The Cornucopia Institute published a very detailed report of carrageenan in 2013 that provides some very concerning evidence regarding this common canned/moist pet food ingredient. It is unknown why so many pet food manufacturers continue to ignore the science linking serious illness to this ingredient.
Finding a canned/moist pet food without carrageenan is not easy; far too many pet foods use this ingredient as a thickener in moist pet foods. Sourced from seaweed, pet food (and human food) continues to claim it is safe – but science is proving the opposite.
From the 2013 Cornucopia Institute report “Carrageenan – How a ‘Natural’ Food Additive is Making Us Sick”…
“Animal studies have repeatedly shown that food-grade carrageenan causes gastrointestinal
inflammation and higher rates of intestinal lesions, ulcerations, and even malignant tumors.”
“The chemical structure of carrageenan – unique chemical bonds not found in other seaweeds or gums – affects the body in several ways. Most notably, it triggers an immune reaction, which leads to inflammation in the gastrointestinal system. Prolonged inflammation is a precursor to more serious diseases, including cancer.”“Carrageenan is derived from specific seaweeds, which are processed with alkali into a widely used “natural” food ingredient. When processed with acid instead of alkali, carrageenan is degraded to a low molecular weight, and is called “degraded carrageenan” or poligeenan. Degraded carrageenan is such a potent inflammatory agent that scientists routinely use it to induce inflammation and other disease in laboratory animals, to test anti-inflammation drugs and other pharmaceuticals.”
“Degraded carrageenan is not allowed in food, but scientists have raised concerns for decades that the use of food-grade (undegraded) carrageenan also causes harm. A convincing body of scientific literature shows negative effects caused by food-grade carrageenan. Moreover, scientists are concerned that the acid environment of the stomach may “degrade” food-grade carrageenan once it enters the digestive system, thus exposing the intestines to this potent and widely recognized carcinogen.”
“The unique chemical structure of carrageenan triggers an innate immune response in the body, which recognizes it as a dangerous invader. This immune response leads to inflammation. For individuals who consume carrageenan on a regular or daily basis, the inflammation will be prolonged and constant, which is a serious health concern since prolonged inflammation is a precursor to more serious disease. In fact, the medical community has long recognized that inflammation is association with over 100 human disease, including inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and arteriosclerosis. Inflammation is also linked to cancer.”
There should be no doubt to any pet food manufacturer – carrageenan comes with health risks for the pets consuming this ingredient with each meal. When are they going to wake up, read the extensive science, and stop putting this risky ingredient into so many pet foods?
To read the full Cornucopia Institute report on carrageenan, Click Here
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?
Is your dog or cat eating risk ingredients? Chinese imports? Petsumer Report tells the ‘rest of the story’ on over 3000 cat foods, dog foods, and pet treats. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. www.PetsumerReport.com
The 2015 List
Susan’s List of trusted pet foods. Click Here
Have you read Buyer Beware? Click Here
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Find Healthy Pet Foods in Your Area Click Here
Sheila
May 6, 2015 at 2:20 pm
Great article. I switched from Wellness canned to Nature’s Instinct and (I and Love and You) for this reason. My cats were throwing up almost daily when I fed them the wellness food. I rarely get any surprises now with the switch. They eat wet food for breakfast and raw at night. As long as I give them a couple of hairball treats during the week, there are never any fur bombs left for me. The only way to combat this issue is for these kinds of articles to educate pet owners so they can stop buying those products. Money talks and when these companies don’t get it…ONLY then will they possibly change. Because it’s for certain that a lot of them don’t care about the health of our pets. Thanks for the great read!
Jeannette Upchurch
January 5, 2017 at 3:23 pm
Check out Nulo pet food! Nulo.com no carrageenan! Pattented probiotic bc30.
Laura Seay
January 17, 2018 at 3:41 pm
Carrageenan has been taken out of Wellneess food. It is in Royal Canine
Deirdre Curran
March 18, 2018 at 11:07 am
I am holding a can of Wellness Turkey & Sweet Potato formula canned dog food that I just bought last week right now. Carageenan is the 8th ingredient listed on the label. And I am pretty sure I’ve finally pin-pointed it as the reason for my dog’s itching and inflamed ears. She’s on a varied diet and that stuff only flares up when I’ve been too busy and thrown her canned dog food for a few days straight to save myself time. It’s either that or the guar gum (possibly both).
S Martinez
August 22, 2018 at 1:05 pm
I had to put my dog to sleep. She had always been super healthy, until (hind sight) I started giving her wet dog food. After about 7 mths, she had swollen lymph glands and diagnosed with cancer. Now that I look back, I know it was the canned food with the carageenan in it. Makes me very upset that dog food producers are more concerned about the dollar than the pet. When I found out I immediately stopped giving her the wet food, unfortunately it was too late. I also quit giving my cat wet food, and am now supplementing his diet with a good quality canned chicken. He also started having issues after feeding him wet, canned food. There should be some kind of lawsuit against these companies who persist in this wrongful behavior.
Helen
August 16, 2018 at 10:28 am
Wellness now makes their canned food with guar gum 🙂
a
May 6, 2015 at 2:30 pm
MSG is a seaweed also.
