Many of us are unaware of the risk factors of feeding our beloved dogs over the counter processed dog food. If we were aware most of us would be sick and look to alternatives.
Heres something I dug up while doing some research and it scared the fire out of me. So I wanted to pass this on.
Mycotoxins are metabolic by products of fungi which are toxic to both humans and animals.
Mycotoxins contamination is most often in wheat,wheat products, corn, corn products, soybean meal and hulls,barley and oats. The toxins can develop prior to harvest, between harvesting and drying or during storage. Once produced the toxins cannot readily be extracted.
Health problems resulting from these toxins can be cancer, liver desease, desease to the immune system, reproductive problems, and they can adversely effect fetal development.
Even if the processed food we buy is not contaminated when we buy it. It can be contaminated after we open it. Every time we open our dog food we allow oxygen to get in. Oxidation of fats has been shown to cause cancer and other health problems. Warm moist air causes mold to grow on food and Mycotoxins are a by product of mold.
Now we know what the toxin is and where it comes from and hopefully we won't buy a bag thats contaminated but what can we do to keep from contaminating what we open. I did the research and this is what I found.
Heres something I dug up while doing some research and it scared the fire out of me. So I wanted to pass this on.
Mycotoxins are metabolic by products of fungi which are toxic to both humans and animals.
Mycotoxins contamination is most often in wheat,wheat products, corn, corn products, soybean meal and hulls,barley and oats. The toxins can develop prior to harvest, between harvesting and drying or during storage. Once produced the toxins cannot readily be extracted.
Health problems resulting from these toxins can be cancer, liver desease, desease to the immune system, reproductive problems, and they can adversely effect fetal development.
Even if the processed food we buy is not contaminated when we buy it. It can be contaminated after we open it. Every time we open our dog food we allow oxygen to get in. Oxidation of fats has been shown to cause cancer and other health problems. Warm moist air causes mold to grow on food and Mycotoxins are a by product of mold.
Now we know what the toxin is and where it comes from and hopefully we won't buy a bag thats contaminated but what can we do to keep from contaminating what we open. I did the research and this is what I found.
When you look for your bag of dog food make sure of the date and thats its not opened. All cans and bags of dog food should be labeled with an appropriate shelf life. All expired food should not be used. Once can and bags are opened they should be used within a reasonable time to prevent spoilage by mold, oxygen, bugs, moisture and uv light. Poorly stored pet food will become contaminated with mycotoxins and infestation of bugs, and mites. These contaminates use up the nutrients in the infested food. To limit the exposure to our dogs of mycotoxins we should purchase dog food in sufficient amounts for one week of feeding and the shelf life and manufacturing dates should always be checked.
Dog food should be kept in a cool dry environment and larger bags stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Opened cans of food should always be refrigerated.
Always look at the quality of the food before feeding. Never use off colour food rancid, moldy. or off flavored food
If your pet suddenly doesn't want to eat what you have given him or her trust them and discard the food your pet has a good nose.
They know when something isn't right. We have many other alternatives to this bagged over the counter dog food and I'll be writing other blogs with recipes and ideas among other subjects . In the mean time I don't know about you but I think its " move over bacon " time in my refrigerator the dog foods coming in!
I would like to thank Laura Murphy from www.petsbynature.com for giving me her permission to use some information from her articles on poisoned pet food. I appreciate her kindness Laura has many good articles that she writes and she also makes her own fresh dog food for herself and others. I'm sure she will continue her good work.
Other places to find information and great dogs
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