With all the new and argumentative pet food recalls, it is no wonder that pet owners have resorted to making homemade dog food for their pet dogs in lieu of commercial and, quite possibly, bad dog food and cat food considered as contaminated. So what's all the fuss about? What unlikely result can bad contaminated dog food do to your family pet, and more importantly, what can you do keep it from happening? Just what are in these supposedly nutritious pet foods that has got animal lovers in an uproar?



People are discouraged from consuming too much canned goods for various health reasons. The same holds true for dogs.

Moist dog food is packed in cans. You can just imagine all the harmful ingredients injected into the dog food package, mostly to intensify flavors, enhance palatability, and even improve appearance.

What's truly disconcerting is the truth that animal by-products, the main components of pet food, are already bombarded with chemicals long before they reach the processing plant. So even if the can's label says different things, there really is no such thing as a 'No Preservatives' guarantee.

Dry dog food is even worse. And because canning in itself is already a preserving process, moist dog food contains less of the unhealthy ingredients used to prolong shelf life compared with its dry counterpart.

Another problem is the ingredients themselves, usually meat, poultry, and grains. Any part which is not good for people to eat, such as innards, blood, and bones, make up the by-products that are ground and blended into what we know as pet food. Little do we know that, they are bad dog food.

The thing is, it is not always slaughtered animals that make their way into these meals; but oftentimes, double dead animals are included also. And the drugs and bacteria like Salmonella and Escherichia coli thriving in these meats do not always die during manufacturing.

Furthermore, when moldy grain is thrown in, as well as all the other synthetic and unnatural additives the numbers of which are too many to count with both hands, you then have a lethal canine cocktail. It doesn't take a nutrition expert to know that this spells disaster for the end user, i.e., innocent little Fido.

Harmful effects of bad dog food include vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. But that's just for starters. The more dangerous toxins, like cf1 butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and ethoxyquin, which are all permitted in small doses, can cause cancer, organ failure, and ultimately, death when eaten after a while.

So what can you, the dog owner, do about all this? Voice your concerns. Call pet food manufacturers and call for better quality products so you get your money's worth. Better yet, try making your own homemade dog food. At least then, you can be sure about what your beloved pet is actually eating and you will have peace of mind for the both of you. If you have any doubts on the food you're feeding your dog, consult your veterinarian immediately.

Your loving and dedicated pet deserves more than just a dishful of potentially contaminated bad dog food. Don't you think it's time you showed him just that?