Annemarie
May 6, 2015 at 2:35 pm
I’ve been aware of the dangers of carrageenan in human food for awhile. You’ll find it listed as an ingredient in most almond milks as well as coconut and cashew milk. Only recently some manufacturers of nut milks have removed it from their formulas. We need to speak up and hopefully some pet food companies will also find healthy alternatives.
Laura
May 6, 2015 at 5:46 pm
I feed my cats Hound & Gatos’ salmon cat food, and instead of carrageenan it has a few different gums that, to my knowledge, are not dangerous.
Tracie
May 6, 2015 at 6:07 pm
The gums (and there are several) in Hound & Gatos are absolutely inflammation-inducing.
My cat developed suspected pancreatitis after eating Hound & Gatos Chicken and Lamb flavors, and Weruva Cats in the Kitchen chicken and turkey flavors, and stopped eating for several days.
Needless to say, she developed a food aversion to both brands which are filled with gums (and she loved the Hound & Gatos lamb the most).
Debi Cohen
May 6, 2015 at 6:39 pm
We fed the Hound and Gatos, and you could actually bounce it off of the floor it was so gum-filled, really sickening.
Laura
May 6, 2015 at 9:01 pm
Do you have any other info about those gums inducing inflammation? I’m not saying I don’t believe you, I just wasn’t aware that they are a problem. I know, at least from searching this site, that I don’t think Susan’s ever touched on them being an issue.
Susan Thixton
May 6, 2015 at 9:19 pm
In the Cornucopia Institute report – they briefly mentioned other gums but did not say any others cause the health issues that carrageenan does.
Jeanette Owen
May 6, 2015 at 10:08 pm
Any gums are probably bad. Dogs don’t eat them in the wild. And, besides that, I’m sure they are processed with toxic stuff. Not food stuff. I don’t know. I don’t care for them.
Jo
May 7, 2015 at 6:20 pm
So if carrageenan and various gums are not safe or healthy, what thickeners ARE acceptable in pet foods?
Jeanette Owen
May 7, 2015 at 7:20 pm
Go to “Wysongs” website. Among foods for my dogs & cats – they get the Wysong Epigen 90 – which claims to have NO CARBS binders to this kibble. Not talking about canned food – but…. My pets love the Epigen 90 – it’s 90 % protein & you just have to read on that website. I don’t know – I think they all have abunch of weird stuff – that should not be in the food.
Jo
May 7, 2015 at 7:49 pm
Thank you, Jeanette. I am familiar with Wysong and, in fact, have 2 cans of Epigen in my pantry right now. I do like the simple ingredients in this particular Wysong canned formula, although it is not for every day feeding.
Kelley
May 11, 2015 at 1:51 pm
Nulo uses Agar Agar as a binder for there wet food, I love it!
Also, Weruva and Tiki Dog don’t have any of that. Only the Pate foods have the Carageenan and Guar Gum in them.
Nulos has LIVE Probiotics and the food is OUTSTANDING!
Jo
May 11, 2015 at 8:13 pm
Thanks, Kelley! Have not heard of Nulos. Will check it out!
Cheryl Mallon-Bond
May 19, 2015 at 4:22 pm
Hi, In response to your question “what thickener’s are ok to use in petfood”….chia seed! Once you add water to it & stir & let it sit a little while, it thickens up & becomes gelatinous. It has MANY health promoting benefits too, such as protein, omega 3 fatty acid’s, fiber & phytonutrient’s.
Debi Cohen
May 6, 2015 at 6:38 pm
Silk almond milk does not have it the last time I looked.
Dezi and Lexi
May 6, 2015 at 3:19 pm
Great article. We certainly wish pet food companies would take note and stop adding poisons to our pet foods. We love our furry family members as much and sometimes more (LOL) than our human family members and it’s aggravating to feed something that is known to cause illnesses and will send us to the Vets more often.
Madeleine
May 6, 2015 at 5:31 pm
Desi and Lexi, perhaps if the food companies that produce human foods would set an example, the pet food companies would follow. Human food regulations are lax. How can we expect pet food companies to be less lax? I feed my cat Weruva that gives us the options to buy cans with or without carrageenan as an additive. BTW, you might inform your pet store of this site so that they can subscribe and get their newsletters.
Jenn
April 6, 2018 at 8:15 am
unfortunately Weruva brands are loaded with Carrageenan (BFF brand). I was so mad when I saw the label recently.
Alma
December 6, 2018 at 1:07 pm
It’s not listed in the Weruva pouches (BFF brand) unless they took it out since April.. (?)
Scott Knitter
February 12, 2019 at 9:31 pm
They’re taking the carageenan out. Look for the pink band around the bottom of the label (of the canned foods). The ones with gravy or gelee don’t have carageenan. Unfortunately, my cats love the BFF Too Cool Tuna in Aspic, with carageenan, and turn up their nose at anything in gelee (I don’t blame them; looks like tuna pudding…shudder). I’m hoping to find them a new favorite.
Terry Horsfall
May 6, 2015 at 3:45 pm
Most disturbingly, there is no obligation on manufacturers to list carageenan as an ingredient on the can labels, it is oftener listed just as “gelling agent”. I only found this out after ZiwiPeak made a big splash about removing it from their cans recently.
Susan Thixton
May 6, 2015 at 4:40 pm
Hi Terry –
per regulations if the pet food manufacturer adds it they are required to list it on the label. Can you share (here or to me directly) what ZiwiPeak told you on this? Are they using the term gelling agent?
