I thought all cat foods from the United Kingdom are holistic

[roseeden]

Lately I had seen some people criticizing those U.K. people for not feeding their cats holistic foods. I always thought all foods from the United Kingdom are holistic. All my fellow genetics students complain about tough U.K. regulations all the time since they banned GM foods and a lot of those perservatives, colorings, and artificial flavorings.

Shouldn't we stop telling those U.K. people what they should feed their cats??? I thought by the definition of "U.S. holistic cat foods" that all cat foods that are manufactured in the United Kingdom are holistic compared to the crap I get over here at College Station,Texas.

[lilysong]

Originally Posted by shengmei

Lately I had seen some people criticizing those U.K. people for not feeding their cats holistic foods. I always thought all foods from the United Kingdom are holistic.

No, not all foods from the UK are holistic. That makes the rest of your post sorta moot.

We can always share information and 'educate' others about the foods they choose for their pets. No reason to stop.

Just my opinion.

Lisa

[roseeden]

I thought the definition of "holistic" means no GM foods, no BHA and BHT, and no tar-based aniline (sorry if I spelled it wrong) dyes.

All of those things mentioned above are banned in the U.K.

[vanillasugar]

Originally Posted by shengmei

I thought the definition of "holistic" means no GM foods, no BHA and BHT, and no tar-based aniline (sorry if I spelled it wrong) dyes.

All of those things mentioned above are banned in the U.K.

Holistic is a VERY broad term and could be interpreted to mean many things. The term is not defined by the AAFCO, nor are the companies who may use it monitored to meet any type of standards (at least here in North America, but as you've said there are more restrictions in the UK).

Holistic could mean what you've mentioned, but it could also mean no by-products, human grade ingredients, or organic...

(I've just started my job at a holistic pet food shop, so I'm still expanding my education, I've only done one nights worth of reading, plus what I already knew so far lol, so bear with me if that isn't entirely correct.)

[emma_pen]

Just because we don't have GM products, doesn't mean we don't still have crap pet food brands

[Gudewife]

I didn't even know that "holistic" was a really valid term in describing pet foods. I always thought that holistic had to do with being of a school of thought that believes that the body is more than the sum of a collection of cells, organs, and systems, and that something which affects one body system or part can have effects throughout the rest of the body as well. I suppose that you could be a pet food manufacturer with holistic principles (that nutrition affects more than just the GI tract and that its effects are far-reaching in physical and mental health), but that doesn't make your foods holistic, it just makes YOU holistic.

But as far as "holistic food" is concerned, I don't think it's a valid description for an inanimate object. I tend to be somewhat holistic in my thinking, which informs my choice of foods, but my food has no real opinion on the matter.

[Avocado]

Originally Posted by Gudewife

I didn't even know that "holistic" was a really valid term in describing pet foods. I always thought that holistic had to do with being of a school of thought that believes that the body is more than the sum of a collection of cells, organs, and systems, and that something which affects one body system or part can have effects throughout the rest of the body as well. I suppose that you could be a pet food manufacturer with holistic principles (that nutrition affects more than just the GI tract and that its effects are far-reaching in physical and mental health), but that doesn't make your foods holistic, it just makes YOU holistic.

i agree and the use of this word in petfood has confused me for a long time... a pet food can be part of a holistic pet care system, but the term holistic involves the entire system, not just the diet... a holistic pet care system might include eliminating poisonous cleaners and detergants from the home, using a non-toxic flea care, not smoking around your pets, using an all natural shampoo on your pets, and feeding a healthy natural diet. i always thought the use of the word holistic was just a marketing ploy rather than a factual piece of information. a better term for foods with no BHT etc might be all-natural.... shucks, i think trader joe's has a catfood labeled holistic with ingredients that i was not at all impressed with.

here is the dictonary.com definition of the term holistic medicine:

holistic medicine
n.

An approach to medical care that emphasizes the study of all aspects of a person's health, including physical, psychological, social, economic, and cultural factors.

[Zalensia]

I think maybe the uk is more strict on what goes into petfood. For example canceruos lumps, diseased animals and rotting animals ARE LEGALLY NOT allowed in pet food. Im not sure what goes in from that point.

[emma_pen]

The UK does have much better regulations. Even the poor quality foods here don't contain the types of things I've heard about elsewhere.