Rumors abound, especially on the internet, about what types of things are actually put into pet foods. Everything from diseased livers and other body organs to rodent feces to creosote and other toxic chemicals are reportedly regularly included in pet foods and are considered to be allowable by the pet food industry.
Even pentobarbital, a chemical used to euthanize dogs, cats and horses, has been found in pet food. In fact, it was allegedly found in many different types of dog foods that were tested for the substance. However, the origin of the chemical remains a mystery as tests that were conducted to determine whether DNA from dogs, cats or horses were negative. The speculation is that, even though tests for the DNA of these animals were negative, euthanized pets may at least on occasion become of our pet's food.
Even more accusations against the pet food industry claim that regulatory bodies routinely turn their collective heads and close their eyes to repeated violations of the regulations governing the manufacture of pet foods. Some of these accusations even allege that regulatory bodies actually encourage the pet food industry to violate the regulations.
But how true are all of these claims? Can they be substantiated or are they just internet myths?
Join Susan Thixton, author of Buyer Beware: The Crimes, Lies and Truth About Pet Food, to talk about some of the things she has discovered about pet foods in the 10 years she has spent investigating the pet food industry. Susan will be joining the Animal Cafe team on Wednesday, April 27 at 9PM EST in the Chat Cafe. All are welcome to attend and join in the conversation.
You can also read more about Thixton and the pet food industry as a whole in Pet Food, Can You Handle the Truth. There, you will also find a podcast interview (presented in two parts) with Thixton that discusses her concerns about pet foods and her investigations dealing with the pet food industry, the FDA, the Food and Cosmetics Act and more.
Comments