Terry Horsfall
May 6, 2015 at 4:43 pm
Hi Susan
Thanks for your reply about carrageenan.
ZiwiPeak send out a monthly newsletter in which they covered the subject of caravan,
and they have a splash on their web-site http://www.ziwipeak.com about it.
I will forward you a copy of the newsletter by e-mail, which was sent to me by samantha@ziwipeak.com.
Elizabeth Hosler
May 6, 2015 at 6:10 pm
ZiwiPeak actually recently removed carrageenan from all of their canned foods recently, citing that they realized it is an unhealthy/unwanted ingredient.
Here is a link: http://ziwipeak.com/frequently-asked-questions/carrageenan-in-ziwipeaks-canned-product/
Nina Wolf
May 6, 2015 at 5:38 pm
When we can find foods with no carrageenan, we find other things about them that we really don’t like. So we’ve shifted to trying to get people to go to dehydrated and frozen foods, to avoid all the issues involved with canned. Much healthier, fewer preservatives,more bioavailable, etc.
Sheila
May 6, 2015 at 9:39 pm
While I divide 1 can a day between all 3 of my cats( it used to be at every meal), I now pretty much give them everything and rotate on a daily basis. Wet in the morning, primal frozen or dehydrated raw at night. I either throw in some chunks of rabbit that my neighbor raises for food. Sometimes chicken necks or organs. I give them about an 1/8 of a cup each of dry acana/orijen twice a week. I decided long ago that I don’t want to nor ever will home cook for them. It’s not in the cards for me, but I want them To be able to eat a variety of foods at any given time because you never know when something might go off the market or get recalled and I want as many things as possible to fall back on.
Tracie
May 6, 2015 at 5:42 pm
I recently switched my cat from Science Diet canned (which was the only thing she would eat after a veterinary emergency during which she stopped eating for several days) to Verus Chicken & Liver canned.
I see that Verus has taken the Pledge, but nowhere on their ingredient list is the source (or type) of carrageenan noted, and it is a definite ingredient I am horrified to be feeding her.
However, she is an extremely fussy eater, and after trying many other choices without carrageenan, this is where we are now.
I suspect carrageenan played a prominent role in the recent death of my other cat, who had suspected intestinal lymphoma along with cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure (and severe rapid weight loss).
He ate Wellness canned for many years and after the thiamine deficiency recall in 2011 we began the search for a different diet (and many different brands) but ultimately I lost him.
I do wish Verus would remove carrageenan from their canned formulas.
a
May 7, 2015 at 9:37 am
Thiamine vitamin B1 is an essential nutrient for Cats found in Brown Rice and Brewers Yeast: Brewer’s Yeast is a type of mushroom; Eggs have thiamine B1′ Pork has Thiamine (cooked); peas and Legumes have Vitamin B1.
Pat P.
October 26, 2015 at 8:25 pm
TRACIE,
You, most likely, will not see this response, but I ditched Verus canned cat food, after emailing them re several issues and getting back poorly-written, unscientific, inaccurate replies.
I don’t remember the specifics, since it has been a while ago, but one was in reference to carrageenan. According to them, there was nothing wrong with it, and they considered the studies about its inflammatory properties, to be insignificant and hype. They had no intention of taking it out of their foods or replacing it.
Although I don’t remember the other questions, my overall impression was that they needed someone else to respond to inquiries–someone who knew what they were talking about.
Carrageenan is high on their list of ingredients (for the ones I purchased), which IMO, is not a good choice for foods.
If you feed Verus and are concerned about the carrageenan, you might want to email them, yourself, and read their justification for its use. They may have improved their explanation, but it still wouldn’t encourage me to buy it, on more than a rare basis.
Elizabeth Hosler
May 6, 2015 at 6:18 pm
I recently found two canned foods: Almo Nature and Wild Calling, that contain no carrageenan. My cats love both. Almo Nature is shredded (or chunked, in the case of fish), seems fresh and simple, with pure ingredients. Wild Calling is pate style and offers quite a few different flavors.
Pat P.
October 26, 2015 at 8:49 pm
Elizabeth,
I assume you realize that ALMO NATURE is a SUPPLEMENTAL food, only. It does not have the nutrients for a complete balanced meal. There are no added supplements (found in other animal parts, bones, organs), basically just shredded meat. It is more like a snack. If a cat was fed this food, exclusively, or even too frequently, they would not survive well or long.
Elizabeth
October 27, 2015 at 6:01 am
Hello,
Yes, I do realize that Almo is absolutely NOT a complete diet for cats. I still feed my cats kibble, so they are getting most of their nutrients through that food. All 4 kitties (various ages) have recently seen the vet for their annual checkup/vaccinations, and all 4 are very healthy. I actually hate that they still eat kibble, but we have 4 of them indoors, (plus 2 outside and 2 Golden retrievers), and we’re finding it extremely difficult to try and get them all off of the dry food.
