The-Truth-About-Pet-Foods

Truth Response: The fact that rice bran contains fat and must be stabilized
is irrelevant. The main danger is not the fat, but the inherent lipases,
which can degrade fats. These enzymes are inactivated with heat. 1
Company C: Claims their foods contain “heat stabilized vitamin
and chelated mineral supplements.”
Truth Response: Natural vitamins and minerals are by nature heat sensitive.
Company C: “We’re extremely generous with linoleic acid, a
super smooth blend of animal and vegetable fats essential
for healthy, shiny coats.”
Truth Response: It is not clear what “super smooth” means. It is also
not clear that high levels of linoleic are what pets at present need, since all
pet foods that are grain-based likely contain a surplus of this omega 6
fatty acid. The predominance of omega 6 fatty acids in the diet is believed
to result in tipping the scales toward increased arachidonic acid cascade
metabolism, which can result in a wide range of inflammatory and immune
disorders. 1-2
Company C: Claims their older dog formulas use high quality
proteins in small amounts so that the kidneys are not “overworked.”
Truth Response: There is no evidence that older dogs cannot utilize
high amounts of high quality protein. In a controlled clinical study, older
dogs even with one kidney removed experienced no difference in kidney
function whether on 18% or 34% protein. 3 Once the kidneys are compromised,
then perhaps lower levels of protein are important. This is not
the same as saying high levels of high quality protein, which is common in
the natural carnivore, predisposes them to kidney disease. They produce
no evidence to prove their claim.
1. Wysong RL, Lipid Nutrition – Understanding Fats and Oils in Health and
Disease, 1990.
2. Metabolism, 2002; 51(3):327-33. Am J Clin Nutr, 2002; 75(1):119-25.
Metabolism, 1998; 47(5):566-72. Metabolism, 2000; 49(8):1006-13. Nutrition,
2001; 17(7-8):669-73. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2001; 13(2):93-5. Nutrition,
2002; 18(3):235-40.
3. Am J Vet Res, 1994; 55(9):1282-90.
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