PET FOOD INGREDIENTS

[opus88]

more 'interesting' reading....for us pet owners.....
Disgusting, the FDA(as reported on the site) has determined that 'grocery store' pet food that labels  ingredients of 'animal fat and bone meal' content to be likely from that of an EUTHANIZED ANIMAL.
Am I reading this correctly????
Are euthanized animals being used as a 'meat' source by pet food company's?

http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/whats-your-opinion-are-these-a-pet-food.html

[nancyjac]

But that just isn't true.  Of course it can be toxic just as any drug can.  But it is used for other purposes, both on humans and other animals.  Here is just one of many sites that address the multiple uses of this barbiturate.

http://www.healthline.com/goldcontent/pentobarbital

[opus88]

nancy, as far as I know.....pentobarbital is only used by Veterinarians for euthanasia alone.

And it isn't used as a euthanasia source for animals meant for food souces. This product
carries the warning " Environmental Hazard" Quote: " this product is toxic to wildlife. birds and mammals feeding on treated animals may be killed. Euthanized animals MUST be properly disposed of by deep burial, incineration or other method in compliance with state and local laws, to prevent consumption of carcass material by scavenging wildlife."

So if it NOT used to euthanize animals meant for human or animal consumption, nor used for anything other than euthanasia by Veterinarians, how is it getting into the pet foods????

No further comments, I'll let everyone read and come to their own conclusions. ♥

[nancyjac]

Well technically yes.  Any food that contains animal products including flesh, bone, and fat.   Those animals (steer, chickens, turkeys, lambs, etc.) are being euthanized to provide food, for pets and people.  The study found trace amounts of pentobarbital in 2 samples, and assumed it was from animals who had been euthanized with the drug.  However, pentobarbital is a barbiturate also used as an anesthetic and sedative and may also be used to control epileptic seizures.  The more logical assumption to me is that pentobarbital was used on the cows, chickens, etc.) as a sedative or anesthetic to make their slaughter more manageable and humane.  It just doesn't make sense that a mass manufacturer of dog food would go to the trouble and expense of extracting fat and bone meal from euthanized domesticated animals, when they would have all they need from the livestock.