Thank you for your warning, but thanks to Susan’s website and hours and hours of my own research, I have actually learned a lot about nutrition for cats and dogs, much of which began when I had a cat and dog both get lymphoma (2 different types) within 6 months of each other. I attribute this, in large part, to the food they ate when they were young. Though I’ve never fed any of my animals grocery-store food, I will only feed them foods from Susan’s list now, or if I can’t get one of those, then at least one that doesn’t have any major warnings on her list of rated foods (our dogs eat raw, but we haven’t gotten the cats there yet). If I had it to do over, I would become a veterinary nutritionist. Even at our local specialty pet food store, when I’m there,the store manager sometimes refers customers to me instead of his own salespeople because I know more! Because of Susan, I’ve warned him about carageenan and pea protein, just to name two things. And, the store has even begun carrying more of the foods I’ve asked for (from Susan’s list).
In any case, thank you, and bless you and your precious pets.
Best,
Elizabeth
Cheryl Mallon-Bond
October 27, 2015 at 2:46 pm
Hi, I can tell you are up on all the food issues, as you are doing all you can to feed anoptimal diet for your pets.
I want to put it out there to also consider the truth about vaccinations as well. We are all being sold a crock of lies about that as well. I won’t even go into all the issues here because it is way too lengthy & you are obviously an intelligent person,& once you have read up on it yourself, you will, I am sure, come to the same conclusion yourself.
Your veterinarian unless a forward thinking vet will also have a vested interest in yearly vaccinations because it is his or her “cash cow”, & will downplay the REAL statics about Vaccine Associated Sarcoma “VAS”
I am forgetting whether you mentioned if you have cats or dogs, but if cats, go to http://www.catinfo.org you will find all the info you need there, as well as many other sites. You might also consider joining the yahoo support group for “VAS”. Many seasoned people there who have gone through it all with their pets & have a wealth of scientific studies to back up everything, this is NOT in any way some kind of fear based opinion format, it’s the real.deal.
Please share your newly learned knowledge with everyone.you know as well, this is how we can spread the word to help save our beloved fur-babies. Food is paramount, but it is only part of the equation. Over vaccination is also causing chronic illnesses in pets, & also.leading to.unnecessary suffering & death.
Linda Ouhadi
April 12, 2019 at 10:13 am
Interesting that you are saying Almo Nature is not adequate nutrition because it does not contain by-products (“other animal parts, bones, organs”) or added supplements almost exclusively from China. Almo does now make a complete product, Almo Complete.
Helen Savadge
May 6, 2015 at 7:54 pm
Can’t find Nature’s Instinct on Petsumer’s Report. Is it a better choice for cats than Wellness?
Sheila
May 6, 2015 at 9:30 pm
It’s actually called nature’s variety instinct. It’s on there, but has not been updated in awhile. It states that their rabbits come from China, but according to the company, they have not used China for over 2 years. They now get their rabbits from France. Because I feed them 1/3 of a can of this brand daily, I call the company every 4 months and ask them where they get their rabbits from to see if anything has changed. So far, it’s still the same. They did state that some of their supplements come from Asia…..
Marcia
May 6, 2015 at 10:54 pm
My boss at the pet food company where i did sales said that China is the ONLY place the msnufacturers can get taurine (which is essential in a cat’s diet). However, i did some research and asked around and found that story not to be the case. They can get taurine here in America.
I found some of the canned varieties of the Merrick line of “homemade stews” and grain-free, single source of protein canned food did not have carrgeenen (as of 2012). I bought a competing company’s canned food just to get away from carrageenen in 2010.
a
May 7, 2015 at 9:43 am
I would worry if “some supplements s are from Asia:’ a recent recall Powdered milk made from Chinese plastic!
Cheryl Mallon-Bond
October 27, 2015 at 3:04 pm
Yes! Nature’s Variety Instinct (frozen raw, BEST…canned, 2ND best) is MUCH better than Wellness, as wellness has CARAGEENAN in it!
I had also prior believed that their DRY kibble was the best, (it’s certainly many times better than most), but on a recent examination of.ingredients by my vet, she told.me that even though grain-free, it is still a higher carbohydrate load than EVO. I have a diabetic cat that although she recommended No dry for.him, (he pines & demands some.dry), so I have had to.Bend a little & he gets a very small amount.
I however told my vet that Evo was purchased by Procter & Gamble a few years back & that I did not really want to support their company in any way whatsoever! So she told me I.needed to find a dry food that was 80% or higher protein, 20% or less veg/fruit/supplements, so.I bought ORIJEN dry food, which meets those requirements.
However, obviously #1 BEST, is raw homemade, #2, Commercial frozen Raw, #3, Dehydrated Raw, #4, canned Grain-free IMPORTANT! w/ again 80% or HIGHER protein, from.a meat source & NOT pea, or.other legume protein. #5, Dry- GRAIN-FREE…again, w/ 80% or.higher protein from a meat protein, & not pea, or other legume protein.
mina
May 6, 2015 at 8:02 pm
becauses of carrageenan I did stopped feeding wellness can cat food, no more ziwi peak can cat food, no more holistic select can cat foods, and my cat stopped vomited foods, no more gastro for his tummy, now I feed him homemade food, some of weruva can cat food, he looks alright now. I think the carriageway should be ban in pet foods, they shoushould not allow to put in the pet foods anymore, I rather feed my cat homemade foods without supplements but it’s better than any commercial foods, with carrageenan and all chemicals, preservatives, and unnecessary supplements not allow In the cat foods.
