http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/chemicals-in-pet-food-can-lead-to-bad-behaviour-says-top-vet-913907.htmlChemicals in pet food can lead to bad behaviour, says top vet
The Independent (UK) August 31, 2008
"Millions of animal lovers are putting the health of their pets at risk by feeding them brand pet foods that are packed with additives and chemicals, according to a new campaign that will be launched tomorrow.
"Spearheaded by TV vet Joe Inglis, the Campaign for Real Pet Food will warn that the increasingly common behavioural issues in children, associated with some food additives, are also a problem with family pets.
"Food allergies and intolerances are being cited as causes of bad behaviour, such as hyperactivity, and illness in pets, warns the vet, whose concerns are backed by experts including clinical animal behaviourist Inga MacKellar, and dog behaviourist Carolyn Menteith.
"Pet food manufacturers use general phrases, such as "meat and animal derivatives" and "EC permitted additives", in ingredient lists that hide the real content from pet owners.
"Mr Inglis, who has his own line of natural pet food, said: "Some big brands are hoodwinking the public with the food that they put out and labelling in such a way so that pet owners cannot make an informed choice. Profits are being put before the welfare of pets and it's irresponsible to be using all these artificial additives in pet foods when there is so much anecdotal evidence that they cause harm."
"The term "EC permitted additives" covers a list of about 4,000 chemicals. Artificial colours such as E102 (tartrazine) and E110 (sunset yellow) have been shown to cause hyperactivity in children. And colours such as Blue 2 have been shown to have the potential to cause tumours, as have antioxidants including BHA.
"Mr Inglis added: "Over the 12 years I've been a practising vet, I have seen a substantial rise in cases of problems caused by poor diet, including allergies and intolerances, and behavioural issues linked to artificial additives in food."
"The campaign has already secured the support of celebrities including Dragon's Den entrepreneur Deborah Meaden. The businesswoman, who has 23 pets, including two dogs, said: "With so much emphasis on 'we are what we eat', it's about time we knew exactly what we were feeding our pets, too."
"The designer Bruce Oldfield, who cooks fresh cod, potatoes and vegetables daily for his dogs, also attacked pet food manufacturers. "I'm pretty careful what I put into my own body, so I think it's outrageous that the pet food industry should be allowed to act in a less than transparent way," he said.
"A spokesperson for the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association, however, said there was no evidence that pet food caused behavioural problems in animals.
""The use of additives in pet food is strictly regulated by the EU," he said. "The authorisation process is rigorous and food/pet food additives are regularly reviewed to ensure safety. Consumers want reassurance on additives, but not full listing. There is no peer-reviewed scientific evidence currently available, or that we are aware of, to suggest a link between behavioural problems in pets and additives in pet food."
"But in an attempt to prove the case against mass-produced pet food containing additives, Mr Inglis plans to run a trial with a group of 30 hearing dogs for the deaf later this year. Half will be fed on a natural diet during their training, over several months, and half will be given food with additives. The dogs will be assessed for any differences in behaviour and performance."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1050954/Pets-bad-diet-develop-behaviour-problems-says-vet-leading-Jamie-Oliver-style-crusade.htmlPets on a bad diet can develop behaviour problems
Daily Mail Online (UK) August 31, 2008
"Pet owners are putting their animals' lives at risk by giving them food packed with additives and chemicals, according to a new campaign.
"TV's Vets in Practice Joe Inglis heads the Campaign for Real Pet Food, which starts tomorrow, to do for dog food what Jamie Oliver did for school dinners.
"It is to highlight that the effect of a poor diet on children such as obesity, food allergies and hyperactivity is also a problem for family pets.
"Mr Inglis, who also looked after the animals on Blue Peter for four years,
wants the law to force pet food manufacturers to list detailed ingredients on packaging so owners know what they are giving pets. "He said: 'I passionately believe that pets deserve good quality, natural food - and pet owners deserve openness and honesty from pet food manufacturers.
"'As a practising vet I know that diet is the number one factor in pets health, and pet owners really need to understand what is in their pets foods if they are going to feed them healthily.
