something you didnt know....

[orange-gnome]

Since the whole fur post, I have been looking around at some of the links that nickmo so kindly left for us to become distraught over, I found this site: http://www.iamscruelty.com and seeing as I remember having a conversation with someone on this site about whether Iams is a good brand of pet food to buy I thought I would let everyone else have a little look.

[nickmo]

Hi O-G. I'm aware of these guys and yes it is a genuine concern that there are ethics about feed production and the provenance including the testing on animals.

Have a look at http://www.uncaged.co.uk/petfood.htm which has links to ethical pet food producers and a list of alternative producers to the 2 main companies (irrespective of the name on the tin, most feed comes from only 1 of2 muti-nationals factories). Uncaged is a UK organisation that promotes quality of life.

Hills also falls into the camp of brands to boycott, but they do seem to have the market in vets surgeries, and their special diets are really pushed as being the only ones available. Not so. If you have any concerns, speak to your vet and they will be able to suggest feeding regimes that should be able to compliment other treatment. NB. Make sure that any pets get a diet that suits their needs, including all the vitamins, minerals and supplements - I can never get my head around vegetarian dog food - so be aware of only feeding left overs or making your own food. It may suit some, but take good advice before introducing a new feeding regime.

Incidentally, not one of the major supermarkets has signed up the code of ethics regarding pet food production, so another reason to avoid them as far as possible (goes off on tangent at this point regarding local shopping, farmers' markets and the like) and seek genuine alternatives.

[orange-gnome]

I know about the vet thing...I worked in surgeries for years where Hills and Iams were the ONLY foods sold and really pushed as the ones to buy over any other food. Of course most vets wouldn't know of these reports however.

[orange-gnome]

Sorry.....Hi nickmo and thanks for that....I am so appalled my manners are escaping me, I apologise! : )

[nickmo]

O-G. No offence taken. Can only presume its time for the boosters. Have a peachy afternoon.

[copippin]

Hi orange-gnome,many thanks for giving us the chance to view the Iams website on cruelty,I was appalled at what emerged.Sadly, we no longer have a dog,but when we did,I am very glad to say he was never fed on Iams,or any of Hills products. Because he had all sorts of problems,he enjoyed a diet of chicken with rice,or fish both of which seemed to go down well.On rare occassions,he had butchers tripe about which I know very little except what was printed on the tin;I sincerely hope that it didn't fall into a disreputable category.

[orange-gnome]

Yeah something like that nickmo.... you too ; )



Welcome copippin...I am sorry that you no longer have your doggy...as far as I am aware I only know good things about butchers tripe : )

[happy_face]

O my God!!! I am shocked. I don't feed my dog Iams but purely because of it being so expensive. I most certainly won't ever be buying any of their products. I don't know why I did it but I clicked on the link for undercover video footage and I had to stop it after a few seconds as I got so upset. It's so awful. Orange-gnome you also talk about Hills products, are they also bad?

I feed my dog Bakers Complete which is done by Purina, sure as hell hope they behave

[nickmo]

happy-face - Boycott Hills if you can use an alternatve.

See the answer No. 1 at the top of the query where I put in the link to uncaged.co.uk, which has a list of ethical pet food supplies. Every owner who makes a stand against the disreputable practices will be sending a message to these producers.