It’s a common refrain among dog owners: “[Insert name here] will eat anything.” It’s nice that our furry friends are so forgiving about what we choose to put on their plates (or, let’s be honest, the floor), but their expansive tastes aren’t always to their advantage. In fact, some varieties of dog food might be downright hazardous to Fido’s health.
Recently, consumer (and animal) protection advocates have focused their attention on the hitherto-unknown dangers of dog treats. Some law firms with a reputation for looking out for the public interest have even launched successful lawsuits against treat manufacturers. Unfortunately, it’s often not enough to read warning labels and ingredient lists; the most harmful contaminants, whether they’re the byproduct of a manufacturing process or naturally occurring in the treats’ listed ingredients, may not appear in any written material. Here’s what you need to know to reduce the risk of feeding your dog harmful substances.
- Foreign Treats May Not Be Subject to the Same Restrictions as U.S.-Made Treats
The FDA recently reported on a disturbing rash of health incidents related to dog jerky treats made in China. Although the agency is responsible for ensuring the safety of all food products sold in the United States, it simply doesn’t have the resources to meticulously check every important product for toxins — which is why it took years to positively identify the particular jerky brands included in its warning. And even when it does identify a culprit, it has limited authority to coerce foreign manufacturers to change their practices. The most it can do is ban the import and sale of treats deemed dangerous, which isn’t a perfect solution.
- Lax Regulation Can Compound Existing Issues
The federal government’s food regulation apparatus is creaky and imperfect. The FDA, USDA and other regulatory agencies tend to prioritize regulation of human food — understandably — and de-emphasize pet food dangers in all but the most egregious circumstances. As such, pet owners need to do more than their fair share to identify potential threats on their own.
- Not All Dangerous Dog Treats Are Toxic
One word: fillers. Dog treats that lack acute toxins may nevertheless contain non-toxic fillers that cause harm over time. For instance, dogs with severe corn allergies may suffer serious injury or even die after ingesting treats made with corn or corn byproducts.
- There’s a Lot We Don’t Know
Unfortunately, there’s a lot we still don’t know about the potential health impacts of dog treats. The recent Purina and Nestle settlements, and the FDA’s corresponding warning about the dangers of Chinese dog treats, certainly counts as a major victory for pet owners who care about their loved ones’ safety. But as new markets open up to international trade, the global manufacturing industry’s “race to the bottom” may well bring new, dangerous dog treats to market. The next threat might not come from China — but it’s definitely lurking out there somewhere.
