Some veterinarians are giving clients concerning advice, crossing a line into false and misleading pet food information.
Provided by concerned pet owners, below are flyers that two veterinarian offices are providing their clients.
Both vets offices recommend to pet owners Hill’s, Purina, and Mars; both recommend ONLY feed grade pet foods.
In the top flyer, the vet’s office suggests that all pets that have been consuming a grain free diet to be examined for heart disease. The veterinarian notice also tells pet owners the FDA “has issued a warning regarding grain free diets and other over the counter pet foods.” This statement is absolutely false. The FDA is investigating a potential link of heart disease and grain free pet food. Key words this vet’s office neglected to tell their clients: investigating and potential.
In the bottom flyer – under the category of “DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING” the vet’s office goes so far as to name 14 pet food brands that “may use deceptive advertising“. And then this section of the flyer continues with this:
“Diets that have not been thoroughly tested both in the manufacturing plant and in feeding trials may: 1) contain toxic substances which may be harmful, such as lead in the calcium source used in the food or 2) contain harmful excesses of vitamins, protein or other nutrients. Most nutrition problems nowadays aren’t caused by deficiencies but by excesses. Many food additives and minerals can be adulterated, contaminated or added to diets without any research or data as to their safety or efficacy when used in pet food or along with other ingredients. There are no vitamin manufacturers in the US. Nearly every pet food company buys vitamin, mineral and additive ingredients from large, overseas suppliers and most do no testing on those ingredients to ensure their safety.”
It’s interesting that this vet’s office shares with pet owners concerns of vitamin excesses; “contain harmful excesses of vitamins…” But…one of the pet foods they “REALLY LIKE” has experienced serious vitamin D excesses earlier this year (Hill’s – two recalls).
And then under the same “DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING” paragraph they tell pet owners “Nearly every pet food company buys vitamin, mineral and additive ingredients from large, overseas suppliers” . Here they include the words “nearly every pet food company“- implying that all do not. But then they say “There are no vitamin manufacturers in the US.” Thus, per their own information, the pet foods they “REALLY LIKE” are no different with vitamins than the pet foods they appear to link to “DECEPTIVE ADVERTISING“.
Personal opinion: I think veterinarians should make pet food recommendations when asked, but ONLY if the veterinarian is knowledgeable about pet food and ONLY if they give truthful information. To give advice to trusting clients when you don’t understand the subject is reckless (and just might get them sued).
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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Kellie Celeste
October 4, 2019 at 12:22 pm
I have found that most veterinarians know nothing about nutrition,don’t bother asking them,do your own research,I have had veterinarians push the Science diet foods,and I’ve had some say there is nothing wrong with corn in my cats food, they really need more training in nutrition and I won’t choose what I feed my pet from there recommendations, they don’t have a clue!
Madeleine Innocent
October 5, 2019 at 7:49 pm
When they get the basics so wrong, you have to ask yourself what else have they got wrong.
Martin Tuttle
October 4, 2019 at 12:43 pm
So frustrating that vets are leading people down this path. And something’s definitely “off” with the second flyer… California Natural, EVO, Innova disappeared years ago.
Jan Gray
October 4, 2019 at 1:44 pm
the second flyer seems to be addressing dental disease maybe? And Chuckwagon is in two different categories?
n
October 4, 2019 at 5:31 pm
I’m pretty sure Chef Michael has been gone for several years now too.
Jane
October 4, 2019 at 12:51 pm
I think things took a turn for the worse when vets got the monopoly on selling prescription foods. Our vet freely admits that most of what he knows about pet food comes from the reps that visit his office. He’s suggested the brand they sell a couple times when we’ve had cats with health problems, but they got sicker when we tried them and he didn’t fuss when we switched to something else. But a friend has a cat with urinary problems and not only does her vet insist on her feeding the prescription food, she won’t call in the prescription to let her buy it anywhere else. Money always changes the game.
Hope Williams
October 4, 2019 at 1:13 pm
Your “personal opinion” is mine too. It is truly unfortunate that some vets have to go to work for corporate entities and have to subscribe to the company requirements to promote crap. The second page above listed California Natural and EVO as “pretty good” foods. How old is that page Susan? Or are they still in production?
Susan Thixton
October 4, 2019 at 1:15 pm
I don’t know the age of the second flyer – it was just sent to me this week. I was under the impression that it was recently given to the pet owner.
Faith Jones
October 4, 2019 at 1:13 pm
Both of these letters are bias, contradictory and incorrect. I wonder if these vet practices are owned by Mars?
