Hidden Ingredients: More Harmful Than what You Are Avoiding?

Concerned pet parents are frequently asking us if Nature’s Logic diets include a list of various ingredients, such as chicken, beef, cheese, fish etc. Usually these requests come after a visit to the vet where allergy testing has been done. The results of most allergy testing are an endless list of foods and other things, which their pet should avoid.

What is often then recommended is an expensive so called hypoallergenic clinical or prescription diet made from low quality ingredients that can only be bought from the vet. Though it can sometimes sounds like the only option, is it really the best for the pet?

Weighing the Difference: Protein Slurry vs. Protein Meal

Dry kibble pet food labels can be confusing to interpret because some of the main ingredients are not what they appear. Ingredients in pet food are listed in descending order by their weight. This predominance by weight includes the water weight when the product is mixed and not the actual weight after the product has been extruded, baked or dried. For example, a dry kibble which uses an ingredient such as “beef” as the first ingredient, which is actually an emulsified slurry, will contain anywhere from 55% to 65% water pre-extrusion and drying. So if the recipe is 70% beef and 30% potato, this company could legally market its diet as containing 70% meat and 30% potato.

What About GMO’s and Protein?

Nature’s Logic frequently receives calls on whether the animals it uses for its proteins consume any GMO ingredients. The answer to this is, “does any company really know 100% for sure the answer to this question?”

First of all Nature’s Logic uses no GMO ingredients in any of its diets. Furthermore, Nature’s Logic knows that the New Zealand grass fed lamb and venison have not consumed any rations containing GMO’s. This would also be true of the sardines harvested in the North Atlantic off the coast of Norway used in the new fish diet.

A Closer Look At Cans

It was reported a few years ago that more canned pet food diets were fed in Europe than dry food. That might not be the case now with the marketing from big commodity diets chasing dollars, but it was the case for certain not long ago.

A couple months ago we published an article where we highly recommended adding moisture to dry pet food to make it more genetically proper for dogs and cats since their prey diet would be very high in moisture, not dry like kibble. Canned food is high in moisture, which makes it more genetically proper for a carnivore assuming the ingredients are proper and healthy.

Things to Consider About Cat Food

From Scott Freeman, Founder of Nature's Logic ________________________________________________ Most typical dry cat foods do not incorporate enough meat and sometimes no organ meat to be really carnivore appropriate. These insufficient diets not only must use synthetic vitamin and mineral packs, but also added synthetic taurine and other synthetic amino acids such as dl-methionine. If using a proper percentage of meat and organ meat, there would be no need to add these synthetic ingredients. Almost all of these added synthetic supplements and amino acids are made in China, and most are toxic and some lethal at high levels. Many site in their documentation the LD50 levels. LD50 is the amount, if fed, that would be fatal at that dosage to 50% or more of the test animals. Here is an example of a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) of synthetic Taurine showing the LD 50 levels and other toxicology information. (see Section 11. Toxicological Information)  Almost without exception, dry cat foods are coated with hydrolyzed poultry liver taste enhancers. This form of MSG is very addictive to cats and causes a challenge to convert cats off of MSG coated dry food to high quality, high animal protein, 100% real food. But one should not give up on converting cats over from these addictive dry diets. These palatant coatings are also undesirable because they contain an acidic chemical called sodium acid pyrophosphate. This is what gives many cat foods that acidic smell along with synthetic added dl-methonine. Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate (SAP) is also very toxic and lethal at a certain level and because of this, also has a determined LD50 level. (see Section 3 and 11 for Hazard and Toxicological Information) Also, here is the ingredient label for a popular cat food hydrolyzed liver coating containing SAP and hydrolyzed liver. Don't free feed dry food; don't leave it out. Dr. Pitcairn in one of his famous books titled, “Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats” literally begs cat owners not to free feed dry food and never leave it out. Cats need moisture in their diets. Their prey in the wild would be around 70% moisture; not 10% or less moisture like dry cat food. Not only do most dry cat foods contain little moisture, most are high in carbohydrates and low in animal protein content lacking adequate muscle and organ meat. Dr. Pitcairn said, as a way to make a point to his customer, “if you want your cats to have bladder problems, feed dry food all the time and leave it out.” In other words, he recommends cats be given portion feedings to restrict calories to only what they need daily, and to incorporate wet food into a cat's diet. So what about Nature's Logic? From the dry, to wet, to raw frozen, it is high in animal protein, and all diets incorporate organ meat. Because of our formulations, not a one of them needs to be supplemented with synthetic vitamins, minerals or amino acids. For example, you will never see Taurine as an ingredient because all Nature's Logic Feline diets contain more than adequate natural taurine, just like they get it in the wild. During feeding trails of our feline dry diets, the Queens at the end of lactation had over 50% more blood taurine than was required to pass an all life stage feeding trial. The kittens, after 12 weeks of growth, had over 90% more blood taurine than was required to pass an all life stage feeding trial. Similar indicators of superior nutrition were in the Queens' and Kitten's blood levels of hemoglobin, albumin and red blood cells. Here is some data from those trials and below is a picture of one of the kittens born during the trials and then adopted out at the end of the trial along with all other Queens and kittens in our feeding trials. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Other features of Nature's Logic cat foods are: We never use hydrolyzed liver palatants; a hidden form of MSG  We never use Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate  They contain NO ingredients from China  We always use enough meat, organ meat and concentrates of other whole foods and natural ingredients so we never have to add any synthetic supplements or amino acids  If you have not tried Nature's Logic cat foods, we encourage you do so, and help your cat be healthier by allowing them to eat diets free of all the hidden things sited above that have nothing to do with health and nutrition.