Kelley
May 11, 2015 at 1:48 pm
Hey look into NULO Cat it has Guaranteed LIVE Probiotics in Wet and Dry food plus their wet food uses AGAR AGAR which is a Safe Human Grade binder!
Tracie
May 11, 2015 at 2:08 pm
Agar Agar is just another form of carrageenan.
AR
May 11, 2015 at 4:09 pm
No; see Carrageen is a Seaweed; an actually plan;t Agar Agar is from Algae; Algae is not Seaweed.
Agar (pronounced /ˈɑːɡər/, “AH-gər”) or agar-agar (/ˈɑːɡərˈɑːɡər/, “AH-gər-AH-gər”) is a jelly-like substance, obtained from algae [1]
Agar Agar would be similar to “phytoplanktons”. AR MSG IS A SWAWEED.@
Pat P.
August 31, 2015 at 6:40 am
AR,
Seaweed = plant growing in the sea, especially marine algae.
Agar and carrageenan are seaweeds, but not the same.
Jenn
April 6, 2018 at 8:19 am
Seaweed is literally algae. Phytoplankton is just the microscopic variety.
Jeanette Owen
May 6, 2015 at 8:10 pm
I think we have to face the facts as people above have stated – that most these foods have weird stuff in them. Animals are not suppose to eat this stuff, any of it & will pay in the end with a shortened life. Yes, home cooked with real food or human raw food.
Laura
May 6, 2015 at 8:58 pm
I recall Susan saying in an article or comment that raw meat intended for human consumption is loaded with bacteria and such because the FDA or whoever assumes that the meat is going to be cooked, whereas with raw pet food it’s understood that it probably won’t be.
Jeanette Owen
May 6, 2015 at 10:02 pm
I have not heard that. I was told at the Farmers Market – local farms that sell beef etc – get them slaughtered right there or at ASU – & it’s fast & clean. It’s the big factory farms & slaughter places that are filthy & kill & use diseased, hurt animals. I love the small farms. I do enjoy eating beef. Grass fed is wonderful & my dogs do summersault over it raw. True story.
Jo
May 7, 2015 at 7:40 pm
Susan,
Did you really post about this? As much as I despise much of what the FDA does–or doesn’t do–I find it very hard to believe that the FDA would knowingly allow meat meant for HUMAN consumption to be “loaded with bacteria and such”!! I would love to hear your comments on this. Thanks!
Susan Thixton
May 7, 2015 at 7:48 pm
Hi Jo –
No, I don’t believe I have. I have stated that USDA told me their agency operates with the understanding that raw meat does contain some bacteria. Sort of the reason there are understood safe handling for raw meat – that it could be contaminated with bacteria. But no – I’ve not said human consumption meat is loaded with bacteria.
a
May 8, 2015 at 9:03 am
I heard on the nightly business report: A “Beef Hamburger @ restaurant has to be only 70% “beef”; the rest can be any filler: another reason why I am an d will continue to be an ovo=lacto lifelong vegetarian. Anne PS
Cooking “Meat poultry and fish is the number one way to “destroy pathogens germs viruses and bacteria>”
Laura
May 8, 2015 at 1:11 pm
I think https://truthaboutpetfood.com/how-crazy-is-this/ might be what I was thinking of. Note I’m not knocking on feeding raw or cooking at home. Once I’m able to I’m going to cook for my cats, and until then I’m going to try to transition them to raw.
Helen Savadge
May 7, 2015 at 4:55 am
Sheila THANK you for your answer. That was a big help. Have a hard time getting what I need here in Hawaii but I CAN get this. And I DO make a LOT of homemade too. 🙂
Tammy Garrison
May 7, 2015 at 12:18 pm
Susan, I feel like I’ve been trying to scream at the top of my lungs that this particular ingredient is what gave my cat pancreatitis and ultimately killed her, and no one can hear me or just won’t listen to me. I want to scream every time I see one the Blue Buffalo commercials, because their pet food, at least the dry food, is full of that stuff. The talk about no grains, but what is rice? That and Carrageenan is what holds their kibble together! Thank you for this article. I wish more would listen, because my heart hurts and its like she’s died all over again, and I feel so guilty for feeding her that food.
Jo
May 7, 2015 at 7:45 pm
Tammy, please do not feel guilty! We are ALL at the terrible mercy of these gawd awful pet food companies who care about nothing but revenue and will throw in the cheapest ingredients possible, then spend millions marketing them as premium, high quality foods for our pets. You were feeding what you thought was outstanding cat food. We have all been there. Rather than feeling guilty, feel good and comforted that you loved your kitty so much that you searched out what appeared to be some of the best food available to feed. It is not your fault. I am so sorry for your loss.
