So, Miss Muppet was sick recently; quite sick. For two days she had diarrhea, was off her food and had no energy. I took her to the vet along with a stool sample and sure enough there were two different types of “wigglers” in there.

One, her Dr had seen before, the other he had not. He gave her meds and sent her home and soon enough she was back to her normal, silly self.

When the unknown wiggler was examined more closely by others it was determined to be a type of parasite common to cattle. Well, we don’t have cattle, nor has she ever been around cattle in the year that I’ve had her.

Once I started looking further into this and after talking to her Dr I let him know she had been given a variety of different treats, but I wasn’t worried as all of them were labeled “All Natural”.

It was then I learned that food items labeled as “All Natural” are not regulated. There is no testing, no guidelines or any other procedures in place that will prevent my dog from picking up some creepy, crawly, little parasite that will make them ill.

Processed foods are regulated, but natural or organic are not. So we, with the best of intentions think we are doing our pets a favour and making healthy decisions for them, can in fact be infecting them with something that was scraped up off the floor in a meat processing plant.

Another offender…liver treats. Yup, it seems the newest treat craze that we are all feeding our pets is vey high on the list for making them ill.

The best treat to offer? Well, treats that are made in the US or Canada using US or Canadian products. And do not feed liver treats or treats that say all natural.

Don’t be fooled like I was. I thought I was doing the right thing & it turned out to be all wrong.

~ Mickey,  Victoria Adoptables Dog Rescue Volunteer