Topmost used ingredients in Dog food

Understanding- The need to know about Dog food ingredients

Did you ever find it difficult to read the ingredients listed on Dog food?

Or are you confused about looking at the Dog food ingredients?

Each time you’re on the way to get some packaged Dog food for your Doggy.

As you step towards the rack of Dog food, where you might see unlimited options in Dog food.

Your confusion increases which one should I opt for my Doggy.

Here, Petting my Dog will help you with information on Topmost used ingredients in Dog food. Make your job easy in choosing Dog food for your canine.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)^(1), have set some rules to ensure that pet food does meet the required amount of nutritional value for animals.

Today most of the dog’s food on the shelves has become the only source of nutrition for your pet.

Such products are marked as “complete and balanced on the label.”

Depending upon different stages of life, the food you select for your pooch must have all essential nutritional value like protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals, and water.

Instead of going over the top-listed dog foods, it’s better to look at really used ingredients.

Reading this article, you can gain some knowledge of the topmost ingredients used in Dog Food and help you to choose the best Dog Food for your pup.

Now, let’s explore what common ingredients makes up a complete and balanced Dog food.

Animal Fat

How much fat does your Dog need and how it benefits him? Have you ever thought about it???

Have you ever checked with the number of fat and calories your pooch consume each day? Haven’t you yet? Right?

Just go through this you would get some idea on that.

See, Fats is an essential element for a balanced diet in your Doggie. For a normal healthy animal, it’s better to have a diet with 10-15% fat which is best to maintain their health.

You Dog will be in trouble if he consumes too much fat without enough exercise.

Have you ever checked with the number of fat and calories your pooch consume each day? Haven’t you yet? Right?

Just go through this you would definitely get some idea on that.

See, Fats is an essential element for a balanced diet in your Doggie. For a normal healthy animal, it’s better to have a diet with 10-15% fat which is best to maintain their health.

You Dog will be in trouble if he consumes too much fat without enough exercise.

What is animal fat?

Animal fat simply means a source of energy from cattle that helps to promote the healthy energy of your pet.

The animal fat is derived from the tissues of mammals or poultry during the rendering and extraction processes.

If extracted from a single source(maybe lamb, beef or poultry), it will be of higher quality.

It’s gonna benefit your dog as it provides all valuable fatty acids and energy to your Dog and helps to move fat-soluble vitamins throughout the body of your pooch.

To know from where the fats and oil come from you need to check the list of ingredients on pet food labeled.

Good dog foods must mention fat sources that provide an acceptable balance of fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6.

Barley

Have you ever tried barley-based Dog food for your pooch?

Barley grain is fiber-rich and an important part of the canine diet but only moderately.

Barley is a good source of β- glucan and water-soluble fiber. ⁽²⁾

The glucose-lowering properties of barley are identified in humans. And the same will be effective for Dogs with Diabetes and those who are obese.

The reason behind this is too simple.

The glycemic index of barley is too low in comparison with rice, corn, and wheat.

This is the factor that helps in controlling some health issues like obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia in dogs.

Note: If your dog cannot handle β-glucans, chances of the loose or watery stool are more.

Beef(meat)

According to The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) which establishes Dog food guidelines, define beef(meat) as the clean flesh derived from slaughtered cattle and is limited to that part of the striated muscle which is skeletal or from the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus, with or without the accompanying fat and the portions of skin, sinew, nerve and blood vessels which normally accompany the flesh.

In other words, it is nothing but similar to what you might see in a portion of raw meat sold for human purposes i.e, mainly with the muscle tissue of the animal and may also include the fat, gristle, and other tissues normally accompanying the muscle.

As per AAFCO, if any manufacturer needs to use the generic term “meat” on the label, it can only be from cattle, pigs, sheep or goats.

Besides this, if it comes from any other animal(for example, “buffalo” or “venison”), the species must be specifically described and stated on the bottle.

