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1
00:00:07,266 --> 00:00:08,567
[classical music plays]
2
00:01:10,066 --> 00:01:12,066
[narrator]
As of 2013,
3
00:01:12,100 --> 00:01:14,066
the Pet Food industry
was dominated
4
00:01:14,100 --> 00:01:16,300
by only five
multi-conglomerate companies.
5
00:01:17,467 --> 00:01:19,600
Yet when a consumer
walks into a store,
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00:01:19,633 --> 00:01:23,767
it's easy to assume that
there is a vast array of choices
for their dog or cat,
7
00:01:23,800 --> 00:01:27,600
and the ability to choose
that one perfect food.
8
00:01:28,767 --> 00:01:31,233
But just how different
are these choices,
9
00:01:31,266 --> 00:01:34,233
and what's really going on
inside of those bags?
10
00:01:34,266 --> 00:01:36,967
Is what's inside
really as healthy
11
00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:39,834
as the shiny outside labeling
would have you believe?
12
00:01:48,800 --> 00:01:49,800
[woman]
Come inside.
13
00:01:54,633 --> 00:01:56,033
[patting rapidly]
14
00:01:56,066 --> 00:01:58,433
Come on.
Come on.
15
00:01:58,467 --> 00:01:59,800
Good job.
16
00:01:59,834 --> 00:02:01,533
[Karen Becker]
My name is Karen Becker,
17
00:02:01,567 --> 00:02:03,367
and I'm an integrative
veterinarian
18
00:02:03,400 --> 00:02:04,767
here in Bourbonnais, Illinois.
19
00:02:11,433 --> 00:02:13,700
This is a commercially-available
raw rood diet.
20
00:02:13,734 --> 00:02:14,734
This is lamb.
21
00:02:14,767 --> 00:02:17,734
I'm also going
to give the boys an egg.
22
00:02:18,934 --> 00:02:20,734
-Great source of protein.
-[bird chirps]
23
00:02:24,133 --> 00:02:25,200
[Karen laughs]
24
00:02:25,233 --> 00:02:28,233
-Is it feeding time, Bernard?
-[cat meows]
25
00:02:28,266 --> 00:02:29,467
And that's dinner.
26
00:02:38,266 --> 00:02:39,367
[bird chirps]
27
00:02:42,200 --> 00:02:44,533
Oh, Mike,
what time is it?
28
00:02:44,567 --> 00:02:46,233
-[panting]
-[high-pitch] What time is it?
29
00:02:46,266 --> 00:02:47,567
[barking]
30
00:02:49,200 --> 00:02:50,600
It's very exciting.
31
00:02:50,633 --> 00:02:53,600
Okay, Aida,
what time is it?
32
00:03:01,533 --> 00:03:03,834
So there's a problem
in the pet food industry
33
00:03:03,867 --> 00:03:05,767
and most pet owners
aren't aware that
there's a problem.
34
00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:08,734
And unless you have an interest
in digging deeper
35
00:03:08,767 --> 00:03:10,100
and finding out what
those issues are,
36
00:03:10,133 --> 00:03:11,266
you can go through
your whole life
37
00:03:11,300 --> 00:03:12,400
feeding the exact same food,
38
00:03:12,433 --> 00:03:14,633
assuming what you're doing
is healthful for your pet.
39
00:03:14,667 --> 00:03:17,333
And once you start digging,
40
00:03:17,367 --> 00:03:19,867
the evidence
becomes overwhelming
41
00:03:19,900 --> 00:03:23,700
that the industry
has significant issues.
42
00:03:26,467 --> 00:03:28,500
[narrator]
The human-animal relationship
43
00:03:28,533 --> 00:03:30,567
is deeply embedded
in our society.
44
00:03:34,433 --> 00:03:37,700
It is estimated
that 80 million dogs
are in the United States,
45
00:03:37,734 --> 00:03:39,633
with 96 million cats.
46
00:03:43,500 --> 00:03:47,033
Americans alone spend
an estimated $60 billion
47
00:03:47,066 --> 00:03:49,367
on pet expenses every year,
48
00:03:49,400 --> 00:03:51,533
and that number
is growing exponentially.
49
00:03:53,033 --> 00:03:54,033
It's always a first thought
50
00:03:54,066 --> 00:03:56,400
to buy something
your pet will like,
51
00:03:56,433 --> 00:03:58,967
something that
will make them happy
and live a healthy life.
52
00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:03,166
We give them exercise,
clean water, and lots of love.
53
00:04:04,233 --> 00:04:05,467
We've always
purchased food from
54
00:04:05,500 --> 00:04:07,734
a grocery store
or a pet food store
55
00:04:07,767 --> 00:04:10,667
that provided convenience,
the promise of nutrition,
56
00:04:10,700 --> 00:04:12,633
and familiarity
with the brand.
57
00:04:12,667 --> 00:04:16,100
A very important part
of this champion's diet is meat.
58
00:04:16,133 --> 00:04:17,600
That's why we feed him Friskies.
59
00:04:17,633 --> 00:04:20,367
It's a complete diet
in just the right amount.
60
00:04:20,400 --> 00:04:21,700
[female cat]
Very convenient.
61
00:04:21,734 --> 00:04:24,300
[narrator]
The industry at large
62
00:04:24,333 --> 00:04:26,000
survived for nearly
a hundred years
63
00:04:26,033 --> 00:04:28,166
without a single thought
from consumers
64
00:04:28,200 --> 00:04:30,433
as to what was
going into the pet food.
65
00:04:32,900 --> 00:04:34,567
That all changed in 2007,
66
00:04:34,600 --> 00:04:37,967
when a toxic ingredient
made its way into pet foods,
67
00:04:38,000 --> 00:04:40,467
killing thousands of pets
nationwide.
68
00:04:40,500 --> 00:04:43,467
Melamine is used
as a fertilizer in Asia,
69
00:04:43,500 --> 00:04:47,200
and also has several
industrial-- commercial uses,
70
00:04:47,233 --> 00:04:51,734
including a component
of kitchen utensils and plates.
71
00:04:51,767 --> 00:04:53,633
The association
between melamine
72
00:04:53,667 --> 00:04:56,467
in the kidneys and
urine of cats that died
73
00:04:56,500 --> 00:04:59,800
and the melamine
that was in the food
they consumed
74
00:04:59,834 --> 00:05:01,166
is undeniable.
75
00:05:01,200 --> 00:05:03,900
Additionally,
melamine is an ingredient
76
00:05:03,934 --> 00:05:06,734
that should not
be in pet food at any level.
77
00:05:07,734 --> 00:05:09,734
[narrator]
Following the 2007 recall
78
00:05:09,767 --> 00:05:14,100
one central question
began to resonate
amongst consumers:
79
00:05:14,133 --> 00:05:17,633
what are dogs and cats
actually supposed to eat?
80
00:05:17,667 --> 00:05:20,300
It's confusing because
the pet food industry
81
00:05:20,333 --> 00:05:22,934
is telling us
what to feed our pets,
82
00:05:22,967 --> 00:05:25,967
really, more based on
what they want to sell us
83
00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:27,900
than what's necessarily good
for the pet.
84
00:05:27,934 --> 00:05:31,500
[talk-show host]
She is Oprah Winfrey's
veterinarian and now an author,
85
00:05:31,533 --> 00:05:34,467
and her new book is called
"The Royal Treatment."
86
00:05:34,500 --> 00:05:36,734
Please welcome
Dr. Barbara Royal.
Good morning.
87
00:05:36,767 --> 00:05:38,233
-[Barbara] Good morning.
-[audience cheers]
88
00:05:38,266 --> 00:05:39,734
[host]
Thank you so much
for being here.
89
00:05:39,767 --> 00:05:41,100
So let me ask you this,
90
00:05:41,133 --> 00:05:43,600
what are the things
that we're giving them
that we shouldn't,
91
00:05:43,633 --> 00:05:46,333
and then what should we
be giving them that we aren't?
92
00:05:46,367 --> 00:05:49,734
So no corn, no wheat, no soy...
93
00:05:49,767 --> 00:05:51,500
After many years of R&D,
94
00:05:51,533 --> 00:05:54,033
we have found that corn
is still the best available
95
00:05:54,066 --> 00:05:57,700
source of carbohydrates when
processed and refined properly.
96
00:05:57,734 --> 00:06:01,467
Those are the things that cause
overweight, diabetes,
97
00:06:01,500 --> 00:06:05,100
arthritis,
chronic skin infections,
allergies-- things like that.
98
00:06:05,133 --> 00:06:07,000
That's the precursor
for a lot of that.
99
00:06:07,033 --> 00:06:08,133
If you're feeding
poor nutrition--
100
00:06:08,166 --> 00:06:09,467
and they're eating
a lot of those things
101
00:06:09,500 --> 00:06:11,400
that mess with the body,
they just don't stay healthy.
102
00:06:11,433 --> 00:06:13,066
Let me ask you this, Doctor,
are those the things
103
00:06:13,100 --> 00:06:15,834
that you find in dog food
or are you talking to people
who are giving table food?
104
00:06:15,867 --> 00:06:17,000
[Barbara]
No, no, it's in dog food.
105
00:06:29,166 --> 00:06:30,467
[Barbara]
During the war,
106
00:06:30,500 --> 00:06:33,567
there was a moratorium
on using the metal cans
107
00:06:33,600 --> 00:06:36,000
for canned foods.
108
00:06:36,033 --> 00:06:38,533
So they said
you can't use metal cans
for dog food anymore.
109
00:06:38,567 --> 00:06:39,967
You have to use that
for ammunition.
110
00:06:42,900 --> 00:06:44,834
So somebody said
we need to make the dog food
111
00:06:44,867 --> 00:06:47,266
something we could
put in a paper bag.
112
00:06:47,300 --> 00:06:48,700
And that's how they did it.
113
00:06:48,734 --> 00:06:50,100
And nobody thought
at that time
114
00:06:50,133 --> 00:06:52,300
that making a kibble--
115
00:06:52,333 --> 00:06:54,767
and eventually the way
that we process it now--
116
00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:56,867
could ever be
a health detriment to the dog.
117
00:06:59,266 --> 00:07:01,867
Now because of the way
that the world is,
118
00:07:01,900 --> 00:07:05,633
corn and wheat have
become so subsidized
and so cheap,
119
00:07:05,667 --> 00:07:08,834
it's a super cheap way
to make a food
120
00:07:08,867 --> 00:07:10,667
for somebody who can't say no.
121
00:07:10,700 --> 00:07:12,967
That is just too snug.
122
00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:14,700
She needs to get on her diet,
123
00:07:14,734 --> 00:07:16,967
change her food,
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00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:18,500
and then she can do it.
125
00:07:18,533 --> 00:07:21,667
[Barbara]
There's definitely
an epidemic of problems now
126
00:07:21,700 --> 00:07:25,867
in animals that I don't think
we've seen anything like it
127
00:07:25,900 --> 00:07:27,567
in history.
128
00:07:27,600 --> 00:07:29,533
Every animal
that comes in to see me,
129
00:07:29,567 --> 00:07:31,200
they'll say, oh,
they're basically healthy,
130
00:07:31,233 --> 00:07:33,734
but the list of problems
is immense.
131
00:07:33,767 --> 00:07:35,500
So it's not that
they're healthy.
132
00:07:35,533 --> 00:07:38,333
They're actually suffering
from many, many maladies,
133
00:07:38,367 --> 00:07:40,600
a lot of the same maladies
that we see in people.
134
00:07:40,633 --> 00:07:44,300
We have animals
that have, you know,
diabetes and arthritis.
135
00:07:44,333 --> 00:07:47,266
They have auto-immune disorders.
They've got allergies,
136
00:07:47,300 --> 00:07:48,934
and part of the reason for that
137
00:07:48,967 --> 00:07:53,266
is because we are actually
creating these problems.
138
00:07:53,300 --> 00:07:55,367
It's a huge
epidemic of problems,
139
00:07:55,400 --> 00:07:57,300
all of them, I believe,
can be linked
140
00:07:57,333 --> 00:08:01,133
to a very simple
problem of diet.
141
00:08:04,533 --> 00:08:09,467
I would say...
I rarely get home
before 8:00.
142
00:08:10,734 --> 00:08:15,600
Um, there are days when
I stop appointments at 3:00,
143
00:08:15,633 --> 00:08:18,066
just so I might
make it home by 6:00.
144
00:08:18,100 --> 00:08:20,600
I would like to
not work this late.
145
00:08:20,633 --> 00:08:22,300
I would like to
not work this hard.
146
00:08:22,333 --> 00:08:23,734
Um...
147
00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:28,100
I don't see any way
around it right now.
148
00:08:29,266 --> 00:08:31,867
I know my family
would like me home more.
149
00:08:31,900 --> 00:08:34,467
My daughter said to me,
150
00:08:34,500 --> 00:08:36,233
"Mommy, when you're done
writing this book and...
151
00:08:37,767 --> 00:08:39,567
and doing this conference,
152
00:08:39,600 --> 00:08:41,500
could you not do another one?"
153
00:08:44,200 --> 00:08:45,567
[soft tune]
154
00:08:45,600 --> 00:08:47,100
[Barbara chatters]
155
00:08:51,533 --> 00:08:53,100
They do not
hurt each other ever.
156
00:08:53,133 --> 00:08:54,567
They've been doing this
for twelve years.
157
00:08:57,834 --> 00:08:59,166
Do you look 12 years old?
158
00:08:59,200 --> 00:09:00,133
No, you don't look 12 years old.
159
00:09:00,166 --> 00:09:01,800
Do you know why you
don't look 12 years old?
160
00:09:01,834 --> 00:09:05,667
Because your parents feed you
excellent food.
161
00:09:05,700 --> 00:09:07,333
-[man] Where's Tibbs'?
-Up next.
162
00:09:07,367 --> 00:09:09,900
[Barbara gasps]
Yes, it's your dinnertime!
163
00:09:09,934 --> 00:09:11,533
It's suppertime?
164
00:09:11,567 --> 00:09:14,400
And eventually I figure out
my own dinner.
165
00:09:14,433 --> 00:09:17,533
[Barbara quietly chatters]
166
00:09:20,467 --> 00:09:24,266
You put this down
and they're just like--
like arrows just right on it,
167
00:09:24,300 --> 00:09:26,300
absolutely the best thing
they can imagine,
168
00:09:26,333 --> 00:09:27,967
and they're so excited
about eating.
169
00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:29,300
And it's gone.
170
00:09:30,734 --> 00:09:31,900
[sniffing]
171
00:09:34,533 --> 00:09:36,667
There's nothing better
than making your animals happy.
172
00:09:36,700 --> 00:09:38,734
I got to say-- I mean,
look how happy they are.
173
00:09:38,767 --> 00:09:42,133
They're both like, "Yes!
Thank you, you're feeding me
the thing I love,"
174
00:09:42,166 --> 00:09:43,100
and they're so happy.
175
00:09:45,100 --> 00:09:46,700
Do I worry about
them eating raw food
176
00:09:46,734 --> 00:09:47,934
and then licking me?
177
00:09:47,967 --> 00:09:50,133
No, I do not.
[laughs]
178
00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:53,066
Because the fact is...
179
00:09:53,100 --> 00:09:55,667
there aren't any pathogens
in that raw food
180
00:09:55,700 --> 00:09:57,367
because we're careful with it.
181
00:09:59,934 --> 00:10:02,200
I think raw food
is weird to a lot of people.
182
00:10:02,233 --> 00:10:03,633
When I first
mention it to people,
183
00:10:03,667 --> 00:10:05,500
they sort of say,
"Raw food?
184
00:10:05,533 --> 00:10:08,367
Do I have to feed raw food
to make my dog healthy?
185
00:10:08,400 --> 00:10:09,667
Like, are you crazy?"
186
00:10:09,700 --> 00:10:11,700
I'm like, well, you know,
no, you don't have to.
187
00:10:11,734 --> 00:10:14,600
It-- it'll make a difference.
It'll make a huge difference.
