Being most often the bearer of bad news about pet food (feed), for a change here is some GREAT news. The power real food has. Work from Dr. Karen Becker and Rodney Habib.
Last week Orlando Florida hosted “The Truth about Cancer [Live]” – a 3 day event featuring some of the leading scientists in the world. One of the featured presentations – Clues from Canines: the Ketogenic Cancer Cure – was from friends Dr. Karen Becker and Rodney Habib. It was nothing short of amazing.
Rodney and Dr. Karen Becker have traveled the world over the past couple of years (literally all over the world) speaking with and filming dog cancer experts. Below are two examples of what they have learned…
Two things…
One: Everything that this amazing duo has learned will be published in a documentary film titled “The Dog Cancer Series” – the film will be released on October 17, 2017. Go to this website to register for more information: https://thetruthaboutpetcancer.com/
Two: The power of real food is amazing. Not feed, food…food is amazing.
Most pet ‘foods’ are not food, they are feed. These products are labeled as ‘food’, include pictures of ‘food’ on the label – but these labels are lying to consumers. Most pet ‘foods’ are feed.
Pet feed (labeled as food) is allowed by FDA and each State Department of Agriculture to include waste ingredients such as meats sourced from diseased animals or dead/non-slaughtered animal carcasses. The legal definition of feed even states feed abides by law…unless it doesn’t abide by law (allowed by state or federal agencies).
Material that has been determined to be safe, functional, and suitable for its intended use in animal food, is handled and labeled appropriately, and conforms to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act unless otherwise expressly permitted by the appropriate state or federal agency (suitable for use in animal feed).
Feed could never do the amazing things that food can (documented and scientifically proven health benefits of food). In fact many (myself included) believes that feed is actually a significant contributing cause to the epidemic of pet cancer, diabetes, obesity, and so many different pet diseases.
Don’t ‘feed’ your pet – ‘food’ your pet. If your budget does not allow for a 100% real food diet, give some. Some real food is better than none, some real food is better than 100% feed.
Real food is termed “Human Grade” on a pet food label. You cannot trust a ‘human grade’ claim on a website (yes, some manufacturers directly lie on their websites); regulatory authorities do not scrutinize pet food websites. You can trust a ‘human grade’ claim on a pet food label; regulatory does scrutinize the words on a pet food label. The exception is raw pet food – which currently is not allowed to make a human grade claim. To verify the raw pet ‘food’ is actually food – ask the manufacturer if the product is “manufactured under constant USDA inspection”.
If you or anyone you know has a pet facing cancer, go to https://thetruthaboutpetcancer.com/ – this one click could be life changing. We have – right now – scientific proof real food is life changing. Don’t ‘feed’ your pet – ‘food’ your pet.
Personal note: At “The Truth about Cancer [Live]” event I was lucky enough to hang out with superstars of pet ‘food’ – Rodney Habib, Dr. Karen Becker, Dr. Barbara Royal, Dr. Natasha Lilly, and Daniel Orrego of KetoPets Sanctuary. It is beyond words how amazing they are. If you don’t already – follow them (click on each name for their websites).
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food
What’s in Your Pet’s Food?
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The 2017 List
Susan’s List of trusted pet foods. Click Here
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DavidZ
October 9, 2017 at 4:24 pm
is Tylee’s, chewy.com’s raw food lying about being “Human Grade”? It’s a raw food, I didn’t know they’re not allowed to say that.
Susan Thixton
October 9, 2017 at 5:49 pm
Hi David – I have not seen the Tylee’s food, but Chewy.com is telling me the meat is cooked. If this is not accurate and the meat is raw in the food, please let me know.
Elizabeth
October 10, 2017 at 9:21 am
We tried Tylee’s once on their sale. I called Chewy to ask about ingredients and how the meat “balls” are made. I was unimpressed with this food because it essentially looks like a processsed kibble with slices of cranberries and chunks of veggies. It’s a cooked food, but they would not give me the temperature it’s cooked at. They said it was human grade on the phone but I didn’t research USDA registration # because I wasn’t impresssed. Now that we have our Dane on raw we don’t need cooked. We used Farmers Dog when we were cooking for transition and it was great! I tried it and thought it was good and it is just like recipes we were making at home.