Chicken and chicken by-product meal

It is the clean combination of flesh and skin with or without bone, from parts or whole carcasses of chicken(excluding feathers, feet, heads, entrails).

Whereas chicken by-product meal is the clean, ground, rendered parts of the chicken carcass, such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs and intestines(exclusive of feathers).

Chicken by-products are much cheaper and less digestible compared to chicken muscle meat.

In chicken By-product meal, the term “By-product” ⁽³⁾ comes from the fact that they are the leftovers from animal carcasses.

Once the desirable(for Americans) muscle meat has been removed, not because these parts of the animal are inferior in quality, safety, or nutrition.

Confused when you see ingredient name chicken on a pet food label? Don’t worry. The difference is in how the product came to the supplier.

The ingredient will be mentioned as chicken in the pet food if the supplier receives the product as wet meat.

The nutritional value may differ as to the quality and the ingredients of(heads, feet, bones) of each batch may vary dramatically.

It can be any part other than the meat of the animal.

Chicken meal

chicken meal is a “dry rendered product from a combination of chicken flesh and skin with and without accompanying bone”, most often leftovers from the meat used for human consumption.

Or else, in other words, it simply means the chicken meal is made by taking the “leftovers” of chicken after the meat has been removed for human use.

Here the leftovers are ground down, melted and cooked for hours to finally create a powder.

It is then again cooked to make pet food.

Most widely used in pet foods is chicken meal. It is cheaper, easier to produce and can be kept for longer periods.

In addition to that, protein content in a chicken meal is higher than the fresh regular chicken as the water has been squeezed from it.

Meat

According to the AAFCO Meat is⁽⁴⁾, “Clean flesh of slaughtered animals such as chicken, cattle, lamb, and turkey. “Flesh” may include striated skeletal muscle, tongue, heart, esophagus, with or without the accompanying and overlying fat and the portions of the skin, and usually found nerves and blood vessels with that flesh. It shall be suitable for use in animal food.”

Meat by-products

Meat by-products are non-rendered, non-meat clean parts originating from slaughtered animals. The leftover after removing the quality meat.

By-products include cleansed intestines, lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, liver, blood, bone, partially defatted low-temperature fatty tissue, and stomach. Excluding hair, horns, teeth, and hoofs.

Meat-meal

The rendered product from mammal tissues excluding blood, hair, hoof, horn trimmings, manure and stomach contents except in such amounts as may occur unavoidably in good processing practices is known as meat-meal.

Meat and bone meal

Meat and bone meal(MBM)⁽⁵⁾ is rendered product from animal tissues, including bone, excluding any added blood, skin, hoof, horn, fur, manure, stomach, and rumen meat except for quantities that may inevitably occur in good processing practices.

In simple meat and bone meal is the rendered animal waste, one of the worst animal feed ingredients.

Early days(MBM) used to be a staple animal protein applied to corn and(or) wheat mids for decent quality food production.

Meat and bone meal has been shown to be a remarkably effective BSE (mad cow disease) vector and can be considered as the main culprit in the disease’s epizootic spread.

At present MBM is no longer permitted in feed for dairy cattle in most parts of the world.

Yet, MBM is used in the United States as a low-cost animal protein in dog food.

Oil

Canola and sunflower oils are not only lower in saturated fat than other vegetable or plant oils but also higher in monounsaturated fat when compared to olive oil.

Canola oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids too. Aids in improving the condition of a Dog’s skin and coat.

Canola oil in your Dog diet contributes a significant amount of the essential nutrient linoleic acid.

Unsaturated fat content in canola oil aids to reduce the risk of coronary heart diseases.

Similarly, sunflower oil contains unsaturated fat necessary for Dog’s health( maintenance of body cells, tissues, and nerves).

Sunflower oil is rich in vitamins A, C, D, E.

Poultry by-products

A by-product of poultry is produced by grinding clean sections of slaughtered poultry such as heads, feet and internal organs(heart, liver, spleen, stomach, intestines), except feathers, skin, fur, hooves, etc…

These nutritious poultry by-products are high-quality ingredients contributing nutritional value to dog food.