Do Single Protein Diets for Pets Really Exist?

From Scott Freeman, founder and owner of Nature's Logic:
This is a true story. In talking with a dog food plant that makes kibble for private labels, a customer came to them with a formula, which included “dehydrated chicken”. When the pet food company was ready to begin production, they asked the customer to supply them with the dehydrated chicken since they did not have this ingredient. The customer told the dog food plant to just use chicken meal. The plant explained they could not do that because chicken meal cannot be called dehydrated chicken. The customer asked why they couldn’t; because this is the way he was going to differentiate his food from other foods.

It seems the customer was trying to be different without being different at all. Only on the false label would he have been different.

In the pet food industry we have all seen this battle to differentiate. Grain free diets come out using potato. Then another grain free diet comes out using tapioca, saying why tapioca is better than potato and yet another grain free diet is released using peas instead of potatoes, explaining why peas are better. Etc., etc., etc.

Now that the grain free buzz has saturated the market, single protein limited ingredient diets are starting to make their debut. Why? Well of course, to show that a brand is different and then create marketing around it to reel in customers.

Is Grain-Free Really Better?

Dog and cats are naturally carnivores receiving the majority of their required nutrients from meat. This has lead pet food manufactures to create grain-free formulas for both dogs and cats promoting that it is healthier and more natural. However, while grain-free manufacturers are migrating away from including grains in pet foods, they are instead using other starch ingredients such as potato, tapioca, peas or chickpeas.  

While some in the pet community will advocate grain-free foods as better for pets a question arises. Are potatoes, chickpeas, and tapioca really biologically-appropriate foods for dogs and cats? And though they may be grain-free they are still a starch and these starches are a major source of carbohydrates and sugar in dry kibble pet foods and often linked to various pet allergies or health issues.

Dogs and Cats are NOT Naturally Grain-free

In the wild meat-eating predators consume nearly their entire prey, including the intestines. This supplies them with additional nutrients from predigested fruits, vegetables and yes, grains, in the stomach of their prey, and from the little that they will forage in the wild. So actually the most natural diet for dogs and cats is not one that is grain-free, but rather one high in animal protein and low in carbohydrates.

Starch and its Purpose in Pet Food

A starch is a complexcarbohydrate found chiefly in seeds, fruits, tubers, roots and stem pith ofplants, notably in corn, potatoes, wheat, and rice¹. Grain-free kibble brands still contain starch from one or more of these sources, not because of the nutritional value, but because it makes the kibble stick together and hold its shape.

If you as a pet parent have decide to feed your pets dry kibble for whatever reason, (cost, convenience, etc.) but some form of starch is required to help kibble keep its shape, then is there a healthy starch that is low in carbohydrates and a more natural option?

Benefits of Millet

Millet is a grass seed is similar to one a carnivore might consume from eating the stomach of a bird or herbivore. So it is a starch that is more likely to be eaten by predators in the wild, either directly or through their prey. This is much more likely to occur naturally in a wild dog or cat’s diet than chickpeas or potato, so will be more natural for their digestive systems.

Further, millet is low in sugar and carbohydrates. The grain contains less natural sugar than other starches frequently used in pet foods. Plus millet contains NO gluten, a relatively common allergen for pets.

Nature’s Logic dry kibble formulas for both dogs and cats include millet as the only starch. Since Millet is low in carbohydrates and Nature’s Logic diets are high in protein it makes all our kibble a biologically-appropriate, healthy diet for your pets. If you would like to learn more about Nature’s Logic dry kibble diets that are 100% natural visit our website www.natureslogic.com

How Does High Pressure Pasteurization Affect My Pets Food?

