The-Truth-About-Pet-Foods

Feline Practice, Volume 20, Number 1, page 30
Practice Bulletin: Commentary on topics of interest
from government, industry and the profession
Summary: “Feeding pets table scraps can lead to health problems,
according to the AAHA. In most cases, a balanced diet of quality pet
food provides the nutrients the cat or dog needs. The pet’s diet should
not include table scraps – a primary cause of obesity. Table scraps
can be hazardous because the fat content of human food is often too
high. Pets also may become finicky eaters and refuse more nutritious
pet food.”
Dr. Wysong’s comments: The idea that table scraps are harmful is an
assertion for which there is no proof. How exactly are table scraps
fed fresh worse than the scrap ingredients used in pet foods There is
far more evidence of damage from “100% complete” diets than table
scraps. High carbohydrates in processed foods, not fat in table scraps,
cause obesity. If pets are fed carbohydrate table scraps (like the
carbohydrates in pet foods), yes, obesity may be promoted. If pets
are fed fresh meats, bones and veggies, particularly before cooking,
they will be receiving nutrition superior to pet foods and will not become
obese. Pets become finicky if fed quality table scraps because
pets evidently know where good nutrition is.
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Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association,
Volume 201, pages 267-74
Clinical findings in cats with dilated cardiomyopathy
and relationship of findings to taurine deficiency
Paul D. Pion, DVM; Mark D. Kittleson, DVM, PhD; William P. Thomas,
DVM; Mary L. Skiles, DVM, MPVM; Quinton R. Rogers, PhD
Summary: “37 cats with moderate to severe idiopathic myocardial failure
(dilated cardiomyopathy) were evaluated... taurine deficiencies were
documented in most of the cats... These findings support the conclusion
that most cases of dilated cardiomyopathy in cats have a common
etiopathogenesis related to diet and as such are
preventable.”
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