"Food Pets Die For"

"Food Pets Die For --- Shocking Facts About Pet Food," by Ann N. Martin.

Doggie Chef Rating:
4 out of 5 Bones

This is the first book I read about commercial pet food. It's shocking and enlightening, yet some of the claims it makes are hard to believe.
The book's forward is written by Shawn Messonnier, a veterinarian and author who hosts the weekly radio show, "Dr. Shawn, The Natural Vet," on Martha Stewart Living Radio (on Sirius Satellite Radio). In his foreword message Messonnier recalls his days as a student of animal science. He especially enjoyed a class that taught him how to process meat for the consumer.

"I was quite impressed that literally nothing from the slaughtered animal carcass was ever wasted. What wasn’t wholesome for human consumption was sold to the pet food industry…Now that I have learned more about pet nutrition, I’m not quite so impressed…The reason many companies rely on slaughterhouse waste for raw pet food ingredients is cost: it is simply cheaper to use the trash from the slaughterhouse than whole fresh meat and organs," the book's forward states.

According to this book, many "deplorable" ingredients can legally be used as sources of protein in pet foods.
"Euthanized cats and dogs, diseased cattle and horses, roadkill, dead zoo animals, and meat not fit for human consumption. In addition, sources of fiber in many foods are composed of the leftovers from the food chain, including beet pulp, the residue of sugar beets, peanut hulls, and even sawdust sweepings from the floor of the rendering plant," the book states.

The book contains valuable information about deciphering pet food labels (such as what exactly is in "meat meal,"). It tells how some pet food companies carefully word their ingredient lists, splitting certain ingredients (for example, "corn") into categories ("ground yellow corn," and "corn gluten meal"). Doing this can make a higher protein ingredient (such as "poultry by-product meal") appear to be the number one ingredient in a pet food when it actually isn’t.

While "Food Pets Die For," advocates home cooked meals, the author does not denounce the entire pet food industry. One chapter, "Homecooked Meals and Natural Pet Food Companies" contains information about several natural pet food companies. For pet owners who can't or won't make their pet home cooked meals, the author suggests feeding companion animals one of these natural commercial pet foods, along with some whole people foods (such as meat or vegetables).

The book also talks about vitamins, minerals and supplements for pets and provides recipes for cat and dog meals.

I don’t follow any specific author's or veterinarian’s guide when choosing foods and supplements for Gracie's homemade meals. I’ve learned to formulate my own, continually evolving method for feeding my dog. I base my choices for food and supplementation on various sources I’ve read, discussions with my dog’s veterinarian and my opinion of what’s best for Gracie. I’ll share more information about the specifics of Gracie's diet --- including photos and descriptions of actual meals --- in future blog posts.

Evolution Of A Doggie Chef

The day I brought Gracie home from the dog shelter (see photo), I had no idea I would ever become a Doggie Chef.

For about three months I refused to give my dog "people food." Experts working within the dog food industry said it was unnecessary and unhealthy to feed a dog "people food" and I believed it.

I initially fed Gracie what I thought was the highest quality dog food available at my local supermarket. She seemed to like it --- for a while. In a few weeks her coat became extremely shiny. Yet she seemed too skinny. And she experienced recurring digestive problems. She occasionally ate lots of grass when she was outside and then threw it all up, along with anything else that was in her stomach.

Soon Gracie started leaving half her "food" uneaten at mealtimes. I began adding some "people food" to her dog food. A bit of hamburger, some cheese, some cooked egg. She always ate all the "people food" but often left half or more of her dog food untouched. I tried feeding her more expensive commercial dog foods. None of them totally agreed with her digestion or excited her taste buds.

I decided I was a pawn of advertising, feeding my dog expensive dog food she didn't even like or thrive on. So I tried inexpensive dry dog food from my supermarket, mixed with inexpensive canned dog food. Gracie seemed to like this combination. I should have realized that good taste doesn't always mean good nutrition. I began investigating what was in these cheap, dog "foods" and I learned some alarming things about the pet food industry.

The first book I read on the subject was, "Food Pets Die For – Shocking Facts About Pet Food," by Ann N. Martin (Click here for my review of that book). The book makes some hard to believe claims about commercial pet food. It also shares valuable information, like how misleading pet food labels can be.

The book that most helped me become a Doggie Chef is, "Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health For Dogs & Cats," by Richard H. Pitcairn, DVM, Ph.D. (Click here for my review of that book). While I don’t agree with all its content, it gave me the confidence and guidance to begin preparing healthful, homemade meals for my dog.

Fifteen months after adopting Gracie (the year she turned 4) I became her Doggie Chef. Since then Gracie eagerly eats every bit of every meal I give her. She's 9-years-old now and she no longer experiences digestive problems. Her coat is naturally shiny and she has plenty of energy.

I created this blog so others can see how well my now 9-year-old dog is doing eating homemade meals. I also want others to see how easy it is to be a Doggie Chef.

It's so rewarding to feed your beloved pet nutritious, delicious food!

"Bone" Appetit!