Author warns of more pet-food dangers
With the pet food scare continuing, more people are concerned about what to feed their animals.
Kathy Stevens, director of the Catskill Animal Sanctuary in Saugerties, N.Y., and author of the book “Where The Blind Horses Sing” warns about foods you might consider pretty innocent.
Her book — which tells the stories of many of the farm animals that have ended up at the sanctuary — mentions her belief that agri-business doesn’t always have pets’ best interests at heart.
She noted in an interview with The Gazette that a lot of pet food indirectly has things such as growth hormones and antibiotics that were given to the animals that end up as meat in pet food. The food sometimes includes slaughterhouse waste. She also cites incidents of euthanized cats and dogs being sent to rendering plants and then used in pet food.
There has been mistreatment of animals that end up in pet food, too, she said. Some headway has been made toward more humane treatment, but factory farms still raise animals in intense confinement. “We still have tens of thousands of chickens engineered so breasts grow large and they can’t open their wings, in warehouses with no fresh air.”
She adds, “If we are poisoning our pets that way, we are poisoning ourselves, because these same antibiotics and hormones are fed to the chickens, pigs and cows, and in turn we eat them.”
She suggests finding products that come from small farms and ranches that take more humane care of animals. These facilities do not administer chemicals such as growth hormones, she said, and allow the animals a better environment. “We need to stop feeding our pets garbage and understand that inexpensive usually means there is an excellent chance that the pets will pay a big price in illness, allergies, and shortened life expectancy.”
She suggests pet owners talk to their veterinarians — particularly those who take a holistic approach to wellness — about foods.
Two books she recommends: “Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts About Pet Food,” by Ann Martin; and “Dr. Pitcairns’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats,” by Richard Pitcairn.
BREED-SPECIFIC PET FOOD
Eukanuba is now marketing pet food that is breed-specific.
After studying health, fitness and nutrition needs of various breeds, the company created customized formulas for five of the most popular breeds.
“The boxer owner worries about his dog’s heart while the German Shepherd owner knows that the breed’s digestive system is extra sensitive,” Andrew Meurer, marketing director, said in a press release.
Among the new formulas available in stores:
- Labrador retriever formula: Designed to nourish healthy joints and burn fat. It’s also good for golden retrievers.
- Yorkshire terrier formula: Has copper and zinc for skin and coat care, and microcrystals that scrub teeth to reduce plaque.
- German shepherd formula: Has FOS (fructooligosaccharides) to help support the breed’s digestive system. Also has glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for joints and mobility.
- Boxer formula: Has beta carotene, vitamin E and antioxidants to support the immune system and heart. Good for Rottweiler and Doberman, too.
- Dachshund formula: Supports healthy back.
PUPPY PRODUCE
Lots of dogs like veggies, so wouldn’t you know it, Planet Dog devised some chew toys that look just like strawberries, artichoke and eggplants.
There’s a place to stuff treats inside the chew toys; they’re also bouncy and mint-tasting. The toys are recommended for aggressive chewers.
They sell for $9.95 for the 3-inch high strawberry, $11.95 for the 3.5-inch artichoke, and $13.95 for the 6-inch eggplant. Last year, the company, which gives a percentage of profits to charity, donated $100,000 to service-dog organizations. To buy the toys, call 1-800-381-1516 or go to planetdog.com.
