Human Grade Pet Food

Choosing a better pet food for our dogs and cats can be confusing, what kind of ingredients are good, which ones are bad? What do the labels mean? Where does it come from? What company can I trust? These are questions we asked ourselves after we found out we were feeding basically garbage to our beloved dog. You may be asking yourself these same questions, hopefully this website will help you to better understand ingredients, labels, manufacturing processes, how it's sold, and to choose a better food for your dog or cat.

The safe way to buy Holistic Pet Food

The recent recalls have many people questioning what goes into their pets' diets and what kind of safeguards and quality control the pet food manufacturers have in place. With more than 15,000 brands of pet foods available and counting it can be confusing. How much do we really know about what's in our pets' food? We assumed that our dog food was safe and healthy. But then we started researching the ingredients and what the current label regulations allow. Did you know that your pets' next meal can still contain harmful preservatives and other hazardous ingredients and not be listed on the label? Current regulations allow this, as long as they weren't (manufacturer) the ones who added the ingredient it's not required to be on the label.

We learned the hard way, our beloved dog was lethargic and just stared out the window and didn't have the energy or happiness he once did. We never thought this could be tied to his food. Give your label another look, those ingredients could very easily be causing liver damage, diabetes or even cancer in your pet right now. Diabetes and cancer have skyrocketed recently in pets. That's because pet food can be filled with many of these unhealthy ingredients and these diseases are reaching epidemic levels. Sometimes we can conveniently rely on the messages we see in T.V. ads which are filled with lies. We also trusted in the advice of our veterinarian and what he recommended (science diet, I will never feed Jacob this food again, but not all vets recommend bad nutrition. Some veterinarians specialize in nutrition and it's their focus, while others don't. We now go to a Holistic Veterinarian). We are happy to report that our dog Jacob is acting like his old self again, or should I say his young self.

Dog food manufactures are required to follow guidelines set in place by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). They are not a government body but their board does consist of state and federal representatives, the pet food manufactures must list the ingredients of each that goes into the food they make. The Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) and the US Department of Agriculture ( U.S.D.A.) also regulate the pet food industry, AAFCO also establishes nutrition profiles for dogs and cats and sets approved feeding trials. The first ingredient would weigh the most, with the last ingredient the least, however this can be misleading. If chicken or meat is listed first this doesn't mean there's more of it, meat and chicken weigh more because of the moisture content (about 70% water), meaning if the next four ingredients are corn, by-products or flour this could mean the food is primarily corn based. When looking at labels try to find a food that contains chicken meal as the first ingredient but all meal isn't created equal, meaning some contain bones, hormones or steroids or by-products, meal has most of the moisture removed in processing therefore it is more true to weight and meal has more protein per pound than meat. A lot of us believe when chicken is first on the label our pets' are getting a fresh whole chicken, after most of the muscle meat is removed, breast, thigh meat (quality chicken meal contain these parts). The left over carcass goes through a machine which scrapes the bone of the stringy material, tendons, ligaments, any muscle meat left behind, this makes up the chicken ingredient (containing about 70% water).

AAFCO however doesn't regulate the quality of an ingredient, that's left up to the manufacturers, AAFCO regulates the definitions so they all mean the same thing to all dog food companies, the FDA can intervene. However AAFCO or the FDA can't catch everybody because they don't have enough man-power, just like the police can't catch all the speeders even though it's law. There's more and more pet food companies popping up these days fluffing up their labels, you'll see things like whole farm fresh eggs (egg product) or fresh home grown potatoes (potato product) or even cranberries, what's next caviar, (Cats and dogs don't hunt for cranberries) so buyer beware. Also beware of organic labels, organic is good, however companies will also state this and only have one or two ingredients that are organic or none at all, it could be just used in the name of the company. To be certified organic the bag must contain the round USDA organic seal, meaning the food will be at least 95% organic. Also some states allow farmers themselves to certify there own product. The FDA considers animal food supplements that are not approved nutrients or GRAS to be unapproved food additives or unapproved new animal drugs. As such, they are not permitted in pet food. Nevertheless, consumers will see on some cat and dog food labels ingredients such as glucosamine and chondroitin, which are claimed to alleviate joint stiffness and pain, and St. John's wort, purported to treat depression and relieve stress.

