Merck Veterinarian Information Severely Outdated – Truth about Pet Food
The Merck Veterinary Manuals website claims they are “The best first place to go for veterinary information.”
Under the section “Veterinary” there are numerous links regarding nutrition, some specific to cat and dog foods. Within their post “Nutritional Requirements and Related Diseases of Small Animals” – which claims it was “Modified October 2022” – are links to AAFCO Nutrient Profiles. Unfortunately the AAFCO Nutrient Profiles provided on the Merck website are outdated – no longer applicable to current pet food regulations.
The AAFCO Nutrient Profiles provided on the Merck website are from 2014 or before.
The National Research Council (NRC) published the Nutrient Requirements for Cats and Nutrient Requirements for Dogs in 2006. In January 2007, AAFCO formed a Working Group to update their Nutrient Profiles based on the new nutrient requirements from NRC. It took AAFCO 8 years to update their cat and dog food Nutrient Profiles (even though NRC had provided nutrient profiles for pet foods in their publications). Finally in 2015, AAFCO approved the updated Nutrient Profiles.
In the no longer applicable 2014 AAFCO Nutrient Profiles, AAFCO included maximum levels of many vitamins and minerals. As example copper – which is linked to copper storage disease in dogs. In 2014 dog foods were held to a maximum copper level of 250 mg/kg based on dry matter (71 mg per 1,000 kcal maximum). In the 2015 AAFCO Nutrient Profiles – that are current in 2023 – there is no maximum level for copper in cat foods or dog foods. In fact, AAFCO just concluded an investigation into the possibility of establishing a maximum for copper – at the request of a veterinarian researcher evidencing copper storage disease in dogs. AAFCO did NOT establish a maximum for copper.
In 2014, AAFCO Nutrient Profiles included maximum levels for Magnesium, Iron, Copper, Zinc and Vitamin E for dog foods. The current AAFCO Nutrient Profiles have none of these maximums.
In 2014, AAFCO Nutrient Profiles included a maximum level for Zinc in cat foods. The current AAFCO Nutrient Profiles do not include this maximum.
Merck Veterinary Manual
The Merck Veterinary Manual provides the outdated 2014 AAFCO Nutrient Profiles that include all of the above maximums. In other words, veterinarians that would consult the Merck website would believe that AAFCO has these maximum established for pet foods – when they don’t. This is extremely misleading to veterinarians and pet owners that also consult the Merck website.
What if a pet owner asks their veterinarian about the rise in reports of copper storage disease in dogs? Not knowing they are being given incorrect information by Merck, the veterinarian might assure the pet owner pet food is not the cause because there is a copper maximum established by AAFCO.
What if – based on this incorrect information being provided by Merck – veterinarians trust that pet food regulations have established maximums for other minerals and perhaps a pet food related toxic situation is not investigated in a pet?
Easily problems could (and probably have) occurred because Merck is providing veterinarians with seriously outdated information. Merck needs to update their Veterinary Manuals – immediately.
Merck’s outdated/incorrect cat food Nutrient Profile, Click Here.
Merck’s outdated/incorrect dog food Nutrient Profile, Click Here.
Current AAFCO Nutrient Profiles, Click Here.
My thanks to the attentive pet owner that caught the Merck mistake.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
Association for Truth in Pet Food
Become a member of our pet food consumer Association. Association for Truth in Pet Food is a a stakeholder organization representing the voice of pet food consumers at AAFCO and with FDA. Your membership helps representatives attend meetings and voice consumer concerns with regulatory authorities. Click Here to learn more.
What’s in Your Pet’s Food?
Is your dog or cat eating risk ingredients? Chinese imports? Petsumer Report tells the ‘rest of the story’ on over 5,000 cat foods, dog foods, and pet treats. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Click Here to preview Petsumer Report. www.PetsumerReport.com
Find Healthy Pet Foods in Your Area Click Here
The 2023 List
Susan’s List of trusted pet foods. Click Here to learn more.
