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Discouraging News from Veterinary Medical Association Meeting

Recently the AMVA (American Veterinary Medical Association) held its annual meeting; reports of the topics discussed are discouraging. Per an article reported in MedicalNewToday.com several veterinary speakers clearly continue to support major pet food manufacturers. Dr. Sally C. Perea a veterinarian who consults with the pet food industry stated that smaller, specialty pet food companies may not be as safe as the larger pet food companies “because they may not have the same number of safety checks as a larger company." Dr. Jeannie Perron stated the 2007 pet food recall – the largest pet food recall in history of the world – prompted a “knee jerk” reaction from Congress and the new mandated pet food safety regulations might “not necessarily be well thought out reaction, to add to pending legislation provisions directed at pet food.” 

Ahhh c’mon Doctors. For one, there is NO evidence that smaller pet food manufacturers are not just as safe as the ‘big dogs’. In fact, history has proven they are MORE safe. Smaller pet food companies that do not have the extreme high profit margins, that cannot afford a multi-million dollar a year advertising budget, must rely on word of mouth advertising for their continued success. Their existence depends on continued quality products. Many of these folks are doing a fantastic job producing quality human grade, no import, health promoting pet foods. And…excuse me? Congress’s plan to reform the safety of human a pet food a ‘knee jerk reaction’? That is clearly an endorsement of major pet food manufacturing wishing to continue to keep the pet owning public in the dark. Nope, that doesn’t float either.

I’m not talking about your vet – but many vets are deep in the pockets of major pet food producers. And it’s a shame. For any veterinarian to recommend a dog food or cat food that is full of by-products and chemical preservatives – there is no excuse. If veterinarians would stand up to the pet food companies that produce these less than quality foods and insist on healthier options – changes would happen in the industry. Every practicing veterinarian could choose to offer their clients a line of premium dog foods and cat foods (human grade, no risky imports, no risky chemicals), and in turn provide their clinic with a nice additional income. 

Unfortunately most don’t. This leaves their faithful clients who have learned the ‘truth’ about by-products, imports, and chemical preservatives in a quandary; to follow their vet’s advice or go it alone with their pet food choices. For many pet owners, that is a struggle. Many even hide from their vet the fact they have changed their pet’s diet to healthier options. It’s tough to challenge the ‘Doc’. If your pet is on an Rx diet that was prescribed to address the needs of an illness, you must stay on that diet regardless of the quality of the pet food. The only other alternative would be – with your vet’s approval – find a qualified pet nutritionist who can develop a home made diet that still addresses the concerns of the illness. But remember, illness comes first – nutrition second. Your goal is to fend off illness with quality nutrition long before there is an issue.

Wishing you and your pet the best,

Susan Thixton
Truth About Pet Food
Petsumer Report
www.TruthAboutPetFood.com
www.PetsumerReport.com