Truth About Pet Food

From Susan Thixton (pet parent of 2 dogs, 1 cat, and 2 birds)
Internationally recognized pet food expert...

There are many things to consider when you choose a food for your dog or cat. Unfortunately, I cannot give you all the answers, tell you what the perfect pet food is, or assure you that a food won't be recalled. But from the many newsletters and articles you'll find on this web site, you can learn how to maneuver through the pet food advertising, pet food labels, and find healthier quality dog foods, cat foods and treats for your pet. New articles are emailed to subscribers (please register above) and posted in the Paws Club Article Library. The more you learn about what your pet is eating - the healthier pet food and treat choices you'll make.
Please note: If your pet is currently eating a Rx diet to address the needs of a diagnosed disease - you MUST stay on that diet unless your veterinarian gives you approval to change. A disease must always be addressed first!

With a small bit of effort and reading, you will learn to make healthier and safer food and treat choices for your pet. The ONLY part of this web site that requires a membership fee - is Petsumer Report™. Petsumer Report™ does 'all the heavy lifting' for you - giving subscribers all the pertinent information to base their pet food selections on for a small yearly fee. Regardless whether you do your own reading and research on pet food - or let Petsumer Report™ do the research for you - please learn as much as you can about the food you give your dog and/or cat (and learn about the treats you give your pet too!).

In June I got the probiotic that you recommended and Bella has been getting it everyday. After I heard you on Allen's show (101.1 in N.C.) the first time I changed Bella's diet from XXXXX to XXXXX made by XXXXX. Then in June I started her on the new Probiotic you recommended.

Here is a little history on Bella (3 year old Maine Coon Cat). On 3/15/08 I had a shower insert put in my master bathroom shower. The person who installed the shower left 2 leaks inside the wall between the bathroom shower and the bedroom. The upshot is that the leak continued until I found mold growing on the baseboard in my bedroom. Bella spends her time in that room when I am at work and her favorite toy was against that moldy baseboard. The day after discovering the mold (4/26/08) I read an article in I Love Cats re black mold toxin killing 2 cats in Florida. The leak started on 3/15 but I am not sure how long the mold was there before I discovered it. I did some research, found a lab in Dallas Tx. who tested for mold toxins and had Bella tested. She was positive for 2 different toxins. The lab recommended some blood work which my vet did. At least one of the Toxins Bella has can do bad damage to the liver (cirrhosis, cancer, etc) so liver function tests were among the tests done. Bella's blood work was all completely normal. She has been started on Itraconazole to treat for the 2 toxins. It is supposed to kill any mold in Bella and flush the toxin from her body. After a month she will be retested. If the toxin is gone all is well. If the test is still positive she gets another month of the itraconazole. I am praying that the toxin will be gone. All the mold is gone from my home and the leaks have been fixed. Bella has the toxins but the results for both toxins was at the low end of the detectable range. Any toxin is bad but less is better than more.

I told you the above info re Bella for a reason. Bella seems to feel wonderful and the fact that her vet exam and blood work was 100% normal substantiates that. The toxin was present in her urine sent to the Dallas lab. That is the only negative up to this point. She is eating good and begging for more food, taking her medicine like its manna from heaven and is a very playful and happy cat.

I have been thinking about all of this. The probiotic you recommended also has a goodly amount of antioxidant in it. The antioxidant is suppose to help flush impurities out of the body and particularly the liver and in the case of this mold the liver is the biggest concern. The XXXXX dry cat food also contain probiotics. I feel that the fact that I changed Bella's diet to one that is healthy for her is a big factor in her being able to fight off damage to her body that could have been caused by the toxins.

That brings me to the purpose of this email. If I had not heard you on Allen's show Bella would still be eating the XXXXX foods. I strongly feel that Bella has done so well so far because of the advice I got from you regarding good nutrition for her. Bella is my family and is very important to me. I want us to spend many many years together. Bella and I both thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Have a great day.
Mary S
North Carolina

"My cat is recovering from her skin problems!! So it sure that the cause was the food!!! I am so glad! I'll ask my mother in France to take a picture of my cat sometime, so you could see how much she improved: 70% healed.

Another thing I noticed with the two young female cats: they weren't able to sleep! During the day, every time I looked at them they weren't sleeping, and had big pupils... Now that I switched their nutrition too they can finally have a nap!

One thing for me is sure now: "XXXXXXX" foods are awful!!"

"Sue Thixton's Web Site is unique and important to all pet owners who care about what they feed their pets. I know of no other source of unbiased pet food (and treat) information available."

"Susan is the most devoted person about getting rid of the illegal ingredients being put into our pets foods. She really has gone over and above to get a resolution to this killing of our babies because of the garbage that has been allowed into their foods due to the lack of enforced standards and inspections."

"This has really helped me change the quality of all of my 6 pet's lives! I will forever be grateful, Thank You!"

