Pet Spot

By Susan Thixton

 Ok, I admit itI have a bad attitude. I am sick and tired of lame excuses by the FDA, fed up with the garbage left-overs of human food being turned into pet food, and Im over the top ticked off how a television commercial that tugs on pet owner heart strings motivatesalmost manipulatesunknowing pet owners to purchase. Im a cynical, self absorbed, picky petsumer (pet owning consumer).

The FDA released July 2, 2008 another pat themselves on the back report claiming “significant progress” in the Food Protection Plan. Its interesting that no one except the FDA has noticed any significant progress in food safety, thus their need to brag on themselves. With regards to pet food, the Progress Report proudly states: “FDA has gathered input on animal feed best practices for preventive controls from industry groups including the National Grain and Feed Association, the American Feed Industry Association, the Pet Food Institute, and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (an organization of state feed control officials).” To clarify, the FDA is accepting the advice of suppliers of pet food ingredients and manufacturers of pet food for the best practices for preventive controls in pet food safety. The progress report did NOT state the FDA has obtained input from non-biased veterinary science; noinstead they are putting the safety and health of our pets in the hands of the industry itself. This is the official FDA endorsement of the fox guarding the hen house. It is NOT something to brag about, it does NOT provide pet owners with much safetybut my guess would be it does protect the profits of pet food industries and ingredient suppliers.

Pet food ingredients such as by-products and meat and bone meal continue to be used in many of the pet food top sellers, yet I doubt many pet owners who feed some of these highly advertised pet foods know what by-products or meat and bone meal really is. I doubt the pet food manufacturers themselves can tell you exactly what is in these common pet food ingredients. They dont want to tell you either. The official definition of by-products is NOT meat; and the ingredient can include (but is not limited to) things like animal lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, livers, blood, stomachs and intestines. Ohand this stuff doesnt have to come from a healthy animal either; sick and diseased animal parts are acceptable for use in pet food too. Pet owners are not afforded with informed, honest pet food labeling (to say the least). I guess Fidos Kibble with Cow Intestines wouldnt be a top seller.

To make matters a little worse, the existing rules of the pet food industry the same folks that allow cow intestines and chicken feet to be disguised under more appealing sounding pet food ingredient names Do NOT Allow the good guys of pet food any privileges to separate themselves from lesser quality producers. The rules of pet food specifically state no mention of grade or quality of ingredients is allowed on the label or in advertising. Now here is where it gets really ridiculous, the rules DO ALLOW pet food manufacturers to make “unqualified claims either directly or indirectly” on a pet food label with statements like Nutritious, Premium, Choice, and/or Complete. Think about that a momenta pet owning consumer Can Not be told if a pet food uses the finest human grades of ingredients, but they can be told unqualified claims like a pet food is premium even if its not! Thanks to our friends who make the rules on pet food a caring pet owner has no way of knowing what kind of meat (high quality or inferior) is in Fidos or Fluffys food by looking at the bag and they have no way of knowing if premium really does mean premium. Ridiculous isnt it.

And thenthere are the television commercials and other slick advertising tactics of the pet food industry. Pet lovers feel the love from these commercials and naturally assume that love is found in the pet food as well. Often times, the love is by-products, meat and bone meal, dangerous chemicals, risky imports, and more. I know what ingredients are inside of many of these highly promoted pet foods, I understand pet food ingredient definitions, and I know who uses imports from ChinaI find their commercials dreadful.

This is personal to me (and millions of other pet owners). Over fifteen years ago I lost an eight year old dog to bone cancer my vet told me was caused by chemical preservatives in her pet food. These same chemicals are still commonly used today. In the past ten years U.S. pet owners have spent over $388 Billion dollars (thats with a b) on their pets. Im sure not one dollar of that money that was intentionally spent to purchase cow intestines or harmful chemicals to feed to their pet. Yet cow intestines and risky chemicals are being purchased everyday; thanks to the existing rules of the pet food and pet treat industry. The FDA and AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials) continue to seek advice from pet food producers and ingredient providers instead of non-biased science.

Yes, Ive got a bad attitude, I think more about the safety of pets than I do corporate profits, and I dont think its fair chicken feet and cow intestines can be hidden under less offensive ingredient names like by-products and meat and bone meal. My stomach churns when I think about my beautiful dog that died far too young from known dangerous chemicals that are still commonly used today. And those tug on your heart strings television commercials tick me off. Im proud to be a cynical, self absorbed, picky petsumer.

My hope is that more pet owners confess the same. There is no need to go back to college in order to interpret a pet food label, but it does require a little education and a little effort. Learn a few pet food ingredient definitions and before you make one more purchase of dog food or cat food read the ingredient list on the label. Call the manufacturer and ask if any ingredients originate in China. Quality nutrition will enhance your pets life. Become a picky and cynical petsumer your pet will benefit from it!

Susan Thixton is internationally recognized as the pet food expert helping pet owners understand how to find the safest and healthiest dog and cat foods and treats. She’s the author of hundreds of pet industry articles and the 2006 released book Truth About Pet Food (currently being updated for a second edition). She is the publisher of the pet product consumer magazine Petsumer Report. And is a frequent speaker and radio guest all over the U.S. and Canada with more than 70 appearances in the last 2 years.

