Is the production of pet food regulated?

Question

In light of the recall, I was doing some research on ingredients in pet food. I was disturbed at some of the things that I read such as diseased animals, roadkill, and euthanized pets are sent to the rendering plants to be processed into cat and dog food. If it is true, that is disgusting. I get sick thinking that I could be feeding my cat food with someone's euthanized cat in it. Not to mention, my 2 year old nephew often frequents his pet dog's food dish. My sister and I thought it was funny because he is always trying to put it in his mouth and eat it. Now it is a great concern if he does eat some. Does anyone know if these production plants are regulated or are the regulations just really not doing anything?

Answer 1

These stories have been around for years and exist on the Net, sponsored by the more militant animal rights organizations. They are NOT true.

Yes, there are regulations and inspections of pet food manufacturers. They may use lesser grades of meat, older animals, etc. but pet food manufacturers do not use euthanized animals, roadkill, or other undesirable components. That would be a stupid move, since the potential for law suits would outweigh any cost savings in ingredients.

There are also regulations regarding the content, which you see listed on the side of the bag. They are not allowed to tamper with this formula unless it is changed on the bag.

It is also not true that Canada has no regulations. Pet foods and meat slaughtered/rendered for such food, is overseen by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency which provides the approved veterinary staff for ante-slaughter and post mortem inspection of all animals brought to a slaughterhouse, as well as inspecting rendering plants.

Pet foods are not what we would choose to eat. Since the Mad Cow fuss, the brain and nervous system tissue has been removed from use, but you do still get the less "interesting" parts of animals including the esophagus, lungs, ears, etc. etc.

When considering a food for your pet, particularly dry chow for dogs and cats, select one where the first two ingredients are a protein source, such as chicken meat and chicken meal. The first is great, but you have to remember that about 78% of the bulk is lost in processing that meat. Chicken meal is still chicken, but it's not breast meat. It's a combination of the organs, skin, etc. But remember, in the wild your pet would eat all of that and worse. The importance of the protein is because cats and dogs are natural carnivores, and the excess of carbohydrates in today's pet chows is causing an epidemic of obesity.

Answer 2

I don't know exactly how regulated it is. I did a search on rendering plants and came up with an article from the EPA. It is very interesting because there are two types of rendering plants, edible and inedible. Inedible plants use grease from restaurants, spoiled food from grocery stores, by products of slaughterhouses, and animals from shelters. It seems that they are musch less regulated and their processed material is used in the production of tallow for livestock and animal feed, soap, etc. It doesn't say anything about pet food but if it is used for livestock and poultry , I would assume cat and dog food as well. That is disgusting to think cows are eating products of other cows as well as dead pets. And soap, I am washing my face with dead pets? The plants also give off some volatile organic compounds as by products.

I would think it would be healthier and more environmentally friendly to incenerate dead carcasses, which is what I always thought was done. I guess i am a little naive. Science in action I guess. No one said all scientists were moral.

Answer 3

There are regulations, but they are not very stringent. As you can see from the above, most have to do with business practices and not food quality.

The Whole Dog Journal is an excellent publication that has lots of info about dog food. You have to pay to download articles (the journal does not use advertising, so all funds come from subscriptions and article purchases), but they are thorough and honest.

As far as ingredients, one thing to keep in mind is to look for the type of protein. If the listing says "meat meal" or "meat by-products" you have no idea what type of meat that is, and it could be something you would never feed your dog. Look for "chicken," "lamb meal," etc. (no by-products - that could be chicken feathers, feet, and other parts).

Answer 4

It depends on where you live. In Canada there is NO regulations at all. Anyone can make and distribute cat and dog food.The USA does have some restrictions here is some info.

The Dog and Cat Food Guides address claims about food for dogs or cats, including dry, semimoist, frozen, canned, and other commercial foods manufactured or marketed for consumption by domesticated dogs or cats, as well as claims about special candy for dogs and cats, but not claims about animal medicines or remedies. The Guides apply to "industry members," defined as any person, firm, corporation, or organization engaged in the importation, manufacture, sale or distribution of dog or cat food. In summary, the Dog and Cat Food Guides advise against:

(1) misrepresenting dog or cat food in any material respect; for example, misrepresenting the composition, form, suitability, quality, color, flavor of any dog or cat food; misrepresenting that any dog or cat food meets the dietary or nutritional needs of dogs and cats; or misrepresenting that any dog or cat food will provide medicinal or therapeutic benefits;

(2) misrepresenting that any dog or cat food is fit for human consumption or has been made under the same sanitary conditions as food for humans;

(3) misrepresenting the processing methods used in the manufacture or processing of any dog or cat food;

(4) making false statements about the conduct of competitors or about the quality of competitors' products;

(5) misrepresenting the length of time a dog or cat food company has been in business, its rank in the industry, or that it owns a laboratory or other testing facilities;

(6) using deceptive endorsements or testimonials, or deceptively claiming that any dog or cat food has received an award;

(7) offering for sale any dog or cat food when the offer is not a bona fide effort to sell the product so offered as advertised and at the advertised price;

(8) failing to include details, such as the manner in which the guarantor will perform and the identity of the guarantor, for all guarantees or warranties offered for dog or cat food; and

(9) misrepresenting the price at which any dog or cat food may be purchased


for more info on USA regulations visit the link below
http://www.ftc.gov/os/1999/10/dogandcatfoodfrn.htm

Answer 5

The URL below shows this great article.

Pet Food Labels:
What Reading a Label Will and Won’t Tell You About the Food