Many commercial pet diets contain dubious additives that can be harmful to your pet.
It is widely known that many commercial dog foods are produced with subpar ingredients. Seven of the most frequent offenders are listed below:
Melamine
Melamine, a chemical that can be harmful to animals, has been identified in several types of dog food. Plastics and other items are produced using the nitrogen-rich chemical melamine. Additionally, it has been added to animal feed and utilized as a fertilizer.
Melamine can harm animals' kidneys and cause other health issues when they consume it. Melamine is thought to be used to increase the protein level of the meal, while the precise purpose for its use in some dog foods is unknown. Given that consuming too much protein can result in major health issues, this could be harmful to dogs.
Checking the ingredients list of any dog food before giving it to your pet is crucial for this reason. It is advised to stay away from a brand if melamine is listed as an ingredient.
Pick a dog meal that DOES contain a lot of protein instead. For instance, Sundays for Dogs, my all-time favorite dog food (more on this below), uses foods that you've actually heard of that are high in protein.
We're talking about foods like USDA-Grade beef, poultry, cow heart, beef liver, and more that you'd feel confident eating for yourself.
Authentic protein, not synthetic.
Propylene Glycol
A frequent addition in many processed foods is propylene glycol. In order to increase the shelf life of items, it is employed as a preservative. Propylene glycol, however, has also been connected to illnesses like cancer, kidney disease, and birth defects.
There is no scientific agreement on the safety of ingredients like propylene glycol and melamine, despite certain pet food makers' claims to the contrary. Therefore, it is advised to stay away from dog meals that include these ingredients.
Instead, search for one that includes mixed tocopherols, a family of vitamin E substances that are naturally present in fish, cruciferous vegetables, vegetable oils, and nuts. These prevent undesirable side effects while helping to delay the deterioration of dog food.
Meat Meal
A dry, powdered product formed from rendered meat is known as meat meal. It is frequently used as an animal feed or food ingredient. Muscle tissue and organs are cooked with steam or dry heat to dissolve the connective tissue, resulting in meat meal. The end result is subsequently crushed into a fine powder.
It has been discovered that meat meal serves as a significant source of necessary nutrients and protein for dogs.
It has, however, also been connected to illnesses like cancer and kidney disease. Additionally, some studies contend that meat meals may contain poisonous substances that are dangerous to dogs. This is because most meat meal is dergulated, which means it may be obtained from a wide variety of sources (including roadkill or even animals killed via euthanasia, which involves some nasty chemicals).
As a result, a lot of pet owners now decide against giving their dogs meat meal-based foods. Again, a dog meal that contains real meat that you would eat yourself is a preferable alternative.
Food Dyes
For a number of reasons, dog food contains food colours. They are occasionally used to enhance the food's appearance or to make it appear more delicious.
Other times, they could be utilized to cover up subpar ingredients or add extra nutrients that aren't found in the dish naturally. Food dyes don't appear to help dogs in any significant way, either, and some studies have connected them to health issues.
Food dyes, for instance, may be detrimental to dogs with allergies or sensitivities and have been related to cancer in rodents. Additionally, food dyes might make it challenging for owners to determine whether their dog is receiving adequate nutrition from its meal.
Avoid meals that include colours and only consume natural components.
Antinutrients This one can be challenging.
Antinutrients are a class of chemical elements that are present in some plant-based diets that can prevent the body from absorbing nutrients. Although antinutrients can be found in many different foods, they are most frequently found in grains, legumes, and nuts. These are foods that on the surface seem healthy but can be harmful in large quantities. Watch out for dog food that contains a lot of antinutrients, such as peas, potatoes, and lentils.
Antinutrients can result in nutrient shortages and other health issues when ingested in big quantities. Additionally, they may result in gastrointestinal discomfort and a reduction in the absorption of vital vitamins and minerals.
Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal
Many commercial dog meals contain dehydrated alfalfa meal as an ingredient. There are some possible concerns involved with giving your dog this food, despite the fact that it is a source of protein, fiber, and nutrients.
One of the primary issues is that dehydrated alfalfa meals could have dangerous concentrations of phytoestrogens and nitrates. Dogs who drink too much nitrates run the risk of developing methemoglobinemia, sometimes known as "blue baby syndrome," which is dangerous.
The blood's capacity to carry oxygen is decreased by this disorder, which can be fatal. Contrarily, phytoestrogens are a class of plant hormones that can impair the reproductive system's regular operation.
As a source of fiber and other vitamins, search for dog food that includes fruits and vegetables. Much improved!
“Natural Flavor”
The natural flavor, which is also my personal favorite, comes last.
You might assume that a pet food is manufactured with healthy components when you see "natural taste" on the label. The term "natural flavor" really refers to a variety of additives and chemicals that are used to improve the flavor and aroma of food.
Even while some of these chemicals may come from natural sources, they are frequently heavily processed and can be extremely harmful to pets' health. Additionally, "natural flavor" is frequently employed to cover up the flavor of subpar components such animal by-products.
It is advised to stay away from pet foods with "natural flavor" for these reasons. Natural taste shouldn't have to be added to dog food. The flavor ought to be present already!
If you’re concerned about the ingredients in your dog’s food, talk to your veterinarian about switching to a healthier brand.
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