Tiffany
May 9, 2015 at 9:36 pm
I make my own food for my 13 yr old German Shorthair Pointer (doggy meatloaf) and she’s never been healthier. No doggy order, shiny coat, energetic, happy dog and best of all….less poop! Bagged foods are notorious for causing loads of doggy poop. Began making my own after subscribing to Truth About Pet Food. My dog suffered from vaccinosis after a Rabies shot which I since learned I should’ve never gotten for her. Learned that lesson well and no more absolutely no more vaccinations for her. She loves her bones and cooked food and cottage cheese and bacon bits and zucchini and yellow squash and some carrot. The swelling (vaccinosis) on her foot is healing nicely and hope to show the wonderful progress to my vet who thought my only choice was to “put her down.” Ha! Proved him wrong! Had a relative tell me something so true ….. that dog food is not made for dogs but for people so they can easily feed their pets. Well, I find that the doggy meatloaf is easy to make and can easily make 3-4 weeks worth and freeze it. I bake it in meatloaf pans (5 pans) and got the recipe off YouTube. I add oat bran at each serving for fiber and bury a raw chicken bone in the bowl which she searches out first. Also add to he meatloaf chicken hearts/gizzards/liver. One healthy dog and I get all ingredients at WalMart where it’s cheaper.
a
May 10, 2015 at 6:17 am
thanks for sharing your recipie@
S Martinez
August 22, 2018 at 1:32 pm
Hi Tiffany, I hope that you get this and answer it. I just lost my precious doggie companion, and am certain the lymphoma she died of, came from the ingredient, carrageenan, in the food I fed her. I have, as of yet, got another companion, but when I do, plan to feed her much differently. Can you please post either the youtube link or the recipe, for the loaf, you feed your dog?
Susan Thixton
August 22, 2018 at 1:37 pm
Here is a link to a balanced diet recipe from Dr. Karen Becker and Rodney Habib: https://youtu.be/7P85BMCCboI
Kelley
May 11, 2015 at 1:53 pm
Susan,
What are your thoughts on Guar Gum (Epigen 90 uses Organic Guar Gum), and Agar Agar (Nulo uses that).
Please let me know..
Kelley
Susan Thixton
May 11, 2015 at 1:56 pm
I haven’t read any research on these gums – only carrageenan. The Cornucopia Institute document did (sort of) say that other gums were not even comparable to the risks of carrageenan.
AR
May 12, 2015 at 10:35 am
Agar Agar is from ordinary Algae
Guar gum is from the Guar Beans a n food grade gum; The Guar or cluster bean, with the botanical name Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, is an annual legume and the source of guar gum. It is also known as Gavar, Guwar or Guvar bean.
MSG which we humans eat is “a toxic seaweed’; have a great day! Anne Rockwell Lifetime Vegetarians gelatin IS FROM “THE HOOFS OF A cattle”: gelatin IS IN ALMOST EVERYTHING!. I do not eat any Gelatin whatsoever.
I eat Carrageen; agar agar and guar gum; fruit veggies grains milk and eggs; seeds nuts and sprouts thankyou!
Kristi Johnson
May 24, 2015 at 1:17 pm
Great. I have been giving my IBD dog Tripett canned green lamb tripe because of her digestive problems, and now I find that the Carrageen used as a binder CAUSES IBD. Tripe is supposed to be the best thing for a sore stomach and the product creates sore stomachs. The “food solutions” industry is sickening us and our pets. I’m sending the tripe back to Chewy.
Terry Horsfall
May 24, 2015 at 6:19 pm
Hi Kristi
You might try ZiwiPeak’s Lam, Venison & Green Trioe cans. Jus make sure that they were manufactured after September 2014, when the switched the gelling agent in their cans to make them carrageenan-free.
Marcia
May 26, 2015 at 7:10 am
Besides Carrageenan in the pet’s canned food, I have checked with manufacturers to determine whether the can lining is BPA free! A lot of companies have not made this change for the safety and pure nutritional integrity of canned pet food. People may have noticed how humans have been more conscientious about BPA sports bottles, leftover containers, etc. Why not make the plastic lining used in pet food cans BPA-free?
Jeanette Owen
May 26, 2015 at 11:16 am
I rarely eat food out of a can or my pets. BPA free would be nice. BUT – The supposed other lining – I double is any or much better? A bunch of chemical junk. Go’s for plastic lids & pans. BPA FREE- UHM? I think silicon lids & liners/sealers for containers are the best.
Kristi Johnson
May 28, 2015 at 5:37 pm
Ziwi Pack has green-lipped mussel. It made my bitch break out in HUGE welts – turned out to be hives. I don’t feed any shell fish. People can have reactions to shell fish and I found out dogs can too. Another emergency vet trip on a Sunday, of course. They just gave her Benedryl.
Lisa
May 27, 2015 at 6:34 pm
I have read and read and I am more confused than ever! I have no idea what to feed my 12 year old kitty who has allergies and is borderline IBD and borderline hypothyroid. All caused by poor food choices. I am stumped. I really need some help. She cannot eat grains or chicken of any kind. This is an almost impossible task. I am disabled and do not have the ability to cook for my sweet fuzzy angel but I dearly want to do the best by her.
Cheryl Mallon-Bond
May 27, 2015 at 7:29 pm
It is not cheap….but you might want to consider Nature’s Variety Instinct Rabbit formula since you cannot.feed your cat any chicken. I wonder though, at how this was determined that chicken was the offending issue..it of course, could very well be…bit I.don’t know any more information. Many times, the grain, if in your pet’s “feed”….”food”…is the issue, but blamed on the chicken….but then again, it is a case of…”what came before….the chicken or the egg”, so to.speak…because chickens themselves, unless organic chickens, are fed GMO corn…& in & of itself can be the issue, not necessarily the chicken protein itself. You stated you cannot make a home prepared raw diet, so the next best thing is a commercially prepared frozen raw food. I don’t know if there is frozen sold raw food that is either rabbit, &/or venison protein…that would be the most optimal…then freezedried would be your next best option, & after that canned grain-free. I hope.some of these suggestions might be of help to you.