These statements can be used as a way to get you to buy their product meaning money comes before regulations and laws, if their not following this what else aren't they following. AAFCO may be imperfect but they are the only regulator companies have and part of AAFCOs job is labeling standardization. The only way to find out what's really in your pets' bowl is to contact the company directly because labels never tell the whole truth, hopefully you can talk directly to their formulator.

Animal digest: As defined by the AAFCO, it is produced by chemically or enzymatically treating animal tissue (such as flesh, bone, organs, etc.) from slaughterhouses and other sources, in a process akin to rendering. Yet another expert defines this as "a cooked-down broth" which can be made from unspecified parts of unspecified animals. The animals used can be obtained from almost any source and no control is in place over quality or contamination. Any kind of animal can be included: "4-D animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter), goats, pigs, horses, rats, euthanized at animal shelters, restaurant and supermarket refuse and so on."

Animal fat: AAFCO states that animal fat is "obtained from the tissues of mammals and/or poultry in the commercial processes of rendering or extracting. It consists predominantly of glyceride esters of fatty acids and contains no additions of free fatty acids. If an antioxidant is used, the common name or names must be indicated, followed by the words "used as a preservative". In actuality the animal source is not specified or required to give the origin of slaughtered animals. The rendered animals can be obtained from any source. There is no control over quality or contamination and any animal can be used including dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter.

Artificial coloring: Food coloring In the USA, the following seven artificial colorings (the most common in bold) are permitted in food as of 2007:
FD&C Blue No. 1 - Brilliant Blue FCF, E133 (Blue shade) FD&C Blue No. 1 - Brilliant Blue FCF, E133 (Blue shade) It is a synthetic dye derived from coal tar. It can be combined with tartrazine (E102) to produce various shades of green. It is often found in ice cream, tinned processed peas, dairy products, sweets, and drinks. It is also used in soaps, shampoos, and other hygiene and cosmetics applications.
FD&C Blue No. 2 - Indigotine, E132 (Dark Blue shade)
FD&C Green No. 3 - Fast Green FCF, E143 (Bluish green shade)
FD&C Red No. 40 - Allura Red AC, E129 (Red shade) It has the appearance of a dark red powder. It usually comes as a sodium salt, but can be also be used as both calcium and potassium salts. It is soluble in water. In water solution, its maximum absorbance lies at about 504 nm. Its melting point is at >300 degrees Celsius.
In Europe, Allura Red AC is not recommended for consumption by children. It is banned in Denmark, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, and Austria. (obviously European countries have a higher standard, this includes pets).
FD&C Red No. 3 - Erythrosine, E127 (Pink shade)
FD&C Yellow No. 5 - Tartrazine, E102 (Yellow shade) Tartrazine (otherwise known as E102 or FD&C Yellow 5) is a synthetic lemon yellow azo dye used as a food coloring. It is derived from coal tar. It is water soluble. Tartrazine appears to cause the most allergic and intolerance reactions of all the azo dyes, particularly among those with an aspirin intolerance and asthmatics. The mechanism of sensitivity is obscure and has been called pseudoallergic. The prevalence of tartrazine intolerance is estimated at roughly 360,000 Americans affected, about 0.12% of the general population. According to the FDA, tartrazine causes hives in fewer than 1 in 10,000 people, or 0.01%.
FD&C Yellow No.6 - Sunset Yellow FCF, E110 (orange shade).

BHT: was patented in 1947 and received approval of the Food and Drug Administration for use as a food additive and preservative in 1954, has been banned in other countries but still used in the United States. BHT reacts with free radicals, slowing the rate of oxidation in food, preventing changes in the food's color, odor, and taste. BHT may contribute to cancer or tumors in pets and humans.

BHA: Butylated Hydroxysanisole, The National Institutes of Health considers BHA reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.