As a loving pet parent it is understandable you want to feed your cat or dog the most biologically-appropriate diet, for many this has lead to selecting a raw food diet for their pet. A properly formulated raw diet is most natural for your carnivorous pet. Raw meat and poultry, along with proper percentages of bone and organ meat, supply a naturally correct profile of amino acids and most vitamins and minerals. Also, inherent in the raw food are enzymes and bacteria that aid in digestion and play a key role in a healthy immune system. 

High Pressure Pasteurization of Raw Pet Food

However a number of raw food manufacturers have begun pasteurizing their raw pet foods through a process called High Pressure Pasteurization (HPP) a method that incorporates water pressure to sterilize food to prevent pathogens that can make your pets sick. “Depending on the amount of pressureused, research has demonstrated that proteins do denature, and beneficial goodbacteria are obliterated during HPP processing”, says Dr. Karen Becker, a proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian. One could argue that this pasteurized form of raw food is really no better than sterilized canned food.

Natural With “Added” Vitamins and Minerals?

It is a difficult task walking into a pet store and trying to find the best possible food for your beloved dog or cat. There are hundreds bags, many claiming to be “natural” but is it really? Pet food that is marketed and sold as natural, if labeled correctly, is required to have a statement on the packaging similar to, “Natural with Added Vitamins and Minerals.” This statement is a disclaimer to let the consumer know that the added vitamins and minerals are not natural.

How to Feed Your Pet Dry Kibble – More Naturally

Nature’s Logic founder Scott Freeman, took a moment to answer a common concern about feeding dry kibble. After 14 years in the pet food industry he has taken hundreds of calls from customers concerned about their pets digestive upset.

Dry kibble food is here to stay, but I am totally convinced that it is far from the natural diet of our pets and is the cause of many of their digestive issues. Because of this, I believe kibble feeding needs some tweaking in order to help our pets better digest it for a healthier outcome.

I am confident, over 90% of the digestive issues, in cats and dogs, which include gas, soft stool, diarrhea, and diagnosis of irritable bowel, whether a correct diagnosis or not, is caused by the overfeeding of kibble. I derive this conclusion from the number of these issues which have gone away when the caller follows my simple advice of feeding less and adding moisture.

Synthetic Nutrients Routinely Added to Pet Foods May Cause Digestive Upset

It is no wonder that synthetically compounded additives in pet foods can be a little repulsive to our pets’ super sensitive smell and taste causing both palatability issues as well as digestive upset.

In order to make these unnatural elements made in chemical plants palatable and tolerable in pet food, many contain added sucrose for taste as well as hydrolyzed protein which is a hidden form of MSG. And besides these taste enhancers in man-made vitamins and minerals, most so called “Natural Flavorings” not only contain hydrolyzed protein (MSG) but many contain the synthetic chemical, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate. Not only is this is not disclosed on the label, neither is the hydrolyzed protein and soy found in most “Natural Flavor” ingredients. Read more about “natural” pet foods on Nature’s Logic FAQ page.

Many people, possibly even you, have experienced nausea after taking vitamin pills. If this is the case, just think about your pet being fed a commercial diet, which has 20 to 26 different, added synthetic vitamins, minerals and amino acids in every meal. The reason for the nausea is because these elements are toxic. Purina Mills (PMI), since July has recalled over 100 of its animal feeds due to excessive levels of added Vitamin D3. Excessive D3 can be toxic and even lethal at certain levels. 

Since 2006, Nature’s Logic has made available for pets a full line of pet foods that supply all essential nutrients from all natural, whole foods. We never add synthetic vitamins, minerals, or amino acids made in chemical plants, which need added sucrose and MSG to make them tolerable to pets. Making nutritious diets from quality ingredients has not only been proven to be healthier for pets, but also safer in the light of many pet food recalls due to excessive added vitamins or minerals, which on numerous occasions have lead to pets illness or even death. Pets love Nature’s Logic and thrive on it, and we believe it is because they are getting nothing but real food.

Read a Real Life Story of Supplement Free Pet Food.

Calcium from Food, Not Laboratories, Safest for Pets

Dogs and cats, like humans, need the natural mineral calcium to support healthy bones for an active lifestyle. But calcium is not made by your pet’s body, so it must come from his diet. Wild dogs and cats get calcium by consuming their entire prey, including the bones. But domesticated animals rely on commercial pet foods we feed them, and some sources of calcium are safer for your pets than others.  

