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Nutrition (diet) Matters [FYI: a list of Ingredients we avoid is below.] A well-respected veterinarian once asked me, "Why do you think that the human animal is the only animal that thrives on FRESH food?" Why indeed?! I was brought up like many Americans, influenced by the commercial market and completely brainwashed into thinking that canines ate "dog food" and homo sapiens ate "people food". I was naive to trust that those manufacturing dog food had nutrition and the health of our beloved friends’ best interest in mind - after all most company commercial ads show juicy chunks of beef and glistening vegetables to "satisfy and show love for our four-legged family members". Fast forward to the 2007 PET FOOD RECALL debacle! This unacceptable circumstance sent me on a quest to seek knowledge on proper canine nutrition. What I found sickened me. The quality, or LACK thereof, of the vast majority of commercial foods was staggering. Even more upsetting was the synthetics and chemicals I found that are used to superficially “boost” protein levels, improve the appearance of food and/or other non-essential reasons. I have been known to go through friend's pantries and trash brands like Pedigree and Purina because in my opinion, that is what they are - trash! The facts surrounding the Pet Food Recall are readily available, so PawChic would rather use this space to remind you that, just like the human animal, dogs who receive poor nutrition are likely to suffer from disease (cancer is all too common - kidney disease, urinary tract disease, dental disease, skin and coat and heart disease...), early aging and premature death. This is not only costly to your wallet, but the quality of life for these beautiful souls is greatly diminished - how happy are you when your health is poor or you suffer from chronic pain? So what can one do? Research what the ingredients truly are and find a trusted kibble; Also, incorporate fresh foods into your animals diet. For more information, please refer to PawChic’s Fresh Food Idea Page. LABEL WARNING: A dog food manufacturer is NOT required to list a preservative or chemical that they themselves did not add. What that means is there could be potential cancer causers such as BHA, BHT, Ethoxiquin (a rubber & lethal herbicide), Propyl Gallate or other chemical preservatives in the dog food because a third party supplied the chemical ingredient, so you’ll never know. Until laws change for the better concerning canine nutrition, what we feed our babes may very well be making them sick and shorting their lives. That is why PawChic will ONLY sell a product that we know to be consistent and trustworthy in all ingredients and quality. We AVOID...PawChic does not approve! Disclaimer: No PawChic team member is a veterinarian; nor is any member a canine nutritional expert and therefore we must advise that you consult a trusted professional before making your own decisions. With that said, we are responsible caregivers to our beloved family members and take GREAT care and time in researching and choosing their diet. As noted above, wholesome nutrition is VITAL to your dog’s health so we have composed a list of ingredients that we, personally, avoid at all costs:  "By-Products": If you see by-product ANYTHING, our personal view is to run! We implore you to check all labels on all consumed food (treats, kibble, wet - all of it)! The AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials) defines by-products as - consists of the ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcass of slaughtered chicken, such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs and intestines, exclusive of feathers, except in such amounts as might occur unavoidable in good processing practice; However, this does not mean all food companies comply with the already ambiguous regulation and the reports of what some "by-products" may include should not be ignored: road kill, dead, diseased, disabled, dying livestock...even deceased (euthanized) dogs and cats which are reported to end up in the rendering vats passing the deadly chemical into pet food. Menadione: a synthetic form of Vitamin K that has been banned from use in human food and supplements in Europe and by the FDA. Many food manufacturers use derivatives of this synthetic ingredient, and some "hide" Menadione from the name. Please refer to this third party link for what to look for on the label and a more comprehensive explanation (including the dangers): click here. Check back for a petition to sign to hold the FDA and AAFCO accountable for the poor guidelines on what can or can not be used in "pet food". Proactive motion is planned for the future. BHT, BHA, Ethoxyquin, Propyl Gallate: chemical preservatives - Ethoxyquin is a poison. Wheat Gluten: In fact, we’re not fond of any gluten. It is a cheap by-product of human food processing and offers no nutritional value to speak of. It merely serves to bind the food together. Wheat and Corn gluten were culprits in the 2007 Pet Food Recall and is often hard to digest in any animal (including me!) "Poultry": it has been described as an unpredictable ingredient, which can contain any type of fowl, including buzzards, geese and other birds. (In other words, if it’s chicken - it should say chicken!)Back To Top |