Sue Michele
October 4, 2019 at 1:26 pm
I have a hard time believing the second note/letter is current. Innova has not been made in years, Evo was discontinued summer 2018 and Mars announced California Natural would be discontinued and that was 2015.
Donna
October 4, 2019 at 1:49 pm
Amazing that a manufacturer of a vitamin supplement for pets has an on-line feature to create a home cooked recipe to use with their supplement and it still includes the choice of sweet potato and lentils in the recipe.
Deep Search
October 4, 2019 at 2:00 pm
The vet I went to a few years back posted flyers around their exam rooms that pushed people away from buying Blue and other grain-free foods and promoted the Hill’s or Royal Canin food they sold instead. Their main point seemed to be that these other foods weren’t tested enough and so weren’t good enough. But then of course they’d never mention the problems with the diets they pushed.
I’ve only been to one vet’s office that didn’t sell Hill’s, Purina, or Royal Canin. And they’re the only vet that has promoted feeding cats a raw homemade diet for optimum nutrition- they offer raw recipes for free. They still sell some kibble and canned foods, I noticed Petcurean GO! in the lobby. But that’s the first vet I’ve found that wasn’t just chock-full of Science Diet stuff. I appreciate that a vet is actually offering food advice that benefits cats instead of trying to get them to eat diets super high in corn/carbs and waste product fillers, like pretty much every other vet.
Amy McAllister
October 4, 2019 at 2:06 pm
They forgot all about peas… pea meal, pea powder, pea protein.
I think the substitution of a plant based protein instead of a grain based carbohydrate is what is causing problems.
Also, I think vets don’t want to hear or acknowledge that processed dog food in general is worse than a human eating burnt chorizo all day every day – both are mostly things an animal of any kind should NOT exclusively eat.
Debbie
October 6, 2019 at 5:07 am
I agree completely on the pea meals etc. I disagree on the grain based foods. They cause a lot of problems including the rice and even the lamb. I think pet foods are just cheap dried up garbage fed to pets. I feed raw and will NEVER EVER go back to a pet food again……Purina, Hills etc need to go out of business. The corruption and greed is overwhelming and they are NOT here to help our pets. The greed is only doing harm to our pets. That goes for human foods as well. Its horrible out there. We are dying off in numbers and that is their goal. Depopulation. I could go on and on but you get the point.
Flowercat
October 4, 2019 at 2:18 pm
There is still no confirmation that DCM is linked to BEG foods, only speculation. It’s really unfortunate that vets are taking this stance without solid evidence. That speaks volumes to me, but it’s not surprising due to their very limited nutritional training. DCM is multifaceted and complex due to aspects such as genetics, protein quality, the absence or degradation of sulfur containing amino acids due to processing/extrusion, and legume content rather then presence or absence. Even certain grains can inhibit taurine synthesis like rice bran. This is not a black and white issue.
The only fairly conclusive trend is that DCM is occurring most often in pets consuming dry foods, but they would never suggest owners to not feed dry… the stock market would collapse LOL
https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/news-events/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy
Cannoliamo
October 4, 2019 at 3:46 pm
Here’s a veterinary recommendation that says feeding-trial-tested feed is preferable to formulation-calculated feed.
http://www.websterlakevet.com/how_to_pick_a_good_pet_food.html
I spoke with the AAFCO rep about this and he said that’s incorrect … there is no nutritional assessment made during a feeding trial, .. only that the food is not deficient in a required nutrient. He thinks this vet may be trying to sell raw pet food (not sure why he thinks that).
He also said that “prescription-diet” food doesn’t offer any long-term nutritional benefit over regular food and may, in-fact, have nutritional deficiencies. That’s why it’s only recommended for short-term use under veterinary care.
He also said that the glycemic index parameter value is not applicable in animal feed.
At this point, I have no idea what pet food(s) AAFCO considers to be healthy and nutritious at any given stage of life and how they think those foods should be identified on the label.
n
October 4, 2019 at 5:39 pm
One of the vets I use is seriously anti-grain-free, due to cardiac and GI issues she’s observed increasing over the years. She feeds Iams (which I wouldn’t personally touch with a 10 foot pole). I believe she said her husband is a veterinary nutritionist. My other vet, who’s been in practice even longer, said, “I have no use for Science Diet,” while freely admitting he doesn’t keep up with every brand on the market. He does continuing ed in food and other subjects. Honestly it’s a mess out there.
Norm S
October 4, 2019 at 8:00 pm
This same thing happened in our community from multiple vets. Shameful.
