ann N. Martin

Overview

The commercial pet food industry has a secret to hide — and Ann Martin wants to make sure you know it. Her research reveals some startling facts: that the pet food industry conducts animal testing in order to improve their product, and includes euthanized cats and dogs in the mix to heighten protein content. In this revised and updated edition, Martin continues to explore the shocking processes by which commercial pet foods are produced. She offers alternative recipes for feeding pets, nutritional advice, and an exploration of "Pet Peeves," in which she explores several scams aimed at pet owners. This groundbreaking book gives us a glimpse into exactly what we are doing when we buy pet food.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780939165568
Publisher:	NewSage Press
Publication date:	07/23/2008
Edition description:	Third Edition
Pages:	214
Sales rank:	298,670
Product dimensions:	6.04(w) x 8.88(h) x 0.43(d)

Table of Contents

Foreword     viii
Introduction     xi
The Truth About Commercial Pet Food     1
Research
Pet Carcasses in the Human Food Chain? Making an Informed Choice
Unravelling the Mystery Ingredients     7
Deciphering Pet Food Labels
Dead Dogs and Cats as a Protein Source
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Sources
Unsavory Protein Sources Allowed in Pet Food
Grain Sources
The Deceptive Practice of "Splitting" in Labeling
Toxic Substances in Grain
Additional Low-Grade Pet Food Ingredients
Fats in Pet Food
The Rendering Process
Can This Really Be True?
Questionable Vitamins, Minerals and Additives     19
Vitamins in Pet Food
Minerals in Pet Food
Preservatives and Additives in Pet Foods
China as a Supplier
Animal Carcasses as a Protein Source     25
The Rendering Process
Meat Meal Product
Euthanized Pets and Rendering
Testing for Cats and Dogs in Pet Food
Inadequate Testing
Rendering Destroys DNA Evidence
Rendering Pets in Canada
Sodium Pentobarbital in Pet Food     39
Exposure to Sodium Pentobarbital
Pet Foods Containing Sodium Pentobarbital
Additional Findings
Study Conclusion
Wild Life Consuming Sodium Pentobarbital
Long-Term Effects of Sodium Pentobarbital
Pet Food Regulations     48
Regulations in the United States
The U.S. Government Agency Regulating Pet Food
Non-government Agencies and Pet Food
AAFCO and Feed Analysis
The Pet Food Institute
Reassurance from the USDA in Pet FoodRegulation?
Regulations in Canada
Regulations for Export to Europe
Regulations in the United Kingdom
Regulations in Japan
Limited Regulations Internationally
Pet Food Manufacturers     60
The Multinational Pet Food Company Shuffle
Lawsuits Against Pet Food Manufacturers
Pet Food Manufacturers and Veterinarians
Pet Food Manufacturers and Animal Organizations
Pet Food Recalls     69
The 2007 Pet Food Recall
What Tainted the Pet Food?
What Did the Pet Food Companies Know and When Did They Know It?
Deadly Combination of Melamine and Cyanuric Acid
Tracking the Problem to Chinese Manufacturers
Contaminated Food Spills Over to Human Food
Previous Recalls
Animal Experimentation and Pet Food Companies     84
Corporate Funding of Cruelty
Iams and Animal Experimentation
Other Pet Food Companies and Animal Experimentation
Menu Foods and Animal Experimentation
Natural Pet Food Companies     94
The Danger of Additives and Preservatives
Researching Pet Food Companies
The Problem with Co-packers
No Guarantees
Recommended Natural Pet Food Companies
Imported Vitamins and Supplements
Disclaimer
Cooking for Cats     109
Protein
Vegetarian Cats?
Carbohydrates
Fats for Cats
Vitamins and Minerals
Malabsorption
Problems with Salmon and Tuna Diets
Hyperthyroidism
Dry Cat Foods and Potential Problems
Baby Food for Sick Cats
My Final Word on Cats
Recipes for Cats     120
Tasty Meals for Healthy Cats
Special Diets for Cats with Health Concerns
Especially for Kittens
Cooking for Dogs     135
A Balanced Diet
Basic Diet for Dogs
Supplements
Possible Food Allergies and Malabsorption
Calcium for Dogs
Vegetarian Dogs?
Should You Give Your Dog a Bone?
Recipes for Dogs     145
Foods to Absolutely Avoid
Wholesome Recipes
Special Diet Considerations
Vegetarian Diet
Crunchies & Treats
Puppy Food
Bloat: A Canine Killer     163
What Is Bloat?
Dogs at Risk for Bloat
Causes of Bloat
Risk Factors Associated with Bloat
Symptoms of Bloat
A Possible Genetic Connection
Prevention
Planning Ahead
Veterinary Treatment of Bloat
Other Pet Concerns     170
Designer Dogs
Pet Scams on the Internet and in Newspapers
Boarding Your Pet
Declawing Cats
A Final Thought
Resources     181
Endnotes     183
Index     195
About the Author     200