Apart from essential vitamins and minerals, poultry by-products can provide a rich source of protein and healthy fats that are necessary for a complete and balanced diet for your Dog.

Soybean

Soybean seed is a complete vegetable sourced protein, used as a substitute for animal protein in a variety of foods and feed.

Soybeans are known to be an excellent source of amino acids, iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, potassium, phosphorus, omega 6 fatty acid and omega 3 fatty acid in lower amounts.

The benefits of fatty acids in soybean are the healthy coat, skin and nervous system of your canine.

Recently veterinary scientists have discovered isoflavones in soybean to increase the energy level of your dog and reduce the accumulation of body fat.

Isoflavones have estrogen-like properties that eliminate or reduce sex hormones in spayed or neutered dogs.

Well, soybean is one of the reasons why a certain food is toxic to sensitive dogs.

Note: Raw, mature soybeans contain not only phytoestrogens but also phytates that prevent the absorption of minerals and substances that block the enzymes aided to digest protein,

Soybean meal

Soybean meal is a by-product of soya oil extraction(residue left after oil extraction).

It is one of the most effective protein supplements in food and feedingstuffs. That works like metabolizable energy, too.

You can find oligosaccharides(short-chain carbohydrates ) — stachyose(D-galactose units), raffinose(galactose, glucose, and fructose), and verbascose dietary fibers in soybean meal.

The total amino acid, total essential amino acid, and total non-essential amino acid digestibilities are high in soybean meal.

There are two main categories of soybean meal, the “high-protein” soybean meal containing 47-49 percent protein and 3 percent crude fiber obtained from dehulled seeds, and the “conventional” soybean meal containing 43-44 percent protein containing the hulls. ⁽⁶⁾ In solvent-extracted soybean meals, the oil content is typically lower than 2 percent while in a mechanically extracted meal it exceeds 3 percent.

Beet pulp

Most people tend to think beet pulp as the pulp of a common red beet that human consumes.

This isn’t the same as what humans consume. Let’s check out.

Beet pulp is the material left over after extracting sugar from sugar beet, this makes it free from sugar content. And these days it’s very common in your Dog foods.

Have you ever checked with it?

Is your answer No… then surely do check with the ingredients on your next purchase.

Despite the controversy over its use, the use of beet pulp has many identified benefits.

Beet pulp-truth and the controversy

Beet pulp is an excellent source of fiber which is good for your Dog in maintaining a healthy digestive tract and adds bulk to the Dog’s stool.

It contains no toxins nor any harmful contents to their health. It is a good source of energy that promotes colon health. There are no side effects in giving beet pulp to your doggie in a controlled proportion.

Some researchers argue that consuming beet pulp may lead to stomach bloating and lack of palatability in Dogs but there is no exact evidence to prove this to be the real cause.

Beet pulp as a feed has been popular among horses and livestock, but recently the dog food manufacturers have started using in Dogs’ food that too in a minimal quantity.

Brewer’s rice

Brewers rice!!! Does it sound like a whole grain?

Yes, but not the same as it sounds.

Then what does it refer to?

It refers to the tiny pieces of broken rice that remain after the milling process is complete. Or else It is also known as chipped rice or broken rice since it is a small fragment of rice kernels that have been separated from larger kernels of milled rice.

Do you know when compared to the whole rice and brown rice, the essential nutrient contents are much less in brewer’s rice?

It’s true… Brewer’s rice when processed may lose the valuable nutrients and thus reduce their quality which is quite common in many Dog foods.

Without any doubt, it can be said that such a low-quality grain ingredient and a low-cost filler have no place in Dog food.

Other than that It contains highly digestible carbohydrates a source of energy. After all, this is the only nutritional value that a brewer’s rice can provide and this won’t help your doggie to acquire any other essential nutrients.

