Originally published October 28 2005
Survey indicates pet food is becoming a health problem
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
More Than Pet Insurance has released a study that reveals a growing number of pets, particularly cats and dogs, are developing food intolerances in response to changes made by pet food manufacturers.
· Pets are now mirroring the human trend of special diets, e.g. wheat free and dairy free.
· Pet food producers in the UK do not have to declare all ingredients on labels unlike human food.
The study, released by MORE TH>N pet insurance reveals that a rising number of the nation's pets are suffering from food intolerance's and allergies, mirroring the trend amongst humans.
It is estimated that 40--45%** of the human population suffer from food intolerances and now almost 10% of pets do too.
Understanding and recognising dietary intolerance is difficult for pet-owners as recurring signs are often passed off as minor illnesses.
This is made worse because of a lack of legislation governing pet food labelling, which means pet owners cannot always clearly identify what they are feeding their pet.
Currently, pet food manufacturers are not obliged to name actual ingredients and some pet food labels use loose terms such as 'meat by-products' and 'cereal or animal derivatives'.
MORE TH>N is calling for those pet food manufacturers to use better, more accurate labelling to assist pet owners and vets in diagnosing and preventing food intolerances.
Nowadays 87% of UK vets are recommending more specialist diets for pets, compared to five years ago.
Sophie de Pelet, MORE TH>N's Veterinary Adviser, comments: "The way that we care and cater for our pets has changed over the last 50 years.
Dogs and cats are no longer kept outside and fed on household scraps, but instead live indoors as part of the family.
We all like to treat our pets, but feeding them snacks and titbits can also be at the root of dietary intolerance in affected animals."
Allergy tests carried out by vets can aid diagnosis, but can cost in excess of £200.
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