| A rumor about a possible link between iodine toxicity, | | | | Purdue University found an association between |
| fish oils, and and feline hyperthyroidism is flying | | | | certain flavors and types of cat food and |
| around on the Internet. So what's the real deal? The | | | | hyperthyroidism pointed out that pop-top cans (most |
| short answer is--excellent quality, purified fish oils are | | | | of which contain BPA in their linings), giblets |
| not a problem--but many commercial products could | | | | (by-products), and fish had the highest associations. |
| be implicated. Read on for more in | | | | Again, the fish going into these products are whole |
| Iodine, a basic chemical element and a necessary | | | | feeder fish, damaged or spoiled fish, or fish parts |
| nutrient, is stored in animals' bodies in the thyroid | | | | (heads, tails, internal organs) not wanted for human |
| gland. Pet foods or products that use fish, fish meal, | | | | consumption. Iodine levels in fish meal made from |
| or fish oils that are derived from processing or | | | | these products is likely to be quite high. Fish meal is a |
| pressing the whole fish (including the thyroid) will | | | | common ingredient in cat food and on many labels is |
| contain that iodine. Cod liver oil is pressed from fish | | | | credited as the source of Omega-3 fatty acids. In |
| livers after they are removed from the fish, and is | | | | reality, it is a very minor source of Omega 3's and is |
| not a significant source of iodine. The best fish and | | | | used in cat food mainly for flavoring. Fish oil derived |
| cod liver oils are also molecularly distilled, which | | | | from similar sources could be similarly contaminated, |
| further removes virtually all solids and other impurities. | | | | which is why we stress choosing a distilled, |
| The purest Omega-3 fish oils contain, at most, a tiny | | | | pharmaceutical grade fish oil for your cat (I personally |
| trace of iodine. Good quality, fresh Omega-3 fish and | | | | use and recommend Nordic Naturals). |
| cod liver oils are not the problem when it comes to | | | | Further studies have also suggested a link between |
| iodine. | | | | fire-retardant chemicals and feline hyperthyroidism. It |
| Most of the iodine consumed by our pet cats comes | | | | turns out that cheap pet food ingredients--particularly |
| from commercial cat foods, primarily from the mineral | | | | fish and by-products--are the most likely to be |
| pre-mixes used in these foods. Minerals, including | | | | contaminated with these chemicals. This could not |
| iodine, are often included in great excess. Iodine is | | | | only account for the Purdue findings, but it could also |
| difficult and expensive to test for, so it's cheaper and | | | | be creating a "double-whammy" for our cats in terms |
| easier for pet food makers and suppliers to add way | | | | of exposure to these toxins. |
| more than necessary to make sure the food is not | | | | Pure, properly processed fish and cod liver oils contain |
| deficient. They don't care if too much gets into cat | | | | (at most) trace levels or zero iodine, and certainly are |
| food. One study of adult and growth dog and cat | | | | not implicated in any situation of iodine overdose. The |
| foods found 10-100 times the recommended amount | | | | fact remains that Omega-3's are seriously deficient in |
| for many minerals. There are few maximum limits set | | | | virtually every pet food, raw food, and even |
| (12 for dog food, 4 for cat food). Iodine has a | | | | homemade food for pets, because livestock and |
| maximum limit for dog food, but no similar maximum | | | | poultry raised in North America are fed on grains, |
| in cat food. This approach makes the food cheap, | | | | which shifts the natural fatty acids to mostly |
| but it can cause a host of physical problems for our | | | | Omega-6s. Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential |
| cats. | | | | component of your cat's diet, and must be |
| In addition, you may recall that a study out of | | | | supplemented for optimal levels to be reached. |