Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Dog Treats Made In USA Are The Only Safe Choice

By Brittney Swanson


Only dog treats made in USA will ensure a healthy dog. Many people may be tempted to purchase pet food imported from other countries in order to save a few dollars. This is a very bad idea that could have dire consequences. Just as what we put into our own bodies is important, it is equally important for our pets to eat only the healthiest foods.

The United States food and drug administration oversees the handling of food intended for animals as well as people. Accurate ingredient listing, proper processing and handling procedures, and accurate labeling are taken very seriously. At the present time the FDA is working towards the implementation of mandates that comply with standards set out by American feed control officials who also oversee guidelines for feeding livestock.

Filler is frequently used in commercial pet foods. Rice, corn, or flour are often added in order to bind the ingredients together as well as bulk them up. Although these do not usually add nutritional value, they are mostly considered safe for animals, will keep the dog from being hungry, and will not make him sick. All fillers however are not equal.

Just about everyone remembers the pet food scare several years back. In fact, it was hardly just a scare... Thousand of dogs and cats died from diseases that at the time had a mystery cause. Sadly, this did not limit itself to four legged animals. Hundreds of thousands of people became ill and, or died as well. Many of these were babies and small children. Worst of all is that it was one hundred percent avoidable.

Many nations do not employ the same requirements on food safety as the United states. Standards are not held as high for food intended for human consumption, and certainly not that which is intended for animals. As it turns out, the cause of the mystery was melamine in the Chinese milk supply. Milk producers were allowed to add this in order to falsely elevate the protein content of the milk, thereby making it seem more nutritious and more desirable. For those who do not already know, melamine is not food and is used to make plastic!

Milk is a common ingredient found in many food products, including baby formula and pet food. The result of consuming melamine in these foods led to kidney stones, chronic kidney disease, renal failure, and death. These are not common conditions in otherwise healthy young children or dogs. Since the discovery of this tainted milk, the Chinese government has taken steps to eliminate it from use. However, as recently as two thousand eleven it was still being discovered in eggs, meat, and a variety of food products. This as the result of animals continuing to be fed animal feed that included "high protein" melamine.

Keeping pets healthy and happy means providing them with a variety of high nutrition foods. Just as we would not always choose junk food as a snack, neither should our four legged friends. Remember, we are what we eat, and so is Fido...

Always offer the family pet plenty of fresh water, lots of play time and exercise, and wholesome food. Remember to reward him with safe dog treats made in USA, and he will be a best friend for many years to come.




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