For 15 years after he graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Dr. Tom Lonsdale followed conventional veterinary 'wisdom' when he assured pet owners that "giant pet food manufacturers understand the science and have the resources to ensure the best possible fare for your pet."

Today, Dr. Lonsdale has a confession to make. "Oh, how I cringe. How culpably, horribly wrong I have been! As varied as my patients were in size, species, age, sex and breed, the one common uniting feature was their junk food diet. And almost without exception this was why the animals needed my services."

These and other revelations come in the Oct./Nov. 2007 issue of Nexus Magazine, published in Australia.

Junk food marketed to pet owners is laden with synthetic colorants, preservatives, "and a raft of other strange chemical additives, none with any nutritive value and all toxic to varying degrees," says Dr. Lonsdale. These chemicals depress animal immune systems and support toxin-producing bacteria in their bowels. "Pets worn down by the toxic effects of a junk food diet are at greater risk of succumbing to diseases."

Why don't more veterinarians and animal groups speak out about this toxic threat to animal health that masquerades as quality wet and dry food? It's because of the "cozy relationship between the pet food manufacturers and the veterinary profession." It's a relationship similar to that between pharmaceutical companies and the medical profession, in which physicians financially benefit from prescribing drugs to their patients. Deals behind the scenes are made between junk food makers and the veterinary profession, which includes veterinary associations, veterinary schools, research institutes, etc.

Two international chocolate manufacturers --Mars and Nestle-- dominate the pet junk food market. Other conglomerates such as Colgate Palmolive and Procter & Gamble, Heinz and Del Monte also hold huge shares of the pet food market.