188
00:10:14,633 --> 00:10:18,200
Yeah, well, we had
so much crazy processed food,
189
00:10:18,233 --> 00:10:19,934
and then all of a sudden
Whole Foods came around
190
00:10:19,967 --> 00:10:22,700
and said, "We're gonna...
offer fresh food.
191
00:10:22,734 --> 00:10:24,633
It's gonna cost a little more,
but you're gonna like it."
192
00:10:24,667 --> 00:10:26,433
And everyone said,
"No one's ever gonna do that.
193
00:10:26,467 --> 00:10:28,767
No one's gonna spend
so much more money
on food than--"
194
00:10:28,800 --> 00:10:31,400
You know,
it's like, guess what?
Yes, they will.
195
00:10:31,433 --> 00:10:34,500
Yes we will because we know.
We can feel it. I can feel it.
196
00:10:34,533 --> 00:10:36,834
And now I think we've
come to the point of saying,
197
00:10:36,867 --> 00:10:39,233
"Okay, we know..."
[laughs]
198
00:10:39,266 --> 00:10:41,033
We know they do care.
It does make a difference,
199
00:10:41,066 --> 00:10:43,333
and, uh...
the species-appropriate diet
200
00:10:43,367 --> 00:10:45,300
is getting back
to what it was
201
00:10:45,333 --> 00:10:48,533
before we started leaving
the canned foods and stuff.
202
00:10:53,567 --> 00:10:55,800
[Karen]
Dogs and cats have,
at least hopefully,
203
00:10:55,834 --> 00:10:57,100
a wonderful, loving,
caring owner,
204
00:10:57,133 --> 00:10:58,800
but mother nature doesn't.
205
00:10:58,834 --> 00:11:01,333
And so when
animals become injured,
they're on their own.
206
00:11:01,367 --> 00:11:04,333
They usually starve or
die of secondary infection,
207
00:11:04,367 --> 00:11:06,967
unless they happen to meet up
with a wildlife rehabilitator.
208
00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:08,433
So this is a red-tail hawk.
209
00:11:08,467 --> 00:11:11,433
He was hit by a car
and has a broken, um, wing.
210
00:11:13,967 --> 00:11:17,200
One of my hobbies and passions
is wildlife rehabilitation.
211
00:11:22,900 --> 00:11:24,734
This is Cordelia's pouch.
212
00:11:26,433 --> 00:11:27,900
[whispering]
Cordelia.
213
00:11:28,934 --> 00:11:30,600
Are you a sleepy girl?
214
00:11:32,967 --> 00:11:33,900
[bird chirps]
215
00:11:35,567 --> 00:11:38,967
I have been fascinated
with nature and life
since I can remember.
216
00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:45,567
I became a licensed
wildlife rehabilitator
when I was 14,
217
00:11:45,600 --> 00:11:47,433
and I knew
that I would have
218
00:11:47,467 --> 00:11:49,667
a lifelong career
helping animals.
219
00:11:49,700 --> 00:11:52,066
So when I was 14,
I heard about a woman
220
00:11:52,100 --> 00:11:55,333
that had tremendous success
with wildlife rehabilitation.
221
00:11:55,367 --> 00:11:57,233
Her name was Barbara Harvey
222
00:11:57,266 --> 00:11:59,667
and she was
in Horicon, Wisconsin,
and I called her.
223
00:11:59,700 --> 00:12:01,600
And I said,
"Barbara, my name
is Karen Becker,
224
00:12:01,633 --> 00:12:03,166
and I'm 14 years old,
225
00:12:03,200 --> 00:12:05,100
and I want to know how
you became so successful."
226
00:12:05,133 --> 00:12:10,333
So long-story short,
she invited me to her home
in Horicon, Wisconsin.
227
00:12:10,367 --> 00:12:11,967
She lives in
a beautiful log cabin
228
00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:13,133
during the winter months,
229
00:12:13,166 --> 00:12:15,033
and she lives
in a tepee on 13 acres
230
00:12:15,066 --> 00:12:16,066
during the summer months.
231
00:12:16,100 --> 00:12:17,633
She invited me
to live in her tepee
232
00:12:17,667 --> 00:12:21,500
on her 13 acres
and see how she rehabilitates
233
00:12:21,533 --> 00:12:24,467
hawks, eagles,
owls, and falcons.
234
00:12:24,500 --> 00:12:28,100
Barbara has the best
success rate in the country
with raptors.
235
00:12:28,133 --> 00:12:30,834
And the reason
she has such success,
236
00:12:30,867 --> 00:12:34,066
she feeds
biologically appropriate,
237
00:12:34,100 --> 00:12:37,367
all-raw, living...
238
00:12:37,400 --> 00:12:39,400
mice, rabbits, rodents
239
00:12:39,433 --> 00:12:44,734
to those animals
to be able to help the body
recover from injury.
240
00:12:44,767 --> 00:12:46,900
So when I went
to veterinary school
years later,
241
00:12:46,934 --> 00:12:50,066
and I sat through
these nutrition courses--
242
00:12:50,100 --> 00:12:51,934
and when they gave me
the laminated chart
243
00:12:51,967 --> 00:12:55,400
that told me what food
I should feed with what
disease process,
244
00:12:55,433 --> 00:12:57,000
things did not add up.
245
00:13:00,633 --> 00:13:02,100
[Barbara]
Before I went to vet school,
246
00:13:02,133 --> 00:13:04,500
I worked for years
in zoo medicine.
247
00:13:06,934 --> 00:13:08,800
The most important thing
I think I learned from that
248
00:13:08,834 --> 00:13:12,233
is every species
has its own requirement.
249
00:13:12,266 --> 00:13:15,066
Each species must eat
what it is supposed to eat.
250
00:13:15,100 --> 00:13:19,300
It's developed, evolved,
to have a specific diet
that keeps it healthy.
251
00:13:20,934 --> 00:13:24,133
[Karen] Each animal has
its own biologic requirement
for certain nutrients.
252
00:13:24,166 --> 00:13:27,734
A species-appropriate diet
for worms is dirt.
253
00:13:27,767 --> 00:13:31,133
A species-appropriate diet,
let's say, for hummingbirds
would be nectar.
254
00:13:31,166 --> 00:13:33,633
You can't feed
earthworms nectar,
255
00:13:33,667 --> 00:13:35,800
and you can't feed
hummingbirds dirt.
256
00:13:35,834 --> 00:13:37,700
Both of those animals
would simply die.
257
00:13:37,734 --> 00:13:41,500
Some species, when you
offer them not-biologically
appropriate foods,
258
00:13:41,533 --> 00:13:42,934
they simply
won't consume them.
259
00:13:42,967 --> 00:13:45,834
When you offer a snake--
another obligate carnivore--
260
00:13:45,867 --> 00:13:48,467
a salad, they will
simply starve to death.
261
00:13:48,500 --> 00:13:50,000
They will not consume
262
00:13:50,033 --> 00:13:52,967
a non-biologically
appropriate food in light
of sustaining life.
263
00:13:53,000 --> 00:13:54,367
They simply die.
264
00:13:54,400 --> 00:13:56,333
It gets pretty confusing
with dogs and cats,
265
00:13:56,367 --> 00:13:57,633
however,
because dogs and cats
266
00:13:57,667 --> 00:14:00,867
are nutritionally
much more resilient
than other species.
267
00:14:00,900 --> 00:14:03,867
What that means
is that we can nutritionally
abuse them--
268
00:14:03,900 --> 00:14:06,934
for lack of a better term--
and they don't die immediately.
269
00:14:06,967 --> 00:14:10,233
They just have
overall vitality decline,
270
00:14:10,266 --> 00:14:13,734
and overall degenerative changes
take place in their bodies
271
00:14:13,767 --> 00:14:14,967
from feeding them foods
272
00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:16,633
that are not biologically
appropriate.
273
00:14:25,233 --> 00:14:28,433
Cats, being obligate carnivores,
have to consume meat
274
00:14:28,467 --> 00:14:30,300
to be able to thrive.
275
00:14:30,333 --> 00:14:33,400
They do not have
a biologic requirement
for any type of carbohydrate.
276
00:14:33,433 --> 00:14:35,633
They have a very high
protein requirement,
277
00:14:35,667 --> 00:14:37,867
a very high
moisture requirement,
278
00:14:37,900 --> 00:14:40,000
and a moderate fat requirement.
279
00:14:40,033 --> 00:14:42,533
Cats, originally,
we thought, were domesticated
280
00:14:42,567 --> 00:14:45,700
to guard the granaries because
cats don't consume grain.
281
00:14:45,734 --> 00:14:48,166
Cats consume mice
that consume the grain.
282
00:14:48,200 --> 00:14:50,600
And so by domesticating cats,
283
00:14:50,633 --> 00:14:53,200
we assumed that
there was a mutually-
beneficial relationship.
284
00:14:54,066 --> 00:14:55,734
We do know,
in the last hundred years,
285
00:14:55,767 --> 00:14:58,367
since we have
produced cat foods
on the market,
286
00:14:58,400 --> 00:15:00,166
that cats have experienced
287
00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:02,233
significantly more
kidney disease
288
00:15:02,266 --> 00:15:05,467
and we know that they
have experienced obesity,
289
00:15:05,500 --> 00:15:10,100
organ failure, and diabetes
at a much higher rate.
290
00:15:10,133 --> 00:15:12,033
And certainly we need
to begin evaluating
291
00:15:12,066 --> 00:15:15,700
what role nutrition has in some
of those degenerative diseases.
292
00:15:15,734 --> 00:15:18,700
Kidney disease
is the number one
killer of cats.
293
00:15:18,734 --> 00:15:22,800
And we know that
asking cats to process
an entirely dehydrated food,
294
00:15:22,834 --> 00:15:25,433
such as kibble,
can be very detrimental
to kidney health.
295
00:15:26,567 --> 00:15:29,133
Dogs evolved
from the gray wolf.
296
00:15:29,166 --> 00:15:33,633
And we know that dogs
came phylogenetically
out of the order "carnivora,"
297
00:15:33,667 --> 00:15:35,333
which means
they're carnivores.
298
00:15:35,367 --> 00:15:39,834
In 1993,
the International Society
of Zoologic Nomenclature
299
00:15:39,867 --> 00:15:43,133
redefined
"Canis lupus familiaris"
300
00:15:43,166 --> 00:15:44,800
as just "Canis lupus."
301
00:15:44,834 --> 00:15:48,400
These are the people
that define what category--
302
00:15:48,433 --> 00:15:52,000
what taxonomy--
animals fit into and why.
303
00:15:52,033 --> 00:15:55,734
This society
concluded that dogs
304
00:15:55,767 --> 00:15:57,533
were genetically
identical to wolves.
305
00:15:57,567 --> 00:16:01,033
They shared
99.9 percent of the DNA.
306
00:16:01,066 --> 00:16:04,100
We know that genotypically--
the genotype--
307
00:16:04,133 --> 00:16:05,533
the DNA is identical.
308
00:16:05,567 --> 00:16:07,800
What has changed
over the last...
309
00:16:07,834 --> 00:16:10,166
200 to 300, 400 years
is the phenotype.
310
00:16:10,200 --> 00:16:12,800
Phenotype is the jacket,
which is what pets look like.
311
00:16:12,834 --> 00:16:15,033
We have bald dogs,
dogs with white fluffy hair,
312
00:16:15,066 --> 00:16:17,734
blue eyes, dogs with crazy
tufts of hair on their body,
313
00:16:17,767 --> 00:16:18,934
and no hair anywhere else,
314
00:16:18,967 --> 00:16:21,734
speckled dogs,
short-legged dogs,
double-coated dogs.
315
00:16:21,767 --> 00:16:25,633
We've created these
fantastic varieties of breeds
316
00:16:25,667 --> 00:16:28,200
because we like diversity
in what we see.
317
00:16:28,233 --> 00:16:31,934
Despite the fact that
we have bred dogs to have
certain characteristics,
318
00:16:31,967 --> 00:16:34,867
we have not bred out of them
319
00:16:34,900 --> 00:16:36,934
their Canis lupus DNA.
320
00:16:36,967 --> 00:16:38,000
So yes...
321
00:16:38,033 --> 00:16:40,367
Just as you can have
brown hair, blond hair,
322
00:16:40,400 --> 00:16:42,567
or you could have blue eyes,
green eyes, brown eyes,
323
00:16:42,600 --> 00:16:45,367
your nutritional requirements
324
00:16:45,400 --> 00:16:47,400
as a human being
remain the same,
325
00:16:47,433 --> 00:16:49,767
despite the fact
that you look vastly different
326
00:16:49,800 --> 00:16:52,834
depending on what
your DNA dictates.
327
00:16:52,867 --> 00:16:55,066
One of the biggest problems
with the pet food industry
328
00:16:55,100 --> 00:16:58,066
is there has been
very poor research done into
329
00:16:58,100 --> 00:17:00,567
what actually is appropriate
and isn't appropriate.
330
00:17:00,600 --> 00:17:02,967
There isn't anybody
that's really minding the store
331
00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:05,834
and saying,
"Here, we really know that
this is needed for pet food."
332
00:17:08,166 --> 00:17:10,900
[narrator]
The major companies
criticize raw diets,
333
00:17:10,934 --> 00:17:12,233
warning consumers against
334
00:17:12,266 --> 00:17:14,667
the hazards of feeding
raw meat to pets,
335
00:17:14,700 --> 00:17:17,367
claiming it can
make your animal sick.
336
00:17:17,400 --> 00:17:19,533
However, those companies
337
00:17:19,567 --> 00:17:21,967
who repeatedly criticize
feeding a raw diet
338
00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:24,133
have yet to produce
a single study
339
00:17:24,166 --> 00:17:28,100
to provide any
substantial evidence
to support their claims.
340
00:17:28,133 --> 00:17:31,767
The problem with
the types of research studies
341
00:17:31,800 --> 00:17:33,200
that you are describing,
342
00:17:33,233 --> 00:17:37,567
they would go at least
7 to 8 to 10 years in length
343
00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:40,633
before you would get
a definitive answer.
344
00:17:40,667 --> 00:17:45,400
Within our, um,
legal requirements
and frameworks,
345
00:17:45,433 --> 00:17:49,266
it's not FDA's responsibility
to do such studies.
346
00:17:49,300 --> 00:17:51,600
The research has not
been done on raw foods,
347
00:17:51,633 --> 00:17:52,934
not because there
isn't an interest
348
00:17:52,967 --> 00:17:54,400
but because
the million dollars it takes
349
00:17:54,433 --> 00:17:57,100
to fund that
particular research
simply isn't there.
350
00:17:57,133 --> 00:18:00,133
Now, integrative veterinarians
are working on that,
351
00:18:00,166 --> 00:18:02,800
but traditional veterinarians
will say,
352
00:18:02,834 --> 00:18:04,033
"Until we see the research,
353
00:18:04,066 --> 00:18:05,900
we're not interested
in recommending
354
00:18:05,934 --> 00:18:08,367
this particular food
for dog and cat owners.
355
00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:10,400
We just don't believe
it's safe and healthy."
356
00:18:10,433 --> 00:18:14,600
The frustration is
is that we don't have
clinically-proven research
357
00:18:14,633 --> 00:18:16,767
demonstrating that
dry and canned foods
358
00:18:16,800 --> 00:18:19,166
are wildly healthful
for pets as well.
359
00:18:20,633 --> 00:18:22,700
[Barbara]
The larger corporations
are not very interested
360
00:18:22,734 --> 00:18:26,000
in proving or disproving
the value of their food
361
00:18:26,033 --> 00:18:27,900
because they're already making
a gabillion dollars on it,
362
00:18:27,934 --> 00:18:29,934
and there's no reason
to do that research.
363
00:18:29,967 --> 00:18:32,767
[narrator]
Since major pet food companies
are involved with
364
00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:35,233
and have influence over
vet students,
365
00:18:35,266 --> 00:18:37,567
lack of education
surrounding raw diets
366
00:18:37,600 --> 00:18:39,934
exist heavily among
traditional vets.
