AVMA Stay Out of My Kitchen

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Now this has to be the most preposterous idea yet. The American Veterinary Medical Association (“AVMA”) is proposing a resolution at its House of Delegates meeting to be held this August such that:

RESOLVED, that the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) adopt the policy on Raw or Undercooked Animal-Source Protein in Cat and Dog Diets as indicated below.

Raw or Undercooked Animal-Source Protein in Cat and Dog Diets

The AVMA discourages the feeding to cats and dogs of any animal-source protein that has not first been subjected to a process to eliminate pathogens because of the risk of illness to cats and dogs as well as humans. Cooking or pasteurization through the application of heat until the protein reaches an internal temperature adequate to destroy pathogenic organisms has been the traditional method used to eliminate pathogens in animal-source protein, although the AVMA recognizes that newer technologies and other methods such as irradiation are constantly being developed and implemented.

Now just what is this nonsense all about? What’s behind this? Dear gentle reader, I assure you it has nothing to do with canine nutrition or public health. It has everything to do with an agenda by the pet food industry to try to control what is considered proper animal feed. What galls me the most is that an association is trying to, well quite frankly I am not sure what it is trying to do with this policy, tell folks what they should and shouldn’t feed their dogs and cats. I think I am intelligent and informed enough to make that decision for myself.

First of all most vets still are under the mistaken belief that dogs are omnivores and should be fed as such. They believe this in large measure because it’s what pet food companies have taught them in vet school. Did you know that most small animal “nutritional” classes for vets in training are sponsored by yes you guessed it big pet food companies. Dogs are carnivores (see the Wikipedia article here, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog) and cats are obligate carnivores and both require a diet geared to their classification as such.

As for risk of illness to the animal because of eating raw, natural food, give me break. “Canine saliva contains lysozyme, an enzyme that lyses and destroys bacteria, but more importantly, the absence of plaque [in a raw fed dog, sic] means the dog's mouth is no longer a hospitable place for bacteria to inhabit. A kibble-fed dog's mouth, however, provides the perfect environment for bacteria growth: plaque-covered teeth with sugary and starchy complexes provide both food and shelter for bacteria. The bacteria thrive in the mouth of a kibble-fed dog because it provides both a perfect atmosphere and a good food source (Lonsdale, T. 2001. Raw Meaty Bones.). Why does a kibble-fed dog have stinky dog breath? Because of the bacteria in their gums and on their teeth (just like the bacteria in our mouths gives us halitosis). A raw-fed dog's mouth provides neither food nor a viable atmosphere for bacteria, which is why a raw-fed dog has odorless breath.” (http://rawfed.com/myths/zoonotic.html) Salvia in a dog is used for two things, killing the nasties and sliding food down into the stomachs. Dogs regularly slide rather large pieces of food into their stomachs because they don’t chew. They rip, tear, shred, crunch bone, and then swallow. They do not chew; their jaws are not capable of chewing as we know it.

I would just like to remind folks that all of the recalls of pet food have been done on kibble.

The governing body of the AVMA contradicts itself when it says there is scientific veterinary studies proving all of the evidence it cites against raw foods as these studies are slanted, small, no double-blind parameters, and done by veterinarians working for the pet food industry. Can anyone say conflict of interest?

The AVMA is also saying that this ban, policy, regulation, whatever, is for food-borne pathogens, but it is only targeting raw food.  That’s seems odd to me. Why does this policy or recommendation not include ALL pet food including kibble and ALL dog treats not just raw foods? Of course raw meat has pathogens on it. Yes, even the meat you buy for your own consumption and raw meat must be cooked for you to eat it. But dogs are carnivores that are designed to eat raw meat, bones, and organs. Dogs’ bodies can cope with the pathogens and have for generations of dogs. As I am sure you have witnessed, dogs lick their own behinds, the behinds of other dogs, they eat poop, and, mine at least, have eaten fresh road kill (their idea not mine) and have never had to worry about pathogens.

