Fri Jun 7, 2002 Happy June to you!! Here's your June 7th, 2002, PreciousPets Newsletter - ENJOY! http://www.preciouspets.org ***In This Issue*** *Grains in Commercial Dog Food? Why are they added? *GRAINS - Could this be why my pet scratches constantly? *Cat Hairballs - How can YOU Help! *Myths & Truths About Commercial 'Life Stages" Pet Food! *Checkout Coupon! **************************************************************** DO YOU REALLY KNOW WHAT'S IN PET FOOD? - SERIES ARTICLES BY AUTHOR CAROLINE D. LEVIN, RN LEARNING HOW TO READ PET FOOD NUTRITION LABELS: Wheat, Soy, Corn, Peanut Hulls, and Other Grains! Most commercial diets are not well-suited to the dog's physical make up and metabolism. In other words, they are not 'biologically appropriate.' They are primarily made up of grain products. Contemporary canine nutritionists explain that dogs do not process complex carboydrates (grains) well. Studies demonstrate that unlike humans, dogs do not 'carbo-load,' that is, store up energy from meals high in complex carbohydrates. While human athletes successfully practice this technique, it results in an accumulation of lactic acid in dogs (which causes the muscular pain experienced after unaccustomed exercise). Grains are also full of carbohydrates which can be easily converted to sugars. Cancer cells feed on sugars, and it is believed that by decreasing the amount of carbohydrate in the diet, we may greatly reduce the risk of cancer (which is a growing problem among modern dogs). The makers of prescription dog foods advertise the use of high-quality, whole grains in their food. They say these provide and "excellent source of protein" for dogs. Large amounts of grain may be an appropriate source of protein for some species...but NOT so for animals primarily designed to eat meat! Which brings me to what 'grains' in commercial pet food really are. When whole grain is used in dog food (and even cat food), it has often been deemed unfit for human consumption due to mold, contaminants, or poor handling practices. Some brands reportedly contain damaged, spilled, and spoiled grain known as "the tail of the mill." This can include the hulls, chaff, straw, dust, dirt, and sand swept from the mill floor at the end of each week, which are totally unnatural nutritional ingredients! Most of these ingredients, such as peanut hulls, are used strictly for "filler" and have no nutritional value at all! They are also economical for the pet food companies! Imagine AAFCO approving 'the tail of the mill' as acceptable grains in your pet's diet! Unbelieveable!!! **************************************************************** GRAINS - Could this be why my pet scratches constantly? Yes, grains (mainly wheat and 'the tail of the mill' ingredients) are one of the most common causes of allergies in pets. Grains can also be responsible for "gunky" ears, yeast infections in the ears or on the skin, ear infections, head shaking, allergies, skin irritation, itchy feet and genitals. Other symptoms of grains and yeast infections may be as broad ranging as: malabsorption of food nutrients, joint problems, arthritis, diabetes, colitis and kidney or bladder infections. Too much money has already been spent by American pet owners to their veterinarians, to find out the cause of the above-mentioned symptoms. It's a shame that most veterinarians do not take their patient's diet into consideration FIRST, when, in fact, most of these symptoms are directly related to what the pet is eating. Instead, great amounts of needless money are spent on pills, creams, antiobiotics, injections, blood work and frequent vet visits. Be a step or two ahead of your veterinarian...look at the ingredients in the food you're presently feeding, study them and see just what particular ingredient could be causing your pet's allergic reaction(s). If you're still feeding one of those popular commercial pet foods, I can almost guarantee that more than one ingredient is the culprit! **************************************************************** CAT HAIRBALLS - How Can YOU Help? As we all know, cats are very clean animals. So clean that they lick their fur and bodies to rid themselves of dirt and loose hair. When a cat grooms, hair passes through the gastrointestinal tract and exits in the cat's feces. However, this hair can get lodged in the stomach or intestine where larger clumps of hair can build up. Generally this does not cause a problem and the cat will pass the hairball in its stool or vomit. If the hairball is not passed normally the hairball can actually create a blockage and cause a variety of problems including blockage of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine or colon. If not treated these problems can become serious. In severe cases surgery may be necessitated to remove the blockage. If you suspect your cat is having trouble passing a hairball consult your vet. How Can YOU Help? Most hairballs pass normally. If your cat is having trouble with a hairball, consult your vet. Generally feeding your cat a bit of catnip, a bit of cat grass, fiber or a vet-approved laxative (usually petroleum based) will be enough to help your cat remove a hairball. You can further help your cat by actually preventing hairballs. This can be accomplished by feeding your kitty an all natural hairball management formula, which is available at PreciousPets.org, through the Flint River Ranch portal, as well as 'treating' your kitty with all natural hairball treats, which are also available at PreciousPets.org, through the HealthyPetNet portal! Both of these products are proven to prevent the coughing, hacking, vomiting, weight loss and decrease in appetite due to unpassed hairballs. **************************************************************** MYTHS & TRUTHS Myth: The popular commercial 'life stage' foods are produced in an attempt to remedy the problems caused by the 'all-purpose' pet food. Truth: True; however, commercially produced 'maintenance' foods are designed to maintain the non-active adult. These products have lower levels of protein, minerals and calories compared to 'all-purpose' foods. They are based on very poor quality materials. You can guage this by the price. These are the foods which help lay the foundation for modern veterinary practice with its ever growing list of complicated degenerative diseases. **************************************************************** CHECKOUT COUPON - Get $2.00 off the total of your next PreciousPets.org order. Enter voucher # 2OFF206S02P405 at checkout. Coupon will automatically be deducted and expires 6/30/02. Only one coupon per household. Minimum order $9.00. Coupon not valid on HealthyPetNet products. **************************************************************** I hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, and that you're looking forward to the next issue. If you have an article you'd like to submit or would like to be a regular columnist, please let me know at . If you find our newsletters interesting and informative Carol, please forward them on to all your pet-loving friends, family, co-workers & neighbors. Warmest regards, Bree PreciousPets.org Editor http://www.preciouspets.org **************************************************************** ABOUT OUR NEWSLETTER: You are receiving this newsletter because your e-mail address has been subscribed, either because you are a PreciousPets.org customer, a monthly contestant, a visitor to our site, OR you or a friend has subscribed you because they care about you and your pet. The main focus of these newsletters is pet health and nutrition, with occasional e-mails of specials and new products. **************************************************************** To subscribe to Precious Pets: http://www.preciouspets.org/index.html#FREE Your email address will NEVER be sold, rented, or given away.