367
00:18:39,967 --> 00:18:42,700
When clients
come to veterinarians
368
00:18:42,734 --> 00:18:44,900
who have not been educated
about raw foods at all
369
00:18:44,934 --> 00:18:47,200
and say,
"I'm considering feeding
my pets raw meat,"
370
00:18:47,233 --> 00:18:50,700
of course the logical conclusion
is... "Why?"
371
00:18:50,734 --> 00:18:53,567
There's a lot of bacteria
in the raw diets,
372
00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:56,066
and it's kind of
a ticking time clock.
373
00:18:56,100 --> 00:18:59,066
"You could harm them,"
or "Why would you do that?"
or "It's risky."
374
00:18:59,100 --> 00:19:03,600
I think raw food
has too much of a potential
for negative side affects
375
00:19:03,633 --> 00:19:04,967
that it's just not worth it.
376
00:19:05,000 --> 00:19:09,000
People's biggest question
is there could be...
377
00:19:09,033 --> 00:19:11,967
pathogens or bacteria,
parasites within the food
378
00:19:12,033 --> 00:19:14,200
that could cause
illness to pets.
379
00:19:14,233 --> 00:19:16,633
When dogs eat raw diets,
380
00:19:16,667 --> 00:19:20,667
their feces, their poop
has a lot of bacteria.
381
00:19:20,700 --> 00:19:23,767
Um, let's talk
about eating shit.
382
00:19:27,200 --> 00:19:29,133
Dogs-- if given
the opportunity--
383
00:19:29,166 --> 00:19:31,000
will eat poop.
384
00:19:34,934 --> 00:19:36,934
We tend to look the other way
when dogs do this.
385
00:19:36,967 --> 00:19:38,934
Dogs lick their butts.
386
00:19:38,967 --> 00:19:42,100
Dogs do a variety of behaviors
that if humans or other animals
387
00:19:42,133 --> 00:19:43,400
were to do it,
we would die.
388
00:19:45,533 --> 00:19:47,700
Dogs and cats,
being carnivores,
389
00:19:47,734 --> 00:19:50,367
are... equipped
to be able to process
390
00:19:50,400 --> 00:19:53,200
their evolutionary food source,
which is raw meat.
391
00:19:54,233 --> 00:19:56,367
All of their digestion
has acclimated
392
00:19:56,400 --> 00:19:58,767
and has evolved
to be able to process
393
00:19:58,800 --> 00:20:02,033
whole, living,
unadulterated protein.
394
00:20:02,066 --> 00:20:04,166
So from ripping and tearing,
395
00:20:04,200 --> 00:20:07,033
their dentition is set up
to be able to process meat.
396
00:20:07,066 --> 00:20:09,800
Their stomach acid
is very acidic,
397
00:20:09,834 --> 00:20:12,533
in fact, a pH of 1,
which is highly acidic.
398
00:20:12,567 --> 00:20:14,200
That stomach acid is in place
399
00:20:14,233 --> 00:20:16,667
to be able
to neutralize pathogens
400
00:20:16,700 --> 00:20:20,567
or potential harmful bacteria
that could be present
in the food.
401
00:20:20,600 --> 00:20:22,200
[Barbara]
From the outside,
the pet food industry
402
00:20:22,233 --> 00:20:24,233
looks like the perfect industry.
403
00:20:24,266 --> 00:20:26,734
There are beautiful packages.
404
00:20:26,767 --> 00:20:30,300
There are diets
for every disease and disorder.
405
00:20:30,333 --> 00:20:33,600
There's all kinds of different
colors and beautiful pictures.
406
00:20:33,633 --> 00:20:35,400
And if you look a little deeper,
407
00:20:35,433 --> 00:20:38,767
unfortunately that isn't
what the pet food industry
is all about.
408
00:20:41,867 --> 00:20:43,734
[narrator]
It's more difficult
than you would imagine.
409
00:20:43,767 --> 00:20:46,066
At first you think,
"I'll just stop by the store,
410
00:20:46,100 --> 00:20:48,433
waltz right in,
and buy my pet some food."
411
00:20:49,734 --> 00:20:51,834
You walk in, you browse.
412
00:20:53,233 --> 00:20:54,567
The lighting persuades you.
413
00:20:55,567 --> 00:20:57,166
The music speeds you up.
414
00:20:57,200 --> 00:20:59,033
The pretty pictures
slow you down.
415
00:20:59,066 --> 00:21:01,800
In this moment,
you officially surrender
416
00:21:01,834 --> 00:21:03,567
to the overwhelming realization
417
00:21:03,600 --> 00:21:05,567
that you have no idea
what the real difference
418
00:21:05,600 --> 00:21:07,867
is between all these bags.
419
00:21:09,133 --> 00:21:10,834
And if you're being
totally honest with yourself,
420
00:21:10,867 --> 00:21:13,500
you've probably never even
read the ingredients
421
00:21:13,533 --> 00:21:15,433
of a pet food label
in your life.
422
00:21:15,467 --> 00:21:18,133
So it becomes very difficult
to go into any store
423
00:21:18,166 --> 00:21:19,967
and discern a great product
from a terrible product.
424
00:21:20,000 --> 00:21:22,000
It becomes confusing
for a lot of people.
425
00:21:22,033 --> 00:21:24,533
The labeling is beautiful,
the packaging is great.
426
00:21:24,567 --> 00:21:26,166
There's some key words
that look pretty good
427
00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:27,066
and sound pretty good,
428
00:21:27,100 --> 00:21:28,633
so it becomes
nearly impossible--
429
00:21:28,667 --> 00:21:30,533
if you don't have
background experience
or some training--
430
00:21:30,567 --> 00:21:33,033
to be able to know
what would be a good choice
431
00:21:33,066 --> 00:21:34,700
and what would
be a bad choice.
432
00:21:34,734 --> 00:21:36,967
I've collected
a few examples here,
433
00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:38,367
and we're gonna
go over some labels.
434
00:21:38,400 --> 00:21:41,066
My first example is a food
435
00:21:41,100 --> 00:21:43,300
that on the front says...
436
00:21:43,333 --> 00:21:46,767
"It's thoughtfully prepared,
bursting with flavor."
437
00:21:46,800 --> 00:21:48,100
Who doesn't want that
in a pet food?
438
00:21:48,133 --> 00:21:49,800
The first ingredient is...
439
00:21:49,834 --> 00:21:51,667
Second ingredient is...
440
00:21:51,700 --> 00:21:53,867
Third ingredient is...
441
00:21:53,900 --> 00:21:55,533
Fourth ingredient is...
442
00:21:55,567 --> 00:21:58,033
followed by...
443
00:21:58,066 --> 00:21:59,900
We can stop there.
444
00:21:59,934 --> 00:22:02,767
B.H.A. is a toxic preservative
445
00:22:02,800 --> 00:22:05,133
that should not be found
in any human or pet foods,
446
00:22:05,166 --> 00:22:06,834
despite the fact that it is.
447
00:22:06,867 --> 00:22:07,967
The first three ingredients
448
00:22:08,000 --> 00:22:10,467
are carbohydrates
that are totally unnecessary,
449
00:22:10,500 --> 00:22:12,500
followed by
a totally toxic preservative.
450
00:22:12,533 --> 00:22:15,333
So cute bag,
not up to par.
451
00:22:15,367 --> 00:22:17,000
[stutters]
Next we have a food
452
00:22:17,033 --> 00:22:19,133
that has won, actually,
several packaging awards
453
00:22:19,166 --> 00:22:20,600
because it's so beautiful.
454
00:22:20,633 --> 00:22:23,033
There are chunks of meat
falling from the sky
455
00:22:23,066 --> 00:22:25,233
and a beautiful ear of corn.
456
00:22:25,266 --> 00:22:28,700
Here we have a nice array
of radioactive colors
457
00:22:28,734 --> 00:22:30,900
that have been added in
for you the consumer.
458
00:22:30,934 --> 00:22:33,300
Dogs and cats cannot see
all these different colors.
459
00:22:33,333 --> 00:22:34,567
This is added in
because you think,
460
00:22:34,600 --> 00:22:36,166
"My gosh, it looks beautiful.
461
00:22:36,200 --> 00:22:37,533
My pet would love it."
462
00:22:37,567 --> 00:22:40,867
But the amazing buzz words
like "playful life"--
463
00:22:40,900 --> 00:22:42,467
What pet owner
464
00:22:42,500 --> 00:22:44,400
doesn't want their pet
to have a playful life?
465
00:22:44,433 --> 00:22:46,333
This is just
entirely marketing.
466
00:22:46,367 --> 00:22:48,967
First ingredient...
467
00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:51,300
Totally biologically
unnecessary.
468
00:22:51,333 --> 00:22:53,166
Second ingredient...
469
00:22:53,200 --> 00:22:55,033
Totally rendered
and inappropriate
470
00:22:55,066 --> 00:22:56,467
in terms of quality
471
00:22:56,500 --> 00:22:57,900
to be nourishing your dog with.
472
00:22:57,934 --> 00:22:59,834
Third ingredient...
473
00:22:59,867 --> 00:23:02,567
Very allergenic,
totally unnecessary.
474
00:23:02,600 --> 00:23:05,500
Fourth ingredient...
475
00:23:05,533 --> 00:23:06,767
and then "animal fat."
476
00:23:06,800 --> 00:23:09,700
Although this food
really looks to be beautiful
477
00:23:09,734 --> 00:23:11,834
and something to be interested
in nourishing your pet with,
478
00:23:11,867 --> 00:23:13,433
my recommendation
is to avoid it.
479
00:23:13,467 --> 00:23:16,233
Over here they have
a special little tag line:
480
00:23:16,266 --> 00:23:19,266
"OptiHealth
with prebiotic fiber."
481
00:23:19,300 --> 00:23:21,233
There's a lot
of these patented words,
482
00:23:21,266 --> 00:23:23,300
or trademarked words
that companies will use
483
00:23:23,333 --> 00:23:25,233
to help kind of
discern their product
484
00:23:25,266 --> 00:23:26,900
having something
special included
485
00:23:26,934 --> 00:23:29,400
as a means of you
coming back and buying it
486
00:23:29,433 --> 00:23:31,500
because other brands
that you're comparing it to
487
00:23:31,533 --> 00:23:33,567
doesn't have
the OptiHealth included.
488
00:23:33,600 --> 00:23:36,033
So, uh, good marketing
on that behalf.
489
00:23:36,066 --> 00:23:40,033
This particular food
is fabulous quality...
490
00:23:40,066 --> 00:23:41,900
if you were a goat.
491
00:23:41,934 --> 00:23:43,200
[bleats]
492
00:23:43,233 --> 00:23:46,667
When you add up
"organic brown rice,
organic oats,
493
00:23:46,700 --> 00:23:51,233
organic millet, organic barley,
organic grain sorghum,
494
00:23:51,266 --> 00:23:53,867
organic peas,
organic potatoes"--
495
00:23:53,900 --> 00:23:57,934
that portion of the ingredients
in this particular food
496
00:23:57,967 --> 00:24:01,333
doesn't outweigh
the organic chicken
or the chicken meal.
497
00:24:01,367 --> 00:24:04,300
"Healthy." Um, really?
What are you supposed to say?
498
00:24:04,333 --> 00:24:05,433
Unhealthy?
499
00:24:05,467 --> 00:24:07,433
The worst possible food
in my opinion
500
00:24:07,467 --> 00:24:08,767
you could ever feed your dog
501
00:24:08,800 --> 00:24:11,467
because...
the number one ingredient:
502
00:24:11,500 --> 00:24:15,633
"beef by-product, soy grits,
high fructose corn syrup."
503
00:24:15,667 --> 00:24:17,600
[narrator]
What is by-product?
504
00:24:17,633 --> 00:24:19,400
By-product is what's left over
505
00:24:19,433 --> 00:24:21,100
after an animal
has been slaughtered
506
00:24:21,133 --> 00:24:23,400
and all the edible parts
have been removed.
507
00:24:23,433 --> 00:24:28,000
The criticism lies in
the mystery of the meats
being used.
508
00:24:28,033 --> 00:24:29,500
What is quality?
509
00:24:29,533 --> 00:24:32,967
Quality is a term used
when discussing how good or bad
510
00:24:33,000 --> 00:24:35,700
the raw material that
goes into the food actually is.
511
00:24:35,734 --> 00:24:38,700
Whether this protein comes
from diseased animals,
512
00:24:38,734 --> 00:24:40,567
euthanized animals,
roadkill,
513
00:24:40,600 --> 00:24:43,000
human food waste
or processing,
514
00:24:43,033 --> 00:24:46,934
the industry doesn't
have to disclose the source
of the ingredient.
515
00:24:48,533 --> 00:24:51,133
That doesn't prevent them
from easily proclaiming
516
00:24:51,166 --> 00:24:53,367
that every ounce
of their pet food
517
00:24:53,400 --> 00:24:54,567
is of the highest quality.
518
00:24:55,834 --> 00:24:58,400
The issue is-- on the back
of the dog and cat food bag,
519
00:24:58,433 --> 00:25:01,100
it doesn't say rendered
terrible quality protein.
520
00:25:01,133 --> 00:25:02,633
It doesn't say that.
It also--
521
00:25:02,667 --> 00:25:07,266
We also can't list, legally,
grade-A, USDA-inspected meat.
522
00:25:07,300 --> 00:25:09,667
So this leaves this giant gap
for the consumer
523
00:25:09,700 --> 00:25:10,767
to have to fill in that void,
524
00:25:10,800 --> 00:25:12,333
and it's wildly confusing.
525
00:25:12,367 --> 00:25:14,734
[narrator]
The controversy
with kibble exists
526
00:25:14,767 --> 00:25:16,867
because dry food
is void of moisture.
527
00:25:18,400 --> 00:25:20,166
When your animal eats dry food,
528
00:25:20,200 --> 00:25:24,033
they're put in a permanent
state of dehydration.
529
00:25:24,066 --> 00:25:25,266
The quality and sourcing
530
00:25:25,300 --> 00:25:28,000
of where the ingredients
came from is kept secret.
531
00:25:28,033 --> 00:25:30,533
And even if the ingredients
were perfect,
532
00:25:30,567 --> 00:25:32,300
the manufacturing process
533
00:25:32,333 --> 00:25:35,600
to make a meat product shelf-
stable for extended periods
534
00:25:35,633 --> 00:25:38,200
is performed at
extremely high temperatures.
535
00:25:41,266 --> 00:25:43,367
This creates two
potent carcinogens:
536
00:25:43,400 --> 00:25:46,433
heterocyclic amines
and acrylamides.
537
00:25:46,467 --> 00:25:50,667
However, most companies do not
disclose to the consumer
538
00:25:50,700 --> 00:25:52,633
what temperature
their foods are cooked at.
539
00:25:52,667 --> 00:25:56,166
And they act as if
the trace amounts of carcinogens
540
00:25:56,200 --> 00:25:57,767
pose no threat.
541
00:25:57,800 --> 00:26:00,633
It was around 1948
when veterinarian Mark Morris
542
00:26:00,667 --> 00:26:03,800
decided to create the first
prescription pet food,
543
00:26:03,834 --> 00:26:06,166
still recognizable today.
544
00:26:06,200 --> 00:26:11,233
At the time, Mark Morris was
critical of pet foods lacking
quality ingredients
545
00:26:11,266 --> 00:26:16,000
and he wanted to make
a superior product backed by
scientific research.
546
00:26:16,033 --> 00:26:20,734
He teamed up with canning
manufacturer Burton Hill
to fulfill his vision.
547
00:26:20,767 --> 00:26:23,834
The result became what we know
today as Science Diet,
548
00:26:23,867 --> 00:26:27,433
sold in veterinarian offices
all across the country.
549
00:26:27,467 --> 00:26:31,100
But in 2013,
The Wall Street
Journal reported
550
00:26:31,133 --> 00:26:33,500
Hill's was starting
to see its profits decline
551
00:26:33,533 --> 00:26:37,233
because consumers
no longer identified
with their ingredients.
552
00:26:37,266 --> 00:26:41,266
Science Diet has since refocused
on re-branding their image
553
00:26:41,300 --> 00:26:44,266
as more natural,
creating new product lines
554
00:26:44,300 --> 00:26:47,400
and shying away from
controversial and rendered
ingredients.