How Feeding Pets Raw Food is Healthy and Easy

Many pet experts suggest feeding pets a raw diet. A food that consists primarily of the right meat ingredients is the most biologically-appropriate thing you can feed dogs and cats, natural carnivores in the wild. It can lead to a healthier, more vibrant pet, as well as lower vet bills.  

However, may pet parents thinking about switching pets from dry kibble or canned pet food to a commercial raw diet are sometimes hesitant, concerned about the possibility of adding inconvenience to an already busy life. But feeding your pet a raw diet doesn’t have to be overly complicated. Some suggestions from a few experts can make feeding your cat or dog raw food much easier.   

Why Healthiest Foods for Pets Include Fruits and Vegetables

In nature, dogs and cats are meat-eating predators, or what scientists call carnivores. Cats are called “obligate carnivores,” which means their diet must consist primarily of meat. Therefore species-appropriate diets for dogs and cats are those rich in high-quality animal proteins and low in carbohydrates. But fruit and vegetables also play an important role in your pet’s diet.  

More Pet Food Recalls: How to Ensure Your Pet’s Food is Safe

Once again pet parents find themselves frantically checking lot numbers and tossing recalled pet food. The current pet food recall due to Salmonella contamination continues to include more and more brands and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has even sickened people who have handled the pet food or the pet that ate it (1). It is scary to think we might be unknowingly feeding a beloved member of our family a food that might harm them. Here are some tips to make sure your dog or cat’s food has not been recalled and to choose a brand that is far less likely to be recalled in the future.

How High Quality Pet Foods Maintain Nutrition with Various Levels of Processing

Processing pet food changes the consistency and nutritional content. Manufacturers do this in order to ensure the food is safe for your pet to eat. That is, certain steps in the process of making pet food are there to eliminate harmful bacteria or to prevent the food from spoiling. Sometimes processing is for convenience of the pet food company, but often it is to deliver the convenient product demanded by pet parents. When evaluating what form or brand of pet food to feed your dog or cat, consider the different processing steps, what they do, and how high-quality pet food manufacturers make sure your pet’s food is safe and nutritious.    

Three Key Reasons Nature’s Logic Pet Foods are Environmentally Friendly

Earth Day is a great time to evaluate how our lives, and those of our pets, impact the environment. More and more pet parents use environmental considerations when buying products for their dogs and cats. Nature’s Logic pet foods are nutrient-dense, with no synthetic vitamins or minerals and no genetically-modified ingredients to help reduce your pet’s carbon paw print.

1. Nature’s Logic Contains NO Chemically-synthesized Vitamins or Minerals

Nature’s Logic not only keeps potentially harmful chemicals and preservatives out of pets, but it keeps them out of the environment, too. Many high-quality foods on the market don’t use chemical preservatives, but only Nature’s Logic is truly 100% natural. Nature’s Logic formulas contain none of the chemically-synthesized added vitamins and minerals added to virtually all other commercial pet

Beware of Overdosing Pets on Synthetic Supplements Intended to Help

When your pet gets sick or develops a health condition of some kind, naturally you want to do all you can to heal him. That might include a change to a higher-quality pet food, a visit to the vet, medications, or more often supplements intended to help. But well-intentioned pet owners can sometimes do more harm than good, particularly when giving too many synthetic nutrients like vitamins, minerals, or amino acids.  These man-made supplements are already present in nearly all pet foods but they are not without risks. In excess, these artificial nutrients can actually harm your pet. This is a greater problem for pets than most of their loving care-takers even realize.

How Ingredients from China Are Still Hidden in Most Pet Foods

Five years have passed since the 2007 pet food recall that led to thousands of pet deaths from dog and cat food containing melamine from China. While this tragic incident raised alarms and awareness of safety issues, pet food products and ingredients from China are still very common on pet store shelves. In fact, over $21 million dollars worth of dog and cat food ingredients, dog and cat food, treats, and chews are imported into the United States from China each month.¹ These ingredients are often hidden from consumers, not appearing on product labels.

Reducing Your Pet’s “Toxic Load” Leads to Healthier Dogs and Cats

For many people, healthier living means choosing more natural products for themselves, and their pets. Dr. Karen Becker, an integrative wellness veterinarian, says, “Many chronic health problems in pets … are in part due to the toxins dogs and cats are exposed to in their daily lives.” Continual exposure leads to what Dr. Becker calls the pet’s “toxic load,” the chemicals and other foreign substances that accumulate in the body of an animal over weeks, months and years.¹ By reducing your pet’s toxic load, you may help them feel better and avoid future health issues.