The Merck Veterinary Manuals web site claims they’re “The perfect first place to go for veterinary data.”
Underneath the part “Veterinary” there are quite a few hyperlinks concerning diet, some particular to cat and canine meals. Inside their publish “Dietary Necessities and Associated Illnesses of Small Animals” – which claims it was “Modified October 2022” – are hyperlinks to AAFCO Nutrient Profiles. Sadly the AAFCO Nutrient Profiles supplied on the Merck web site are outdated – not relevant to present pet meals laws.
The AAFCO Nutrient Profiles supplied on the Merck web site are from 2014 or earlier than.
The Nationwide Analysis Council (NRC) printed the Nutrient Necessities for Cats and Nutrient Necessities for Canine in 2006. In January 2007, AAFCO shaped a Working Group to replace their Nutrient Profiles primarily based on the brand new nutrient necessities from NRC. It took AAFCO 8 years to replace their cat and pet food Nutrient Profiles (regardless that NRC had supplied nutrient profiles for pet meals of their publications). Lastly in 2015, AAFCO authorized the up to date Nutrient Profiles.
Within the not relevant 2014 AAFCO Nutrient Profiles, AAFCO included most ranges of many nutritional vitamins and minerals. As instance copper – which is linked to copper storage illness in canines. In 2014 canine meals had been held to a most copper stage of 250 mg/kg primarily based on dry matter (71 mg per 1,000 kcal most). Within the 2015 AAFCO Nutrient Profiles – which might be present in 2023 – there is no such thing as a most stage for copper in cat meals or canine meals. The truth is, AAFCO simply concluded an investigation into the opportunity of establishing a most for copper – on the request of a veterinarian researcher evidencing copper storage illness in canines. AAFCO did NOT set up a most for copper.
In 2014, AAFCO Nutrient Profiles included most ranges for Magnesium, Iron, Copper, Zinc and Vitamin E for canine meals. The present AAFCO Nutrient Profiles have none of those maximums.
In 2014, AAFCO Nutrient Profiles included a most stage for Zinc in cat meals. The present AAFCO Nutrient Profiles don’t embrace this most.
Merck Veterinary Guide
The Merck Veterinary Guide supplies the outdated 2014 AAFCO Nutrient Profiles that embrace all the above maximums. In different phrases, veterinarians that may seek the advice of the Merck web site would imagine that AAFCO has these most established for pet meals – after they don’t. That is extraordinarily deceptive to veterinarians and pet homeowners that additionally seek the advice of the Merck web site.
What if a pet proprietor asks their veterinarian in regards to the rise in reviews of copper storage illness in canines? Not realizing they’re being given incorrect data by Merck, the veterinarian would possibly guarantee the pet proprietor pet meals shouldn’t be the trigger as a result of there’s a copper most established by AAFCO.
What if – primarily based on this incorrect data being supplied by Merck – veterinarians belief that pet meals laws have established maximums for different minerals and maybe a pet meals associated poisonous scenario shouldn’t be investigated in a pet?
Simply issues might (and possibly have) occurred as a result of Merck is offering veterinarians with severely outdated data. Merck must replace their Veterinary Manuals – instantly.
Merck’s outdated/incorrect cat meals Nutrient Profile, Click on Right here.
Merck’s outdated/incorrect pet food Nutrient Profile, Click on Right here.
Present AAFCO Nutrient Profiles, Click on Right here.
My because of the attentive pet proprietor that caught the Merck mistake.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the very best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Meals Security Advocate
Creator Purchaser Beware, Co-Creator Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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