555
00:26:49,533 --> 00:26:51,200
The National Renders
Association
556
00:26:51,233 --> 00:26:53,800
argues that they're
providing a necessary role
557
00:26:53,834 --> 00:26:56,333
when it comes to the recycling
of animal carcasses.
558
00:26:57,433 --> 00:26:59,400
If there wasn't anywhere
to put the animal waste
559
00:26:59,433 --> 00:27:01,033
from the human food industry,
560
00:27:01,066 --> 00:27:02,734
where would it go?
561
00:27:02,767 --> 00:27:03,734
In the Earth?
562
00:27:03,767 --> 00:27:05,000
In the air?
563
00:27:06,100 --> 00:27:07,133
In the ocean?
564
00:27:08,433 --> 00:27:10,033
It all has to go somewhere.
565
00:27:14,900 --> 00:27:17,433
[Karen]
We have a huge
quality control problem.
566
00:27:17,467 --> 00:27:19,233
Meaning the quality
of the ingredients
567
00:27:19,266 --> 00:27:20,867
coming into the industry--
568
00:27:20,900 --> 00:27:23,433
anything from
potentially fabulous
569
00:27:23,467 --> 00:27:25,433
USDA-inspected
human grade,
570
00:27:25,467 --> 00:27:28,633
all the way down
to entirely rendered,
571
00:27:28,667 --> 00:27:31,467
which is every piece and part
you could ever imagine,
572
00:27:31,500 --> 00:27:34,400
and actually probably
don't even want to think about.
573
00:27:34,433 --> 00:27:36,500
[man]
The final result
is used manufacture
574
00:27:36,533 --> 00:27:38,033
hundreds of products,
575
00:27:38,066 --> 00:27:40,400
everything from soap
to candles
576
00:27:40,433 --> 00:27:42,567
to pet food to cosmetics.
577
00:27:42,600 --> 00:27:45,433
[Karen]
Pet food manufacturers
get their raw ingredients
578
00:27:45,467 --> 00:27:47,066
from a variety of sources.
579
00:27:47,100 --> 00:27:48,967
Ingredients can be leftovers
580
00:27:49,000 --> 00:27:51,633
from the human food
processing plants,
581
00:27:51,667 --> 00:27:53,133
leftovers from slaughterhouses,
582
00:27:53,166 --> 00:27:56,467
or ranchers and farmers
that have had animals die.
583
00:27:56,500 --> 00:27:59,233
Those industry leftovers
and dead animals
584
00:27:59,266 --> 00:28:02,333
are collected
by rendering facilities.
585
00:28:02,367 --> 00:28:05,533
Pet food companies blend these
recycled ingredients together
586
00:28:05,567 --> 00:28:07,133
with synthetic vitamins
and minerals
587
00:28:07,166 --> 00:28:10,834
to create a profitable,
"complete and balanced diet"
588
00:28:10,867 --> 00:28:13,867
that is then marketed
to pet lovers.
589
00:28:13,900 --> 00:28:17,300
[on TV]
♪ I'll tell you a story
you'll never forget ♪
590
00:28:17,333 --> 00:28:20,533
♪ A story about you
and your cigarette ♪
591
00:28:20,567 --> 00:28:22,400
♪ Enjoy smoother smoking ♪
592
00:28:22,433 --> 00:28:24,033
♪ Choose wisely, choose well ♪
593
00:28:24,066 --> 00:28:26,967
♪ Smoke longer and finer,
and milder Pall Mall ♪
594
00:28:27,000 --> 00:28:28,266
[singing trails off]
595
00:28:28,300 --> 00:28:30,266
[Karen]
So the pet food industry
today is similar
596
00:28:30,300 --> 00:28:33,233
similar to the tobacco industry
in the '40s and '50s
597
00:28:33,266 --> 00:28:35,066
when you had medical doctors
598
00:28:35,100 --> 00:28:37,000
recommend the use of tobacco,
599
00:28:37,033 --> 00:28:38,400
not because it was a conspiracy
600
00:28:38,433 --> 00:28:40,367
or because they believed that
they were in any way harming,
601
00:28:40,400 --> 00:28:41,767
they just didn't know.
602
00:28:41,800 --> 00:28:43,500
[announcer]
Tens of thousands of doctors,
603
00:28:43,533 --> 00:28:46,533
general practitioners,
surgeons, specialists,
604
00:28:46,567 --> 00:28:49,133
doctors in every
branch of medicine
were included.
605
00:28:49,166 --> 00:28:50,900
[Karen]
Very similar,
in my opinion,
606
00:28:50,934 --> 00:28:52,767
to what's happening
in the pet food industry.
607
00:28:52,800 --> 00:28:55,000
You have well-meaning,
lovely veterinarians
608
00:28:55,033 --> 00:28:56,133
recommending foods--
609
00:28:56,166 --> 00:28:58,233
not because they have
sound nutritional background,
610
00:28:58,266 --> 00:29:00,300
but because
that's all that they know.
611
00:29:00,333 --> 00:29:02,633
And in 100 years time
612
00:29:02,667 --> 00:29:06,667
we have successfully convinced
an entire generation
of pet lovers that,
613
00:29:06,700 --> 00:29:10,300
"Why would you feed
anything but dog food
or cat food?"
614
00:29:10,333 --> 00:29:12,700
[narrator]
Looking at the rules that
guide the pet food industry,
615
00:29:12,734 --> 00:29:14,600
it's easy to see
how they are set up
616
00:29:14,633 --> 00:29:17,433
to benefit the corporations
over the consumer.
617
00:29:18,400 --> 00:29:19,633
The regulators have created
618
00:29:19,667 --> 00:29:21,967
special terminology
for packages,
619
00:29:22,000 --> 00:29:24,667
assuming that consumers
would be able to guess
what they mean.
620
00:29:24,700 --> 00:29:27,600
Any product containing
the words "dinner,"
621
00:29:27,633 --> 00:29:29,367
"nugget," or "formula"
622
00:29:29,400 --> 00:29:32,400
only have to contain
25% actual meat.
623
00:29:32,433 --> 00:29:34,300
Any product labeled "with"
624
00:29:34,333 --> 00:29:36,567
only has to contain
3% meat.
625
00:29:37,667 --> 00:29:40,300
Furthermore,
the so-called flavor rule
626
00:29:40,333 --> 00:29:43,367
allows for any protein
to be listed on the back.
627
00:29:43,400 --> 00:29:46,667
It may be flavored as meat,
but in reality
628
00:29:46,700 --> 00:29:48,934
a bag that contains
the word "flavor"
629
00:29:48,967 --> 00:29:51,500
may contain little to no meat.
630
00:29:51,533 --> 00:29:53,934
By using the key word
"flavor" on the package,
631
00:29:53,967 --> 00:29:57,967
the pet food could, but does not
have to contain any meat at all.
632
00:29:58,000 --> 00:30:01,433
But it's acceptable
for the package to contain
an image of a fresh steak.
633
00:30:01,467 --> 00:30:05,300
Ingredient panels do display
protein percentages,
634
00:30:05,333 --> 00:30:09,700
But protein percentages do not
represent actual meat content
in the product,
635
00:30:09,734 --> 00:30:12,900
as protein can come
from a multitude of sources.
636
00:30:12,934 --> 00:30:15,867
his raises the question
if the average consumer knows
637
00:30:15,900 --> 00:30:21,266
that the terminology used
on packages reveal the exact
amounts of meats used in foods.
638
00:30:21,300 --> 00:30:24,066
Trying to understand
who exactly makes these rules
639
00:30:24,100 --> 00:30:26,333
and what their actual
legal authority is,
640
00:30:26,367 --> 00:30:28,533
leads to many
different organizations.
641
00:30:28,567 --> 00:30:31,533
[Vince Field]
The Association of American
Feed Control Officials
642
00:30:31,567 --> 00:30:35,033
is a non-governmental
organization.
643
00:30:35,066 --> 00:30:37,033
They have a model bill
that sets the standards
644
00:30:37,066 --> 00:30:39,767
in terms of ingredients,
nutrient levels,
645
00:30:39,800 --> 00:30:42,066
package labeling in terms
of ingredients as well
646
00:30:42,100 --> 00:30:45,567
for pet food companies
to abide by.
647
00:30:45,600 --> 00:30:47,367
[narrator]
Each year members of AAFCO
648
00:30:47,400 --> 00:30:49,834
come together to update
their official publication,
649
00:30:49,867 --> 00:30:51,500
which defines each ingredient
650
00:30:51,533 --> 00:30:53,300
that's allowed
to go into pet food.
651
00:30:54,633 --> 00:30:56,500
Members of the major
pet food companies
652
00:30:56,533 --> 00:30:57,734
attend the meetings as well,
653
00:30:57,767 --> 00:30:59,533
allowing their
voice to be heard
654
00:30:59,567 --> 00:31:01,834
when it comes to
what goes into pet foods.
655
00:31:03,500 --> 00:31:05,000
So who is AAFCO?
656
00:31:05,033 --> 00:31:07,066
[Robert Waltz]
I think if you looked
at our websites,
657
00:31:07,100 --> 00:31:10,166
we have some very clear
statements about the fact
658
00:31:10,200 --> 00:31:12,700
that AAFCO is not
a regulatory organization
659
00:31:12,734 --> 00:31:13,633
in itself.
660
00:31:13,667 --> 00:31:15,133
That's one thing important.
661
00:31:15,166 --> 00:31:18,533
Second is that-- that AAFCO
doesn't approve products.
662
00:31:18,567 --> 00:31:20,600
What we do is we deal
with the ingredients,
663
00:31:20,633 --> 00:31:24,900
and the scientific validation,
if you will, of the ingredients
664
00:31:24,934 --> 00:31:26,500
that go into the food.
665
00:31:26,533 --> 00:31:31,000
And then the actual claim
that a manufacturer makes
that it's AAFCO approved
666
00:31:31,033 --> 00:31:35,367
is probably not representing
what AAFCO itself would say.
667
00:31:40,600 --> 00:31:42,433
It's a gathering of sheriffs.
668
00:31:42,467 --> 00:31:45,166
They're there
just to get agreement
669
00:31:45,200 --> 00:31:49,033
on the best level of nutrition
that can be required.
670
00:31:49,066 --> 00:31:51,400
The FDA has worked
closely with AAFCO
671
00:31:51,433 --> 00:31:53,467
on the regulation
of all animal feeds,
672
00:31:53,500 --> 00:31:54,667
not just pet food.
673
00:31:54,700 --> 00:31:56,967
I think the important
thing to remember
674
00:31:57,000 --> 00:31:59,400
is FDA is a true
regulatory authority,
675
00:31:59,433 --> 00:32:01,567
where AAFCO is an association
676
00:32:01,600 --> 00:32:03,734
of state feed control officials.
677
00:32:03,767 --> 00:32:06,734
As such, AAFCO has
no regulatory authority.
678
00:32:06,767 --> 00:32:08,767
If you meet
the nutrient level for protein,
679
00:32:08,800 --> 00:32:10,433
it makes no difference
whether that protein
680
00:32:10,467 --> 00:32:13,767
comes from a healthy
protein source like chicken
681
00:32:13,800 --> 00:32:16,133
or whether it comes from
a base protein source
682
00:32:16,166 --> 00:32:17,867
like wheat flour
or wheat gluten
683
00:32:17,900 --> 00:32:21,066
that's been, um, fortified
with protein of some kind.
684
00:32:21,100 --> 00:32:22,767
As long as you meet
the nutrient levels
685
00:32:22,800 --> 00:32:26,700
that they've set,
the food is approved
as AAFCO approved.
686
00:32:26,734 --> 00:32:31,066
When you look at the AAFCO
manual, I think you really begin
to see
687
00:32:31,100 --> 00:32:34,667
how the interests
of AAFCO and the pet
food industry align.
688
00:32:34,700 --> 00:32:37,633
Actually putting together a list
of ingredients that you would
want to see
689
00:32:37,667 --> 00:32:39,567
and pet foods that you would
want your pets to eat.
690
00:32:39,600 --> 00:32:42,700
And then forcing that
on the industry,
they've done it in reverse,
691
00:32:42,734 --> 00:32:46,934
and basically just accepted
the standards that the industry
has been using for years.
692
00:32:46,967 --> 00:32:49,300
I'm quoting now.
"Use of the term or claim,
693
00:32:49,333 --> 00:32:52,066
'natural' on pet food labels."
694
00:32:52,100 --> 00:32:53,934
So if I want to use
the word "natural"
695
00:32:53,967 --> 00:32:56,567
on my dog food label,
696
00:32:56,600 --> 00:33:00,433
here are the rules,
and I am quoting this verbatim.
697
00:33:00,467 --> 00:33:03,300
"A feed or ingredient
derived solely
698
00:33:03,333 --> 00:33:06,166
from plant, animal,
or mined sources,
699
00:33:06,200 --> 00:33:09,033
either in its unprocessed state
700
00:33:09,066 --> 00:33:12,633
or having been subject
to physical processing,
701
00:33:12,667 --> 00:33:14,767
heat processing, rendering,
702
00:33:14,800 --> 00:33:18,367
purification, extraction,"
et cetera.
703
00:33:18,400 --> 00:33:22,300
It goes on and essentially
these are all definitions
704
00:33:22,333 --> 00:33:26,900
of the antithesis of "natural."
705
00:33:26,934 --> 00:33:29,367
All consumers would assume
706
00:33:29,400 --> 00:33:34,467
that if their dog food
said the word "natural" on it,
707
00:33:34,500 --> 00:33:37,266
uh, that what's in it
708
00:33:37,300 --> 00:33:39,567
would not be
a rendered product.
709
00:33:39,600 --> 00:33:42,600
They're meeting
the industry standards
710
00:33:42,633 --> 00:33:45,734
and the industry
regulations that they've
promulgated themselves.
711
00:33:45,767 --> 00:33:48,734
So it's a vicious circle
of they meet their own--
712
00:33:48,767 --> 00:33:50,834
they create
their own regulations,
713
00:33:50,867 --> 00:33:52,367
they meet their
own regulations,
714
00:33:52,400 --> 00:33:55,166
and then they can claim
that they're providing you
715
00:33:55,200 --> 00:33:58,100
organic and all-natural foods
when in fact, it doesn't meet
716
00:33:58,133 --> 00:34:01,800
what consumers believe
those terms actually mean,
717
00:34:01,834 --> 00:34:05,066
but it does meet
what the industry has
defined them as.
718
00:34:05,100 --> 00:34:08,033
The definition of the word
719
00:34:08,066 --> 00:34:10,100
and the use
of the term "organic,"
720
00:34:10,133 --> 00:34:13,066
"must have 3% organic chicken
721
00:34:13,100 --> 00:34:17,700
and at least 67% other
organic ingredients."
722
00:34:17,734 --> 00:34:21,166
"Could contain
non-organic chicken meal
723
00:34:21,200 --> 00:34:23,834
or non-organic chicken fat."
724
00:34:23,867 --> 00:34:26,266
This is not an
independent organization
725
00:34:26,300 --> 00:34:29,066
that is regulated by
the FDA or the USDA.
726
00:34:29,100 --> 00:34:31,133
This is not
the government overseeing
727
00:34:31,166 --> 00:34:34,600
safe and adequate food sources
for dogs and cats.
728
00:34:34,633 --> 00:34:37,200
This is a
self-regulated industry
729
00:34:37,233 --> 00:34:39,066
setting their own requirements
730
00:34:39,100 --> 00:34:42,867
and then letting dog and
cat food manufacturers know
731
00:34:42,900 --> 00:34:45,100
that if they're interested
in having the food
732
00:34:45,133 --> 00:34:47,400
be labeled as
"nutritionally adequate,"
733
00:34:47,433 --> 00:34:49,266
they need to adhere
to their standards
734
00:34:49,300 --> 00:34:51,100
that they have
put in place themselves.
735
00:34:51,133 --> 00:34:53,233
So the FDA's primary role
736
00:34:53,266 --> 00:34:56,734
is in regulation of what
the label says is in there
737
00:34:56,767 --> 00:34:57,767
is actually in there.