Hannie
October 9, 2017 at 4:37 pm
After doing a lot of research in ’07 & learning what pet “food” actually is, that’s when I pulled the plug on pet “food” & started to give my fur baby human food. I did a lot of research on what dogs’ need so I didn’t go into this blind, I did my homework. I think the pet “food” companies are seeing a decline in profits as people realize what it is they are feeding their beloved four-legged kids. I don’t go around telling every pet parent I see but many ask because I have a 12-1/2 yo Lab who looks many years younger & is still chasing her ball. They ask what I feed her & I think many are kidding when they say that. Most are shocked to find out that I cook for her & have for 10 yrs now. I do give her a very small amount of dry but the best money can buy. I just don’t want her on a totally soft diet, I want a little crunch in there. She gets dried yams to munch on for snacks…….I don’t now nor will I ever trust pet “food” because it isn’t food, it’s garbage.
Debi
October 9, 2017 at 6:53 pm
Hi Hannie, I have done the same for my dogs, since the recall, I also feed the “best” dry, just a little added once a day for the crunch factor, mostly homecooked food by me, I am so with you !!
Pam Roussell
October 9, 2017 at 4:47 pm
Even though this film and study was based on dogs, I would presume it’s safe to say it would also work on cats, right? After all, animals’ bodies work the same way on a cellular level, and cats are suffering from cancer, too. Raw diets do make for healthier pets.
Susan Thixton
October 9, 2017 at 5:51 pm
I asked the folks from KetoPets that question over the past weekend. And yes, it is possible to get cats into ketosis.
Laura
October 11, 2017 at 3:51 am
I asked KetoPets that same question when I had a cat with nasal passage cancer last year and I saw the article posted on this site about the KetoPets study, and though I no longer have the email now, I believe they told me that they couldn’t guarantee the same results in a cat.
Angie
October 9, 2017 at 6:31 pm
It would be really expensive for me to feed my dog duck. He has terrible food allergies. And after a long food trial he does great with duck and potatoes.
RevLinda
October 9, 2017 at 6:53 pm
Hello, Susan, I purchased your 2017 food recommendations, and, after exploring web sites, I decided to try Lucky Dog. I’m so glad I did. This food is convenient and my dog loves it. Since switching, his coat is extra shiny, he is beautiful, and he’s slimmed down to our weight goal! Thank you so much for what you do, and for your guidance in teaching pet owners about the pet food biz.
ROBIN WORL
October 9, 2017 at 11:11 pm
Karen and dr. Rodney are amazing I’ve been following dr. Karen Becker for many years and now also mesmerized with dr. Rodney keep doing what you’re doing
Dog lover
October 10, 2017 at 3:08 pm
Um, he’s not a doctor buy he is a very educated and incredibly dedicated pet owner. It’s a huge understatement to say he went above and beyond when his dog was diagnosed with cancer. Yes I follow Rodney too. He’s amazing! (Dr. Becker too)
Tkitty
October 10, 2017 at 1:13 am
This is so AMAZING! Thank you, Susan, for bringing us some great news too! As a kitty parent, I sure do hope that they will tell us how it will be done for kitties too! ♥♥
Elizabeth
October 10, 2017 at 9:35 am
This is so close to my heart and has brought me to tears. We have seen our 18 month old double merle Great Dane beat severe skin allergies and IBS by eating amazing fresh food he loves! For a recent unemployed graduate of course it is tough to afford to feed a growing Dane 100% real food, but so worth it! I went vegan to help cover the cost and we are both healthier eating more species appropriate diets! You don’t have to be rich, even with a large dog. You just have to prioritize it. But I’m a Dog Mom so I’d do anything to keep my fur babies healthy! I’m just unbelievable grateful all it took was diet to heal my Rolf!
Rolf used to have more diarrhea than not and vomiting spells several times per month. He was a 2/9 body condition and we did everything we could to keep weight on him. Several vets and many people told me my dog was normal and that Danes just do that. Those people are wrong and now he is 3 months free from a single IBS episode and we haven’t given allergy meds all summer! We also don’t have to go to the vet every other week for eye/ear infections. We share on Instagram @foodnotfeed and @rolfthedane
Susan Thixton
October 10, 2017 at 9:38 am
I LOVE your hashtag @foodnotfeed !!!
Elizabeth
October 11, 2017 at 8:52 am
Thank you!! And thank you so much Susan for your work! We would never have known how to help heal Rolf if not for finding your website last winter.
Colleenyts
October 11, 2017 at 10:49 am
Great news, glad they are being heard. I had 3 cats die of cancer that’s why I feed raw and spend more $ on my cats food then mIne now. I have to admit I stopped flowing Ridney’s site though because I don’t own a dog,. Ya I know the same curruption applies for both species when comes to pet food, but I think there is more info and focus on dogs then their is for cats. I think it should be more balanced.
Colleenyts
October 11, 2017 at 10:58 am
I wish I knew how to edit comment, that was suposed to say Rodney.