Food & Health

Kibbles � how safe is it?

Many of us are feeding our pets with dry kibble diet consisting of at least 60% carbohydrate, very little moisture and minimal /low quality protein. Much of the protein in commercial kibble is plant based. It does not make any sense to expect our pets to eat this type of diet all day long, and be satisfied both physically and nutritionally.

A study conducted by Dr Kollath in Stockholm, Sweden, proved that young animals fed a processed diet initially appeared to be healthy, but once they reached maturity, they began to rapidly age and develop degenerative disease symptoms. The group that was raised on a raw, uncooked diet did not age as fast and showed no degenerative disease symptoms but remained healthy.

In Belgium, another study used data gathered from 500 domestic dogs for a period of 1998-2002. Statistically, dogs fed a homemade diet consisting of high quality food used from their owners� meals versus dogs fed on commercial pet food diet, had a life expectancy of 32 months longer.

There are many forms of toxins introduced into our pets� bodies through these highly processed kibble diets – aflatoxins, heterocyclic amines, acrylamides, and PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers). Even at low doses of aflatoxins can wreak havoc on your dog�s system, causing anemia, liver or kidney failure, cancer and premature death.

Commercial kibbles also stripped off much of their nutrient value, thus becoming a �dead� food product. Many pet owners want to give their pet a high quality commercial diet choose to buy expensive �grain free� kibbles, with claims of all natural or even organic-ingredients, believing that they are purchasing a more nutritious pet food. Even if these kibbles contain high quality ingredients with no preservatives, fillers or additives, they are still going through a cooking process which ultimately nullifies much of the nutritional value these quality ingredients would have contributed. The kibble is left with proteins that have been denatured, enzymes that are rendered inactive. Any natural beneficial microfloras (good bacteria) are no longer viable, these components are all extremely important and provide a synergistic effect for the complete digestion, absorption and assimilation of nutrients from the food.

Manufacturers of commercial kibbles also try to add back some of the lost nutritional value with synthetic vitamins and minerals so that they can call their food �complete and balanced� on their label. However, studies done by Doug Knueven showed that these synthetic vitamins can actually cause more harm than good to our pets, because the body cannot completely utilise them and instead it will processes them as foreign substance, causing more stress to the liver and kidneys.

Improving your dog�s diet can add years to your dog�s life and save you a fortune. It does not require a lot of hard work nor expense. The next time when you want to pick up a pack of kibble for your pet, ask yourself again, is it worth it?

Source: https://www.facebook.com/SarawakSPCA/photos/a.10155925831354..

Tweet

SPCA Sarawak

The Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals believes that animals, as living creatures, have value beyond economic measurement, and are entitled to legal, moral and ethical consideration and protection. The Sarawak SPCA's mission is to act as an advocate on behalf of animals and as an enforcer of their rights; to provide for the well-being of the animals of the State of Sarawak who are abandoned, injured, subjected to unfair or cruel treatment, or otherwise in need; to cultivate in the people of our community an awareness of the animals whose world we share; to promote a bond of mutual assistance between people and animals; and to instill respect for and appreciation of all living things.

More Articles   |   Website