"I just read your email about dogs talking. I couldn't agree more. I have written to you in the past telling you about my Irish Setter Laci. How we had such a hard time getting her to eat and that ever since we switched her to Life's Abundance everything has changed. Now its actually hard to keep her quiet while I am getting there food ready. It actually hurts me to think that I wasn't listening before and I am one that has told people before that you need to listen to your dogs. I could tell you a number of stories about listening to your dogs but you obviously don't need convincing.

I have another success story to tell you about. We have adopted a "special needs" Golden Retriever about 5 months ago. His name is Rany. He was a mess when we got him. He had some issues with biting (not out of anger or even fear but more like anxiety). After the third time he got my face, I almost gave up. Luckily after about 3 weeks we started seeing improvement. He started calming down and that's when we went to work on the rest of him. His coat was in terrible shape. It was course and coming out by the handful. Now he probably has one of the softest and shiniest coats I have ever seen on a dog. He is calm, attentive and completely trust worthy. I know that a good part of his overall improvement is due to the change in his diet. Just like the change we saw in Laci. WOW is all I can say about him.

The picture I attached is of Laci (Irish Setter, Rany (Golden), Toast (Golden Doodle) and Jakie (Schnauzer).

Toast, we have had on LA since we got her and of course she is in great health. We have decided to baby sit Jakie for my wife's brother for the next year. It is working out great so far.

One more thing. I have been talking to everyone I can about you and what I have learned from you. I know of at least a dozen dogs (other than my own) that are being fed a much better diet than before.
I was so relieved that with all of the dog food issues that have come to light, was that I didn't have to worry about what mine were eating.

Well, thanks again for what you have done. Not only for my dogs but for all of the others out there as well.
Sincerely,"

Rob Ziese

"My pet's love their New food. They seem to eat less Than with their Grocery store pet food. They have more energy. Coats look better. All around they are better, And I feel better knowing there aren't any bad things in their food.

"Thank you Susan! My kitties are doing very well, and a change for the better is recognized. They seem to have more energy and less regurgitation (good for both of us). Also, with this food they seem to stick to the diet. With other foods, they seemed to constantly beg for more because they were not actually getting enough to eat."

"I learned about the Pet Food problems from a radio show that you were on in North Carolina. I am looking forward to receiving the new food and switching both my two cats and dog over to food that can benefit them. They are such a wonderful part of our lives that I feel terrible about what I have been feeding them.

I am also going to let others know about the problems with pet food. Thank you for your perseverance and courage on this topic."

Brooke

"Susan, I heard you on the radio with Alan H. and nearly drove off the road. So glad I was listening but little did I know my husband was also tuned in and heard the show. Needless to say he launched as soon as I walked in the door! I just stood there and listened to him go on and on and when he was finished I said, yes Honey, I heard it. Anyway that started our search to find a food that was clean for our girls.

"Susan,

First let me say THANK YOU!!! for enlightening me about pet food!!! I heard you on the Allen Handleman show and was amazed!!! As a pet owner who had to put her 13 yr old, long hair tortie to sleep due to a metastasized tumor I was VERY interested in learning ways to keep my current pets healthy!!

I have made it my mission to convert all my friends and family to the TRUTH!! You are a wonderful person and a pet lovers Savior!!!!"

"My dog, a yellow Lab name Cornbread, is a finicky eater which is unusual for a Labrador. I have fed him only all natural premium dog food since he was a puppy. However, he has never liked any of the brands (Wellness, Flint River) I've been feeding him. I have always had to doctor up the food to get him to eat all of it. Now, even mixing LA with the Wellness, he eats it all without any doctoring whatsoever.

I am so glad that I was able to hear you on the Allen Handleman show last week and learn about Life's Abundance pet food. Just from what I have read and from what I have heard from you, I feel that I am providing the best preventative medicine possible by switching to Life's Abundance.

I thank you and Cornbread thanks you."

Bracken J.
North Carolina

In August of 2000, Gunner, my German Shepherd began getting sores and losing the hair on his feet. My Veterinarian determined it was some type of allergy and sent us home with drugs and ointments, a $117.00 office visit with the medications. By the time the medication was gone, his feet were beginning to heal. But within a few more weeks, they started getting bad again.

I changed my dogs food from a good food to a best food. Within a few weeks, the sores on his feet had begun to heal. Today, his feet are perfectly healed - he takes no medication - he just eats a very good, human grade pet food. Within a few months Gunner will turn 14 years old - besides a little graying around the muzzle and moving a little slower than he used to, he is as healthy as he’s ever been. Below is a picture of Gunner playing in my back yard (the pictures were taken May 11, 2007). This is a 12 year old 100 pound dog! Large breeds of dogs don't live as long as smaller breeds. He's not eating a Senior Pet Food - he's not eating a prescription pet food - he's eating a QUALITY Adult Maintenance dog food. He has NO health problems. He's vibrant, happy and healthy!

