CAT LOVERS SITE

Posts Tagged ‘cat food’

As we all know, there has been quite a bit of controversy about BPA in plastics and can linings. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic estrogen petrochemical (synthesized from oil) used to harden polycarbonate plastics  and is used in can linings.

The ester bonds that link the BPA monomers together are not very stable. Over time, these monomers break down, which releases BPA into whatever is surrounding it, such as food and water. 

Over 7 billion pounds of BPA was produced in 2007. That’s a lot of poison, from a lot of petro.

Just a very short overview of the dangers of BPA:

Veterinary researchers have found a link between BPA in cat food cans and hyperthyroidism in cats.

Bisphenol A is an endocrine disruptor, which can mimic the body’s own hormones.

A 2008 review has concluded that obesity may be increased as a function of BPA exposure.

A 2008 study by the Yale School of Medicine demonstrated that adverse neurological effects occur in non-human primates regularly exposed to bisphenol A at levels equal to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) maximum safe dose of 50 µg/kg/day.This research found a connection between BPA and interference with brain cell connections vital to memory, learning and mood.

In vitro studies have suggested that BPA can promote the growth of neuroblastoma (cancer) cells.

It is fairly obvious that BPA, as well as any petrochemical, is not terribly healthy for your cat, you, or the Earth.  You can read some really great articles on my other blog, creating a better world.

Just for your information, EWG reports that the three human foods showing the highest levels of BPA is canned chicken soup, canned ravioli, and, most disturbingly, infant formula.

Of the more than 100 independently funded experiments on BPA, about 90% have found evidence of adverse health effects. On the other hand, every single industry funded study ever conducted  (14 in all)  has found no such effects.

My opinion is that we should avoid ALL synthetic chemicals, as much as possible.  Yes, it’s difficult considering we produce BILLIONS of pounds of these chemicals annually, they poison everything they come into contact with, and they NEVER bio-degrade or photo-degrade.  A good, but sobering book to read is:
Our Stolen Future: Are We Threatening Our Fertility, Intelligence and Survival? A Scientific Detective Story.
Basically, it clearly explains how we are killing ourselves and destroying our Earth with synthetic chemicals.

You can also read an article from Truth About Pet Food to try to figure out if the brand of canned food you get has BPA. Of course, if you feed you cat it’s natural diet of fresh, raw foods, BPA is not an issue!

This is a video by Dr. Karen Becker, a proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian.

Dr. Becker is passionate about educating people about natural health. She often speaks at public seminars and has appeared on Animal Planet. She was also named one of Chicago’s Top Ten Vets, according to Chicago Magazine.

The following cat food food was pulled from store shelves: Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball Cat foods with the following codes RAF0501A22X 18lb., RAF0501A2X 6 lb., RAH0501A22X 18 lb., RAH0501A2X 6lb due to a vitamin B-1 deficiency.  

The company discovered the problem after a number of pet owners and veterinarians called in about cats showing neurological symptoms. The company said it did not find any toxins in the food.

Symptoms of thiamine (B1) deficiency:
- Ventroflexion (bending in a downward position) of the neck
- Muscle weakness
- Ataxia (wobbly walking)
- Seizures
- Fixed, dilated pupils
- Paralysis of the muscles around the eye

For around $10, the Real Safety Guide to Pet Health gives you the strategies you need to help your pet live a long and happy life.

“Ninety percent of all pet health problems are caused by pet food and preventable health hazards”