Batzion
October 4, 2019 at 8:25 pm
I can’t help but wonder if it is just ignorance on the part of the vets, or is bribery involved? I suspect it is a bit of both. If bribery is involved, who is doing the bribing?
BRIAN LEFEVRE
October 4, 2019 at 9:29 pm
My office is recommending avoiding grain free dog food until the problem is sorted out. FDA is working hard to solve this mystery. No and I mean no veterinary nutritionists have pushed grain free diets as healthier. It is total marketing and now we have a possible serious medical issue with these diets. Use them at your pets peril. I will be using a food that has gone through feed trials not just formulated to meet standards.
Marla
October 12, 2019 at 4:39 am
From what I’ve read AAFCO feed trials leave a lot to be desired. The “food” (I’m using that term loosely) being
tested is only required to keep 6 of the 8 (minimum) tested dogs or cats, relative to the “food” being tested, alive for 26 weeks, without them losing more than 15% of their initial body weight and without the average of Hemoglobin, packed cell volume, serum alkaline phosphatase and serum albumin tested blood values falling below minimum levels. I suppose it’s a start but it seems like very low standards.
Elvis Johnson
October 23, 2019 at 7:31 pm
the fda is sorting out the issue, and from the report I read they are associating DCM with a number of sources, genetics, diet and possibly taurine deficiency. the report also said 500 dogs were tested and 222 ate a grain free diet. what about the other 278? have they eaten a classic non-grain free diet perhaps? the report didn’t state. Also no mention of the original grain free diet: raw, such as primal, steve’s real food, Instinct, etc. this fact is telling. my conclusion is that there are inferior grain free diets and there are inferior grain based diets. I would put any mars, hills and purina products in the latter category.
Joe O'Brien
October 5, 2019 at 9:24 am
I receive your emails everyday and follow your advice. I do not automatically take advice from my vet who is supported by a company. I have a question about procedures. My vet wants to x-ray my dog (a cockapoo) to see if he may have any internal concerns. Do you think I should let this happen. My dog is 8 years old and in perfect health. I’d appreciate any advice from you or your readers. Thank you.
Susan Thixton
October 5, 2019 at 9:30 am
Hi Joe – Unless a veterinarian responds, I don’t think pet owners (myself included) are the right ones to be giving you advice on this. My thoughts are ask your vet to explain the reasoning behind the x-ray – get more information there. Then you can make a decision on what is right for your pet.
Sue
October 5, 2019 at 10:17 am
Making your own pet food, yes food, is the best way to go and there are many veterinarians out there that are going the more natural route, raw feeding. Some vets disagree that raw is great, the pets get everything they need. Mine don’t like raw, but I cook their food from my human grade grocery stores. It is criminal was the pet feed industry is doing, scary, very scary times for us as consumers.
Sherri
October 5, 2019 at 3:15 pm
The lives and wellbeing of my dogs matter to me, more then words can say. Their lives do NOT matter to the pet food industry. Their bottom line is all that matters to them and the current, filthy state of pet food today is proof. And it’s never going to change. So feed your pets homemade, cooked or raw. Or purchase a similar fresh made product that’s delivered to you. There are plenty of options other then garbage in the shape of kibble.
Randy Bright
October 5, 2019 at 4:24 pm
It is clear Big Dog Food has it’s tenacles entrenced throughout key touchpoints in the pet industry, including reasearch centers, WSAVA, AFFCO, veteranians selling their products, and the PI propaganda machine. Pet owners should filter the Big Dog Food influence when doing their own research and seeking advice.
Bob
October 5, 2019 at 8:03 pm
You are wrong. The fda has warned about grain free diets and dilated cardio myopathy. This has been proven in research at UCSD (think it was sd maybe Davis). It’s easily searchable. Never mind, even if the fda didn’t warn, the research is clear.
Tyler
October 7, 2019 at 4:07 pm
Have you read the FDA’s actual report? [https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/news-events/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy]
I would suggest reading the actual FDA report, and if you still come to the same conclusion, possibly consider taking a college class in critical thinking.
Now, if you don’t mind sharing your sources that have assisted you in coming to the conclusion ‘the research is clear’ (it’s not) I’m certain that everyone here would love to read it. Shouldn’t be a problem as it is ‘easily searchable’
Long Term Reader
October 7, 2019 at 11:46 pm
Even if the FDA admitted they had the answer, do you really think they’d share it with the public? “Attention Pet Owners, by the way, stop using all grain free PF – now!” This is the same agency that allows garbage and diseased protein to be slow cooked at high temperatures so your dog doesn’t outright die from it the next day. But endotoxins are okay. They are also the folks who took how long to assess the Chinese Jerky treat problem, while they collected endless case reports?