Have you ever thought about how it’s going to affect your Pooch?

See, gradually the excess intake of carbohydrates can cause obesity as well as potentially worsen serious diseases like Diabetes. Moreover, such low-quality ingredients can often cause allergies and irritations in many Dogs.

If you really care for your Dog and his health better you avoid this one.

Brown rice

Can dogs eat brown rice? Is that what you think?

Yes, then definitely, they can have it.

This unpolished rice which is left over after the kernels have been removed has more protein and less fat, but the only thing is, it takes longer to cook and it’s more expensive.

Don’t avoid it, for this reason, it’s really gotta help your canine.

It is an excellent combination of carbohydrates, full of fiber and rich in essential minerals such as folate, manganese, selenium, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamins B2, B3, and B6, vitamin K, vitamin E, fatty acids.

As it contains lots of fiber and it really benefits your Dog’s digestive health and gives your dear one consistent energy all day long…

The soluble fiber supplement keeps the stool soft and easy to move and function as a prebiotic, which helps and maintain beneficial bacteria in the gut. brown rice is nutritious but to be added in moderation.

The only thing you have to take care of is, if you notice your dog is allergic then, it would be better if you stop feeding rice. Their primary source of nutrition should be from good quality meat. Too much carbohydrate is not good for your pooch.

Corn or ground yellow corn

This is the whole corn kernel, ground or chopped which adds flavor, bulk, and texture to the pet food whereas it should not be mentioned in the top ingredient list(meaning it is used as an inexpensive protein source).

Corn is high carbohydrate food and is considered low in essential nutrients than any other cereals.

The starch in the Dog Food helps to thicken the food so that it can be served easily.

The term “corn” or even “yellow corn” is not descriptive of an actual food ingredient. To meet the standards of the Association of American Food Control Officers, it must be defined as corn bran, corn gluten or corn gluten meal.

Certain dogs survive exclusively on protein and fat and such Dogs won’t receive any kind of nutrition from this diet.

Note: Sweet corn are rich in carbohydrates may increase the risk of weight gain, dental problems, and subsequent health issues.

Wheat

Wheat is a grain with high-quality carbohydrates, a great source of energy and a good protein when mixed with animal fat like chicken, beef, etc.

It contains gluten that is allergic. But seriously very few Dogs have ever developed serious allergies to food.

Such Dogs may be intolerant to one ingredient. Wheat is no more likely to cause allergies than any other ingredients.

If you have a healthy dog without an allergy to wheat or intolerance, your canine is free to eat wheat combined food.

On the other hand, if your Dog is prone allergic to wheat, please avoid wheat-based Dog food. You can use “wheat-free” food.

Glucosamine and chondroitin

Glucosamine and chondroitin are structural components of cartilage, the tissue that cushions the joints. ⁽⁷⁾ Glucosamine is naturally found in both human and pet bodies alike.

Glucosamine is typically extracted from crab, lobster and shrimp shells in commercial preparations via various hydrolysis and extraction steps.

Purified chondroitin sulfate, such as bovine tracheal rings, is made from animal cartilage.

In Dog food, it has been added as a dietary supplement. Glucosamine and chondroitin supplement is used in canines for osteoarthritis. ⁽⁸⁾

Osteoarthritis is caused by progressive loss of the cartilage that protects bones where they meet. But Research in dogs with osteoarthritis indicates that the condition is not helped by the two drugs glucosamine and chondroitin. ⁽⁹⁾

Small amounts of dog food are unlikely to have an impact, but most dog food companies stopped using Glucosamine and chondroitin as ingredients. When several states prohibited it as unauthorized dog food ingredients.

Corn gluten meal

What is a corn gluten meal?

It is the dried residue from corn after the removal of the larger part of the starch and germ, and the separation of the bran by the process employed in the wet milling manufacture of corn starch or syrup, or by enzymatic treatment of the endosperm.

The consistency level of gluten helps to hold the ingredients together in kibble form.

