http://www.naturalnews.com/027846_fl..._pet_food.html

(NaturalNews) A study conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG)
found high levels of fluoride contamination in eight major national
brands of dog food, raising concerns that pets may be at risk of bone
cancers and other consequences of fluoride exposure.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that may help prevent tooth
decay when applied to the exterior of teeth. When ingested, whether via
drinking water or food, fluoride builds up in teeth and bones and can
lead to health conditions including tooth mottling (dental fluorosis),
neurotoxicity, hormonal disruption, and damage to the reproductive and
developmental systems. A number of studies have shown that boys who
drink fluoridated tap water between the ages of six and eight are
significantly more likely to develop a rare and fatal bone cancer known
as osteosarcoma.

The rate of osteosarcoma in dogs is almost 10 times that in humans. It
is unknown whether this is caused by a greater vulnerability or
increased fluoride exposure.

Researchers tested 10 brands of dog food marketed for both adults and
puppies, finding that eight of them -- all major national brands --
contained fluoride levels between 1.6 and 2.5 times as high as the
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) maximum allowed level in
drinking water. A dog also consuming fluoridated water would be exposed
to levels 3.5 times the EPA's limit, the researchers concluded.

The primary source of the fluoride contamination seemed to be bone meal
and other animal byproducts (including chicken or beef meal and chicken
or poultry by-product meal) used as filler. The one vegetarian brand
tested had no fluoride contamination, and neither did the brand produced
by a small manufacturer.

Fluoridated tap water probably also contributed a small but significant
amount of fluoride to the dog food, the researchers said.

EWG recommends that consumers seeking to protect their dogs from
fluoride purchase only dog foods that do not contain bone meal or other
animal byproducts.

Sources for this story include: www.ewg.org.