Cheryl Mallon-Bond
May 27, 2015 at 7:33 pm
*****Also forgot to mention that Turkey protein might also be an option. You will of course need to research brand’s out there that will suit your needs. I would think that there was a raw frozen turkey formula available. I do however know, & use Primal freeze dried raw, that does have a turkey protein based formula.
Lisa
May 28, 2015 at 12:39 am
I am so grateful for your input! I will try this freeze dried food. I saw on the 2015 list of recommended foods that there was a company that is easy for me to get at a local pet food specialty store right here in town. i will use all the information you and Jeanette were willing to share with me as well. I have hope.
Jeanette Owen
May 27, 2015 at 9:27 pm
My cat LOVES Stella & Chewey’s freeze dried food – Chicken, there is also Duck & others. I crumble it up over Acana or Orijen kibble & mix it in with a lot of water (water is good for them!) And boy oh boy – does he love that -more than anything I have ever fed him. Try it. A bag is not cheap but goes a long way. I crumble up 3 – 4 pieces. You can get samples at pet specialty stores at time. I buy my Stella & Cheweys online at Cheweys or Petflow. Fast service. I’m sure you can place orders over the phone. Only thing is I’ve read to be careful so older cats do not get constipated because it has ground bones.
Lisa
May 28, 2015 at 12:35 am
THANK YOU so very much for your input regarding the cat food. I will try this and the other ideas so graciously offered. It is so difficult when there is so many pet food manufacturing company’s out there only out for profit at the expense of our precious family members.
Kristi Johnson
May 28, 2015 at 5:32 pm
Is dried seaweed meal another term for Carrageenan? I notice it in kibble that is supposed to be very high quality. I have no idea why a dog would need dried seaweed meal, so I wonder . . .
Jeanette Owen
May 28, 2015 at 7:13 pm
Yes I wonder also. I wonder why they need most of these fillers in kibble & food??? Just fillers? Monkey see, monkey do. They all have about the same junk in them. Among them blueberries, cranberries & kelp or whatever. Dogs thrive on raw meat. This vet said – the wilder the better, IE Buffalo, elk etc. That’s how he straightens out diabetes in cats, skin problems etc – puts them on a raw diet. Can start to see a difference in 2 weeks & cured in about 2 months.
Rose
May 28, 2015 at 8:36 pm
Daisy has cancer. I make a homemade dog food base and use Canine Caviar for her protein. What has me concerned is that I also add seaweed calcium supplement Its dehydrated Seaweed meal
Is this the same thing that carrageenan is made of? Does anyone out there supplement egg shells as a source of calcium when feeding furry babies home made food as a base? What about Guar Gum which is used in canned dog food How do we know if its safe?
Susan Thixton
May 28, 2015 at 8:58 pm
Hi Rose – I do not know if seaweed calcium would have the same properties as carrageenan. Guessing I would say no – but I am not certain. Guar Gum does not have the scientific research on it that carrageenan does, to my knowledge it is not as dangerous as carrageenan.
Pat P.
July 31, 2015 at 5:15 am
I know that my response is late to this discussion, but it is significant, although it involves a human food experience.
I have various digestive disorders and, as a result, inappetence. After a great deal of weight loss, my primary doctor suggested that I consume Boost Plus (Ensure Plus has similar ingredients) which contains carrageenan. I was drinking it, along with suggested ice cream, on a daily basis, usually several containers/day. After a few weeks, I began vomiting 3-4 times a week, profusely for hours, each day.
At the time I was consuming carrageenan, I was also researching into its effects. I decided that this ingredient may be linked to my throwing up so much. After discontinuing the Boost Plus/Ensure Plus, I, almost immediately, stopped getting sick. Coincidence? I think not. Unfortunately, with that change, I have, also, again lost a lot of weight.
Although, occasionally, I feed my cats a food that has carrageenan as an ingredient, usually it is low on the list, and is not a consistent diet. It is difficult to find a food that doesn’t have this additive or something else that I want to avoid. I like Hounds & Gatos, but not all the gums (as many as three). Both of my cats have limited appetites (even with an appetite stimulant), one has kidney disease. I had been additionally feeding him raw Radcat, which he now won’t eat, unless I add a cheap treat topper. As kidney disease advances, so does the appetite decrease. (I have it, myself) The other won’t eat much other than a Fancy Feast variety (not my preference).
The more research we do into all the commercial cat foods, the more we seem to find unacceptable ingredients. Then, of course, we have to hope they will like our choices, and that the quality is good! It is a never-ending challenge.
Jeanette Owen
July 31, 2015 at 11:12 am
Feed your cat canned Fancy Feast then & add water! It’s better than nothing. That’s what a vet said.
Mel
August 3, 2015 at 5:30 pm
I sent an email to Hound & Gatos inquiring about their use of three different types of gums after hearing that they would no longer be using any gums as of Dec. 2014. The ingredient lists on their website still show formulas that use gums, so naturally this prompted me to get in touch with them.
Now I know my whole comment is off topic regarding carrageenan, but earlier in this thread someone mentioned the gums in H&G caused their kitty to get sick, plus someone else talked about how there’s so much gum in H&G that you could almost bounce a lump of wet food on the floor. Obviously, gums are icky so why would a pet food company use three types?