Beet pulp: is a byproduct left over from the processing of sugar beets, excellent source of energy and fiber. (sugar removed)

Beef and Bone Meal: AAFCO definnition: the rendered product from mammal tissues, including bone, exclusive of blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings, manure, stomach and rumen contents, except in such amounts as may occur unavoidably in good processing practices. The quality cuts of meat will be removed, made from parts of meat that are rejected from the human market. This is another cheap product that is used to boost protein.

Brewers dried yeast: Yeast are microscopic fungi, single-cell organisms of the plant kingdom. Various species are abundant throughout the environment. Brewer's yeast contains essential B vitamins including biotin, minerals including zinc, and high quality proteins. These assist in the control of shedding and promote a healthy skin and hair coat. Brewer's yeast has been fed to pets to control fleas as it seems to create an odor from the inside out that is unpleasant to fleas. This has not been confirmed through research. It has also been said the brewer's yeast will stimulate the immune system.

Brown rice: is unmilled or partly milled rice, a kind of whole grain. Brown rice and white rice have similar amounts of calories, carbohydrates, fat and protein. The difference between the two lies in processing and nutritional content. If the outermost layer of a grain of rice (the husk) is removed, the result is brown rice. If the bran layer underneath is removed, the result is white rice. Several vitamins and dietary minerals are
lost in this removal and the subsequent polishing process.

Chicken meal: is an ingredient often used in dry dog food and cat food. It is chicken which has been ground or otherwise reduced in particle size and baked. The quality of the protein depends on the type of meat and amount of chicken meat in the mixture. A quality chicken meal won't contain bones or hormones or steroids, it can also be blended with bone and connective tissue processed with the meat. Chicken Meal is fresh, chemically free chicken with the fat and water removed. No heads, feet, feathers, or intestines. Chicken meal is an excellent quality protein with a balanced amino acid mix. Five times the amount of linoleic acid than most other meat sources. It is highly digestible and highly palatable.

Ethoxyquin: Originaly developed by Monsanto as a rubber stabilizer. It's a quinoline-based antioxidant used as a food preservative and a pesticide (under commercial names such as "Stop-Scald"). It is commonly used as a preservative in pet foods to prevent the rancidification of fats. There has been some speculation that ethoxyquin in pet foods might be responsible for certain health problems. To date, the US FDA has only found a verifiable connection between ethoxyquin and buildup of protoporphyrin IX in the liver, as well as elevations in liver-related enzymes in some animals. It has been shown to cause mortality in fish. This highly toxic preservative can still end up in pet food without even being on the label, some rendering plants use this highly toxic chemical as a preservative, the by-products purchased containing it won't show up on the label.

Flax seed meal: Flax seed is cold processed. Flax seed meal is a convenient way of obtaining many of the nutritional benefits of flax seeds, including dietary fiber, lignans, magnesium, zinc and mucillage Flax seeds orginated in the ancient Mid-East and were used in Biblical days as an important source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including omega-3. Flax seed meal is a convenient form of flax that is rich in dietary fiber, mucilage, phytosterols and lignans.

Meat and Bone Meal: AAFCO definnition: the rendered product from mammal tissues, including bone, exclusive of blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings, manure, stomach and rumen contents, except in such amounts as may occur unavoidably in good processing practices. The quality cuts of meat will be removed, made from parts of meat that are rejected from the human market. This is another cheap product that is used to boost protein.

Meat by-products: These are slaughtered or ground carcass parts including heads, feet, bones, intestines, feathers, and these are commonly used by commercial pet food companies. AAFCO's (American Association Of Feed Control Officials) definition of Meat by-products is, "The non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals. It includes, but is not limited to, lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, livers, blood, bone, partially defatted low temperature fatty tissue, and stomachs and intestines freed of their contents. It does not include hair, horns, teeth and hoofs. It shall be suitable for use in animal food. If it bears name descriptive of its kind, it must correspond thereto." In many cases, by-product meals are derived from "4-D" meat sources defined as food animals that have been rejected for human consumption because they were delivered to the meat packing plant as "Dead, Dying, Diseased or Disabled." More commonly known as 4-D meat.