In fact, it shouldn’t be ranked high in the list of high-quality dog food ingredients.

Instead of a higher digestible source of proteins like meat.

Corn gluten meal is used by a low-quality Dog food manufacturer to provide a large proportion of the total protein in the food.

This is how it is used as an alternative to more expensive meat protein and boost the total protein levels in dog foods.

On the other side, there are some dogs who are extremely sensitive and such dogs gradually may develop severe allergies like( hair loss, severe itching and scratching, scabs and sores and so on..) to corn. So it would be better if you avoid such foods for your dear ones

Dried kelp- Dried seaweed

What is kelp? Have you ever noticed this content in your Dog Food?

A kind of seaweed(also known as sea algae) that is particularly grown in shallow and nutrient-rich water around the world.

It is a natural source of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Kelp has become a well acceptable food supplement among humans.

Now vets and advocates of a holistic approach recommend it for dogs and other animals. Thus, kelp has become a more demanding ingredient in Dog food.

Natural source of iodine is what helps to keep the entire glandular system of your dog in healthy working order, especially the thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands.

To put it differently, the rich mix of iodine content and other minerals in kelp regulate hyperthyroid and other thyroid problems or with salt restriction which in turn speed up metabolism and thus, gradually leads to weight loss.

In addition to that, it is high in fiber, a good source of amino acids and packed with vitamins and minerals including(Zinc, iodine, magnesium, iron, potassium, copper, and calcium.)

There are many other benefits associated with this ingredient which makes it so healthy and safe.

• It contains iron which fortifies your dog’s blood and supports healthy circulation.
• Helps in maintaining shiny and healthy skin and coat in your dogs.
• It can definitely reduce the risk of cancer and tumors in your pooch as it contains anti-tumor properties.
• The bio-available proteins and amino acids help in speeding up tissue repair.

Fiber

Dog food ingredients like hair, hooves, bones, fish scales or feathers do not contain fiber.

These complex carbohydrates aid digestion and basically normalize the digestive tract.

As with so many things in life, a moderate amount of fiber is necessary and beneficial while too much upsets the natural balance.

Incorporating fiber into dog food can help dogs to overcome severe digestive issues and relieve dogs with constipation or diarrhea.

Irregular and irritable bowel movement can make them feel bloated, uncomfortable and also lead to weight gain which may gradually affect their immune systems

High fibrous food benefit Colon health(other names of the large intestine). The good bacteria which are commonly found in the digestive tract can convert the fiber source into fatty acids.

With the help of these fatty acids overgrowth of bad bacteria can be prevented and thus aids in recovering injuries in the colon.

Obesity…. It has become a serious issue in human life. Right?

And now how it’s affecting many dogs around and worsening their health.

Is your dog getting obese day by day?

If yes, then provide fiber-rich supplement food. It will make your doggie feel full and filled without adding an excessive amount of carbs and calories into their diet.

If your Dog is diabetic it can definitely help your Doggie. Do you know how?

There is certain fiber which helps to slow down digestion and control blood sugar level from spiking beyond a limit.

Unlike humans, Dogs have a shorter intestinal tract.

Therefore, some fibrous foods that sound beneficial for humans may cause bloating or excess gas in Dogs.

Please note: in pet food, the amount of dietary fiber is not the same as humans.

It is necessary to promote a healthy intestinal tract with moderately fermentable fiber.

Anyhow dog needs a good source of fiber content in their food.

Maybe you are feeding a commercial diet or preparing raw food for your dog at home.

Always try to incorporate the right source of fiber into their daily diet.

Now, let’s check out some natural sources of fiber content in the most palatable and digestible format to support health.

• Wheatgerm
• Milled flaxseed
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Kale
• Kelp
• Pumpkin
• Apples

Note: A typical dog food consists of “at least 2-4% fiber in particular, but a fiber-rich dog food usually contains 6-10% fiber⁽⁸⁾.” So before purchasing your dog food, don’t forget to scrutinize the composition list of your Dog Food.