If you are looking for straight forward pet food information that can have an almost immediate impact on your pet’s health - subscribe to the free newsletter, and subscribe to Petsumer Report to see reviews on close to 600 dog and cat foods and treats (adding 40+ each month).

Susan Thixton’s ‘truth’ will help you find a safer, healthier dog or cat food that could add years to your pet’s life. http://www.TruthAboutPetFood.com

How To Become A Top Dog Breeder
By Thomas Pretty

 Many people want to become good dog breeders. Dog breeding and doing it properly is an expensive hobby. There is the picking up of a good bitch, waiting for her to become old enough before breeding, choosing the best dog for her to mate with, and undertaking all the health checks she needs, and ensure that the dog you need also passes through the same health checks. There are potential extra expenses during pregnancy, you have to pay a stud fee (or return a puppy), you have the time at your disposal, and can incur the expense of whelping. The puppies are to be kept for a minimum of 8 weeks before sending them to their homes.

There is the need to advertise and look for good homes before sending them to their homes. As a breeder, you also need to see that the dogs have had their shots before going. You may be and ardent dog lover and want to better a particular breed of dogs. You may devote your time and energy to bettering a particular breed of dogs. Often this requires breeding dogs of a particular bloodline, thus creating particular traits that will be passed down through future generations. There is the requirement to have one or two un-neutered female dogs. If you have two or three adult dogs, you may not even need to register your kennel.

A good dog breeder does not want to use dogs with major blemishes. The breeder may show the dogs to endeavor to have a championship before breeding them. This increases the value of the dog’s future puppies. It also leads to the breeder networking with the people who know the most about the breed. The dog may not get a championship but a few wins and the dog exhibitors will take you more seriously. If one of the exhibitors has a dog with characteristics that will even out any of the flaws that your dog has, then you can breed show quality puppies.

If, as a dog breeder, you want to breed dogs for many years, you may want to choose a kennel name. The kennel name has to be registered with the corresponding Kennel Club. It may be a good idea to get a kennel permit. The permit will eventually be needed as you may require a few puppies to continue the bloodline. There is the requirement to get the permit before you are attached to your puppies. When you are breeding your dog for the first time, you should seek out a male dog that belongs to a practiced dog breeder. When the dog has bred, you need to take it to the veterinarian. You need to ask the vet about the birthing procedure. When the delivery time comes near prepare a quiet spot for your dog to deliver. These steps ensure that you are a successful dog breeder and you take care of your dog and ensure that the best dogs only breed to carry on the bloodline.

Peter Tomkins is a leading dog breeder with over 40 years under his belt.

Little Known Secrets of Bamboo Flooring
By Chris Jensen

 Believed to have originated in China, bamboo flooring can be seen in use in most East Asian countries.

Strength wise, bamboo is on par with or even stronger than medium grade steel, the test of it being the pounds per square inch that it can handle.

It combines the pluses of both, hardwood and timber, in that it is as strong and pliable as hardwood and, at the same time, as long-lasting as most timber. This serves a dual purpose, it is light on your pocket, as it does not need frequent replacement like hardwood and, consequently, is environment-friendly as it reduces cutting down of trees.

Have you ever given a thought to what happens after we cut down a tree for our hardwood requirement?

Once cut down, it takes 20 years for a tree to grow back! It takes even longer for it to mature enough to be chopped down for hardwood again. Now consider bamboo, it takes at the most 5 years to grow back and then it is ready again to be harvested.

So by going for bamboo over hardwood you are also doing your bit to save our rapidly vanishing rain forests. What is more important, bamboo flooring is lighter on your pocket too as compared to several other quality woods!

More advantages: bamboo is a natural insect repellent so it keeps those little pesky guys at bay. Moreover it resists moisture and another very popular feature of bamboo is that it leaves the room quite airy be letting in a breeze which is quite welcome on a warm summer day.

Bamboo is especially the right choice for areas with high humidity as it does not expand or shrink with passage of time. This results in lesser gaps in the flooring.

If you have any apprehensions about how bamboo flooring will look, do not fret over it. The speed at which it is gaining popularity all over Asia and Europe and in many parts of North America too, speaks volumes about its popularity. If you love the oriental look, bamboo is definitely for you.

It is also fast gaining popularity among designers for its various advantages and features. Its look and style combined with its durability and variety makes it so popular. Bamboo flooring is available in two different variations and you can choose from over 30 stain colors to suit your decor. The tools you use for hardwood can be used for bamboo also.

You can also choose whether you want to go for a vertical or a horizontal grain alignment, when going for bamboo flooring. The horizontal alignment is even prettier for flooring as it brings out the joints on the grass.

Chris Jensen is a contributing Expert & Author of Jetfly Blog. For more related articles and reviews visit Jetfly Home & Garden Blog now. We work hard to provide the Best up-to-date related online product deals, check out Jetfly Rugs & Carpet Shop for Todays Current Online Bargains.

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