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What You Should Know About Dog Food Ingredients

Reading a list of dog food ingredients is not much different from reading the label of processed foods meant for human consumption. The items on the list will vary, but both lists may be very long. Below you'll see how to figure out what your pets are really eating. But first, check out this video...

The front label of a store brand reads “savory chunks in gravy, premium with beef”. The back label is where you find each ingredient listed separately. It is your friend, as it is the only accurate source of information.

Each ingredient is listed according to the amount present in the can or bag. The first ingredient in canned gravy-type varieties is often “water sufficient for processing”.

Ground varieties, moist foods and dry kibble contain less water. In some cases, it is desirable to serve moister foods. Examples include animals suffering from diarrhea and older animals with teeth or gum problems.

For healthy puppies and younger dogs, dry kibble is a better choice for their teeth. Most people think it is a better value for their money, as well, because the feeding requirements are lower. Fewer cups of dry are needed to feed animals of the same size.

In the brand mentioned above, the second ingredient was chicken. Remember that the front of the label said “with beef”. This is why reading the list of dog food ingredients is necessary if you want to be sure what your pets are eating. It is particularly important for dogs with food allergies. While chicken is not a common allergen, some dogs are allergic to it.

The third ingredient was “meat byproducts”. Meat byproducts and animal byproducts are similar sounding terms, but they are defined differently. Animal byproducts may contain any portion of the animal carcass and can include wasted foods from restaurants, kitchens or slaughterhouses.

Horns, hair, teeth and hooves are animal byproducts, but not meat byproducts. Meat byproducts used as dog food ingredients include kidneys, brains, livers and other organs, bones, blood and fatty tissues. The stomachs and intestines may be used, but only after they have been emptied of their contents.

The fourth ingredient on this label is wheat flour. Corn, barley and rice grains are commonly used instead or in addition to the wheat. The front of the label states that there is “no wheat gluten added”. That is not the same as gluten-free. Any product containing wheat contains gluten.

Gluten is one of the dog food ingredients added to increase protein content, without using more meat. Soy, peas, beans and other inexpensive sources may be used for the same purpose. They increase the protein content.

If you remember the pet food recall from 2007, the source of the contamination is believed to be the addition of melamine to increase the “apparent” protein content. It is known that melamine-laced infant formula was the cause of kidney damage and death in a number of Chinese children.

While the addition of the toxic substance is not an accepted practice anywhere in the world, its use in people and animal foods is still an “open secret” in parts of China, according to investigative reporting conducted by the New York Times.

Concern over toxic dog food ingredients has caused an increased popularity in alternative brands. Some pet owners have decided to make their own, since there are no regulations concerning labels like “human grade meats”. At least we know that if it comes from the grocery store and was meant for human consumption, it is most likely safe.

There are problems with feeding people foods to dogs. Their nutritional requirements may not be met, while their caloric requirements may be exceeded. Any processed people foods are not fit for animal consumption. There is too much salt and fat.

Dogs Need The Right Vitamins And Minerals For Nutritional Health

Just as we need to get the right vitamins and minerals to stay healthy, dogs also may need nutritional supplements (especially considering the qualtiy of so many "dog foods").

The best thing that you can do is to buy from a company that you trust. Always read the dog food ingredients, before you buy something that’s “on sale”. One dog food manufacturer that takes the quality of it's ingredients seriously is Wysong. You can find more information about Wysong dog food here or to visit their website click below...

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