738
00:34:57,800 --> 00:34:59,734
So the FDA
is not regulating quality,
739
00:34:59,767 --> 00:35:02,533
production, um, sourcing,
any of those things.
740
00:35:02,567 --> 00:35:06,000
They're regulating that
what you say is on the label
is actually on the label.
741
00:35:06,033 --> 00:35:08,867
The most shocking thing
about the pet food industry
742
00:35:08,900 --> 00:35:12,700
that has remained
since basically I started
doing this work
743
00:35:12,734 --> 00:35:15,000
is the FDA compliance policies.
744
00:35:15,033 --> 00:35:20,000
I still cannot understand
how an industry
745
00:35:20,033 --> 00:35:22,633
is provided, by a federal
746
00:35:22,667 --> 00:35:26,100
tax-supported organization,
747
00:35:26,133 --> 00:35:29,633
loopholes to avoid federal law.
748
00:35:29,667 --> 00:35:31,367
If you go to the FDA website
749
00:35:31,400 --> 00:35:34,233
and just type in
"compliance policies,"
750
00:35:34,266 --> 00:35:37,567
and then scroll down the page
to "animal feed."
751
00:35:37,600 --> 00:35:40,700
And there's one after another--
752
00:35:40,734 --> 00:35:44,166
they allow
"contamination by pesticides,
753
00:35:44,200 --> 00:35:47,133
contamination
by industrial chemicals,
754
00:35:47,166 --> 00:35:50,233
contamination by natural toxins,
755
00:35:50,266 --> 00:35:52,767
contamination by filth,
756
00:35:52,800 --> 00:35:55,300
microbiological contamination,
757
00:35:55,333 --> 00:35:59,467
over-tolerance or
unpermitted drug residues."
758
00:36:00,900 --> 00:36:02,166
It's incredible.
759
00:36:03,433 --> 00:36:05,767
The law says that can't be,
760
00:36:05,800 --> 00:36:10,133
but the compliance policy
says, "Don't worry, go ahead.
761
00:36:10,166 --> 00:36:12,767
We won't enforce the law."
762
00:36:12,800 --> 00:36:17,233
The reforms that need
to be done in the pet food
industry are not done.
763
00:36:17,266 --> 00:36:22,633
There are some steps
that I've seen, people
seem to be interested,
764
00:36:22,667 --> 00:36:25,834
I've had a lot of FDA--
765
00:36:25,867 --> 00:36:29,266
You know, you talk to the FDA
and they're like, "We really
want to fix this."
766
00:36:29,300 --> 00:36:33,767
But the fact is, it's pet food,
and who has the time?
767
00:36:33,800 --> 00:36:35,433
And who has the money, really?
768
00:36:35,467 --> 00:36:37,667
I mean, you know, we've got
bigger fish to fire right now.
769
00:36:37,700 --> 00:36:40,100
For all practical purposes,
770
00:36:40,133 --> 00:36:43,734
there's nobody looking out
for the average dog.
771
00:36:43,767 --> 00:36:46,000
[narrator]
In 2006, a mystery illness
772
00:36:46,033 --> 00:36:47,767
began to sicken
thousands of pets
773
00:36:47,800 --> 00:36:49,567
across the United States
and Canada,
774
00:36:49,600 --> 00:36:51,934
thrusting the industry
into the spotlight
775
00:36:51,967 --> 00:36:54,700
like never before.
776
00:36:54,734 --> 00:36:57,033
[newscaster]
Okay, everyone is so freaked out
about this recall.
777
00:36:57,066 --> 00:36:59,300
Tell us, what do people
need to know about this recall?
778
00:36:59,333 --> 00:37:00,967
Well, so it's Menu Foods.
779
00:37:01,000 --> 00:37:02,800
-[newscaster 2] Menu Foods.
-[newscaster 3] Menu Foods.
780
00:37:02,834 --> 00:37:04,233
-[man] Menu Foods.
-[woman] No, Menu Foods.
781
00:37:04,266 --> 00:37:06,500
[narrator]
On March 16, 2007,
782
00:37:06,533 --> 00:37:08,500
Menu Foods began
recalling dog foods
783
00:37:08,533 --> 00:37:11,967
produced in their facilities
in Kansas and New Jersey.
784
00:37:12,000 --> 00:37:13,667
What disturbs me
about this incident
785
00:37:13,700 --> 00:37:15,567
is that it confirms yet again
that pet food
786
00:37:15,600 --> 00:37:17,266
as well as human food
is at risk.
787
00:37:17,300 --> 00:37:18,934
More than 60 million packages
788
00:37:18,967 --> 00:37:20,867
were taken
off store shelves
last month
789
00:37:20,900 --> 00:37:22,734
because they apparently
contained wheat gluten
790
00:37:22,767 --> 00:37:24,567
that was tainted
with the chemical melamine.
791
00:37:24,600 --> 00:37:25,934
When the recall was announced,
792
00:37:25,967 --> 00:37:27,967
nobody knew
what the problem was.
793
00:37:28,000 --> 00:37:29,633
[newscaster]
Veterinary offices
are getting flooded
794
00:37:29,667 --> 00:37:31,400
with phone calls
from concerned pet owners.
795
00:37:31,433 --> 00:37:34,200
[reporter]
Did the people on the other end
of the phone sound worried?
796
00:37:34,233 --> 00:37:35,934
Yes, very worried, yes.
797
00:37:35,967 --> 00:37:37,867
[newscaster]
No official estimates
on exactly
798
00:37:37,900 --> 00:37:39,734
how many have died so far,
799
00:37:39,767 --> 00:37:41,467
but hundreds of pets
have suffered.
800
00:37:41,500 --> 00:37:43,467
My strong belief is...
801
00:37:43,500 --> 00:37:45,200
that they were
intentionally delaying.
802
00:37:45,233 --> 00:37:46,600
The recall happened
803
00:37:46,633 --> 00:37:48,700
because they thought
they were purchasing
804
00:37:48,734 --> 00:37:51,800
a certain protein product
called wheat gluten
805
00:37:51,834 --> 00:37:54,700
that has actually
a pretty high
protein count,
806
00:37:54,734 --> 00:37:56,900
when in fact they were buying
807
00:37:56,934 --> 00:38:01,700
wheat flour that had
been laced with cyanuric acid
and melamine
808
00:38:01,734 --> 00:38:04,000
in order to
pass it off as wheat gluten.
809
00:38:04,033 --> 00:38:06,066
The way they test
protein sources
810
00:38:06,100 --> 00:38:09,333
is to do this--
to check the level
of hydrogen in it.
811
00:38:09,367 --> 00:38:13,233
And both cyanuric acid
and, uh, melamine
812
00:38:13,266 --> 00:38:14,667
have high levels of hydrogen,
813
00:38:14,700 --> 00:38:19,300
so they just would
inject the wheat flour
with this-- these poisons
814
00:38:19,333 --> 00:38:21,700
and then pass it off
as wheat gluten.
815
00:38:21,734 --> 00:38:23,033
And the reason
they were doing that
816
00:38:23,066 --> 00:38:25,633
is that wheat gluten
costs a lot more
817
00:38:25,667 --> 00:38:29,533
per protein count,
per ton than wheat flour.
818
00:38:29,567 --> 00:38:32,967
When the wheat gluten
got into Menu Foods system,
819
00:38:33,000 --> 00:38:37,100
it infiltrated all
this other pet food.
820
00:38:37,133 --> 00:38:39,800
[newscaster]
That's when hundreds of pets
got sick or died
821
00:38:39,834 --> 00:38:42,467
from eating the food
made by Menu Foods.
822
00:38:42,500 --> 00:38:44,500
That company
makes dog and cat food
823
00:38:44,533 --> 00:38:46,500
under 90 brand names.
824
00:38:46,533 --> 00:38:51,133
In 2007, pet owners
didn't have any idea
825
00:38:51,166 --> 00:38:55,633
that one manufacturer,
Menu Foods, made hundreds
826
00:38:55,667 --> 00:38:57,233
of different varieties of foods.
827
00:38:57,266 --> 00:38:59,834
That was a betrayal of trust
828
00:38:59,867 --> 00:39:01,567
to so many pet owners.
829
00:39:01,600 --> 00:39:03,734
[newscaster]
This is leading people
to wonder at this point
830
00:39:03,767 --> 00:39:06,233
what can we
safely feed our pets?
831
00:39:06,266 --> 00:39:08,734
Do we need more--
I hate to say this--
832
00:39:08,767 --> 00:39:11,400
[laughs]
regulation of pet food,
833
00:39:11,433 --> 00:39:14,600
more inspection or some way
to get to the bottom of this?
834
00:39:14,633 --> 00:39:16,200
Purina tonight
is recalling a batch
835
00:39:16,233 --> 00:39:18,433
of its Purina One dog food.
836
00:39:18,467 --> 00:39:20,967
A warning tonight
to check the food
837
00:39:21,000 --> 00:39:22,333
you are feeding your pet.
838
00:39:22,367 --> 00:39:23,533
Many vets are reporting
839
00:39:23,567 --> 00:39:25,166
that they are seeing
pets getting sick
840
00:39:25,200 --> 00:39:26,800
from recalled dog food.
841
00:39:26,834 --> 00:39:27,800
Food that should have been
842
00:39:27,834 --> 00:39:30,066
taken off store shelves
months ago.
843
00:39:31,033 --> 00:39:32,033
[Jay]
I remember it vividly.
844
00:39:32,066 --> 00:39:33,934
I was sitting
in my little office.
845
00:39:33,967 --> 00:39:36,000
I got a call out of the blue
846
00:39:36,033 --> 00:39:38,867
from a woman
named Dawn Majerczyk,
847
00:39:38,900 --> 00:39:41,600
who told me that
she wanted to bring a lawsuit
848
00:39:41,633 --> 00:39:43,500
against the entire
pet food industry.
849
00:39:44,533 --> 00:39:46,967
They knew they had
contaminated food.
850
00:39:47,000 --> 00:39:48,867
They knew it was poison.
851
00:39:48,900 --> 00:39:51,333
They knew it killed animals,
852
00:39:51,367 --> 00:39:55,633
and they continued to sell it
and put it on the market.
853
00:39:55,667 --> 00:39:57,333
I mean, you just don't do that,
854
00:39:57,367 --> 00:39:58,800
but it's a money market.
855
00:39:58,834 --> 00:40:00,300
They were making money
856
00:40:00,333 --> 00:40:02,433
and I wanted it stopped.
857
00:40:02,467 --> 00:40:04,033
[newscaster]
CBS News has learned
858
00:40:04,066 --> 00:40:07,166
the tainted wheat gluten
used in pet food was human grade
859
00:40:07,200 --> 00:40:09,834
meaning nothing but luck
kept it from being used
860
00:40:09,867 --> 00:40:11,333
in the food people eat too.
861
00:40:11,367 --> 00:40:12,667
[narrator]
The most shocking aspect
862
00:40:12,700 --> 00:40:15,233
discovered in two
subcommittee hearings
863
00:40:15,266 --> 00:40:18,133
was that the ingredient
used in the pet foods
864
00:40:18,166 --> 00:40:20,567
that was responsible
for killing the animals,
865
00:40:20,600 --> 00:40:23,433
was actually legal
to use in human foods.
866
00:40:23,467 --> 00:40:26,133
On top of that,
the FDA admitted
867
00:40:26,166 --> 00:40:28,200
that there was no penalty
given to a company
868
00:40:28,233 --> 00:40:32,700
if they failed to notify the FDA
in a reasonable amount of time.
869
00:40:34,300 --> 00:40:37,000
In this case,
Menu Foods faced criticism
870
00:40:37,033 --> 00:40:41,166
for failing to notify the FDA
for over three weeks,
871
00:40:41,200 --> 00:40:44,500
even after they confirmed
dogs and cats were dying,
872
00:40:44,533 --> 00:40:45,934
and they knew the cause.
873
00:40:45,967 --> 00:40:48,266
But other than complain
about the ethics,
874
00:40:48,300 --> 00:40:51,834
no one in a government position
could fine Menu Foods
875
00:40:51,867 --> 00:40:54,500
for allowing the food
to continue to be sold,
876
00:40:54,533 --> 00:40:57,166
even though they knew
animals would die as a result.
877
00:40:58,066 --> 00:41:00,934
But Menu Foods
would not testify.
878
00:41:00,967 --> 00:41:03,100
-[chattering]
-[newscaster] The lobby group
that came in its place
879
00:41:03,133 --> 00:41:04,467
was left to explain why Menu
880
00:41:04,500 --> 00:41:08,166
supposedly knew tests
were making animals sick
on February 20th,
881
00:41:08,200 --> 00:41:11,400
but didn't tell the FDA
until 3 weeks later.
882
00:41:11,433 --> 00:41:13,133
Let's get the record straight.
883
00:41:13,166 --> 00:41:15,266
Now, Menu waited
more than three weeks
884
00:41:15,300 --> 00:41:17,734
after finding out that the dogs
wouldn't eat their food
885
00:41:17,767 --> 00:41:19,967
and were getting sick.
They waited three weeks!
886
00:41:20,000 --> 00:41:21,400
I don't have the facts
on Menu, Senator.
887
00:41:21,433 --> 00:41:22,867
I don't have
direct information--
888
00:41:22,900 --> 00:41:25,166
I would think before
you came to the hearing,
you would have the facts.
889
00:41:25,200 --> 00:41:26,834
[narrator]
But on the industry side,
890
00:41:26,867 --> 00:41:30,400
they were still maintaining
that they were highly regulated,
891
00:41:30,433 --> 00:41:32,834
though the evidence
exposed by the recall
892
00:41:32,867 --> 00:41:34,600
appeared to confirm the fear
893
00:41:34,633 --> 00:41:37,400
that the industry
wasn't regulated very much.
894
00:41:37,433 --> 00:41:41,734
Pet foods are indeed
a highly regulated product.
895
00:41:41,767 --> 00:41:44,166
They are perhaps
the most regulated product
896
00:41:44,200 --> 00:41:45,400
on the supermarket's shelves.
897
00:41:45,433 --> 00:41:48,867
Mr. Nelson was very clear
in his statement
898
00:41:48,900 --> 00:41:51,333
that AAFCO
has no regulatory authority.
899
00:41:51,367 --> 00:41:55,066
We've been told by the FDA that
there is no pre-market approval
900
00:41:55,100 --> 00:41:57,000
of this product
sold to consumers.
901
00:41:57,033 --> 00:41:59,700
We know that
there's no regular inspection
902
00:41:59,734 --> 00:42:01,967
of the facilities
that make these products.
903
00:42:02,000 --> 00:42:06,266
What we are told is that
30% of these facilities
904
00:42:06,300 --> 00:42:10,867
will be inspected once or twice
over a 3 1/2 year period.
905
00:42:11,934 --> 00:42:13,867
We know that there is
no government authority
906
00:42:13,900 --> 00:42:17,000
to recall
a contaminated product.
907
00:42:17,033 --> 00:42:20,800
We know that
there was no mandatory
state inspection standards
908
00:42:20,834 --> 00:42:23,633
established by the Food
and Drug Administration
909
00:42:23,667 --> 00:42:25,066
across the United States.
910
00:42:25,100 --> 00:42:28,367
We know that the claims
being made on the label here
911
00:42:28,400 --> 00:42:29,800
about this dog food
912
00:42:29,834 --> 00:42:34,533
are beyond the claims that
can be made about human food,
913
00:42:34,567 --> 00:42:38,333
and we're told--
at least Dr. Hodgkins
has told us that
914
00:42:38,367 --> 00:42:41,000
it's questionable
as to whether or not
915
00:42:41,033 --> 00:42:43,166
a company that makes
contaminated pet food
916
00:42:43,200 --> 00:42:45,166
has to report to anyone
917
00:42:45,200 --> 00:42:47,233
about adverse events
in a timely fashion,
918
00:42:47,266 --> 00:42:50,200
whether a dog has died
or dogs are dying.
919
00:42:50,233 --> 00:42:52,700
When I go through
that long list of things,
920
00:42:52,734 --> 00:42:56,033
it's hard to conclude this
is a highly-regulated product.
