Tuesday, January 12, 2010
OK, so the rats and rabbits lived, the dogs developed liver damage.
Ethoxyquin is a chemical used as a preservative in dog food, cat food and HUMAN food. Ethoxyquin was initially registered as a pesticide in 1965, and as a stabilizer and anti-degradation agent for rubber.
From EPA Case 003 the information is:
The primary target organs affected by ethoxyquin in experimental animals are the liver and the kidneys. Dogs are more susceptible to ethoxyquin toxicity than rats with elevated liver enzymes and microscopic findings in the liver occurring at doses as low as 4 mg/kg/day over a 90 day feeding period.
Ethoxyquin did not cause developmental effects in rats tested at doses of 350 mg/kg/day during gestation, or in rats at doses as high as 500 mg/kg of a 67% ethoxyquin formulation, and no developmental effects were seen in rabbits where the maximum dose of 3 mg/kg/day was administered.
OK, so the rats and rabbits lived, the dogs developed liver damage.
From EPA Case 003 the information is:
The primary target organs affected by ethoxyquin in experimental animals are the liver and the kidneys. Dogs are more susceptible to ethoxyquin toxicity than rats with elevated liver enzymes and microscopic findings in the liver occurring at doses as low as 4 mg/kg/day over a 90 day feeding period.
Ethoxyquin did not cause developmental effects in rats tested at doses of 350 mg/kg/day during gestation, or in rats at doses as high as 500 mg/kg of a 67% ethoxyquin formulation, and no developmental effects were seen in rabbits where the maximum dose of 3 mg/kg/day was administered.
OK, so the rats and rabbits lived, the dogs developed liver damage.
Preservative or Posion?
Under a typical pet food diet, the average dog (44 lbs) can consume 26 lbs of preservatives a year!
What do cancer, kidney disease,pancreatic disease, allergies, hair loss, blindness andimmunodeficiency have in common? Preservatives used in dog food have been blamed for causing every one of these problems.
In general, foods will spoil without some form of temperature control or preservatives. BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin are chemical antioxidants designed to extend the shelf life and reduce fat spoilage (rancidity) of pet foods and pet treats. Chemical additives and artificial preservatives such as BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin may cause dry skin,allergic reactions, dental disease, and poor health, as well asstimulate adverse effects on liver and kidney functions.
Artificial Colors Dogs have limited color vision, and do they really care what color their treats are. All artificial colors added to dog treats are simply ther there to make the product look appealing to the dog owner . Artificial colors in dog treats (and commercial dog food) are often derived from coal tar. While research has been limited,some studies have found food dyes to be potentially carcinogenic, and the chemicals may interfere with dogs' immune functioning.
The bottom line? Be an alert label reader and choose dog treats with ingredients that are natural and beneficial to your dog.
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