"The dog sharing our interiors ... it is for us the burden and responsibility of it ... what is the most suitable habitat, how to protect it from various diseases, what elements should contain his food so that it best meets their nutritional needs ... so many questions needed to be able to give him a quality of life suited to their basic needs. "(Gerard Lippert)

Continuing the subject of proper treatment of our pets, it's power that we now speak. Several items will be dedicated. We begin this series by addressing the food industry ...

Many rumors, rumors circulating on the net, about croquettes and other foodstuffs industry of our Pets. We will try in this article to bring some clarity to the plethora of information that can be found.

Remain vigilant and critical of what we read!

When you read reviews about the food industry, a first point to keep in mind is that many pet food manufacturers are, of different types and qualities, all are not equal.

A second aspect not to overlook is the source of information: number of sites, blogs ... announce some facts as truths ... but the sources of their information is not always specified.

A third point concerns the usefulness of knowing the date of publication of an article, a book. For example, the book by Dr. Charles Danten, "An angry veterinarian," published in 1999 is full of information currently found on the net. If this book is worth reading, we must bear in mind that laws have changed since its publication, and some points in the book are outdated.

I also invite you to consider whether the information you find relevant to all countries (this is rarely the case) and go further in your research to find the countries concerned by what you may read.

Finally it is important to remain vigilant against results from a single study. Basically, one can retain one can assign some confidence in a study if at least a second independent study of the latter confirms the first.

So, before any hasty conclusions about the harmfulness of all processed foods, check, check and check again!

Processed foods and longevity

In this regard, here are the findings of the investigation of Dr. G. Lippert, on the deteriorating health of our dogs, published in 2003.

"Our study indicates a significant (1.7 in 1,000 chance of being wrong, the significance threshold of 95%) than animals fed a variety of household types seem to enjoy greater longevity probably correlated with the intrinsic quality of food basis, their assimilation related to their natural qualities. "

What the survey does not tell us, is there a difference between wet and dry industrial food, between foods and processed foods Premium low-end, between foods with different protein sources, between organic food and other ... We would further investigations to go further in this research.

And we would also like to identify the results of a second similar study to confirm and validate those of Dr Lippert (such results may exist, but to date, I do not have no knowledge).

G. Lippert also wrote in his survey: "In light of this study we urge the various parties to undertake a study on a larger scale, with a protocol yielding less bias to ensure the real impact of the supply and quality. "

The origin of the pet food industry

Critics of the original kibble exist. They can be summarized as follows:

The primary purpose of producing plants or boxes of dry food for pets was the valuation of different wastes of food industry. This industry has not been established to provide quality food for our pets.

While it remains true that the industrial agribusiness seeking to increase their competitiveness by valuing all products from their factories and reducing the cost of such restatement of their effluents, should not thereby denying that use of by-products can also fight against pollution by limiting discharges into rivers and the landfill of organic waste by industrial agribusiness.

Quality problems still exist today. But knowledge has evolved, the regulations also. Identified problems on food we can find now are different from those of the first industrial foods for animals.

These include for example the conclusions of the thesis veterinarian E. Sagols. on feeding dogs and cats with heart failure (2007). We learn that the dietary analysis of food industry destined for domestic carnivores with heart failure often reveals a mismatch between the literature and actual nutrient supplementation of these foods. We can therefore ask how the presence of these nutrients in food is actually beneficial and is not a commercial development.

Finally, if the origin of kibble can be attributed to a process of recovery of the various industrial waste from the food, it seems that the evolution of market returns for its demand and customer requirements. In recent years, with growing consumer interest in food for more "natural" and organic, manufacturers have developed food lines more "natural" foods and so-called "holistic".