921
00:42:56,066 --> 00:42:58,600
But in terms of having
another outbreak
922
00:42:58,633 --> 00:43:01,433
in terms of scale of 2007,
923
00:43:01,467 --> 00:43:04,400
really think our pets
are the canaries in the
coal mines, so to speak.
924
00:43:04,433 --> 00:43:07,433
The only way we'll know
is when our pets start
to get sick again.
925
00:43:07,467 --> 00:43:10,266
We're still having recalls.
We're having ch--
926
00:43:10,300 --> 00:43:12,800
you know, chicken jerky
that's killing thousands
of pets.
927
00:43:12,834 --> 00:43:16,000
We can't identify the source
of the contaminant
928
00:43:16,033 --> 00:43:19,100
that's still killing pets.
That's scary.
929
00:43:19,133 --> 00:43:21,200
[narrator]
After the 2007 recall,
930
00:43:21,233 --> 00:43:24,166
another mysterious illness
began to plague dogs
931
00:43:24,200 --> 00:43:25,734
all across the country.
932
00:43:25,767 --> 00:43:28,333
It was soon discovered
that consumers who purchased
933
00:43:28,367 --> 00:43:30,533
various brands
of chicken jerky treats
934
00:43:30,567 --> 00:43:32,133
to reward their dogs
935
00:43:32,166 --> 00:43:35,333
were actually poisoning
their pets instead.
936
00:43:35,367 --> 00:43:37,934
Owners were devastated
to find their dogs either sick
937
00:43:37,967 --> 00:43:41,633
or dead after consuming
these co-called treats.
938
00:43:41,667 --> 00:43:43,000
We went to Pet Smart
939
00:43:43,033 --> 00:43:46,533
and my wife was looking
at the treat aisle there,
940
00:43:46,567 --> 00:43:50,500
and she saw dehydrated jerky
chicken treats.
941
00:43:50,533 --> 00:43:53,900
[stutters]
And she's like, well,
why don't we try these?
942
00:43:53,934 --> 00:43:56,700
This is-- the only thing I see
is just in-- chicken.
943
00:43:56,734 --> 00:43:59,433
So I agree, you know,
and we brought it home.
944
00:43:59,467 --> 00:44:01,934
And we fed it,
and you know,
945
00:44:01,967 --> 00:44:04,166
it didn't take long
before we saw big changes.
946
00:44:06,867 --> 00:44:10,100
[woman]
And what stands out in my mind
from buying them that day
947
00:44:10,133 --> 00:44:13,600
is that I looked at the bag
and they appeared wholesome,
948
00:44:13,633 --> 00:44:16,500
they really had
this almost organic,
949
00:44:16,533 --> 00:44:19,000
good-for-you feel
about the packaging.
950
00:44:19,033 --> 00:44:21,133
And so we grabbed
three packages,
951
00:44:21,166 --> 00:44:23,200
it was around Christmas time
that we bought them.
952
00:44:23,233 --> 00:44:26,800
And we put them all
in the stockings for the dogs.
953
00:44:26,834 --> 00:44:29,500
So I remember getting them
because they looked so good
for the dogs.
954
00:44:30,867 --> 00:44:32,734
[woman reading]
"We believe your dog
deserves treats
955
00:44:32,767 --> 00:44:34,867
made with the same quality
of ingredients and care
956
00:44:34,900 --> 00:44:36,667
that you want with your food."
957
00:44:38,834 --> 00:44:41,500
"Created by people
who love dogs."
958
00:44:41,533 --> 00:44:45,100
No artificial colors,
no artificial flavors
or fillers.
959
00:44:46,967 --> 00:44:49,700
And the list of ingredients
is very short.
960
00:44:49,734 --> 00:44:52,367
The packaging
just looks like a-- it's--
961
00:44:53,567 --> 00:44:55,467
It looks like they've put
a lot of thought into it.
962
00:44:55,500 --> 00:44:57,500
It looks like they care
about their animals.
963
00:44:57,533 --> 00:45:02,100
It looks like it's real food
and nothing artificial.
964
00:45:02,133 --> 00:45:06,367
Sitting there's just, uh,
a kitchen, home-style dog.
965
00:45:06,400 --> 00:45:10,667
So it-- you-- just would lend--
lend you to think it's healthy.
966
00:45:10,700 --> 00:45:12,500
It's more natural.
967
00:45:12,533 --> 00:45:15,233
It's like a jerky that--
it almost looks like
human jerky.
968
00:45:21,233 --> 00:45:22,967
While Cali was at the vet,
969
00:45:23,000 --> 00:45:25,166
I knew that she
had eaten the Milo's treats.
970
00:45:25,200 --> 00:45:26,900
So while she was there,
I went online
971
00:45:26,934 --> 00:45:28,433
and I started researching.
972
00:45:28,467 --> 00:45:31,166
And I was sick to find
973
00:45:31,200 --> 00:45:34,600
that there was just this
huge amount information
974
00:45:34,633 --> 00:45:36,433
about these
chicken jerky treats.
975
00:45:36,467 --> 00:45:38,800
It was Milo's,
it was Canyon Creek,
976
00:45:38,834 --> 00:45:40,200
it was Waggin' Train.
977
00:45:40,233 --> 00:45:42,500
There were dead dogs,
there were dying dogs,
978
00:45:42,533 --> 00:45:46,667
dogs with just
crazy problems from them.
979
00:45:46,700 --> 00:45:48,734
[narrator]
The American companies
selling the chicken jerky
980
00:45:48,767 --> 00:45:50,734
were all sourcing their treats
981
00:45:50,767 --> 00:45:53,900
from one single
manufacturing facility
in China,
982
00:45:53,934 --> 00:45:56,000
even though they
were labeled and sold
983
00:45:56,033 --> 00:45:57,700
as several different brands,
984
00:45:57,734 --> 00:45:59,867
a practice known
as white labeling.
985
00:46:02,266 --> 00:46:06,066
Over a span of years,
the companies involved
strongly denied
986
00:46:06,100 --> 00:46:07,900
that their products
were causing any such harm,
987
00:46:07,934 --> 00:46:10,600
even though thousands
of complaints were pouring in
988
00:46:10,633 --> 00:46:12,133
from their consumers.
989
00:46:12,166 --> 00:46:15,667
Since 2007, the FDA
has extensively tested
990
00:46:15,700 --> 00:46:17,633
many brands
of chicken jerky treats,
991
00:46:17,667 --> 00:46:18,800
including ours.
992
00:46:18,834 --> 00:46:21,734
That testing has
identified no contaminants
993
00:46:21,767 --> 00:46:24,533
and no definitive cause
linking these products
994
00:46:24,567 --> 00:46:26,000
to reported illnesses in dogs.
995
00:46:26,033 --> 00:46:28,700
[narrator]
In the initial stages
of backlash,
996
00:46:28,734 --> 00:46:32,300
companies tried
to get consumers to sign
non-disclosure agreements,
997
00:46:32,333 --> 00:46:33,867
which would have
barred consumers
998
00:46:33,900 --> 00:46:36,300
from legally speaking
about the death of their pets--
999
00:46:36,333 --> 00:46:39,266
a way to silence
the very victims
this had happened to.
1000
00:46:39,300 --> 00:46:42,533
Del Monte offered money
in exchange for signatures,
1001
00:46:42,567 --> 00:46:44,133
but their bribery backfired.
1002
00:46:44,166 --> 00:46:46,100
Offended pet owners
refused the money,
1003
00:46:46,133 --> 00:46:48,734
even banding together
on a Facebook page
1004
00:46:48,767 --> 00:46:50,500
to share their stories
and information
1005
00:46:50,533 --> 00:46:52,133
to try and get
the products recalled
1006
00:46:52,166 --> 00:46:53,533
from the stores' shelves.
1007
00:46:53,567 --> 00:46:56,867
And when I came
down in the morning,
um, I checked on her,
1008
00:46:56,900 --> 00:46:58,633
and she was breathing,
she was sleeping.
1009
00:46:58,667 --> 00:47:00,834
And, um, I went upstairs
to take a shower,
1010
00:47:00,867 --> 00:47:04,734
and I heard her food bowl
go across the floor.
1011
00:47:04,767 --> 00:47:07,667
And I go, "Oh, Cali's up"
and I took a shower.
1012
00:47:07,700 --> 00:47:09,300
And then I came back downstairs,
1013
00:47:09,333 --> 00:47:11,400
and she was dead.
1014
00:47:11,433 --> 00:47:13,133
[Rachel]
It was just that fast.
1015
00:47:15,600 --> 00:47:16,500
Yup.
1016
00:47:19,000 --> 00:47:19,867
Um...
1017
00:47:21,300 --> 00:47:23,133
I went to move her...
1018
00:47:26,734 --> 00:47:27,967
[sniffles]
1019
00:47:28,000 --> 00:47:30,066
[woman cries]
There was blood everywhere.
1020
00:47:30,100 --> 00:47:32,700
She had been bleeding
out of her chest,
1021
00:47:32,734 --> 00:47:34,934
and her mouth opened,
1022
00:47:34,967 --> 00:47:37,834
and she was bleeding
out of her mouth and her nose.
1023
00:47:41,467 --> 00:47:43,734
It was the most horrible thing
I've ever seen.
1024
00:47:43,767 --> 00:47:44,900
[sniffs]
1025
00:47:46,300 --> 00:47:49,767
[Trent cries]
I-- well, I lifted her up
and my hand was just--
1026
00:47:52,734 --> 00:47:53,967
[sniffs hard]
1027
00:47:55,633 --> 00:47:57,400
So when I called Del Monte,
1028
00:47:57,433 --> 00:48:01,900
I received a woman at,
I presume, their call center,
1029
00:48:01,934 --> 00:48:04,834
and it was almost scripted,
her response to me.
1030
00:48:04,867 --> 00:48:08,900
[woman]
Any reports out there
with dogs becoming sick
1031
00:48:08,934 --> 00:48:11,300
or dying or anything
from our Milo's,
1032
00:48:11,333 --> 00:48:13,834
um, the FDA did step in.
1033
00:48:13,867 --> 00:48:15,834
They did extensive
amount of testing.
1034
00:48:15,867 --> 00:48:17,800
They did a 17-step process,
1035
00:48:17,834 --> 00:48:21,800
uh, you know,
in reference to our treats.
1036
00:48:21,834 --> 00:48:24,266
There have not to this day
been any link
1037
00:48:24,300 --> 00:48:27,367
to any of those reports that
consumers put on the Internet,
1038
00:48:27,400 --> 00:48:30,233
nor has there been
any contaminants found.
1039
00:48:30,266 --> 00:48:33,567
That's why they are still
on the market today as we speak,
1040
00:48:33,600 --> 00:48:35,834
and we do stand
behind the products.
1041
00:48:37,300 --> 00:48:40,300
Dogs can get sick
from any new treat,
1042
00:48:40,333 --> 00:48:44,033
you know, any type of food
that's new to them.
1043
00:48:44,066 --> 00:48:47,433
As far as, you know,
deaths or anything like that,
1044
00:48:47,467 --> 00:48:50,400
like I said, anything that
has ever been reported,
1045
00:48:50,433 --> 00:48:52,300
um, the FDA did step in,
1046
00:48:52,333 --> 00:48:54,133
and there's never been
any contaminants
1047
00:48:54,166 --> 00:48:56,633
or any link to
any of those illnesses
with the treats.
1048
00:48:56,667 --> 00:48:58,567
It was crystal clear
that the products
1049
00:48:58,600 --> 00:49:00,533
were not coming off the shelf
any time soon.
1050
00:49:00,567 --> 00:49:03,500
So my next call was to
my local ABC station.
1051
00:49:03,533 --> 00:49:05,867
[newscaster]
Rachel Chambers of Morgan Hill
1052
00:49:05,900 --> 00:49:08,066
lost her dog Cali
yesterday morning.
1053
00:49:08,100 --> 00:49:10,567
She says it was a sudden
and painful death.
1054
00:49:10,600 --> 00:49:12,200
[newscaster 2]
The vet found that she died
1055
00:49:12,233 --> 00:49:14,300
after her stomach
twisted and ruptured,
1056
00:49:14,333 --> 00:49:17,066
but it remains undetermined
what caused that to happen.
1057
00:49:17,100 --> 00:49:20,266
According to the FDA,
nearly 1,000 pet owners
1058
00:49:20,300 --> 00:49:21,867
have complained
about this product.
1059
00:49:21,900 --> 00:49:23,633
[newscaster]
Despite the FDA warnings,
1060
00:49:23,667 --> 00:49:27,200
the treats are still on shelves
at Target, WalMart, Costco,
1061
00:49:27,233 --> 00:49:29,400
PetCo and PetSmart.
1062
00:49:29,433 --> 00:49:31,266
Admittedly,
it's somewhat frustrating
1063
00:49:31,300 --> 00:49:33,900
because we haven't
been able to find a problem
1064
00:49:33,934 --> 00:49:35,467
with the product.
1065
00:49:35,500 --> 00:49:37,066
We say, yes,
there's sick animals,
1066
00:49:37,100 --> 00:49:39,066
Uh, we believe
there's strong evidence
1067
00:49:39,100 --> 00:49:40,100
that's associated with it,
1068
00:49:40,133 --> 00:49:41,600
but when we
go look at the product,
1069
00:49:41,633 --> 00:49:43,767
and we've tested
for numerous things,
1070
00:49:43,800 --> 00:49:45,200
we haven't been able to find
1071
00:49:45,233 --> 00:49:46,600
anything that would suggest
1072
00:49:46,633 --> 00:49:50,633
that this product right here,
there's a problem with it.
1073
00:49:50,667 --> 00:49:53,300
Sometimes toxic ingredients
are a combination of things.
1074
00:49:53,333 --> 00:49:55,600
Sometimes a toxic ingredient,
1075
00:49:55,633 --> 00:49:58,066
you know,
is when you mix this with that,
1076
00:49:58,100 --> 00:49:59,700
and then that
creates the problems.
1077
00:49:59,734 --> 00:50:01,367
So if you're looking
for just one thing,
1078
00:50:01,400 --> 00:50:03,133
it's hard to know what that is.
1079
00:50:03,166 --> 00:50:06,567
[narrator]
The chicken jerky issue
lasted until 2013.
1080
00:50:06,600 --> 00:50:09,867
Nearly six years after
the first complaints were made.
1081
00:50:09,900 --> 00:50:12,033
Upon investigation,
1082
00:50:12,066 --> 00:50:14,166
the New York
State Department of Agriculture
1083
00:50:14,200 --> 00:50:17,767
discovered illegal traces
of antibiotics in the treats.
1084
00:50:17,800 --> 00:50:19,567
Even though
it couldn't be proven
1085
00:50:19,600 --> 00:50:23,233
that the antibiotics
had directly caused
the deaths of the pets,
1086
00:50:23,266 --> 00:50:25,567
it was a technical
adulterant needed
1087
00:50:25,600 --> 00:50:28,133
for the State Department
to force these companies
1088
00:50:28,166 --> 00:50:31,266
to withdraw the products
in question from the shelves.
1089
00:50:31,300 --> 00:50:34,734
The trace amounts
of antibiotic residue
found in these samples
1090
00:50:34,767 --> 00:50:38,066
are not linked to the FDA's
ongoing investigation
1091
00:50:38,100 --> 00:50:39,834
of chicken jerky products.
1092
00:50:39,867 --> 00:50:43,166
And again, the trace amounts
of antibiotic residue
1093
00:50:43,200 --> 00:50:45,734
do not pose a health
or pet safety risk.
1094
00:50:45,767 --> 00:50:47,467
It has damaged my trust.
1095
00:50:48,400 --> 00:50:51,000
I-- I don't trust
companies anymore.
1096
00:50:51,033 --> 00:50:52,667
They don't care about me.
1097
00:50:52,700 --> 00:50:54,867
They care about my money.
1098
00:50:54,900 --> 00:50:56,834
And that's--
that's a terrible thing.