Some other common ingredients found in Dog food

• Vegan Dog food may incorporate the use of fruits, vegetables, cereals, legumes, nuts, vegetable oils, soya, as well as any other non-animal based foods.

• Animal and vegetable fats and oils commonly do provide pet food with extra energy and flavor. Necessary for optimal health, including kidney function, reproduction, and a glossy coat.

• Plant ingredients such as maize, barley, peas, and potatoes not only provide food but also help keep kibble together.

• A variety of dietary fiber sources are used in pet foods, including dried beet pulp, dried chicory root, fructooligosaccharide(alternative plant sugar like bananas and blue agave), powdered cellulose(protein-based functional filler), and inulin.

What are some of the ingredients used in pet food to supply vitamins and minerals?

Vitamins are responsible for promoting bone growth, blood clotting, production of energy, and defense against oxidation.

Ingredients used to provide vitamins in Dog foods include:

• Vitamin C supplement(calcium ascorbate and sodium ascorbate)
• Cholecalciferol(supplies Vitamin D from animal sources)
• Ergocalciferol(supplies Vitamin D from plant sources)
• Alpha-tocopherol acetate(supplies Vitamin E)
• Vitamin B12 supplement
• Riboflavin Supplement(source of Vitamin B2)
• Vitamin A supplement
• Vitamin D3 supplement
• Thiamine mononitrate(source of Vitamin B1)
• Pyridoxine hydrochloride(source of Vitamin B6)

Minerals provide skeletal support and aid in nerve transmission and muscle contractions.

Inorganic compounds used to supply minerals in Dog food include:

• Calcium
• Cobalt
• Copper
• Ferric or ferrous(iron)
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Potassium
• Sodium
• Zinc
• Dicalcium phosphate (supplying both calcium and phosphorus)
• Iodate(iodine)
• Selenite(selenium) Sulfur

Additives

Glyceryl monostearate

This colorless, odorless and sweet-tasting powder is most widely used as an additive for thickening and protecting food from becoming dry and preventing sticky.

Propylene glycol

Propylene glycol is a clear colorless, liquid-like consistency that is used to keep them from drying out in semi-moist dog food.

It should not be eaten at a higher rate or for a longer period because of the presence of harmful material.

Clearly avoid feedingstuffs containing propylene glycol which are given daily or weekly.

Phosphoric acid

Phosphoric acid H3PO4, a transparent, colorless liquid most widely used in fertilizers, food flavoring, detergents, and pharmaceuticals, is safe in dog foods but is in needless. It is often used in cheaper and lower quality foodstuffs.

Flavoring agents

Animal digest- A common ingredient in pet food

Have you ever wondered what it is? Or how beneficial it is for your canine?

Do you know what the word “Digest” in Animal Digest means?

Ok then lemme tell you

Animal digest is a good tasting excellent source of high-quality protein used to improve the taste of dry pet foods in a small amount.

It’s not the ingredients itself or the pet’s digestive tract then what is it? It’s simply the digestive process used in production.

It is made mainly of beef, chicken or lamb and material produced by chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis of clean and undecomposed animal tissue except for fur, horns hooves, feathers, and teeth.

The resulting digest is in liquid form but it can also be converted into a paste or can be used as a dry powder.

Generally, there is a myth that the animal digest is of low-quality as many people consider it as a low-grade pet food ingredient.

But the fact is something different- it is advisable, especially by your pet.

Digest

Digest by-products of meat(beef, chicken, or lamb) may be dried or spray dried. The type and part of the animals used are often specified, for example as “Chicken Digest,” “Lamb Digest” or “Poultry Liver Digest”. It is a flavoring agent.

AAFCO says, “Product that results from clean and undecomposed animal tissue chemical and/or enzymatic hydrolysis. The animal tissues used shall consist exclusively of fur, ears, teeth, hooves, and feathers, except in such amounts as may inevitably occur in good factory practice and are appropriate for animal feed.”

