Hi Liz and Benjie here,
I have just read something at the top of this site that made me want to vomit, is it true that dead pets are put in our pet food and sick ones at that. The site said that if you stop feeding brand name dog foods that they will probablly live longer is this true or more scare tactics. One worried owner.:(

False. No dead dogs in dog food.

:confused: Where on this site did you read that? I have never heard that claim before.

Just because it's on the internet, doesn't mean it's true. :2cents:

Sadly, it is not a disproved rumour :( It is not illegal, though it is believed to be far less common than it was years ago.

This article is the basis for a lot of spin-off reporting of this disgusting practice. It has been posted on the Animal Protection Institute's website for years. The Animal Protection Institute (API) is a national animal advocacy nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, contributions to which are tax-deductible. Founded in 1968, API's mission is to advocate for the protection of animals from cruelty and exploitation.

http://www.api4animals.org/facts.php?p=359&more=1

In 1990 the San Francisco Chronicle reported that euthanized companion animals were found in pet foods. Although pet food company executives and the National Renderers Association vehemently denied the report, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the FDA confirmed the story. 'The pets serve a viable purpose by providing foodstuff for the animal feed chain' said Lea McGovern, chief of the FDA's animal feed safety branch.
Because of persistent rumors that rendered by-products contain dead dogs and cats, the FDA conducted a study looking for pentobarbital, the most common euthanasia drug, in pet foods. They found it. Ingredients that were most commonly associated with the presence of pentobarbital were meat-and-bone-meal and animal fat. However, they also used very sensitive tests to look for canine and feline DNA, which were not found. Industry insiders admit that rendered pets and roadkill were used in pet food some years ago. Although there are still no laws or regulations against it, the practice is uncommon today, and pet food companies universally deny that their products contain any such materials. However, so-called “4D” animals (dead, dying, diseased, disabled) were only recently banned for human consumption and are still legitimate ingredients for pet food.

Is this what we have to be afraid of when dog food says "meat by-product" instead of listing the type of meat?

It is the main reason I always avoid (and recommend others avoid) unnamed meat products such as...

Meat by-products (vs "chicken" byproducts)
Meat and bone meal
Animal Digest
Animal Fat

I don't even like vague descriptions like "fish oil" (what kind of fish?), "vegetable protein", or "poultry by-products". Especially if you have a sensitive dog, these kinds of unnamed products - whether its a case of something nasty or just inconsistencies in ingredients ("vegetable protein" could be anything from wheat to soy to sunflower) - could pose a problem.

False. No dead dogs in dog food.


Have you heard of animal digest? It's what it says...it's animal...from road kill to put downs...they may say it's not common but I'd venture to say it still goes on. Avoid foods with animal digest.

from the AAFCO website (Association of American Feed Control Officials - www.aafco.org (http://www.aafco.org))

http://www.aafco.org/Portals/0/Public/Q-AND-A-REGARDING-PETFOODREGS.PDF

please see question # 4 -


Q: Am I correct that parts from sick, dying, or dead animals are allowed? Doesn't this pose a health risk to pets?

A: Animal by-products which may include materials from animals which died by means other than slaughter are explicitly defined as adulterated unless the materials are rendered in compliance with animal health and protein product regulations to destroy any potential microorganisms which may be in the products. The processes used are deemed to be adequate to control risk of disease.


I believe what they are trying to say is "yes" sick, dying and dead animals are allowed. Too bad they didn't include any specifics on companion animals, but I would assume they are included in this answer.

:confused: Where on this site did you read that? I have never heard that claim before.
Hi a pop up appeared at the top of the page never seen it before I must have clicked because the pc went straight to it. I just could not believe what I was reading the funny thing is when I tried to go back to it I could not.