Processed pet 'junk' food shortens lifespans

[Melody]

Although this study was done on furry animals, I'm putting it here because it's further proof of my (& others) constant beef that over-processed commercial foods are synthetic dust.

We can't do much for solid comparison based on the specific impact with fish, but it's obvious that it would have some similar overall effects as a comparable diet in any living creature, such as shortening the lifespan. By guesstimate based on dogs, the lifespan would be shortened by 20-25%. That's quite a difference. It could also theoretically shorten the breeding span.

Some of this may be countered by the fact that many hobbyists supplement the diet with whole foods, be they fresh, frozen or freeze-dried. Comparative growth rate studies are often done on fish, but usually on fish intended for human consumption. Lifespan isn't a focus. It would be interesting to do some informal studies of our own.:yes:

Junk Food Killing Cats & Dogs (http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gZYXfu-3hSiYwROndshYaYKk7JEA)

[Detritus Mulm]

Yeah, one of my fish's favourite brands was recalled a while back for Melamine content. This was before the whole cat/dog food mess I believe.

[Melody]

Fish food was recalled last in the melamine thing... or the big one anyway. Melamine could have happened to any of them though - nobody was testing for it because nobody expected to find it there. Some didn't get caught and oh how they went on about how their testing process is better, but they weren't testing for it either.

I really don't hold that against the pet food industry, but of course, I blame those who intentionally did the deed. Some of the manufacturers could have handled it better and the industry as a whole didn't have a plan in place for something that massive. Pet owners often blame the name on the bag, but most pet food is manufactured by a third party. If they weren't informed in a timely manner, they couldn't in turn inform the public. They've learned from it, I'll give them that. Whether they've learned enough remains to be seen.

I also don't blame the industry for producing fortified dust. We want convenience and we simply can't have the shelf life we demand any other way. I do blame the industry for misleading the public though. They should promote the product for what it is, not try to convince people it's something more than that. No naturally sourced vitamins, Allicin (garlic), etc., survive heat processing and what does survive it, is changed. That isn't what they lead us to believe, however.:evil:

It is improving though, some of them are really trying, if for no other reason than they have the good business sense to know that today's educated consumer will not be so easily fooled. I've been quite impressed (and often surprised) with some of the answers I've received to very direct questions.