The materials of animal origin: regulatory status and safety

On the web, you can still read some sites that the croquettes may contain material from animals dead of accident or illness, from recycling rendering. If this claim can be effective there a few years now in France and Europe, legislation requires a different truth:

"Whatever the physical state of matter - fresh, frozen, dried -, European and French regulations require that:
- All the materials of animal origin are sourced from healthy animals slaughtered in abattoirs under the control of official veterinarians
- These substances can not strictly come from healthy animals declared fit for human consumption, after post-mortem veterinary inspection.
There can therefore be used in any way material from animals dead of accident or disease, or of materials called "specified risk" as part of measures to eradicate BSE, all of these materials , considered "high risk" being destroyed by incineration. "(Regulation recovery site http://www.facco.fr/-Origine-des-matieres-)

The FACCO, Union Chamber of Food Manufacturers Dogs, Cats, Birds and other pets

Proteins

First, what is a protein source in processed foods. Because when you look a little closer, there are a whole range of names on the packaging:

-Regarding the dry food, examples of ingredients on the packaging read: dehydrated poultry meat, poultry meal, dehydrated poultry protein, hydrolysed animal proteins, hydrolysed liver, Creton, poultry (with a %), egg powder, powdered whole egg, dried fish, dried fish protein ...
-And wet foods: meat and animal by-products, meat and animal by-products, fish and fish products, eggs and egg products, pig heart, chicken liver and heart, kidney, chicken ...

So how can you find in this multitude of names. What do they represent?

• I invite you to visit the Sifco to understand the value of animal by-products in pet food http://www.sifco.fr/metiersetproduits_pet.php
-You can also follow the path of the future of animal by-products at this link: http://www.sifco.fr/metiersetproduits_infographie.php
-Finally, a diagram of the treatment and opportunities of animal by-products of categories 1, 2 and 3 http://www.sifco.fr/collectep1.pdf

• A course on animal fats in flour and online at the Veterinary School of Lyon also gives us some interesting information: http://www2.vet-lyon.fr/ens/nut/webBromato/cours/farinean/ sommfa.html

We learn that given the "pejorative" attached to the term "meat meal", the food industry for domestic carnivores prefer to speak of dehydrated proteins, meats and precooked dehydrated ... so these terms should be read with caution and without naive: we did not necessarily make for beautiful pieces of meat (muscle) then dehydrated!

Then it says that in the croquettes, the proteins are mainly made by MBM. Depending on the selection of fabrics that make up the raw materials for the manufacture of flour, there are plenty of meat. We must remember that animal meal are protein sources but that these proteins are not consistently good quality. Muscle protein red, white muscle, and glands are highly digestible and have a very high biological value. By cons, proteins of bone, connective tissue (tendons, ligaments), skin and skin appendages (hair, feathers) have very poor biological value because they have imbalances in essential amino acids. Blood proteins are, in turn, highly digestible, high biological value. The fish proteins are very high biological values.

Finally, we learn that in the dry food for domestic carnivores, one can find greaves meal. (The residue of muscle fat melters are treated in the greaves. In creton meal, there is little bone.) One can also find "meat bone" (as defined in the course). The high mineral content of these meals can lead to excessive intakes of minerals from the animals' needs. That's food for domestic carnivores (where the share of animal protein must be important) that this excess of mineral matter is the most harmful (this remark does not apply to flour greaves). To use meat meal, bone demineralization processes can be used.

To conclude this section, I mention that the quality depends on two factors: the balance between all the amino acids and protein digestibility. When buying a pet food, we have not at our disposal information on protein digestibility and amino acid balance. We must be aware that the manufacturer of a complete feed quality should ensure the presence of all essential amino acids in sufficient content in the food.

A large majority of industrial food manufacturers use pet recovery of animal by-products to incorporate proteins in foods.

The names used to refer to these by-products are numerous. Keep in mind that this is still well in most cases of animal by-products.

Finally, about the influence of technological treatments, in general, one can recognize that cooking and drying, especially at high temperatures decrease the biological value of protein.

Cereals

Some sites, like Barf, the site of feeding raw meat to dogs, cats and ferrets, have denounced the giving cereal to dogs.

The starch is necessary for the extrusion process at the base of the manufacture of a kibble. It is therefore necessarily present in dry foods.

