COMPLETE AND BALANCED MAKES DISEASE

The proof that nutritionists are really just making semi-educated guesses about what percentages of what nutrients are needed in foods, is the fact that these percentages have been defined and redefined numerous times. This is especially true within the pet food industry - the criteria and standards which qualify pet foods to be considered "100% Complete and Balanced," in other words, the best pet foods, are regularly altered and "improved."

If these "sure" standards have been changed so many times, how could it be known if the current standards are indeed accurate? Nevertheless, at the same time that the nutritional goal posts keep moving, regulators and pet food manufacturers have no qualms considering each redefinition of "100% Complete and Balanced" entirely accurate. Is there not a credibility problem here?

"I'm starving - there's nothing around here with a '100% Complete' AAFCO label..."

A good example of how "100% Complete and Balanced" was redefined occurred when "complete" feline diets were found to be deficient in the amino acid Taurine. Thousands of cats were maimed and perished from heart disease due to exclusively feeding premium pet foods labeled "100% Complete and Balanced." Only by changing the standards was this particular problem solved. But even then, pets fed exclusively the new improved foods suffer a host of other health problems through their lives. You can bet it is because the "100% complete and balanced" food they are feeding is not that at all.

Next time you see bold nutritional claims on a pet food label recognize it for what it is namely, a specious unsupported boast, intended to build consumer trust and dependence on regulators and commercial products, not create optimal health in your pet.

Such diets fed exclusively may delight regulators and make money for manufacturers, but they put your pet's health in peril.

It is so much wiser to trust in nature and feed foods that respect her wisdom, and, if you seek the best pet food, feed as nature intended.

Above are actual headlines of studies from scientific journals describing deficiencies and diseases caused by feeding so-called 100% complete and balanced processed pet foods. Note that these were not cheap generic foods, but dog foods and cat foods from reputable manufacturers producing what they touted as premium foods.

Video: Cat is a Shell Game Pro

Watch how intently this cat studies his game...

Thought for the day: "When I play with my cat, who knows whether she is not amusing herself with me more than I with her." – Montaigne

Word for the day: cloy - verb: 1. (transitive verb) to surfeit with an excess usually of something originally pleasing. 2 . (intransitive verb) to cause surfeit. 3. Make sickeningly sweet / The meat thus prepared stayed moist and the sauce had a hint of sweetness that did not cloy. / The finish is bitter with a slightly cloying vanilla edge and a subtle bite in the back of the throat.