Check Your Dog Food Ingredients 2

By: Dave Jackson
These potentially cancer-causing agents such as BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin are allowed at pretty low levels. Using these chemicals in dog foods has not been thoroughly studied, and long term build-up of these agents could be harmful. Because of the questionable data in the original study on its safety, ethoxyquin's manufacturer, Monsanto, was required to perform a new, more rigorous study in 1996. Monsanto didn't find significant toxicity associated with its own product, but in July 1997 the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine requested that manufacturers voluntarily reduce the maximum level for ethoxyquin by half, to 75 parts per million.

The ball is in the air on ethoxyquin. Some pet food critics believe that ethoxyquin is a major cause of disease, skin problems, and infertility in dogs, others claim it is the safest, strongest, most stable preservative we have for pet food. And ethoxyquin is approved for human foods, preserving spices such as cayenne and chili powder, at a level of 100 ppm - but it would be pretty hard for even the most hard-core spice lover to consume as much chili powder every day as a dog would eat dry food. Ethoxyquin has not been tested with cats. Still, it is commonly used in veterinary diets for both cats and dogs.

What is the answer? What I suggest is that you contact suppliers who make dog food in small batches and ship them to your door. These companies are few and far between, but they do exist and they have higher quality ingredients with none of the dangerous preservatives. I discuss this great detail on my website Three Best Dogs, and give you suggestions to try for your treasured pet
Dave Jackson lives in south Florida with his miniature schnauzer. He has great tips on how to care and feed your dog on his website Three Best Dogs.

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