A cooked-down broth made of part of known or unspecified animals(depending on the type of digest used). If the origin is unknown(e.g. “Animal” or “Poultry”). Animals used from any source may be collected, so there is no overvalue control or contamination. Any category of animals may include “4-D animals”(dead, sick, disabled or dying prior to it).

Flavors

A substance, such as an extract or spice, that adds flavor to a product.

Flavoring material may consist of natural or synthetic material, but specific information may or may not be provided by the manufacturer.

Most of the Dog Food mentions the flavor like “beef-flavored”, “artificial flavors” or “natural flavors” etc..

According to the AAFCO Flavor Rule, “Food can be claimed to have a certain flavor—say chicken or beef—if that flavor is “sufficiently detectable.”

Preservatives

Butylated hydroxyanisole(BHA) – a white, waxy phenolic antioxidant

BHA is an additive common to use as an antioxidant.

BHT(butylated hydroxytoluene) are preservatives that are used in both human and pet foods to preserve food odor, color, and taste.

BHA is widely used in dog foods to increase shelf-life.

The FDA states that BHA can be used safely to extend the shelf-life of fats found in processed dog foods as an ingredient to dog foods.

BHA banned from human use in many countries but still permitted in the US. Possible human carcinogen, apparently carcinogenic in animal experiments.

The oxidative characteristics and/or metabolites of BHA and BHT may contribute to carcinogenicity or tumorigenicity.

The State of California has classified BHA as likely to cause cancer in dogs.

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)

BHT can extend the shelf life of fat in a food product. They prevent the oils in foods from oxidizing and becoming rancid.

Butylated hydroxytoluene has already been banned as a food preservative in  Japan, Romania, Sweden, and Australia.

BHT is directly related to cancer, both in humans and in dogs.

Ascorbic acid(calcium ascorbate)

Ascorbic Acid, or more commonly called Vitamin C, an organic compound with antioxidant properties. Thus, it is an essential nutrient for both humans and dogs.

The other names for ascorbic acid are vitamin C, Ester-C, ascorbate, and stabilized vitamin C.

Ascorbic acid has many benefits, including collagen synthesis, support for the immune system, and may help to mitigate joint and muscular-skeletal disorders.

Benzoic acid

Benzoic acid is used as a preservative for the poultry. It prevents mold, yeast, and certain bacteria from developing.

Sodium bisulfite

Sodium bisulfite is a food additive with E number E222.

This applies the synthetic form of vitamin K to pet foods and uses it as a cheap source of vitamin K.

Ethoxyquin

Ethoxyquin is a chemical antioxidant, used in pet food as a fat preservative.

It remains stable at high temperatures during processing dog food therefore, it is a good preservative for Dog food.

Dog food manufacturers use ethoxyquin to avoid rancidity and improve their product’s nutritional quality.

Propyl gallate

Propyl gallate is commonly called gallic acid or propyl ester.

It has antioxidant properties and a fat stabilizer can be used.

According to AAFCO, there is no conclusive evidence for or against the safety of this product. Sometimes it may cause allergic reactions in Dogs and some suspect it to cause cancer and severe liver problems.

So what’s the takeaway

There is no way to assess ingredient quality from the label or the website. It is important to select manufacturers who have stringent internal quality control standards – reputable manufacturers will use only the highest quality ingredients, whether they use by-products or not.

Reference and further reading

• (1) According to FDA What is “Complete and Balanced” Pet Food?
• (3) Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences says, “Barley as an alternative to rice in dog food”.
• (3) Know more about By-products
• (4) Detailed information about Meat
• (5) AAFCO’s Response on Meat and Bone Meal
• (6) Soybean meal
• (7) Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Osteoarthritis
• (8) Glucosamine and chondroitin use in canines for osteoarthritis
• (9) Glucosamine and chondroitin in mobility foods for dogs