Cause 1 | Neutral Pet Food Study
Pet Nutrition, Health & Wellness, Public Interest.
As causes go, this is especially close to heart. What are the best foods for pets, and why? What are the worst and why are they on the shelves? Should we feed processed kibble and wet, raw, homemade, grain-free or a combination of all? Should raw pucks be cooked? All options have their pros and cons. There is clear debate and there are many more opinions because there is no large-scale, definitive, neutral study on pet food. In its place, we have public confusion, which disadvantages pets.
There is a perfect storm in Canada:
• Pet food is not regulated, quality assurance is voluntary and not enforced, and pet food recalls are at the discretion of the producers. Substandard brands are available for purchase—even one that is said to have killed 3,000 dogs. The producer has not recalled the food and isn’t held to account.
• Some producers publish their own studies, however, they are biased. Most do not study their foods and are not required to.
• New brands are entering the market with superfoods. They capture the public’s imagination, but little is known about whether human-friendly superfoods promote pet health.
• Pets are compromised by illness or behavioural issues, and unwitting parents are saddled with veterinary and trainer bills because of the effects of poor quality pet foods.
We are spearheading a comprehensive, neutral, humane (non-lab) study that investigates pet foods and their correlation to health and behavioural outcomes. This study will conclude with clear recommendations on healthful feeding so that parents have the ability to make informed choices for their pets, confidently.
