Beef in pet food

[zanana]

It just occurred to me. I was about to feed one of the cats "Beef and Liver" Fancy Feast when it dawned on me that the first place they'd probably use "downer" beef would be in pet food. Just to play it safe, I won't be feeding my animals any food (canned or dry) containing beef. Thought I'd pass this along to other pet owners.

[Robb]

1. Can't be too careful, I guess.

There haven't been any reports of prion-type disease disease in dogs, although a prion-type disease has been described in cats in England. Interestingly in sheep it's scrapie, which is not terribly uncommon in U.S. lamb, so it's probably more the lamb you should worry about for the kitties.

(Is there lamb in cat food? I know it's in a lot of dog food...?)

...Remember also it's the brain and spinal tissue that can carry the disease to other organisms, not the striated muscle meat, fats, bones, or milk. I think part of the issue in Yurp was that they eat more of those "goodies" than many cultures. Blech, says I. :)

[Mairead]

2. I've been feeding my moggie Friskies 'tender cuts with ocean whitefish'

from tins. It has 'meat byproducts' as the third ingredient rather than the first -- it's the best I can find for her; all the others, even the expensive ones from the vet, have 'meat byproducts' as the main ingredient. I supplement the tinned food with an egg yolk (no white) periodically, which she likes a lot.

I'd feed her whole fish (less skin and fins) if I could afford it. Then she'd only be at risk of mercury poisoning!

[Robb]

3. Don't know about cats

...or really dogs other than Siberians, but: I've been getting the salmon skins from my local chef for about a year now. He gets fresh fish, and of course skins it when he fillets; no trouble for him to dump the skins he usually throws out (along with a fair amount of meat attached, actually) into a big tupperware for me. He keeps it in the freezer, and about once a week I'll pick them up, take 'em home and stick strips into the dehydrator. Good supplement for the sled dogs, and I expect other breeds might like it too. Best part, it's free!

[ArkDem]

4. I feed my cats fruit, same as my family.

.

[Bertha Venation]

5. Have you ever seen "Shirley Valentine"?

There's a vegetarian bloodhound in that film . . .

[beyurslf]

6. I thought cats were specifically carnivores.

That's why a dog can eat a cat's food okay but a cat should not eat a dog's food. That's what my vet told me anyway.

[Philostopher]

13. Cats need meats to survive and be healthy.

Taurine is the part of meat protein that's important for cats. More than important, it's essential. Without it, their eyes and hearts will malfunction from deficiency. Dogs don't have this same requirement, and are more omnivorous -- their food has more carbohydrates than cat food. Cats can suffer from deficiency of taurine if they eat dog food for this reason.

There are supplements that can be added, but I've never seen a veterinarian who encouraged using supplemental taurine over feeding the cat a meat diet. Additionally, I have read, as another poster mentioned, that cats' constitutions aren't designed to survive on fish.

Ideally, cats would have a mouse and bird diet, since that's probably what they did evolve to eat, but I doubt very much any of us would really want to provide this diet.

Rendered 'not safe for humans' meats are used in commercial pet food. I think mostly, they use poultry and poultry meal for dry food. I don't know how much of the original animal is actually used in canned food, but I am concerned and may stop buying the beef-flavored versions for a while. Or ever. I wouldn't doubt there's spinal cord and brain tissue that sneaks its way into the bone meal and 'animal byproducts' in pet food.

[beyurslf]

7. I feed my puppy Natural Choice food from

Pet Smart. It is the Nutro brand. She loves it. Makes her coat shiny, breath's odor improved.

[ET Awful]

11. My kitten loves the Nutro Natural Choice for kittens :)

He really likes the Oceanfish and Tuna flavor :).

[kalian]

8. Stick to Eukanuba Lamb and Rice for the cats....

;)
My vet recommends NOT feeding fish to the cats believe it or not.
And definitely do NOT give them cow's milk...they cannot digest it
well and it leads to a critical feline condition called "fatty
liver" that turns deadly.
Plenty of fresh water and the occasional Wiskas' "cat's milk".

[Kathy in Cambridge]

9. I feed my boys Innova and California Natural

which is all free range/organic. They also get leftovers-like yesterdays Xmas turkey!

[Kathy in Cambridge]

10. I feed my boys Innova and California Natural

which is all free range/organic. They also get leftovers-like yesterdays Xmas turkey!

[rucky]

14. Both Good Brands

I use Nature's Variety.

[proud patriot]

12. I feed our dogs lamb and rice

It's good to think of our pets too .

[Kellanved]

15. There were several hundred cases of infected cats in Europe

Strangely enough: AFAIK no dog has ever been diagnosed with the disease (BSE).

[HEyHEY]

16. Get "California Natural" dog food

Rangefed lamb!

[gate of the sun]

17. I just switched myself

to turkey and chicken for my kitties. I usually buy them good quality canned food but that probably means nothing in regards to the quality of the meat.