Dr. Pierson also talks about the risk to human health that dry pet foods pose. It’s not something kids should be playing with! Most pet owners probably aren’t aware that kibble and pet treats should be handled with the same care we normally take with raw meat. I found safe handling instructions for pet food on at least one US government site.

There are points of argument in every body of knowledge, and I remember how many scientists happily backed the tobacco industry claims much to the ire of their otherwise employed colleagues, but if this is the case in the veterinary field as many may suspect, why do we not hear more arguments from vets against the use of these chemicals? Wouldn't your group be in the best postiion to change this, or is the concern too diffuse to bring pressure to bear on industry? Or have many in the industry said "thanks, we'll take it under advisement" and left it at that? Are there any white papers that of come out on this issue? I agree we need to thank those who do a good job with our furry families food, and I think most of us vote with our dollars on this.

Thank you for providing some insight here, Dr. Finch, and I hope you'll come back again.

Mary, I think this article is very well written and brings up issues we all should be thinking through, for our pets and ourselves. What our pets eat is at the center of their long term health. As pet owners, we sometimes forget how very important that is. (Some pet owners I mean, not you guys!) I found myself thinking through my nutritional plans for my own eight pets and dragging out all our pet food to re-read the labels, and that is the highest compliment I can pay you!

In the past several decades, the lifespans of pets have steadily increased and great strides and breakthroughs have been made in their nutritional care. I do think we as consumers (and veterinarians) should keep pet food companies accountable to provide the very best product possible, but let us not also forget to THANK the ones involved in pet nutrition who are as passionate about our pets' well-being as we ourselves are.

Any pet food company worth its wages has veterinarians trained in nutrition intimately involved in every step of their organization, making scientifically and nutritionally sound decisions, with the ultimate goal of a long and healthy life for each pet. I have personally never had CE paid for by pet food companies, or been financially compensated for supporting any of them, however neither have I ever felt unsupported by the pet food companies with whom I choose to work.

The way pet food companies can support me, if they care (and I honestly believe that many of them do) is by staying on top of the game nutritionally, scientifically, and with longevity studies. The ones who choose to provide prescription diets (or even maintenance diets) AND partner with me have to be the best of the best. And they are.

This is what I demand of every company that chooses to be in the business of coming along side me to restore and maintain the health of patients I love. I realize I am one veterinarian, and there are thousands and thousands in the pet food industry, but I am heard, I am respected as a well-rounded scientist also obsessively focused on the nutritional well-being of pets (dogs, cats, and exotics), and I am very satisfied with the relationships that I have.

Phew, never does one article make me rethink everything I hold so dear! Nicely done