Learn the Truth About Pet Food. This site is here to help you keep your pet safe and healthy. Please explore all the pages and articles in Paws Club, subscribe to the Truth About Pet Food Email Alerts, contribute to the Blog, and subscribe to Petsumer Report.

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	Dangerous Dog Toy Alert The terrible accident that happened with this toy concerns me a great deal. It could happen to any dog with probably numerous brands of toys. Click Here to Read	Brand New! Add your pet's picture! Scientific fact: Recent Veterinary science has determined by the cellular make-up of dogs and cats... The average size dog should have a life span of 25 years...* Cats should have a life span of 30 years.* Research by Drs. Diane Hericowa, Michael Hand, and Ted Mosier Genetics - Environment - and Nutrition all play a role in the life span of your pet. Improve your pet's diet - improve their health and extend their life span. Recent Pet Food Recalls... 2007* - The largest pet food recall in history recalling soft/moist foods and dry foods from hundreds of different manufacturers. 2006 - Royal Canin recalled four different varieties of dog and cat food due to vitamin overdose. 2006 - Merrick Pet food recalled over 200,000 cans of pet food due to metal found in product. 2006 - More than five million cans of Ol' Roy and other foods were recalled due to canning problems. 2005 - Diamond Pet Food recall due to grain contamination. 2003 - Go Natural pet food recall due to unknown circumstances that caused liver disease in dogs. 2000 - Iams recalled products in seven states, over 200,000 pounds of dog food. 1999 - Doane Pet Care recalled over 50 brands of pet food due to grain contamination. 1995 - Nature's Recipe recalled close to 1 million pounds of dog and cat food due to wheat contamination. Recalled pet foods have caused countless pets to become ill and die. Close to 80% of all commercial pet foods (and treats) contain one or more potentially harmful ingredient. The evidence is undeniable. Health problems in dogs and cats associated with inferior nutrition... Kidney disease Obesity Digestive disorders Heart disease Urinary track disease Dental disease Skin and coat disease
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	My Friend Gunner Yesterday I had to say good-bye to Gunner – my big German Shepherd. He was 13 ¾ years old. This is very difficult for me to write – but it’s for a reason that I hope every pet owner out there hears. Click Here to Read
	Science Diet recently announced their “Feeding is Believing™ - the Value of Precise Nutrition” campaign. This new campaign looks as if Science Diet has been reading my Save Money – Buy Expensive report and decided to market their pet foods using a similar strategy. Click Here to Read
	Pets Euthanized Because of Breed Profiling A recent article in the Leaf Chronicle, Clarksville, TN newspaper has got the fur flying. The Leaf Chronicle reported on euthanizing procedures for the county Animal Control. Horrendous standard procedures flatly euthanize particular breeds regardless of the dog’s history or circumstances. Click Here to Read
	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. Click Here to Read
	FDA Gives Pet Food a Loophole to By-Pass Law The law specifically states no diseased animal or an animal which has died other than by slaughter is allowed for use in food. Enter the FDA looking out for the interest of some pet food manufacturers. Our FDA friends have provided an official loophole to allow pet food to by-pass the law. Click Here to Read
	Oh where oh where can the by-products go? Could risky meat by-products be turned into energy? No it’s not that I have gone to reporting on energy these days. But I have discovered a possible means for the inferior garbage that gets dumped into pet food to be turned into valuable energy. Something that seems to be a far better method to discard of left over animal waste materials than becoming dog food or cat food ingredients. Click Here to Read
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	Greatest American Dog Reality Show If you haven’t watched the newest reality show – The Greatest American Dog – you should. Besides the judges who seem to think acting like Simon Cowell of American Idol is cool, it’s a great show. My favorite contestant team is Bill & Star. It’s a joy to watch how much they love each other – they have a mutual worship. Click Here to Read
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	Unbelievable New Report Reveals the 'truth' about prices of dog food and cat food. If you want to save money feed high quality! Click Here to Read
	Tips to Avoid the Next Pet Food Recall While there is no way to be 100% certain that a pet food is not tainted or will be recalled, there are some important things to look for – and to avoid when selecting your dog’s or cat’s food. Click Here to Read
	Why it's important - 'Best By' Dates A recent article posted on The Consumerist web site brings up a very good point (and lesson) that pet owners should take note of… Click Here to Read
	Cigarettes, Lies, and Pet Food Advertising. It’s difficult to imagine that cigarettes and lies have any connection with cat food or dog food – but when you look closely at the advertising tactics of some pet foods,... Click Here to Read

Scientific fact: Recent Veterinary science has determined by the cellular make-up of dogs and cats...

The average size dog should have a life span of 25 years...* Cats should have a life span of 30 years.*

Scientific fact:
Recent Veterinary science has determined by the cellular make-up of dogs and cats...

The average size dog should have a
life span of 25 years...*
Cats should have a life span of 30 years.*