You've heard and hopefully learned about the DCM issue and it's connection to grain-free foods. Sadly, pet food companies and vets are advocating a return to pet foods with corn, what, sorghum, barley and oats.
However, these grains pose a MAJOR health threat. Mycotoxins!
What are Mycotoxins?
Mycotoxins are chemical substances caused by certain strains of fungi that are toxic. According to Dr. Karen Becker, studies showed that 75% of dry dog food kibble contained these toxins! She reported, "The samples used in the study were from five different brands of commercially available dog food manufactured in the U.S. following U.S. guidelines for the manufacturing of dog food. A total of 60 samples of grain-based dry, canned dog foods, and grain-free dry and canned dog foods were analyzed for 11 different mycotoxins. From the study"
“Only dry dog foods containing grains had detectable mycotoxin contamination, and only mycotoxins that are products of the Fusarium genus were detected. Of the 12 dry dog foods containing grains that were analyzed, nine of the twelve had at least one detectable Fusarium mycotoxin.”
Is this New?
Sadly, no. Mycotoxin contamination as been around ever since pet food companies started adding grains, especially corn and distiller’s dried grain crops that were rejected for human food use. In fact, it was so prevalent in processed dry pet foods, it became one of the MAIN reasons that responsible pet food manufacturers began looking for alternative sources of fiber and carbohydrates.
From a 2016 study, "A total of 387 corn samples and 79 distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) samples from across the U.S. were tested. 4 Results revealed that 90% of corn samples and 100% of DDGS samples were contaminated by at least one mycotoxin, and 96% of the DDGS samples contained more than one."
What Can You Do?
1) Feed your dog (and cat) a balanced, species-specific diet with real meat, (raw or lightly cooked), fresh, steamed veggies and the appropriate supplements.
2) NEVER buy a dry food with GMO or less-than human-grade ingredients. If you must feed some dry, get organic, human-grade meat-based, and make sure it's no more than 1/3 of your dog's diet. NEVER feed dry to cats. Period. Full Stop.
3) Feed good quality canned or re-hydrated freeze-dried, and supplement with real meat, veggies, yogurt, raw meaty bones.
To design the best, most cost-effective, SAFE diet for your beloveds, contact me. Together we can keep them healthy for life! Click Here for details.
Warmest wishes, wags and purrs to all!
Your Voice for Animals,
Kate
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