Soybean Meal (Mechanical Extracted): AAFCO, obtained by grinding the cake or chips which remain after removal of most of the oil from the soybeans by a mechanical extraction process. A cheap and poor protein, it's primarily used in cheap pet foods to boost the protien count.

Wheat Gluten: The gluten found in wheat, a sticky substance composed of the proteins gliadin and glutenin. Wheat gluten is most popular in China, sound familiar? where it was first devel

Which brand of pet food is the best, am I getting a good deal? It reminds me of when I bought my first cell phone! We have asked ourselves these same questions when buying our own pets' food, we have experienced both scenarios and we want to share that with you.
We believe buying on-line is the freshest, safest way to buy your pets' food, why? If your buying all natural pet food, chemical preservatives are not used so look for a food that is made in small frequent batches (micro-batching) and is shipped direct and is nutritionally balanced, has human quality ingredients.

It can be so confusing walking down the aisles of a pet store or searching the net, trying to choose between which brand, variety & flavor, not to mention reading the label with all of it's ingredients.

Dedication to Excellence. Although we do not use inferior ingredients in this Holistic Pet Food, a truly exceptional dog food is much more than what you leave out, it's also about the ingredients you put in the food, and how the food is made. Veterinarian Formulated, this holistic pet food is formulated by Dr. Jane Bicks, a highly respected and nationally recognized holistic veterinarian.

Quality & Freshness. Our Holistic Pet Food is always made with fresh ingredients, which gives your pet the best quality possible. We use our exclusive "fast-cook" process to preserve the fresh taste of natural foods. This technique maintains natural flavors and nutritional value better than those found in many store-bought products. In addition, we use a blend of natural antioxidants to help our food stay fresh, as well as to help your dog to maintain a healthy immune system. To ensure that you get the freshest food possible, we make our food in small, frequent batches.

Safety & Quality Control. Our manufacturer is APHIS-certified to sell pet food in the European market, (highest level) which has more stringent regulations than the U.S. (To be human grade or human quality you must have APHIS certification)

Does all this make a difference?

You bet it does. We take great pride in providing your dog or cat with the finest quality foods. At HealthyPetNet, we're unusually careful about every single ingredient that goes into our foods. We prepare Life's Abundance using only the freshest, human-quality foods from carefully selected farmers and growers combined with high quality extras such as proteinated minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and bacteria cultures known to have a beneficial effect on the health and well-being of our furry friends.
Compare The Top 10 Pet Foods

There's been a great deal of attention focused upon dog and cat foods lately, especially in light of the pet food recalls. Similarly, we should turn a critical eye towards the hundreds of treats that dogs consume on a regular basis.

Many of the mass-produced treats on the market today contain the leftover cereals and other unsuitable ingredients, which are better for company profits than the long-term health of dogs. Artificial coloring and chemical preservatives are included in most to maintain freshness, as these well-known brands typically spend months stored in warehouses before ultimately being shipped to your local grocery. Upon inspecting their labels, you'll find many contain wheat flour, soy flour, dextrose, BHA, high fructose corn syrup and garlic. These products are known to be hard for your dog to digest and some can have potentially harmful effects. In fact, garlic can be toxic to dogs.

As pet parents, we know that our companion animals depend solely upon us for their nutritional intake. And since good nutrition is important for our pets to live a long and healthy life, it is important to choose a nutrient-rich treat that can be a part of your pet's overall diet.

All-natural, low fat dog treats with high quality proteins and harvest-fresh fruits, vegetables and multi-grains. And they are fortified with L-Carnitine for a healthy heart and fat metabolism, making them perfect for dogs that could stand to shed a few pounds. Wholesome Hearts contain sliced apples, squash, yellow field peas, tomatoes, cloves (which have high antioxidant values), cranberries, pumpkin, ginger and nutmeg. The rice germ/bran included in this recipe has been studied at the University of Illinois for its ability to support immune system functioning and skin and coat health, and is chock full of protein and B vitamins.