Glad that critical thinking college class has been located, because it might become useful after all. It just doesn’t make sense to replace meat protein with a VEGETABLE substitute. Somebody can wait 10 years for the perfect “research” paper to be posted on the internet, while pets (at risk, or predisposed) continue to suffer. Or they can fed a long held traditional canine diet based on meat (and the predigested material inside prey animals). That matter wasn’t pretty little green peas. Canines survived by being native scavengers, and that meant consuming a diet of variety and rotation.
Sounds like someone works for the government, who is the typical expert in parsing words! Proven? Or rather, “the FDA has WARNED about grain free diets and DCM” and refers owners to their veterinarians? Is that so bad. And who would know what other institutions actually have done some independent research … which might indeed searchable. Considering that the Pet Food Industry could be suppressing results that impact their profit pipeline. Truly independent research is probably a question of getting sufficient funding. So in the opinion of one person making a comment here, the research (evidence or conclusion) IS clear, in their mind. They do have the privilege of contributing to the discussion.
Is there a point to being rude.
Karen Mitchell
October 6, 2019 at 12:26 am
So if vets are oblivious to what they’re recommending for diet, whats that say for the rest of what they recommend I wonder
~ Pet Owner ~
October 6, 2019 at 11:20 pm
Question: when you bought your new car did you rely only on what your car dealer said? Or did you research for yourself? The day we stop being responsible for our own results, is a sad day. The day we shut down conversation is worse.
Except for trusted Vets (friends of the TAPF) I doubt few Vets (can) take the time to become familiar. However, by us having that deeper knowledge of pet nutrition (food over feed) we can come across as being hostile to the uninformed. But at one time we were ALL uninformed except for the author of TAPF.
Like many situations, the worst of the (Vet) “apples” poison the entire barrel. We’ve talked plenty about Vet Offices which are beholding to their “profit line.” But from corporate or political life in general, we already know how difficult it is for the individual to step out of line. That may not be right.But it’s how the world operates. As my manager once said, there are few “White Knights” running around, saving the day. Friends of TAPF just happen to be spoiled by all that Susan does for us!
I blame the PFI. Because when they don’t give owners any choices, then Vets have even fewer options, which are so needed for a pet’s specific purposes. And that lack of choice is criminal! There should be an entire line of wholesome (safe) PF designed especially for pets who are most at risk!! There should be a pipeline established with the kind of providers who can offer “custom made” (wholesome) pet diets. Like Just food for Dogs!
Vets have narrowed down their recommendations (not with an deep understanding about nutrition, maybe not even of their own personal conviction) but with resignation! They’ve picked brands which have done “some” testing over none. With which they have “some” relationship (for the purpose of consultation). Because answering a client’s question with “I don’t know” isn’t an option for a professional to admit. People aren’t paying hundreds of dollars in fees to learn that their Vet can’t even talk about a PF! And Vets need the “science” behind what they recommend. Do they really want that client choosing “Beneful” or “Old Roy” instead?
Nearly every single (commercial) PF out there has had “some” kind of an issue. Hill’s has been “damned” because they made a huge mistake, causing the death of pets. A major car manufacturer issued a giant recall because of defective airbags (that existed for over a decade!). But people haven’t refused to buy their product ever since. Hill’s learned a sad lesson. Am sure the mistake won’t be repeated. But now they need to embrace wholesome Pet Food (not feed) instead. If they do, then others will take notice.
What you feed your dog is not the Vet’s responsibility. It’s yours. And if we could become educated through the TAPF, then everyone has that responsibility to do so. Don’t “damn” your Vet. But keep the conversation going. In terms of why you choose the food you do. If they hear enough from their clients, they’ll understand the marketplace better. Alternatives need to be adopted. But they have to be a profitable maneuver! Again, that’s the way the world works!
I will always defend my Vet (and his practice). When my dog was aging, going through some hard times, he was there. Fully supportive. Never pressuring me. He made that process, bearable. Can you imagine how many clients suffer through the same thing? The Veterinarian profession has one of the highest rates of suicide. They are the FIRST people we go to when we have a pet in crisis. Few people have the luxury of finding the most perfect example of who they think a Vet “should” be. In the moment, they just want their pet saved!
Give them a break. And INVITE them into the TAPF conversation!
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