The pathogens making us sick are associated with kibble not from feeding a dog his natural, raw meaty bones diet.

At the very least, this policy vote is one more step in trying to control things that don’t need any control. I live in Canada and this may not affect me in the short term but where the AVMA goes so to may the CVMA. I’ve included some links for those interested including a petition against this nonsense.

http://atwork.avma.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Resolution_5_raw-...

http://atwork.avma.org/2012/07/18/the-facts-on-avmas-proposed-polic...

http://www.change.org/petitions/american-veterinary-medical-associa...

[L.M.]

This is interesting...I never knew all of that about dog's saliva and the absence of plaque. I don't do a raw diet for my dogs, but I agree that it is no one's business about what goes on in our kitchens.  This is like the attempted soda ban in NYC for us humans....when did personal choice about what we put into our bodies become lost?  You are right...trying to control things that don't need any control by anyone other than ourselves.  Thanks for posting!  

[Adrianne Matzkin]

THIS they want to pass legislation on but won't do a darn thing about what is killing our dogs from foods from China!!! Really - don't they have enough to do then waste time on this?!?!?!?!?!?

[Gail and Bailey]

Amen to that!!!   

[Gail and Bailey]

I was just looking at the labels on some dog treats in a pet supply place and it seems the new thing to put on packaging is:........  

        Tested SAFE in the USA

              Made in China

WTD??  Now what do we make of this?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I need more information to interpret that labelling, Gail. What's the product?

[Gail and Bailey]

Karen,  I picked up a small bag of a treat by Pet 'n Shape called 100% Natural Chicken Liver PLUS.  It is freeze dried chicken liver plus peas and carrots....no other ingredients.  I looked on the back and saw USA (and did not look closer) and I bought it.  When I got home I noticed that it said "Tested Safe in the USA" and then in small print under that it said  "Made in China".  I went back to the store and read many more labels on different products that said the same thing.  This bag of treats is distributed by Pet Ventures Inc. 13164 Leadwell St.  N. Hollywood, CA 91605  !-800-317-1017.  Until I know if this means that they are safe, they will remain unopened.  I don't know if they would give an honest answer if called.  Your opinion??

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

One simple rule: Made in China = BAD. Do not give to your dog. That's all you need to remember. Take them back to the store.

All the companies have U.S. addresses. (well, except for the ones like Champion in Canada.) Means nothing. There is no quality control for products made in China, no matter what the company tells you. There are tons of treats made in the U.S. and Canada. Stick with the ones we know. Many smaller stores will not sell anything that isn't made in North America. The big box stores are tricky if you don't know what you're looking at, so don't browse in them.

[Gail and Bailey]

I agree wholeheartedly that Made in China = BAD.  I will return them.  However...I still want to know what it means when they say Tested Safe in USA.  How many people will be fooled by this as I almost was?  Should this be something that is brought to people's attention?  Are companies resorting to this trickery because the topic of "No China Made Foods" is now in the front of people's minds? It sucks that there is so much deception.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Since it is not certain what about Chinese dog food/treats is making dogs ill I wonder how they could test for it. Feed dogs long enough til they keel over? I don't think that is ethical or economical. So what do they test for?

[Gail and Bailey]

Okay F, ...a bit of warped humor?  I have this mental picture of the testing lab......yikes!  Point taken.  Neither ethical nor economical and certainly unthinkable!

[F, Calla & Luca]

What I really meant was if they knew to test for a certain chemical(s) they could but really how do they test for all possible toxins?

[Gail and Bailey]

I was just teasing...I knew what you meant.  When I said "point taken", I understood you meant that they do not know what to test for.  Once pointed out, it is pretty obvious and I should have thought of that before I purchased the food. I just worry that this is a way to suck the public into thinking it is safe.   Sorry about the warped humor comment...I really was just kidding with you....however, I suppose I should not kid about this topic......  again, sorry.