This is a tough situation for a number of reasons. The main thing is we need more specific information on the number of affected pets and more info on the newest toxin, melamine.

I can tell you that I see food-related issues day in and day out. I have been categorically removing all gluten, dairy, soy and corn from my patient's diets (at least in those whose owners will comply) for the past 7 years and watching chronic conditions disappear right and left. So, as I watch the news and see that the "official" number of deaths is less than 20 while the estimated number of afflicted is in the thousands, I can see why there is such a range. The average dry pet foods of today are not very well tolerated when it comes right down to it and multitudes of dogs and cats are having regular symptoms from them. So, when the word gets out that there is something specific wrong with the food such as a toxin, suddenly all of the typical symptoms (that vets see every day) have a new explanation.

But do they? How will we narrow this situation down to those cases caused by the tainted foods versus those caused by the typical, unnatural ingredients that sicken so many pets every day. Well, first we have to decide which "toxin" is the culprit. At first, we heard it was aminopterin. Now they are saying it is melamine. Then we have to nail down what symptoms are caused by said toxin and explain why more animals that have consumed these foods have not developed those symptoms.

Personally, I would still like to know more about Chinese wheat and whether this gluten was from wheat raised for human or livestock consumption. Just call me curious. What kind of problems are the Chinese having themselves? I would also like to know more about the histopathology done on those kidneys. Was there any sign of amyloidosis or immune response or was it purely a nephrosis from crystal build up, as seen in antifreeze poisoning?

So, the jury is still out. It's an interesting story to say the least. In the meantime, I am getting lots of Emails asking me what to feed. So, I wrote the following.

I hope it helps,
John

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What to feed, what to feed???


That's a great question...quite involved, but a good question. We should feed the pet as close to a natural diet as possible. "As possible" means 1) As close to what we understand "natural" to be; 2) As close to natural as we can afford; and 3) As close to natural as fits with our own pet philosophy and what we are willing to do.

Tha vast majority of pet owners are not going to do more than feed something out of a can or a bag. Sad but true. (Remember: The vast majority of pet owners are not on a forum like this seeking information about how to best feed their pet). It has been like pulling teeth just to get my hospital clients to go to the pet shop for food rather than the grocery store, the latter having no dry foods that meet my criteria of eliminating all gluten, dairy, soy and corn.

So, you have those owners who will seek out the best commercial food but stop there. Then you have those who will occasionally add some table food while others will do some home-cooking on a regular basis to supplement the base diet of commercial foods. At the other end of the spectrum, you have "the elite" who try to make the diet perfect and natural in every way. That is a very small group.

Where do each of us fit into this spectrum? It has been shown that those pets that get table food in addition to their commercial diet live longer (contrary to what most vets...including me...have said all of their lives). It should not surprise us to find this to be true when we think about the value of fresh meats/eggs, veggies and fruits.

The answer to "What to feed?" then becomes this- Feed a food that is not harmful and as nutritionally complete as possible. My goal for the past 7 years has been to eliminate the harmful ingredients alone and watch what happens. Miracles have happened by elimination all gluten (wheat, barley, rye), dairy, soy and corn. These are very harmful to large numbers of pets and people. Dogs and cats are clearly gluten intolerant just as large numbers of people are.

We are now focusing on making the diet as nutritionally complete as possible by adding fresh sources of protein (meats, eggs) and fresh sources of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients in the form of veggies and fruits. Lastly, we should be using select supplements that cannot be provided by the above, such as omega three fatty acids, or things that the individual seems to need specifically such as glucosamine for its joints or kelp for its thyroids.

Again, my site has a list of "clean" dog foods that contain none of the "big 4". The bottom line of this recall at this point is that the wheat gluten additive was the source of problems so foods without wheat gluten...which should be avoided anyway...are safe to feed. BUT, stay tuned. This story is not over yet.

I hope this helps,

John