Whats Really In It?What exactly are the ingredients in dry dog food? Tough question because anything that is inferior the manufacturer will try to hide. The only guidelines we are give are the ingredients label. Do not be swayed by catchy phrases such as “All Natural, Vitamins added, or Whole Grain”. Read the labels and make your decision based on the actual ingredients listed not on a slick marketing slogan. By law the ingredients have to be entered on the label with the largest ingredient by weight listed first and the other ingredients then listed in descending order by weight. So you want to look for a label that has a specific meat source first, such as beef or chicken or bison. Anything else, like the word meat is mystery meat and could be anything. There is however a PROBLEM even with this. The chosen beef or chicken is weighed in it's natural state with full moisture (which is 65-75% of the weight). That is why is stays at the top of the food label. Once the meat is dehydrated , and all meat in dry dog food is, it will probably become the 2nd, 3rd or a lower ingredient depending on the other ingredient mix. As a for instance, beef is 1st on the label, followed by corn, rice, and barley.
The dehydrated beef could be less then 20 % of the finished formula. The label must have a specific meat listed 1st, but you also want to see a specific meat or meat meal list 2nd and or 3rd. If the 2nd and subsequent ingredients are grain products, do not be fooled into believing that you a giving your pet a primarily meat based food. It is a mostly grain based product. Beware of “Organic Products”, as most consumers think this is good because of the organic labeling. And they are if you are feeding grazing animals such as rabbits, horses or cows. Remember dogs are carnivores and thrive on meat, with some vegetables or fruits thrown in, or ideally some green tripe, which will have the vitamins and minerals your dog requires in any easily digestible form. Organic chicken, pastured chicken, grass fed beef or Bison are the best choices, but raw is the best way to serve them. Some of the cheaper brands of dog food have some scary ingredients.
If a grain is listed as the first ingredient, you do not even have to look any further. If it is ground corn, then it will be extremely high in carbohydrates and may be allergenic. If it is soy, it could wreck havoc with your pets endocrine system. If any ingredients are meat or bone meal without specifying a particular meat, they could be anything including road kill, bird beaks, feathers, or other unsavory parts. Wheat is another ingredient to shy away from because it is usually used as a filler and is unnecessary. If “animal fat” is listed without specificity, it could be anything. If the product has BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin as a preservative, you do not want to give that to your furry friend. Also b eware of propylene glycol which is related to ethylene glycol (anti-freeze).
The ingredients mentioned above are used extensively in semi-moist foods. Other ingredients to watch out for are high fructose corn syrup, beef byproducts (mystery meat) soy flour, soy grits, wheat flour or corn syrup all of which add an excessive amount of carbs. The same rules apply for treats. The best you can give are dehydrated meats that have not been processed. The label should say 100 % natural and pure and USDA inspected. Because of the melamine scare awhile back from these products shipped by China, beware of the origin of manufacture. In fact beware of anything from China in the food line. I somehow do not think they have the best interests of our pets in mind when they prepare the foods. We obviously prefer the raw feeding method as that will ensure that your pet is getting the best and most nutritious meals. If you feel you cannot afford to serve raw, ether because of time constraints or costs, please chose your food wisely. Dogs have very robust immune systems, and the better the food, the stronger their immune systems will be. And that will save you a lot on money on Veterinary bills. Even the cheaper foods will sustain life, but as time goes on the quality of life may deteriorate and the autoimmune diseases )cancer, heart issues, arthritis) that were unheard of in out pets 50 years ago may set in.