1099
00:50:56,867 --> 00:50:58,834
[narrator]
When death or sickness
is involved
1100
00:50:58,867 --> 00:51:01,633
the cards appear
to be stacked against consumers.
1101
00:51:01,667 --> 00:51:04,333
This is because, according
to the United States government,
1102
00:51:04,367 --> 00:51:06,633
your beloved companion
is considered property
1103
00:51:06,667 --> 00:51:09,166
that is worth
little to no monetary value.
1104
00:51:09,200 --> 00:51:12,033
It's very difficult to put
a value on companion animals.
1105
00:51:12,066 --> 00:51:13,467
The courts have
struggled with this.
1106
00:51:13,500 --> 00:51:16,100
Where it really
comes down to a struggle
1107
00:51:16,133 --> 00:51:17,734
is what are the damages
to somebody
1108
00:51:17,767 --> 00:51:20,633
who has had a pet that's
been injured or killed?
1109
00:51:20,667 --> 00:51:24,166
For the most part,
they're still considered
a piece of property.
1110
00:51:24,200 --> 00:51:25,700
Most courts
are willing to just do
1111
00:51:25,734 --> 00:51:27,266
the quickest possible analysis,
1112
00:51:27,300 --> 00:51:30,533
which is, you know,
what did you pay for the animal?
1113
00:51:30,567 --> 00:51:34,300
How much did you suffer
in terms of veterinary--
veterinarian bills
1114
00:51:34,333 --> 00:51:36,867
or that kind of thing,
in terms of caring
for the animal?
1115
00:51:36,900 --> 00:51:38,800
And, you know,
that's what you're
able to recover,
1116
00:51:38,834 --> 00:51:41,266
rather than those
sort of emotional connection
1117
00:51:41,300 --> 00:51:43,333
that you have with the animal
or that kind of thing.
1118
00:51:43,367 --> 00:51:45,100
[narrator] In 2015,
1119
00:51:45,133 --> 00:51:47,133
government agencies
value human life
1120
00:51:47,166 --> 00:51:50,400
between $6 and $9 million
to provide some leverage
1121
00:51:50,433 --> 00:51:52,567
to consumers
in the unfortunate case
1122
00:51:52,600 --> 00:51:54,700
that injury or death
were to occur.
1123
00:51:54,734 --> 00:51:57,133
In contrast,
within the pet food world,
1124
00:51:57,166 --> 00:51:59,166
no such evaluation exists.
1125
00:51:59,200 --> 00:52:01,767
Even in the largest
of class-action lawsuits,
1126
00:52:01,800 --> 00:52:03,133
the money awarded to victims
1127
00:52:03,166 --> 00:52:06,000
whose pets have been
directly harmed by pet food,
1128
00:52:06,033 --> 00:52:08,533
is insignificant when compared
to the massive profits
1129
00:52:08,567 --> 00:52:10,467
that companies make each year.
1130
00:52:10,500 --> 00:52:13,000
So as far as
profits are involved,
1131
00:52:13,033 --> 00:52:15,266
there is no incentive
for companies to do
1132
00:52:15,300 --> 00:52:18,300
what consumers believe
is the right thing.
1133
00:52:18,333 --> 00:52:19,934
I'm Sebastian Gay.
I'm a--
1134
00:52:19,967 --> 00:52:21,900
I'm the father of a theory
1135
00:52:21,934 --> 00:52:26,000
of economic valuation
of companion animals.
1136
00:52:26,033 --> 00:52:29,100
[narrator]
Providing an economic valuation
for companion animals
1137
00:52:29,133 --> 00:52:31,300
creates a formula,
which can then be used
1138
00:52:31,333 --> 00:52:34,233
to fairly evaluate
the worth of a dog or cat.
1139
00:52:34,266 --> 00:52:36,066
The main problem
1140
00:52:36,100 --> 00:52:38,567
in the valuation
of companion animals
1141
00:52:38,600 --> 00:52:41,033
was the discrepancy
that existed
1142
00:52:41,066 --> 00:52:45,066
between the true value
of a companion animal
1143
00:52:45,100 --> 00:52:46,800
that veterinarians
were giving you
1144
00:52:46,834 --> 00:52:48,567
in case something
happened to them
1145
00:52:48,600 --> 00:52:51,700
and the amount of money
that people were spending
on their companion animals.
1146
00:52:51,734 --> 00:52:55,800
[narrator] If settlements
like the one in 2007
were not in the millions,
1147
00:52:55,834 --> 00:52:57,834
but instead in
the hundreds of millions,
1148
00:52:57,867 --> 00:53:01,000
that alone would be a game
changer for corporations,
1149
00:53:01,033 --> 00:53:05,367
who would be under serious
pressure to prevent recalls
at all cost.
1150
00:53:05,400 --> 00:53:07,533
I don't think the playing field
has entirely changed...
1151
00:53:08,700 --> 00:53:10,066
but it might soon, you know.
1152
00:53:10,100 --> 00:53:13,467
It takes a big case, I think,
to really change everything.
1153
00:53:18,767 --> 00:53:20,500
I'm Susan Thixton
1154
00:53:20,533 --> 00:53:23,166
and I run the website
truthaboutpetfood.com.
1155
00:53:25,333 --> 00:53:28,533
I started teaching
people about pet food
1156
00:53:28,567 --> 00:53:30,166
before the website began.
1157
00:53:30,200 --> 00:53:34,400
About 20 years ago,
my own dog-- almost overnight,
1158
00:53:34,433 --> 00:53:38,066
we noticed a tumor
on her pelvic bone--
1159
00:53:38,100 --> 00:53:41,734
took her to the vet
and he told me that the--
1160
00:53:41,767 --> 00:53:44,734
it was a chemical preservative
in the pet food.
1161
00:53:44,767 --> 00:53:47,500
It was more than likely
this was bone cancer,
1162
00:53:47,533 --> 00:53:49,500
and this chemical preservative
1163
00:53:49,533 --> 00:53:53,100
in the food was more than likely
the cause of the cancer.
1164
00:53:54,367 --> 00:53:57,166
You know, my brain couldn't
wrap my head around that.
1165
00:53:57,200 --> 00:53:59,633
How could a food
that I trusted--
1166
00:53:59,667 --> 00:54:01,066
and this was
the leading food
1167
00:54:01,100 --> 00:54:02,633
in the United States
at the time--
1168
00:54:02,667 --> 00:54:07,300
how could a food
cause cancer
1169
00:54:07,333 --> 00:54:08,433
and kill my dog?
1170
00:54:08,467 --> 00:54:12,800
And he said it was
to extend the shelf life.
1171
00:54:12,834 --> 00:54:16,033
Well, back then I barely knew
what shelf life was,
1172
00:54:16,066 --> 00:54:21,400
but I called this
pet food manufacturer
just to confirm,
1173
00:54:21,433 --> 00:54:23,500
because I was really
doubting my own vet,
1174
00:54:23,533 --> 00:54:25,734
and asked them what
1175
00:54:25,767 --> 00:54:28,400
the shelf life was
of this particular dog food.
1176
00:54:28,433 --> 00:54:32,367
And what they told me,
literally, changed my life.
1177
00:54:32,400 --> 00:54:36,800
Their exact words, which
are seared into my brain were,
1178
00:54:36,834 --> 00:54:39,266
the shelf life--
the pet food would stay fresh
1179
00:54:39,300 --> 00:54:41,066
for 25 years.
1180
00:54:41,100 --> 00:54:44,467
There was
that many chemicals
in the food
1181
00:54:44,500 --> 00:54:47,100
that the food
would stay "fresh"
1182
00:54:47,133 --> 00:54:50,166
for more than three times
longer than my dog lived.
1183
00:54:50,200 --> 00:54:53,767
When you have
a dog or a cat
1184
00:54:53,800 --> 00:54:55,467
that pet food kills--
1185
00:54:56,633 --> 00:54:59,633
Your own pet--
and you poured that food
1186
00:54:59,667 --> 00:55:01,166
in their bowl--
1187
00:55:01,200 --> 00:55:03,367
so you feel
really responsible--
1188
00:55:03,400 --> 00:55:05,500
it is life-altering.
1189
00:55:05,533 --> 00:55:07,934
Weekly, if not daily...
1190
00:55:09,100 --> 00:55:11,166
I hear from
other pet owners
1191
00:55:11,200 --> 00:55:14,133
that are or were
in the same exact boat as me.
1192
00:55:14,166 --> 00:55:16,700
That's what keeps you going.
1193
00:55:19,934 --> 00:55:22,000
I'm very optimistic
1194
00:55:22,033 --> 00:55:26,333
that the more awareness
will bring about change.
1195
00:55:26,367 --> 00:55:28,066
I think...
1196
00:55:28,100 --> 00:55:32,433
[stutters]
the big players, big pet food
will still be there,
1197
00:55:32,467 --> 00:55:34,767
uh, just like McDonald's
1198
00:55:34,800 --> 00:55:37,667
is still serving up food.
1199
00:55:37,700 --> 00:55:41,500
However, pets eat that
McDonald's every single day.
1200
00:55:41,533 --> 00:55:43,066
So it's very important
for pet owners
1201
00:55:43,100 --> 00:55:46,467
to be aware more
than fast food purchasers,
1202
00:55:46,500 --> 00:55:51,667
but... as McDonald's
has stayed in business,
1203
00:55:51,700 --> 00:55:56,133
health food-- smaller stores
have also grown,
1204
00:55:56,166 --> 00:55:58,367
if not even more rapidly.
1205
00:55:58,400 --> 00:56:01,900
And I believe the same thing
is happening right now
1206
00:56:01,934 --> 00:56:03,667
in the pet food industry.
1207
00:56:03,700 --> 00:56:06,066
Big pet food is still there,
1208
00:56:06,100 --> 00:56:09,367
but a lot--
a lot of small...
1209
00:56:09,400 --> 00:56:14,867
very health-conscious companies
are growing very rapidly
1210
00:56:14,900 --> 00:56:16,967
and gaining a lot
of customers.
1211
00:56:17,000 --> 00:56:18,533
This is an interesting quandary
1212
00:56:18,567 --> 00:56:20,133
for the dry-food industry
1213
00:56:20,166 --> 00:56:21,633
because they have to do
one of two things.
1214
00:56:21,667 --> 00:56:24,200
They either have to come up
with more information
1215
00:56:24,233 --> 00:56:26,133
to be able to bash
the raw food industry.
1216
00:56:26,166 --> 00:56:27,367
Or the second option
1217
00:56:27,400 --> 00:56:31,166
is they have to listen
to what clients are asking for,
1218
00:56:31,200 --> 00:56:33,333
which means
really educated clients
1219
00:56:33,367 --> 00:56:34,800
are going
to the veterinarians saying,
1220
00:56:34,834 --> 00:56:36,567
"I want to see meat
first on the label.
1221
00:56:36,600 --> 00:56:38,533
I don't want to see
extra carbohydrates.
1222
00:56:38,567 --> 00:56:41,700
I want to see
no additional fillers,
1223
00:56:41,734 --> 00:56:45,133
preservatives, or unnecessary
ingredients on the label."
1224
00:56:45,166 --> 00:56:46,300
So some of these pet foods
1225
00:56:46,333 --> 00:56:48,900
have wisely decided
to join the bandwagon.
1226
00:56:48,934 --> 00:56:53,400
[announcer]
Wolves, the wild ancestors
of your dog.
1227
00:56:53,433 --> 00:56:55,300
[narrator]
Using the same
brash marketing style
1228
00:56:55,333 --> 00:56:57,333
that the major
pet food companies established,
1229
00:56:57,367 --> 00:56:59,100
one company
would soon challenge
1230
00:56:59,133 --> 00:57:01,867
the industry's obsessive use
and stance on grain.
1231
00:57:01,900 --> 00:57:03,867
[announcer]
Feed your dog's wolf spirit
1232
00:57:03,900 --> 00:57:05,400
with Blue Wilderness.
1233
00:57:05,433 --> 00:57:08,567
[narrator]
In their commercials,
Blue Buffalo took a bold step,
1234
00:57:08,600 --> 00:57:10,367
questioning ingredients.
1235
00:57:10,400 --> 00:57:12,266
I compared the ingredients
in lots of them.
1236
00:57:12,300 --> 00:57:15,066
"Corn gluten meal,"
not too sure exactly
what that is.
1237
00:57:15,100 --> 00:57:16,600
[narrator]
The style of marketing worked,
1238
00:57:16,633 --> 00:57:18,300
quickly catapulting
Blue Buffalo
1239
00:57:18,333 --> 00:57:20,834
-into a billion-dollar brand.
-[announcer] All Blue Life
Protection foods
1240
00:57:20,867 --> 00:57:22,533
are made with the finest
natural ingredients
1241
00:57:22,567 --> 00:57:23,867
and start with real meat.
1242
00:57:23,900 --> 00:57:25,066
-[chatters]
-[narrator] As they say,
1243
00:57:25,100 --> 00:57:26,100
you know you've made it
1244
00:57:26,133 --> 00:57:28,266
when you're parodied
on Saturday Night Life.
1245
00:57:28,300 --> 00:57:30,667
[in disgust]
Ground yellow corn?
1246
00:57:30,700 --> 00:57:32,367
Chicken by-product meal?
1247
00:57:32,400 --> 00:57:33,900
The thing that gets me
1248
00:57:33,934 --> 00:57:36,200
is, like, what kind of person
1249
00:57:36,233 --> 00:57:38,467
thinks it's okay
to put a big drawing
of a chicken
1250
00:57:38,500 --> 00:57:39,800
on the front of the bag,
1251
00:57:39,834 --> 00:57:41,133
and yet there's
no chicken in there?
1252
00:57:41,166 --> 00:57:43,266
[screams]
You know, what other
compromises can we make?
1253
00:57:43,300 --> 00:57:44,934
You want to have sex
with my husband?
1254
00:57:44,967 --> 00:57:47,133
Bend over, Pat!
They want to get that ass!
1255
00:57:47,166 --> 00:57:50,066
-No! I-- I--
-[narrator] But one company
wasn't seeing the humor.
1256
00:57:50,100 --> 00:57:53,734
Purina and Blue Buffalo
are locked in a nasty battle,
1257
00:57:53,767 --> 00:57:57,000
and it's all about what's inside
those bags of dog and cat food.
1258
00:58:00,166 --> 00:58:02,867
[announcer]
Some people will try to tell you
that your dog is a carnivore
1259
00:58:02,900 --> 00:58:04,900
and requires
only a diet of meat.
1260
00:58:04,934 --> 00:58:07,467
They may tell you
your dog is like a wolf,
1261
00:58:07,500 --> 00:58:11,000
but even a wolf's diet
is built on more than just meat.
1262
00:58:11,033 --> 00:58:13,166
[newscaster]
Blue Buffalo claims
its pet food
1263
00:58:13,200 --> 00:58:15,834
is free of chicken
and poultry by-products.
1264
00:58:15,867 --> 00:58:20,033
The suit alleges, testing at
an independent lab found...
1265
00:58:23,066 --> 00:58:26,667
in Blue Buffalo's top-selling
life protection products.
1266
00:58:26,700 --> 00:58:30,033
[narrator]
Purina sued Blue Buffalo
for false advertising,
1267
00:58:30,066 --> 00:58:32,633
eventually leading to
a class-action lawsuit.
1268
00:58:32,667 --> 00:58:36,433
Purina launched
a website called
"Pet Food Honesty."
1269
00:58:38,400 --> 00:58:40,834
The irony of
the entire lawsuit, however,
1270
00:58:40,867 --> 00:58:42,767
was Purina's own
lack of transparency
1271
00:58:42,800 --> 00:58:44,367
when it came
to their own products.
1272
00:58:44,400 --> 00:58:47,133
They refused
to answer questions
on camera
1273
00:58:47,166 --> 00:58:51,333
about the quality or source
of their own ingredients.
1274
00:58:51,367 --> 00:58:53,133
[Kohl Harrington]
Since you guys are
suing Blue Buffalo
1275
00:58:53,166 --> 00:58:54,967
for like transparency
in ingredients,
1276
00:58:55,000 --> 00:58:57,300
I just wanted to give you guys
an opportunity to...
