Pet Fooled

Pet Fooled, a riveting and enlightening documentary from 2016, delves into the inner workings of the multibillion-dollar pet food industry – an industry fraught with regulatory issues, questionable practices, and alarming secrets that every pet owner should know about.

Directed by Kohl Harrington and featuring thought-provoking interviews with veterinarians Dr. Barbara Royal and Dr. Karen Becker, Pet Fooled takes you on a journey that exposes the truth that's been hidden behind the attractive packages and premium price tags of commercial pet food products. Harrington uses a blend of expert testimonies, industry revelations, and heart-tugging pet stories to fabricate an impressive documentary that forces viewers to contemplate the nutritional choices they make for their beloved pets.

The documentary begins by presenting the audience with the current state of the pet food industry and how it has evolved over the years. From the original feeding habits of dogs and cats - in their natural habitats, they would be hunters, after all - to the industrial transformation of feeding livestock-grade meat and a questionable assortment of byproducts to pets, the film outlines the dramatic shift that's taken place. It further delves into the interrogation of the "complete and balanced" statement that you frequently see on commercial pet food packaging, unraveling the potentially devastating health consequences for pets eating such diets, including obesity, kidney disease, and cancer.

Just when you think the narrative couldn't get any more painful, Harrington introduces viewers to heart-breaking stories of dogs and cats that have suffered, or are still suffering, due to the ill-effects of commercially produced pet food. These pet stories aren't just emotionally charged throw-ins to tug at the viewer's heartstrings. Instead, they underscore the frightening fact that these aren’t isolated cases, appealing to pet owners to reconsider their pet’s nutrition.

Crucial to the narrative of Pet Fooled is the introduction and explanation of industry standards in pet nutrition and how major players have, over the years, managed to dictate these standards - sometimes at the detriment of pet health. This section of the documentary might come as a shock to many viewers, leading them to question the ethical principles of an industry that’s supposed to have pets’ best interest at heart.

Humanization of pets has, undeniably, been a significant trend over the past few decades. Pet Fooled calls attention to this fact, investigating the manipulative advertising techniques used by pet food manufacturers that exploit our emotional attachment to animals. The film covers the broad spectrum of marketing strategies used by these companies, such as the use of terms like "all-natural", "human-grade", or "grain-free" that give a perception of healthiness without necessarily delivering on nutritional value. In doing so, the documentary aims to make viewers aware of these tricks, encouraging them to make more informed decisions for their pets.

The documentary also includes thoughtful discussion on raw foods diets for pets, a matter of contention even among veterinarians. Some experts believe that this way of feeding is the closest to the pet’s natural diet before domestication, while others argue over the risks of microbial contamination and nutritional imbalance this diet may bring. Without taking a definitive stance on the raw foods diet, Pet Fooled presents varying viewpoints, leaving it to viewers to form their own opinions based on the evidence and expert opinions provided.

Pet Fooled is a thought-provoking watch, providing an in-depth examination of the lack of transparency and the possible deception within the pet food industry, sprinkled with compelling personal anecdotes that resonate with love for pets.

This film is a must-watch for all pet owners, prospective pet owners, and anyone else interested in animal wellbeing and industry transparency. It may be uncomfortable at times, but Pet Fooled manages to instigate a dialogue on a pressing issue - the health and safety of our pets - that we might otherwise overlook. With this under its belt, Pet Fooled becomes not just a documentary, but a catalyst for change in the pet food industry.