Does everyone agree now that almost every brand of pet food is the SAME thing with miniscule differences?

Question

Looking back on the 'Menu Foods' recall, It is devastating that at least 10 pets died from this, but it may also be a hidden blessing. We got a brief inside look at the pet food industry.

Have you seen the recall list? This 'concern' makes almost every name brand pet food in the world. It's somewhat disconcerting that so many people including professionals, breeders, and veterinarians are so passionate about defending certain brands of pet food, when it's THE SAME STUFF, made by the same company, with what I would assume are trivial differences!

Not to mention that all pet food is ash-laden scraps broomed off of a floor! I wasn't aware that pets needed so much potassium in their diet. I have a hard time believing that this crap is good for our loved ones who we treat as an irreplacable member of our family.

I still don't recommend table food, of course. I didn't see Pedigree on the list, perhaps that is safe for now. And in the Northeast there's always Bil-Jac!

My fault, Pedigree is NOT on the list.

Answer 1

BilJac and Purina are made by a seperate company than menu foods. I consider them only-slightly-better kibble shaped garbage pellets. You'd have to go for Chicken soup or Wysong for a good kibble. I personally feed Raw to my dogs because its human grade and no dog food manufacturer has touched it.
Did you know that to become a vet you don't have to take and animal nutrition courses. 99% of vet offices are sponsored by Science diet or Iams and that is why they recommend those foods. They get free kickbacks for selling that food.

Answer 2

Not all wet dog and cat foods are the same. Different brands expect certain chemicals to be added to their dog and cat foods while other brands want standard stuff added. Nutro wants only fresh product. Wal-Mart will add frozen meat to their products. Every brand cares about what is marketed. It is tested by the AAFCO to meet the needs of your pets. Menu at least took the initiative to recall this on their own and wasn't forced. Here is something else to consider, wet food isn't good for your animals anyway. Dry is the best choice. Wet can be fed on occasion but not all the time.

Answer 3

Considering that dogs and cats are CARNIVORES, why are pet food companies selling foods based on grains?

I work in the ag industry and while some companies truly do want to offer quality products, there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes that would probably sicken you. The ingredients in pet food are essentially byproducts that cannot be processed for human consumption. "Chicken byproducts", for example, does include meat but can also contain anything from feathers and feet to tumors and infected tissue. Grain contaminated with mycotoxins (a la Diamond dog food last year) can be used as long as the contaminant falls below a certain level - and this level is much higher than the safety level for humans.

Basically, pet food is a handy way to dispose of ingredients than are too low-quality to be used for much else.

Really want to be grossed out? Books and films like Fast Food Nation expose some of the dirty little secrets behind the American food industry.

Answer 4

We can certainly recommend better foods than Pedigree or Bil Jac! Keep in mind that there is a difference between these foods on the list. They share wheat gluten which is garbage but the cheaper brands also use all garbage for the remainder of their ingredients such as 'animal by products' and meat meals which are cheap because they are rejects or by products from the human food industry. The more expensive brands (sometimes) use whole ingredients but not enough to make their foods worthwhile.

Try checking www.petfooddirect.com to compare ingredients. You should be feeding your dog foods with real, whole, identified foods (not 'meat') and not by products or meal. Grains should be low on the list along with vegetables.

For an example of good ingredients for your dog, check Newman's Own canned food ingredient list:
Ingredients:
Organic chicken, sufficient water for processing, Salmon, Ocean Whitefish, Brown Rice, Flaxseed, Oat Bran,

That's what a dog should be eating or going to raw fed. Foods that have the top one or two ingredients as grains or grain by products should not even be considered.

Answer 5

I answered a similiar question a while back (prio to pet food recall) and got a lot of thumbs down b/c I stated that all pet foods are made with garbage. Why do people think these companies only put the best, healthy ingredients in our pet food? It is a money market! A BIG money martket. They are in it for profit and they are not going to add fresh filet mingon for ingredients. It is ashame what is happening to the animals that so many people care so deeply about. It happens a lot but it is just overwhelming at this time.

Answer 6

It's really funny because now you can buy the cheap stuff and know your pet is getting the same exact thing as the one who's eating the more expensive food.

Also makes one wonder what else they do something like this with. Our own foods?

Answer 7

Just because one company was stupid are sold poison as dog food, is no reason for anyone to panic about your dogs food. Most "reliable" dog food companys really do care about a dogs health (Pedigree ) . So no need to panic, and DONT believe what the "media" tells you. (They hype everything.)
Though I know your concerned about your pet, dont jump to any conclusions until the full report comes out. And always remember "IT WAS ONE BRAND OF DOG FOOD!)
But I do hope the rest of the dog food industry takes at least a look into there brands just to make sure everything ok.

Answer 8

Thank you for the information. I will definitely pass it on to friends/ breeder friends. Please keep us informed. My condolences to the breeders. Add on: BSL did not blame NutroMax she only stated that the NutroMax puppy food was the only common denominator to the two litters and how quickly the pups got sick after eating the food. I'm sure we will be notified on the results of the test. This isn't a witch hunt just information for pet owners.

Answer 9

Some of the low and medium quality pet food compaines contract their foods out to someone elde to make, other companies want full control of their ingredients

Because most petfood recall over the years involve high levels of molds/fungi on grains, I chose to feed grain free foods instead to all my dogs to help prevent the risk of mold contamination

the recent one involves something wrong with the wheat protein they used , I suspect it will eventually be announced that the wheat had high levels of Ochratoxin mold.
http://www.micotoxinas.com.br/boletim27.htm

Some companies that make grain free foods
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=grain_free

Answer 10

YES it does not matter if you take a name brand and compare the ingredient to a store brand it is the same stuff. I checked this out with a lamb and rice recipe.