Pet food sales are big business. In fact, the Pet Food Institute reported that during 2012 there was $19 billion worth of cat and dog food sold in the U.S. alone. Not all pet foods are created equal, however, and some may even have ingredients that are down right dangerous to be feeding to cats and dogs. One ingredient in particular that has been coming under fire is carrageenan.
“Increasingly people are beginning to realize how important it is to read the ingredient list on their pet food can or bag,” explains Will Post, President of Hound & Gatos Pet Food Corporation. “The problem with that is they will find many ingredients that they don’t recognize at all. Unless they invistigate further, reading the ingredients may not be enough to help keep pets safe and healthy.”
Carrageenan (pronounced care-a-GHEE-nan) is found in many pet and human foods today. With it found in such abundance, it is important that people know more about it so they can make an informed decision about whether or not to avoid it.
Here are 5 facts about carrageenan that every pet owner should be aware of:
- Carrageenan is derived from various parts of red algae seaweed.
- It is used as a thickening agent, binder and stabilizer in many pet food products.
- Research, by The Cornucopia Institute, suggests that carrageenan has been linked to gastrointestinal inflammation and colon cancer. Some pet owners have reported that removing it from their pet’s diet has improved gastroentistal problems.
- The impact of a pet eating carrageenan may not be immediate. Long term use of pet foods containing this ingredient may cause health problems.
- The United States Department of Agriculture proposed in May 2013 to continue allowing it to be included in organic products, despite the safety concerns and pubic outcry to have it removed from the list of approved substances.
“Anyone with pets that want to help protect their health and longevity will want to avoid carrageenan,” added Post. “It’s a substance that is just not needed and raises a lot of concern about safety risks. Become a label reader, investigate what the ingredients you are not familiar with and strive for feeding pets a more natural, pure meat-based diet.”
Cats and dogs thrive on a pure meat-based diet, such as the product line offered by Hound & Gatos Pet Food Corporation. Their product line is 100 percent animal protein, meat-based and avoids ingredients that pets should not have, including by-products, fillers and plant protein. The pet food is sold in over 1600 stores in the U.S. and 600 stores in Canada. To learn more about Hound & Gatos, including where to buy products, visit their site at: www.houndgatos.com.