According to Geraldine Blanchard and Bernard-Marie Paragon, authors of the book "Food dogs", dogs safely consume a reasonable amount of grain if they are well chosen and cooked (rice, pasta cooked). "There are a lot of starch in dry food because it's the starch that can be, technologically, a croquette. This is not a sufficient reason to remove the starch diet. "(Site http://www.cuisine-a-crocs.com/ )

Criticisms are also made on the presence of hazardous and toxic substances in cereals. According Facco, Europe and France, upon receipt in factories, scans are performed (aflatoxin, pesticide, eggs or larvae of insects ...).

Heavy Metals

Maximum permissible levels of Cadmium and Lead in raw animal, vegetable and pet food have been set by the European Directive 2005/87.

Pesticides and Insecticides

The maximum permissible levels of various substances in the raw materials used in the manufacture of pet food have been set by the European Directive 2006/77.

Dioxins and PCBs

The maximum permissible levels in the raw materials of animal, vegetable, and in additives in pet food have been set by the European Directive 2006/13.

Mycotoxins

Maximum levels not to exceed were as recommended by the European Commission (2006/576) for various mycotoxins from mold can grow in grains used in the manufacture of pet food. Aflatoxins are subject to maximum permissible levels. http://www.facco.fr/Les-substances-indesirables-les

However, the association SNAC (Safety of pet food), created in October 2007 made by an independent laboratory conduct marks Pets-Food, the analysis of foods for cats and dogs on the market. According to the association, the results showed, among other things, the presence of mycotoxins and melamine in foods, at levels of concern and potentially dangerous to the health of our animals. (Association website Snac: http://www.croquettes-chats-chiens.com /)

The vitamins and antioxidants

Through the various stages of food manufacturing industry, much of the vitamins that could contain these materials are destroyed. To offset these losses, manufacturers add vitamins.

It can be seen as the man for the assimilation of synthetic vitamins is worse than in the natural form.

The quality of processed foods with vitamins pet is certainly not optimal. But the addition of synthetic vitamins is it harmful for both?

About anti-oxidants, I refer you to a research paper: "The interest of antioxidant supplementation in the diet of domestic carnivores (2005)"

Summary of the thesis Veterinary J. Pastre: The value of antioxidant supplementation in the diet of domestic carnivores (2005) "To strengthen the body's antioxidant defenses and prevent the occurrence of lesions due to oxidation, researchers have questioned the usefulness of different antioxidant molecules in supplementation in the diet, such as vitamins C and E, carotenoids, taurine and some minerals and trace elements (selenium, magnesium, zinc, manganese). The literature review of work done in humans and in dogs and cats showed that the use of certain molecules seems justified when radical mechanisms are involved such as strenuous exercise, the immune response, aging and in diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, ocular and osteoarticular. However, although the addition of antioxidants present in the diet of domestic carnivores aroused great enthusiasm, there are still many problems to solve before to ensure their effectiveness and safety. "

The fatty

In Chantale Robinson's book, "My animal eats there though? "We read that the majority of manufacturers use by-products of fat (beef fat, waste oils from restaurants ...). She says these fats are sold to specialized companies, who buy all remnants of greasy, store them after adding chemical antioxidants, and resell to manufacturers of animal feed. She also writes that these fats contaminated are not subject to any inspection and manufacturers of animal feed are not required to state conservation officers already present in the fatty purchased in the industry.

If this information may be effective in some countries, they do not however apply to France and the European Union.

Fat derived from cattle, pigs or poultry used in the manufacture of pet foods are substances of category 3 as defined by Regulation 1774/2002/EC. As such, the fats are derived from animals slaughtered in slaughterhouses and declared fit for human consumption after post-mortem inspection by a veterinary inspector.

It is also incorrect that the manufacturers of animal feed are not required to state conservation officers already present in the fatty purchased in the industry.

Additives added to the mix during the production of food are, according to current regulations and the new regulation 767/2009/CE, the subject of a declaration on the label if these additives have a maximum allowed (regardless are the animal species targeted).

The additives used in raw materials (animal protein, fat) are also subject to mandatory reporting if they are also subject to the maximum allowed. This is the case of BHA and BHT. (I thank Mr. Yves Bodet FACCO Delegate General for his answers and information about it.)

