NPP Journal

Journal of Animal Science Article Full Summary, Volume 98, Issue 6, June 2020

June 16, 2020/ Nicole R. Cammack

In June of 2018, Lisa Freeman, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist from Tufts University published a blog titled “A broken heart: Risk of heart disease in boutique or grain-free diets and exotic ingredients.” This blog warned pet owners and veterinarians that ‘BEG’ (boutique, exotic, grain free) diets were causing heart disease in dogs. This left professionals and the public scrambling for more information, which was further fueled by media frenzy. As a result, the FDA launched an investigation which was complicated by sampling bias, overrepresentation of subgroups and confounding variables. For the past two years, despite additional commentary articles, scarce and vague scientific data and inconclusive FDA reports, information regarding DCM has been incomplete at best. Lack of information has been accompanied by abbreviated synopses of case studies with multiple variables and treatments, incomplete medical information and conflicting medical data and opinions from veterinary nutrition influencers.

Summary Journal of Animal Science Article, Volume 98, Issue 6, June 2020

June 16, 2020/ Nicole R. Cammack

In 2018 a blog from a veterinary nutritionist sparked a controversy between ‘BEG’ diets and heart disease in dogs. For the past two years, despite an FDA investigation, scarce and vague scientific data has created major issues for pet owners and the pet industry. For clarity, ‘BEG’ diets are known as Boutique, Exotic protein or Grain Free.

A recent article published in the Journal of Animal Science titled, “Review of canine dilated cardiomyopathy in the wake of diet-associated concerns” that appeared to be a saving grace for many advocates of ‘BEG’ diets. This paper investigated a potential association between grain-free pet food and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. The authors state, “based on this review of the current literature, there is no definitive relationship between these implicated diet characteristics and DCM.” Despite this statement, realize the purpose of this paper was to identify numerous knowledge gaps surrounding DCM and nutrition, rather than to draw conclusions. While no link between ‘BEG’ (boutique, exotic, grain-free) was found, this does not mean that nutrition and other considerations are not at play.

AVMA, Nutrition & (lack of) Ethics

May 24, 2020/ Nicole R. Cammack

How many times have you heard a veterinarian or the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) preach that those who …

The Truth About Feeding Your Pet Raw Goat Milk

May 5, 2020/ Nicole R. Cammack

As a supplement, raw goat milk has some great nutritional benefits for dogs and cats alike. We frequently recommend it to add hydration to a dry (kibble) diet. But what does the research say? Expert Tip: Goat milk should not be used as a primary source of nutrition.

Are All Human Foods Dangerous for Dogs?

May 4, 2020/ Nicole R. Cammack

Every day there is more information made available to educate owners on various diets available. Commonly discussed and debated topics include grain-free foods and the age-old practice of giving your pets “table food.” Should we feed human food to our pets? The short answer is it depends. Some of these foods can be very beneficial and some could have unintended negative consequences.

How to Save Money on Your Pet’s Diet During Tough Times

May 4, 2020/ Nicole R. Cammack

As the pandemic continues, many pet owners are facing financial difficulties, causing them to rethink their pet’s diet. Raw …

Considerations for Pet Food Bulk Buying and Shelf Life

May 4, 2020/ Nicole R. Cammack

As a pet owner, you’re probably familiar with the idea of buying pet food in bulk. It can be a convenient way to save money and ensure you always have enough food for your beloved pets. However, with the current economic situation and the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, it’s important to reconsider this practice. While it’s understandable to want to stock up on essentials, including pet food, there are some things to keep in mind.

I was feeding Performatrin: Now what do I do?

November 5, 2020

‘House-brand’ or just marketing? Large chain stores and…

The Big Miss: Is No-Hide® Actually Rawhide?

October 20, 2020

A ‘consumer advocate’ recently stirred up drama from July 2017 re-circulating an article (figure 1) claiming that Earth Animal No-Hide® treats were rawhide, again. This was on the heels of the announcement of a class-action lawsuit (figure 2) against Earth Animal Ventures (EAV) questioning the ingredients and sourcing of No-Hide® products. I didn’t think I would have to address this issue, but apparently, I do since misinformation and cherry-picked information from the original chain of events keeps circulating (if it’s on the internet it must be true, right?). Consumers and retailers alike need to see the situation for what it is, so I’ll also write this from both a retailer and consumer standpoint to provide the level of transparency I hold others to. As you read this, you’ll understand that both sides have significant issues. In fact, No-Hide® being (or not being) rawhide is hardly the issue. Instead there is a pervasive lack of transparency and misinformation from both the consumer advocate side and EAV.