Laura
August 4, 2015 at 12:31 pm
As far as I know it’s another necessary evil for canned pet foods so they hold their shape, like the article Susan has about how manufacturers are required to put a dangeorus form of selenium or something in canned cat foods, but I guess if they said they were going to take them out then they must not be necessary. I’ve never experienced any potential bounciness from the salmon H&G food that I’m going to be transitioning my cats away from. It’s rather watery, but not so watery you wonder if there’s even any meat in there.
Pat P.
August 31, 2015 at 6:31 am
Mel,
Mel,
I am curious about your H&G inquiry re the overuse of gums. Have they responded yet?
Other than the gum issue, I am okay with the other ingredients and feel comfortable with the company. Their customer service is, usually, responsive.
Even if they reduce the gums to just one (whichever is safest), I would consider buying them, again, for a rotation.
It is so difficult to find ANY commercial foods that don’t have, at least, one ingredient issue, most more.
They have been highly rated by several good sources. Quality is the even bigger concern which is difficult to discover. I don’t trust the quality of many, but I am not too concerned with H&G.
Mel
October 18, 2015 at 5:00 pm
Pat P.,
Unfortunately, as of today I have not received a response from Hound & Gatos. I will resend my email again, and continue to do so until I hear something.
I’m going to inquire in different ways as well, and in this day and age sometimes the best way to get attention is through social media. If a post about potentially harmful ingredients is put out there for all to see, they’ll likely go into damage control mode.
Lisa
October 19, 2015 at 10:31 am
Thank you for following up with H & G. I would love to hear the answer to this “gum” issue as well.
Barbara
August 30, 2015 at 3:38 pm
Can someone please tell me if ‘red algae’ is safe for cats? I know carrageenan is made from red algae – but was told red algae is safe in its natural, unprocessed state, it only becomes dangerous after it is processed into carrageenan. Red algae, also called dulse, is an ingredient in my cat’s current raw food and I am trying to find out if this is safe. Can anyone verify this one way or another? Thank you!
Pat P.
August 31, 2015 at 6:04 am
Barbara,
I assume that you are referring to the dulse found in Radcat raw food, which I feed one of my cats. It is a red seaweed used in soups, stir-fries and salads and is high in vitamins A,C,E,B-6 and B-12, with minerals incl. calcium, iodine and magnesium as well as, protein and fiber but is NOT the same as the extract from the red seaweed that is carrageenan (Irish Moss)! There are 10,000 species of seaweed, with 6,000 red seaweeds, alone!
I sent an email to them inquiring about this issue. They were very upset, because they started the company because of their cat and were concerned about the insinuation that they would feed their own cat carrageenan. They do not like it, at all, and indicated, adamantly, that they would never use it. They sent me a long explanation of the difference, which since it has been a while, I can’t remember specifics, except as stated above, which I recently, researched.
I have faith in this company, but if you have any further concerns, send them an email for a satisfactory explanation.
I am not comfortable with carrageenan in any pet or human foods (its in everything, it seems) except on a infrequent basis and when it is listed lower in the ingredients on the label.
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Kathy
October 26, 2015 at 4:05 pm
I am a very new raw feeder. Adding new ingredients weekly or every two weeks. I am adding green tripe this week. My dear friend brought me over a can of tripett grain free tripe, made by PetKind. Ingredients as listed are-green beef tripe, water, garlic, carrageenan gum. I will open the can and use it, but just this once. I am glad that I looked carrageenan up! Thank-you
Cheryl Mallon-Bond
October 27, 2015 at 2:16 pm
Hi, There has been evidence out for many years that garlic is toxic for cats, it affects their white blood cells & will ultimately cause health issues. It is sad & infuriating that manufactures have had access to this information for well over a decade, yet still! Garlic is in many foods & many supplements.
Cristi
April 15, 2016 at 6:46 pm
Our cat got sicker and sicker over the years. Her vomiting got more violent. She was underweight and irritable. Vets constantly said there was nothing wrong with her. She began losing hair and getting arthritic. Then she began gulping and having focal seizures. I tried everything. It became clear that she was allergic to corn, but getting rid of that, while it helped, still didn’t stop the gulping, seizures, and vomiting. We bought foods and I kept a running list of ingredients, correlating with her symptoms. Sure enough, it was the carrageenan. The vet had never heard of that. (Why? Probably because manufacturers have invested so much money in making sure they don’t). We feed her Weruva now and she is doing well. We just tried out a new Core food on her, though, that has no carrageenan, and once again she has begun constantly wretching and gulping. I see it has KCL (potassium chloride), which may be why. Or maybe it’s the guar gum they put in it. Back to Weruva. There is no doubt in my mind that carrageenan is responsible for making our cat hypersensitive to practically everything. It simply damaged her intestines.
Madeline Fern Maynard
March 28, 2021 at 5:19 pm
I am so happy I found this web site. Thank you all of your notes it is helping me to find some good food for my 2 cats 4 years and 1 year. I found out carrageenan was bad about about 2 years ago. I give my cats Weruvi and some Hills not do not use carrageenan. But I am still working to find the best food and still reading the label to see what it is in the food. Made a list of the ones that have carrageenan.