Is someone trying to kill your dog?
Many dog owners are busy and rely on the convenience of processed kibbles or cans when feeding their pets. We expect these products to be safe at a minimum. Also nutritional (well, maybe, if you believe in miracles).
In the US, various dog foods including the brands; Gravy Train, Ol' Roy, Kibbles 'N Bits and Skippy, were recalled due to the presence of #pentobarbital, a drug commonly used to execute death-row prisoners and domesticated pets. I find it unlikely they've ground Ted Bundy into bite-sized chunks. So, another option is they're taking cartloads of euthanised pets and chucking them in the pet food with whatever cheap detritus they can lay their greedy hands on. And with no care for the potential devastating consequences.
As a dog owner, this has me worried. I feed my dogs mostly raw meat and bones because it's their natural diet. Besides, I'm not a fan of junk food. I use a trusted supplier, approved by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs).
So, are these pet food manufacturers in the US saving money by grinding up the corpses of animals that have been euthanised, ordinarily deemed unfit for consumption?
It's not that much of a stretch. Here in the UK, there was a contaminated food scandal – top supermarkets were selling beef burgers (for humans) containing a high percentage of horse meat, amongst other things, all to eke as much profit as possible! Why wouldn't they do it to dogs too? And worse. What other cheap waste are they mixing into our beloved pets' food?
But here's the rub. The FDA had already conducted an investigation into Evanger's dog food in early 2017 for this same issue. Evanger's initiated a voluntary recall of their #pentobarbital-contaminated food for damage control purposes. Whatever measures the FDA put in place, they have been ineffective. Your pet is still not protected by them.
You may argue that the manufacturers are innocent in this, that they're being duped by dubious suppliers. Bullshit. They know what's going on. They have quality control mechanisms. They know what's going in their food. And if they don't, they can't be trusted anyway.
This could be one way of explaining the presence of the drug. Or is it more sinister? Get your tin-foil hat ready, guys; I'm goin' in.
Nah, only kidding. It's the greedy manufacturers trying to squeeze an extra quid in profit and they don't give a damn if it kills your dog. That's my conclusion.
I hope the FDA sue the living pants off these companies and any complicit veterinarian or animal shelter. If not, this is where you have to vote with your wallet. It has to be non-cost-effective for these crooks to alter their practices. I suggest you boycott all products and businesses associated with this scandal. They should learn that it's NOT OKAY to do this to our beloved pets.
Oral exposure to pentobarbital can cause drowsiness, dizziness, excitement, loss of balance, nausea, nystagmus (eyes moving back and forth in a jerky manner), inability to stand, coma and death. Consumers who notice these symptoms in their pets should consult their veterinarian. source
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That's terrible. I guess if a dog gets a bad stomach he might be a bit run down for a day or two but he isn't going to tell you so these companies think they can get away with lower standards.
I feed my cat kibbles but I try to get the highest standard with high meat protein content.
Hiya Uncle
It's true. They know the animals can't tell us what's wrong. Sad situation.
I'm glad your cat gets good quality kibbles.
thanks for your comment
Anj :)
My ex had a dog and was one of those people who was a bit too obessed. However, she did her homework on this. Just feeding your pets raw meat or human food is may result in nutritional deficies. What we did was buy an organic base mix to cover his micro nutrients and then added ground meat to it. This was the one we used:
I'm actually planning a post on cats since I have a diabetic one thanks to years of dry cat food...
Hi Cygon
Thanks for your really informative comments.
That's sad, to hear about your cat developing diabetes from the dry food. These manufacturers are so irresponsible. All about money for them. I really look forward to your post on cats :D
That grain free mix looks good. The nutritional deficiencies caused by eating raw meat is because they're feeding them, say, just the mince or muscle meats. You've gotta add bone and organ meat to get the full range of nutrients.
cheers
Anj :)
Excellent, thank you for sharing this! I'm going to try this out!
Stroking dogs and gazing into their eyes releases the "feel good" hormone oxytocin for both people and dogs.
I think the "recycling" of euthanized pet corpses is the most logical, least sinister explanation possible. I'm sure the drug as an additive is far too expensive to appeal to these profiteers! I read this article when it came out but was too busy o comment, I apologize for the over sight.
Yes, I think so too. Too greedy to waste money on poisons.
Aw, and thanks for popping by, Undie.
cheers
Anj x
Goodness... That's horrible! :(
Yes, I hope those companies and all responsible have the book thrown at them! Maybe feed them the food they produced!!
Haha, yes! That'd be some nice karma for them. Great idea :D
thanks for popping by, Ackhoo
cheer
Anj :)
I only feed my dogs what I eat, and I also buy a large package of hotdogs for them to eat. Its better for their health, and they arent overweight. Many of the dog foods are being made in china, and they are adding melamine and propoleyne glycol to the "treats", which is toxic. If you feed your dogs store bought treats and they are overweight, they probably have kidney and liver problems from eating that garbage. Only feed your pet what you eat. All 3 of my dogs know when its time for hotdogs, tey gather around the fridge and howl until I give them each one.
Thanks marco
This is really good info. Yes, those dog 'treats' look pretty suspect.
I'd agree with feeding the dogs human food providing the person doesn't live on McDonald's and Doughnuts :P
cheers
Anj :)
There's to definitely take care of pets when it comes to buying processed food. The best food they can eat is the one you give'em, just like you're feeding them @anjkara. Very good post! =)
Thanks Felo
Yes, processed food is bad for animals and humans.
Thanks for your comments
cheers
Anj :)
We would be good to bring our food production closer to home and take the profit out of it, except the profit of healthy bodies. Dogs can pretty much eat what a healthy human eats. I haven't had a pet for years, but I even back then I did not trust the pet food I found in the grocery store. Best to go to a reputable pet store ... one that does not sell pets ... and get their advice. There are some reputable companies that care about what they put in their pet food. I would be more suspicious of those companies that are linked to a multi-conglomerate and do not specialize in pet food ... they will have more pressure to cut margins.
HIya Pry
Great feedback. I agree. If you're gonna buy from pet stores, make sure they demonstrate they're ethical towards animals and their welfare first before profit whoring.
Oh, the multi-congloms: best to avoid buying human food from them too lol
thanks for your comments and insight.
cheers
Anj :)
I agree:)
Great article, it's a shame it's not more widely known, I think around 80% of dog food has ingredients that aren't actually healthy for our dogs. You're better off sticking to a natural diet so you can be sure of what your pets are getting. There is too much of this crap going on, and most are ignorant of it because of lack of information, or it's just kept out of the limelight. Followed and upvoted, keep up the great work
Thanks Libby
Yes, it's all about lack of info being out there. Plus, I reckon, people don't even seem to care about the quality of ingredients they put into their own bodies, let alone their pets'.
cheers
Anj :)
Oh yikes. Oh the world, what are you doing!
I'm glad we choose locally grown feed for our chickens, voting with my wallet as you say :)
Great info in this, big thinks
Xoxo
Hiya Amy
Kudos to you and your family for living in the way that nature intended. I know it's hard work but what's more important than the health of your family and pets? I can't think of anything.
cheers
Anj xx