Do GMOs Belong in your Pet’s Dish?
Anyone with a pet will tell you that their furry friend deserves only the best. Whether it’s a new bed, toy, or a stylish argyle sweater, you’re willing to do whatever it takes to have your pet looking and feeling great. So when it comes to food, it can be difficult to know if you’re making the right choices. Much of the language in the nutrition market can be confusing and is often used to mislead the average consumer. As a responsible pet owner it’s important to understand exactly what you’re buying.
The ABCs of GMOs
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are just what they sound like. Plants and animals are tweaked on a genetic level to help them grow faster, develop immunities to disease and ultimately produce more of the stuff that people (and pets) like to eat. The cost-effectiveness of these engineered foods has made them extremely prevalent in our country. A recent study by The Center for Food Safety estimated that roughly 92% of U.S-grown corn is genetically engineered (or modified) in some way.
Now this may sound like a win-win situation. Farmers make more crops in a shorter period of time, which means more money for the economy and more food on our plates. However, many experts in the field argue that the benefits of genetically modified foods simply don’t justify the risks.
The Case Against GMOs
A 2012 article from Mercola titled “The Dangers of Genetically Modified Ingredients in Pet Food,” author Dr. Karen Becker discusses in detail the wide variety of health hazards posed by the GMOs that often find their way into your pet’s food. “Previous studies have shown that genetically modified corn causes significant kidney and liver disease in rats after only a 90-day feeding trial,” says Becker. “[It also] has a negative effect on other organs as well, including the heart and spleen.”
Even if you do follow Dr. Becker’s advice and “omit grains entirely from your pet’s diet,” there’s a very good chance that the livestock that went into your puppy chow subsisted on a diet of GMO grains. This means that while the modified food is not being ingested directly, it provided all the nutrients for the meat in your pet’s dish.
While this all may sound a bit worrying, there are still pet food companies that realize the importance of natural, non-GMO foods.
CountryPet Naturals
CountryPet Naturals is a family-owned and operated, natural pet food company. We take a holistic approach to your pet’s food by providing a product that combines all the nutrients they would receive in the wild. Our free-range and pasture-fed meats are high in protein, low in fat and never use GMOs. This results in a fresh, high-quality product your pet (and you) will love. Check out our website today to learn more about us and the Country Pet difference.