Synthetic additives in food

For the food seem more appetizing and appealing to the owner, and to improve the taste of food, some manufacturers add artificial coloring, flavoring agents and texturing agents. Of chemical preservatives can be added.

More and more people are questioning and are concerned about the addition of such substances, as well as food and in that of our pets.

In recent years, consumers can find more pet food natural, no preservatives and / or synthetic dyes.

But on these issues, it is now very difficult to conclude the subject is vast and complex and views, even among specialists differ.

Learn how to compare food industry

Many pet food manufacturers exist. I repeat again: not all the same!

You can read on the site of FACCO page: how to read a package? http://www.facco.fr/Comment-lire-un-emballage

You must remember that it is among other things by reading the composition, that you find on the packaging, you can compare some elements (the presence or absence of dyes, preservatives, additives, the presence or absence of certain vitamins and their rates, sources of protein, cereal ...)

But it is important to know that the average analysis (percentages of protein, grains ... we can read on the packaging of processed foods) is not sufficient to compare them food.

To compare foods, calculate the amount of nutrients that the dog gets when his cover energy requirements. To make these comparisons, some calculations are needed. You can find support from your vet, if it looked and / or trained in issues of pet food (this is not the case with all vets). The book "Dog Food" co-written by Geraldine Blanchard and Bernard-Marie Paragon will also help.

And namely the quantities listed on the packets or boxes may not match the needs of your pet. The energy requirement of your pet should be calculated. In dogs, this need depends on several factors (weight, race, lifestyle, physiological state, the pathological status).

You can find information on this site: * http://www.cuisine-a-crocs.com/ _Calculer_la_teneur_en_energie_d_un_aliment_industriel-pg-313.html

Conclusion

If we can recognize that the quality of nutrients from food manufacturers pet is not perfect and optimal and can be further improved, however it seems to me premature and exaggerated to conclude that all of this power is harmful to our pets. Especially since all products are created equal!

Before criticizing all processed foods, first learn to understand the dietary needs of our animals with current knowledge and then take the time to compare foods on the market!

And respect the choices of each! The important thing is that everyone can find products according to its values ​​... until more complete scientific input to guide the future regulation of animal feed.

For fans of "homemade" solutions exist, which will be discussed in a future post.

For more information:

Books:

- The Dog Food by Geraldine Blanchard and Bernard-Marie Paragon, 2008

My animal eats-he well? by Chantale Robinson, 2004

Junk food, or the Life of Dr. G. Lippert, 2003

-An angry veterinarian Dr. Charles Danten, 1999

On the net:

-The FACCO, Union Chamber of Food Manufacturers Dogs, Cats, Birds and other pets, http://www.facco.fr/

-The SIFCO the French Union of Industries of Coproducts animals http://www.sifco.fr/donneeseco_production.php

http://www.sifco.fr/metiersetproduits_pet.php

-The list of additives and their status on the official website of the Commission - DG SANCO

http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/animalnutrition/feedadditives/comm_register_feed_additives_1831-03.pdf.

-Course meal and animal fat (Veterinary School of Lyon; WARNING legislation has greatly evolved since September 2001, this course does not incorporate recent legislative changes, only the descriptions are to be considered

http://www2.vet-lyon.fr/ens/nut/webBromato/cours/farinean/sommfa.html)

The thesis-Veterinary J. Pastre: The value of antioxidant supplementation in the diet of domestic carnivores (2005)

http://oatao.univ-toulouse.fr/1341/1/celdran_1341.pdf

The thesis-Veterinary Sagols, E Power of dogs and cats with heart failure. (2007)

http://oatao.univ-toulouse.fr/1823/1/celdran_1823.pdf

- Thesis veterinary Obesity in cats: incidence, predisposing factors and management LAMBINET, L. (2008)

http://www3.vet-lyon.fr/bib/fondoc/th_sout/dl.php?file=2008lyon066.pdf

Association-SNAC: http://www.croquettes-chats-chiens.com/presentation.htm

Veronique Voisin

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