In an effort to make our homes as safe as possible for our companion animals, you should be aware of common household items that can spell big trouble for our beloved dogs.

Recently, the ASPCA - Animal Poison Control Center released the top ten items that can be toxic to dogs. In all of the following cases, it is highly advisable to contact a vet immediately after consumption

Chocolate - Can cause excitability, elevated heart rate and possibly seizures.

Rat Poisons - Most rodenticides contain anticoagulants to cause fatal bleeding. These substances can have the same effect on dogs, as well as possible paralysis, seizures and kidney failure.

Ant & Roach Baits - Most of these products do not contain enough toxic substances to cause severe effects, but the plastic in which they are housed can be dangerous.

Acetaminophen - Can cause liver failure, swelling of the face and paws, and interfere with oxygen transport in the blood.

Ibuprofen - Can cause stomach and kidney problems, and possibly seizures.

Cold Medications with Pseudoephedrine - Can cause excessive panting due to increased body temperature, excitability and elevated heart rate.

Thyroid Hormones - Can cause elevated heart rate and excitability.

Bleach - In surface contact, can cause eye and skin irritation, and if inhaled can cause chemical pneumonitis.

Fertilizers & Plant Foods - Can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Paints, Polishes & Fuel Oils - In surface contact, can cause skin irritation, and if inhaled can cause excitability, depression, pneumonia, liver and kidney damage.

Exposure to any of these substances can have serious health consequences, and should be treated accordingly.

When it comes to protecting your companion animals, remember to safely store away all medications or other potentially harmful items. And, just because an item does not appear on this list does not mean it can't be harmful, so exercise not only caution, but common sense.

Every year, millions of Americans welcome a new dog into their home, particularly in the late spring and early summer. And every year, hundreds of thousands of dogs are given up for adoption, chiefly because they exhibit unruly behavior. Why? Because many people think they know everything necessary to train their companion animals, when really they have nothing other than a vague idea.

Experts agree, obedience training is absolutely essential to the long-term success of the relationship between you and your dog. Training provides parameters for acceptable behavior and helps to ensure the safety of your precious pup, as well as the safety of others coming in contact with your dog.

There are two primary cornerstones of obedience training: consistency and positive reinforcement. Consistency is simply this - always reward the desired behavior and never reward unwanted behavior. Another aspect of consistency is an agreement that everyone issuing commands uses the same words that you do. And positive reinforcement can take many forms, but at root it is providing incentives for good behavior and a steadfast promise never to physically abuse your canine as punishment. If you can commit to providing consistency and positive reinforcement, you're well on your way to teaching your dog basic obedience behavior.

Here's a term you'll hear in relation to canine behavior - dominance hierarchy, which is a fancy way of describing the social structure of dogs. Basically, it means that dogs, as social beings, crave structure. Often, when dogs are fearful of new situations and unexpected noises, it's commonly due to a lack of an established social structure in their adopted family. It's up to you to position yourself as the dominant leader, establishing that your dog falls below you in the family ranking.

No matter what type of training you choose, timing is essential. It is absolutely imperative that you reward your dog within seconds of the correct behavior. Waiting longer than a couple of seconds will be confusing to your dog, as she will not be able to associate the positive reinforcement with the appropriate behavior.

Are you starting a new training regimen? Are you continuing with ongoing training? In either case, you'll want your pup's full attention focused on you.

Tasty Rewards Training Treats are the great new treat for dog training, whether it's a brand new puppy or your old best friend. Not only are they undeniably appetizing, they contain nutrients that support healthy brain function.

We use free-range, farm-raised chicken and venison raised in New Zealand to create a savory treat that your dog will love. We've included no grains or artificial fillers, to make the healthiest training treat possible.

Tasty Rewards are perfectly-sized for carrying in your pocket during training sessions, or as a great treat anytime! Because these yummy treats are semi-moist, they are pliable and won't break into crumbs in your pocket.