1277
00:58:58,300 --> 00:58:59,834
talk to this film
and the consumers
1278
00:58:59,867 --> 00:59:01,934
about the transparency
of your own ingredients.
1279
00:59:03,200 --> 00:59:05,700
[woman] Okay, all right,
I will pass this along.
1280
00:59:05,734 --> 00:59:07,934
[narrator]
After Purina failed
to respond to our request,
1281
00:59:07,967 --> 00:59:09,533
we tried again.
1282
00:59:09,567 --> 00:59:12,400
[Kohl]
So you don't
have an idea of a date
1283
00:59:12,433 --> 00:59:13,734
whenever you guys
would like to respond?
1284
00:59:15,967 --> 00:59:17,934
[woman]
Well, it will not
be me responding,
1285
00:59:17,967 --> 00:59:22,767
so I'm not sure.
It's kind of up to, um...
1286
00:59:22,800 --> 00:59:25,367
-you know, when he will respond.
-[Kohl] But he officially--
1287
00:59:25,400 --> 00:59:26,900
[woman]
He does have the information.
1288
00:59:26,934 --> 00:59:29,400
[narrator]
Purina would not defend
their own alleged
1289
00:59:29,433 --> 00:59:31,333
lack of true transparency.
1290
00:59:31,367 --> 00:59:33,400
We reached out
to Blue Buffalo as well,
1291
00:59:33,433 --> 00:59:35,567
who also refused
to go on camera.
1292
00:59:35,600 --> 00:59:38,867
If this really was about
transparency and honesty,
1293
00:59:38,900 --> 00:59:40,467
why was no one talking?
1294
00:59:40,500 --> 00:59:42,166
[Karen]
A one-on-one interview
1295
00:59:42,200 --> 00:59:44,500
with the heads of these
major pet food manufacturers
1296
00:59:44,533 --> 00:59:47,233
would never happen,
because you can ask questions
1297
00:59:47,266 --> 00:59:49,533
that are too difficult
to answer,
1298
00:59:49,567 --> 00:59:51,700
honestly, openly,
or appropriately
1299
00:59:51,734 --> 00:59:54,033
that could put them
in a compromised position.
1300
00:59:54,066 --> 00:59:56,100
But the market
for premium food
1301
00:59:56,133 --> 00:59:58,567
is growing the fastest
with more pet parents
1302
00:59:58,600 --> 01:00:01,000
seeking nutritious
and natural food for their dogs.
1303
01:00:01,033 --> 01:00:03,266
[newscaster]
And with American pet owners
1304
01:00:03,300 --> 01:00:06,900
expected to spend
nearly $23 billion this year
1305
01:00:06,934 --> 01:00:09,934
on food for these
treasured members
of the family,
1306
01:00:09,967 --> 01:00:12,200
the stakes are high.
1307
01:00:12,233 --> 01:00:14,767
Some of these companies
that have repeatedly said
1308
01:00:14,800 --> 01:00:17,066
"It's not a problem
to feed wheat or corn,"
1309
01:00:17,100 --> 01:00:20,233
are now coming out
with grain-free foods
1310
01:00:20,266 --> 01:00:22,533
that they are labeling
as more species appropriate,
1311
01:00:22,567 --> 01:00:24,000
or biologically correct,
1312
01:00:24,033 --> 01:00:25,600
or grain-free.
1313
01:00:25,633 --> 01:00:28,900
Where previously
they have acknowledged
1314
01:00:28,934 --> 01:00:30,967
that there was not a reason
to produce these foods,
1315
01:00:31,000 --> 01:00:33,767
they're now-- all of them--
coming out with grain-free food,
1316
01:00:33,800 --> 01:00:35,266
really, I believe, to compete
1317
01:00:35,300 --> 01:00:38,567
in a market place that's
becoming more competitive.
1318
01:00:38,600 --> 01:00:42,300
At the American Holistic
Veterinarian Medical Association
annual conference,
1319
01:00:42,333 --> 01:00:44,700
we have all of these great
food suppliers that are there,
1320
01:00:44,734 --> 01:00:45,867
not only discussing
their products,
1321
01:00:45,900 --> 01:00:48,367
but exchanging ideas,
everyone's very open.
1322
01:00:48,400 --> 01:00:50,400
Veterinarians are capable
of going from booth to booth
1323
01:00:50,433 --> 01:00:52,000
to get an idea of
what the products are about,
1324
01:00:52,033 --> 01:00:54,200
how they're manufactured,
ingredient lists.
1325
01:00:54,233 --> 01:00:56,633
The owners of these
small pet food companies
1326
01:00:56,667 --> 01:01:00,000
are-- are passionate--
wildly passionate
1327
01:01:00,033 --> 01:01:01,467
about the products
that they're producing.
1328
01:01:01,500 --> 01:01:02,867
And they're eager
to speak with you,
1329
01:01:02,900 --> 01:01:04,066
and they want
you to know more,
1330
01:01:04,100 --> 01:01:05,367
and they want you
to ask questions.
1331
01:01:09,367 --> 01:01:12,133
Some of the big
pet manufacturing companies
1332
01:01:12,166 --> 01:01:15,400
have-- have acquired a booth
at these conventions,
1333
01:01:15,433 --> 01:01:17,033
and although they're there,
1334
01:01:17,066 --> 01:01:19,200
I guess representing themselves,
1335
01:01:19,233 --> 01:01:20,400
there is no discussion.
1336
01:01:22,266 --> 01:01:24,333
-Is it potato or--
-Potato is great for you.
1337
01:01:24,367 --> 01:01:26,333
Okay.
1338
01:01:26,367 --> 01:01:28,033
[Barbara]
Hmm, I'm not seeing
the new diet.
1339
01:01:28,066 --> 01:01:29,567
[muttering]
1340
01:01:29,600 --> 01:01:30,900
The fact that
veterinarians come around
1341
01:01:30,934 --> 01:01:33,033
and are looking at stuff,
this is how we get information.
1342
01:01:33,066 --> 01:01:36,200
For example, I've never
looked at this bag before,
1343
01:01:36,233 --> 01:01:38,066
and I want to find out
what's in it,
1344
01:01:38,100 --> 01:01:40,233
because that's
the kind of person I am.
1345
01:01:40,266 --> 01:01:42,133
So your stuff
usually is on the side, right?
1346
01:01:42,166 --> 01:01:43,433
-Yes.
-Right.
1347
01:01:43,467 --> 01:01:45,333
-[bag crinkles]
-It pulls out of here.
1348
01:01:45,367 --> 01:01:47,667
So you got,
this one has barley in it?
1349
01:01:47,700 --> 01:01:49,066
This one has barley?
1350
01:01:49,100 --> 01:01:50,700
[woman]
Right there's Ideal Balance meal
1351
01:01:50,734 --> 01:01:52,133
-to hear about the grain-free.
-Grain-free.
1352
01:01:52,166 --> 01:01:53,567
[Barbara]
Two products under the umbrella.
1353
01:01:53,600 --> 01:01:55,500
-How are you finding--
-[Karen] Industry leaders
1354
01:01:55,533 --> 01:01:57,333
are incredibly cautious
about making sure
1355
01:01:57,367 --> 01:01:59,567
that every time that
they are publicly on tape
1356
01:01:59,600 --> 01:02:01,734
or have any
printed information,
1357
01:02:01,767 --> 01:02:05,000
it's a well-calculated,
formulated response
1358
01:02:05,033 --> 01:02:06,567
that they're in control of.
1359
01:02:06,600 --> 01:02:07,700
Do I think that the main--
1360
01:02:07,734 --> 01:02:11,400
that the top pet food
manufacturers in this country
1361
01:02:11,433 --> 01:02:13,567
could be striving to produce
a more species-appropriate,
1362
01:02:13,600 --> 01:02:14,834
better-quality pet food?
1363
01:02:14,867 --> 01:02:16,000
Sure.
1364
01:02:16,033 --> 01:02:19,834
Do I think that their motive
is probably more economic
1365
01:02:19,867 --> 01:02:22,233
and trying to maintain
their market share
1366
01:02:22,266 --> 01:02:24,967
than producing
a fabulous-quality pet food?
1367
01:02:25,000 --> 01:02:26,166
I do.
1368
01:02:26,200 --> 01:02:28,734
[narrator]
Most companies that
attended the trade show
1369
01:02:28,767 --> 01:02:30,367
were happy to speak
with our cameras,
1370
01:02:30,400 --> 01:02:33,033
proud to show off
their products and transparency.
1371
01:02:35,767 --> 01:02:38,133
But when we revisited
the Science Diet booth,
1372
01:02:38,166 --> 01:02:41,200
with our questions about
the species-appropriateness
of their products,
1373
01:02:41,233 --> 01:02:42,867
and the sourcing
of their diets,
1374
01:02:42,900 --> 01:02:44,400
we were refused interviews
1375
01:02:44,433 --> 01:02:47,000
and instructed to contact
their media department team.
1376
01:02:47,033 --> 01:02:48,233
So we did.
1377
01:02:50,000 --> 01:02:52,734
[woman on phone]
Hi, Kohl, this is Lou
with Hill's Pet Nutrition.
1378
01:02:52,767 --> 01:02:54,834
I just wanted to let you know
1379
01:02:54,867 --> 01:02:59,166
that Hill's decided not to
participate in this documentary.
1380
01:02:59,200 --> 01:03:01,033
[narrator]
All other major pet food brands
1381
01:03:01,066 --> 01:03:04,200
also flat-out refused
or ignored multiple requests
1382
01:03:04,233 --> 01:03:05,834
to participate in this film.
1383
01:03:22,533 --> 01:03:24,633
[narrator]
All over the world
independent pet stores
1384
01:03:24,667 --> 01:03:26,000
are now offering a solution
1385
01:03:26,033 --> 01:03:28,633
to the growing population
of concerned pet owners.
1386
01:03:30,900 --> 01:03:32,533
For almost
their entire existence
1387
01:03:32,567 --> 01:03:36,300
major pet food stores
only carried dry or canned food,
1388
01:03:36,333 --> 01:03:39,033
while independent stores
were adequately addressing
1389
01:03:39,066 --> 01:03:40,867
the concerns of their customers
1390
01:03:40,900 --> 01:03:44,433
by selling, raw, dehydrated,
or alternative diets.
1391
01:03:45,433 --> 01:03:47,567
The big box pet stores
are recognizing
1392
01:03:47,600 --> 01:03:50,033
that there's not only
a market for human-grade
1393
01:03:50,066 --> 01:03:51,333
species-appropriate foods,
1394
01:03:51,367 --> 01:03:53,867
but there are pet lovers going
and asking for these foods.
1395
01:03:53,900 --> 01:03:57,300
[narrator]
The industry has felt the threat
of the independent pet stores
1396
01:03:57,333 --> 01:03:58,967
popping up across the nation.
1397
01:03:59,000 --> 01:04:00,233
In reaction,
1398
01:04:00,266 --> 01:04:02,600
they've launched their
own chain of smaller stores
1399
01:04:02,633 --> 01:04:04,567
with the appearance
that what they're offering
1400
01:04:04,600 --> 01:04:05,934
is healthier.
1401
01:04:08,066 --> 01:04:11,166
So many
well-intentioned customers
are still left wondering
1402
01:04:11,200 --> 01:04:13,066
what is the right thing to do?
1403
01:04:14,367 --> 01:04:16,033
So you're talking to people--
I'm doing this thing,
1404
01:04:16,066 --> 01:04:18,333
and they want,
"Okay, so what is the answer?"
1405
01:04:18,367 --> 01:04:20,233
So to me, that's what
happens to me every day.
1406
01:04:20,266 --> 01:04:22,333
I've got people
who come to me and say,
1407
01:04:22,367 --> 01:04:23,333
"What is the answer?"
1408
01:04:23,367 --> 01:04:26,767
In the end,
it isn't about perfect.
1409
01:04:26,800 --> 01:04:28,667
It's just about knowing--
1410
01:04:29,667 --> 01:04:32,800
I just happen to see...
increased health
1411
01:04:32,834 --> 01:04:35,734
when you really can feed
a biologically-appropriate diet.
1412
01:04:35,767 --> 01:04:38,600
We shouldn't have strayed so far
from it in the first place.
1413
01:04:38,633 --> 01:04:41,800
We have, we're gonna have
to get back there eventually.
1414
01:04:41,834 --> 01:04:45,033
-I'd like to see that.
-I believe as... pet guardians,
1415
01:04:45,066 --> 01:04:47,834
our job is to feed
the best possible food
1416
01:04:47,867 --> 01:04:49,367
that we can afford to feed.
1417
01:04:49,400 --> 01:04:53,600
So if you can't afford to feed
an organic, all-raw,
1418
01:04:53,633 --> 01:04:55,200
biologically-appropriate diet,
1419
01:04:55,233 --> 01:04:58,600
then my recommendation
is to make that your goal,
1420
01:04:58,633 --> 01:05:00,333
consider feeding as much
1421
01:05:00,367 --> 01:05:02,633
raw, balanced,
human-grade food
as you can.
1422
01:05:02,667 --> 01:05:04,600
Maybe you can use it
as snacks throughout the day
1423
01:05:04,633 --> 01:05:07,066
or maybe you could afford
to feed one meal a day.
1424
01:05:07,100 --> 01:05:08,967
The other meal
you could consider
1425
01:05:09,000 --> 01:05:11,934
feeding a dehydrated raw
or a canned food.
1426
01:05:11,967 --> 01:05:13,600
By default,
1427
01:05:13,633 --> 01:05:16,467
and because it's least
biologically appropriate,
1428
01:05:16,500 --> 01:05:18,900
I only recommend
feeding dry food
1429
01:05:18,934 --> 01:05:21,233
unless you can't afford
to feed better-quality foods,
1430
01:05:21,266 --> 01:05:24,767
and many people cannot afford
to feed better-quality foods.
1431
01:05:24,800 --> 01:05:27,000
So even within
your dry food choices,
1432
01:05:27,033 --> 01:05:29,166
there are better-quality
dry food choices
1433
01:05:29,200 --> 01:05:31,633
and there are terrible-quality
dry food choices.
1434
01:05:31,667 --> 01:05:33,433
And it's your job
as a pet guardian
1435
01:05:33,467 --> 01:05:35,166
to be able to know
enough about nutrition
1436
01:05:35,200 --> 01:05:37,633
to make wise
health decisions
for your pets.
1437
01:05:37,667 --> 01:05:40,834
[narrator]
Rest assured, the industry
will continue to evolve,
1438
01:05:40,867 --> 01:05:44,100
much like a chameleon
in the wild.
1439
01:05:44,133 --> 01:05:45,934
No matter what product
is shelfed before you,
1440
01:05:45,967 --> 01:05:47,967
understand that ever company,
1441
01:05:48,000 --> 01:05:50,033
as well as their packaging,
1442
01:05:50,066 --> 01:05:51,834
is doing its best
to convince you
1443
01:05:51,867 --> 01:05:54,166
that they have
the utmost integrity
1444
01:05:54,200 --> 01:05:56,767
and that their products
are of the highest of quality.
1445
01:05:56,800 --> 01:06:00,333
The industry and the ingredients
in most products on the shelves
1446
01:06:00,367 --> 01:06:02,533
boil down to
the ease of convenience:
1447
01:06:02,567 --> 01:06:05,200
money and creative labeling.
1448
01:06:05,233 --> 01:06:07,533
You're never gonna meet
that farmer on the package,
1449
01:06:07,567 --> 01:06:09,967
tour the pet food
manufacturing plant
1450
01:06:10,000 --> 01:06:11,967
where your dog's gourmet food
is being made
1451
01:06:12,000 --> 01:06:14,400
or shake the hand of that CEO.
1452
01:06:14,433 --> 01:06:16,367
It's all just too big.
1453
01:06:17,300 --> 01:06:18,834
With profits as their main goal,
1454
01:06:18,867 --> 01:06:21,333
the cycle will continue
on and on,
1455
01:06:21,367 --> 01:06:24,400
again and again
with no end in sight.
1456
01:06:24,433 --> 01:06:27,133
[classical music plays]
118637
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