"'This campaign can make a real difference, and by changing the way people think about their pets diets, we can help to make all of our pets healthier and happier.'
"The campaign is being backed by high-profile supporters including Dragons Den entrepreneur Deborah Meaden, fashion designer Bruce Oldfield and Little Britain actor Anthony Head.
"Ms Meaden, who has 23 pets, told the Independent on Sunday: 'With so much emphasis on 'we are what we eat', it's about time we knew exactly what we were feeding our pets, too.'
"There are 7.3 million dogs and 7.2 million cats in the UK and the pet food market is worth 1.6 billion a year to manufacturers.
"But European laws do not require pet food manufacturers to declare what is actually in their products.
"That leaves vague generic terms such as 'meat and animal derivatives', 'cereals', 'derivatives of vegetable origin' and 'EC permitted additives.' "Some pets have dietary intolerances and allergies to certain proteins so campaigners say it is important these are specified in the ingredients so owners can avoid them.
"Also protein used in pet food, another cause of dietary upsets, changes from batch to batch depending on the price of the different ingredients.
"Dog trainer and behaviourist Carolyn Menteith, who has over 20 years experience and is also supporting the campaign, said: 'Even those owners who know that they should be feeding their dogs healthily, naturally and appropriately, often struggle to decipher the ingredients list of most dog foods.
"'In order for owners to make the best choices for their dogs, food labelling needs to be as transparent as we are now demanding from our own food, so that people can clearly see what they are putting in their dog's bowl.'
"The campaign says meat and animal derivatives could mean chicken, rabbit, fish or game and many people would not be comfortable feeding these ingredients to their pets."Some proteins, such as chicken and fish, are better for pets as they are easier to digest and produce fewer waste products than others, such as beef.
"In the same way, the term EC permitted additives covers a list of around 4,000 chemicals with the potential to harm animals eating them.
"Artificial colours such as E102 (tartrazine), E110 (sunset yellow) and others have been shown to cause hyperactivity in children and have recently been banned for human consumption by the Food Standard Agency.
"It is highly likely that this effect is also seen in pets.
"By using the term EC Permitted Additives manufacturers can hide the exact additives they use, so it is impossible for a pet owner to make an informed decision about the food.
"A spokesperson for the campaign said: 'If manufacturers are so confident about the additives they use, and their effects, why don't they name them rather than use this woolly general term?
"'The Campaign for Real Pet Food wants to help pet owners, understand what is really in their pets food, highlighting that pet food ingredient lists should be open, honest and understandable.'
"But a spokesperson for the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association told the Independent on Sunday there was no evidence pet food caused behavioural problems in animals.
"She said: 'The use of additives in pet food is strictly regulated by the EU. The authorisation process is rigorous and food/pet food additives are regularly reviewed to ensure safety.
"'There is no peer-reviewed scientific evidence currently available, or that we are aware of, to suggest a link between behaviouiral problems in pets and additives in pet food.'"Mr Inglis plans to run a trial with a group of 30 hearing dogs for the deaf later this year.
"He will fed half on a natural diet during their training over several months and half will be given food with additives. Their behaviour and performance will then be assessed."
Bottom line appears to be that the UK & EU standards are no better than those on this side of the Atlantic.
Personal experience says there is credence to this. Over 20 years ago, our vet put out a newsletter and one of the topics was "Is Your Dog Hyperactive?" There was a quiz you could take and at the end, an explanation of the food additives and chemicals which could be causing the problem.
At the time, we had a small bird who had behavioral problems which were cofounding noted avian specialists. We were now on specialist #3. When I took the quiz, substituting "bird" for "dog", it was a picture of the little bird's behavior.
One of the things in his diet which he especially loved were maraschino cherries from the fruit salad he got daily. We found that they contained one of the red dyes mentioned re: behavioral problems.
We brought the newsletter with us to the next visit with the avian specialist; he read it and suggested omitting the cherries to see whether it would have any effect on behavior. This doctor cured the little bird of his behavior disorder because he, like our friend, had an open mind.
