| Many brands of commercial dog food contain an | | | | Besides the toxic chemicals found in commercial dog |
| excessive amount of preservatives that can | | | | foods many of these dog foods are lacking nutritional |
| ultimately lead to liver disease and liver failure. If your | | | | value. Many do not contain the necessary proteins, |
| dog has unexplained symptoms you should first look | | | | carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals to keep your |
| at the food they are eating. Symptoms of liver | | | | dog healthy. Many of the proteins derived from |
| disease from toxic dog food include vomiting, | | | | plants at rendering facilities have been stripped of |
| lethargy, loss of appetite, orange colored urine and | | | | essential fats acids, vitamins and proteins before they |
| jaundice. | | | | are even processed. |
| Toxic commercial dog food has recently come into | | | | Dogs are omnivores so it is easy to create a natural |
| the media spotlight and it is currently being | | | | diet for them from food you would buy at the |
| investigated by the scientific community. Cornell | | | | grocery store. The key is to understand the |
| College of Veterinary Medicine is currently conducting | | | | nutritional requirements of your dog. They require |
| studies on the liver and blood of sick dogs believed | | | | almost the same proportions of carbohydrates and |
| to have consumed toxic dog food. Scientists at | | | | proteins that we do but some of their vitamin and |
| Cornell are analyzing commercial dog food suspected | | | | mineral requirements are a bit different than ours. |
| to be contaminated and analyzing the liver of dead | | | | Dogs can eat a healthy diet of eggs, chicken, beef, |
| dogs that have passed due to premature liver failure. | | | | skim milk, oatmeal, turkey, vegetables, rice, pasta, |
| Aflatoxin is the toxin found in many dog foods. This | | | | lamb, bacon and cheese. There are quite a few |
| toxin is believed to cause liver failure. Aflatoxin blocks | | | | creative recipes out there such as turkey cookies, |
| the production of cholesterol and proteins. Protein | | | | cheesy bacon biscuits, canine corn bread, doggie |
| tests have been developed to determine if a dog has | | | | bread pudding and doggie quiche. |
| aflatoxin poisoining. The test checks levels of protein | | | | You never want to feed your dog only meat. This |
| C produced by the liver. Any sudden drop in protein | | | | can result in an imbalance of calcium and phosphorous. |
| C levels is an indicator of liver problems induced by | | | | An all meat diet can ultimately result in weight loss, |
| aflatoxin. | | | | weak bones, and joint disease. |
| Recently 19 varieties of Diamond Pet Food has been | | | | Vegetables are a critical part of a dog's diet. When |
| recalled. Country value and professional dog food | | | | dogs in the wild attack and kill their prey they often |
| brands have been recalled as well. At least 100 dog | | | | eat the stomach of their prey first which usually |
| deaths have been linked to one of these three | | | | contains vegetation. Your dog needs fiber in their |
| brands. | | | | diet. You should always include fresh crunchy |
| It has also been reported that some rendering plants, | | | | vegetables in their diet. |
| where dog food is made and processed, actually | | | | The protein requirements for your dog may fluctuate |
| process dead dogs and cats at their plants. These | | | | due to their external environment. If your dog is |
| dogs and cats are processed whole without stripping | | | | exposed to extreme temperatures, or exceptionally |
| off any of their fur. The dead carcasses are cooked | | | | cold winters you should give them more protein. |
| at high temperatures for twenty minutes. Many of | | | | Vitamins and minerals are a crucial part of your dog's |
| these dead dogs and cats already have sodium | | | | diet. Although dogs can produce their own vitamin C |
| pentobarbital in their system. Sodium pentobarbital is | | | | some of the larger breeds have a difficult time |
| used to euthanize pets. | | | | producing enough Vitamin C on their own. Since |
| This is not to mention a cocktail of other toxic | | | | vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin it is not a |
| chemicals found in commercial dog foods. Propylene | | | | problem to give your dog vitamin C supplements. |
| glycol has been found in wet dog foods. Propylene | | | | If your dog has too much vitamin C in their system |
| glycol kills red blood cells. | | | | they will simply excrete the excess out of their |
| One MIT study found that a nine pound cat feed | | | | system. Your dog also needs certain minerals in their |
| commercial cat food ingested considerable amounts | | | | diet. Some of the most important minerals your dog |
| of lead. Many of the slaughter houses that deem | | | | needs are zinc, iodine, copper, manganese, |
| meats unfit for human consumption are often sold to | | | | phosphorous, magnesium, potassium and calcium. |
| pet food companies for processing. | | | | |