These protein-rich treats are backed by veterinary science. We've added nutrients known for their positive effect on your dog's brain health, including

Pumpkin Kernels, which contain ample protein and vitamins. The oil of the pumpkin seed consists of iron, fiber, zinc, magnesium and linoleic acid, which is thought to help improve cognitive function. Additionally, pumpkin kernels contain L-tryptophan, known for it calming effects.

Lecithin, which is a great source of essential fatty acids, helps support healthy brain function. Additionally, lecithin aids in the digestion of dietary fats and helps to improve the sheen of your dog's coat.

B12 Supplement, a naturally-occurring vitamin that helps to support the nervous system and brain functioning.

And, like all of HealthyPetNet's foods, supplements and treats, you'll find no added chemical preservatives or artificial coloring.

Remember - with Tasty Rewards Training Treats, discipline can be delicious!

European researchers have discovered evidence of an advanced mental ability in canines; one that was previously thought to be specific only to humans!

A behavior known as "selective imitation" is a method of learning that brings meaning and cultural context to specific actions. In selective imitation, observers (usually infants) differentiate between two types of behaviors. There are acts of necessity (I can't use my hands right now because they're otherwise occupied, so I'll use my elbow to open the door lever) and there are acts of inefficient preference (even though I can use my hands which are not presently occupied, I like to open the door with my elbow). When human infants observe the two behaviors, they will adopt the latter skill (i.e., the latter behavior is "selected").

In a recent study, dogs learned in just the same way. Dogs watched a demonstrator dog pulling a rod with a paw, rather than with the mouth. When the demonstrator dog carried a ball in its mouth, the actions were not adopted by the observer dogs. But, when the demonstrator dog had no object in its mouth and pulled the lever with a paw, the observer dogs began to adopt the behavior.

Certainly, further research is warranted in this area, but researchers are excited by these results which seem to indicate that our canine companions may have more complex learning abilities that previously believed.
Source: Current Biology

In the first clinical trial of its kind, researchers will investigate whether dietary antioxidant supplementation can decrease the likelihood of canine bone cancer.

Scientists will study hundreds of cancer-free adult Rottweilers, which will be divided into groups receiving supplements and those receiving placebos. The nationwide study, under the direction of the Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation, will follow these dogs over the course of the next eight years.

While the majority of studies focus on treatment, this study concentrates on the prevention of cancerous tumor formation. The prevention study will seek to determine whether a potent antioxidant mix can enhance the body's defenses against oxidative stress. Researchers theorize that bolstering cellular defenses could reduce the risk of cancer and/or improve longevity, not only for dogs but for humans as well.

If you've adopted a mixed breed dog, how many times have you been asked, "What breed is she/he?" How many times have you wondered yourself?

Every year, millions of prospective pet parents visit shelters and rescue groups, looking for the perfect pup to adopt. In nearly every case, these folks are curious about the breed heritage of the dogs. As there is often very little information available to the agencies helping to place these canines, workers can only make educated guesses.

Recently, at the Global Pet Expo in Orlando, researchers introduced the Canine Heritage test, the first DNA-based diagnostic test to identify canine breeds. The test requires only a swab of the inner cheek, and in one to two months, pet parents can know exactly the breed mix of their family dog.

Developers of the technology hope not only to satisfy the natural curiosity of pet parents, but also to help inform vets when planning a health program.

The kit was created by MMI Genomics, which has provided DNA-based canine lineage verification for the AKC, the UKC, and other breed clubs and registries.

Hyperthyroidism has become a frequently diagnosed illness in cats in recent decades. And new research implicates an environmental source.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE's), chemicals used only in recent decades as a flame retardant, have been shown in research to cause injury to the feline nervous system, as well as interfere with the production of certain hormones. Scientists are concerned that these chemicals could also lead to similar symptoms in humans, too.

PBDE's have now been phased out of commercial production, but many of the products that contain them, like fabrics, furniture, foams, some plastics and other items, are still in use.

This evidence suggests that if your cat is suffering from hyperthyroidism, it could be the result of an object in your home - one that could be removed, and possibly lessen the severity of the illness.

Source: Environmental Science and Technology, August 2007.