What is Not a Secret
It’s no secret here that I am very passionate about the health of my dogs. I’m just as passionate about the health of your dog(s). For the last year and a half, I have been researching nutrients that dogs need and dog food ingredients found in manufactured dog food for my book upcoming book. While researching, I have come across hundreds of articles on the dangers of processed dog food. I culled those articles down to only those that I know are legitimate and written by holistic veterinarians and sites such as PetMd and veterinarian journals. (You can pre-order my book through the link at the bottom of the page).
I always suspected that processed dog food wasn’t the best food to feed your dog. But, I, like most people believed that the high end (read more expensive) foods were better. I was in for quite a shock. We’ve all read that we should read the ingredient labels on the dog food that we buy. But, do we really know exactly what those ingredients mean?
What Are Those Dangerous Ingredients?
8 Common Ingredients Found In Some Of Your Favorite Dog Foods
- Chicken Meal
- Pearled Barley and Oatmeal
- Brown/White Rice
- Millet
- Menhaden Fish Meal
- Monocalcium Phosphate
- Sodium Selenite
- Added Vitamins and Minerals
What These Terms Mean
Chicken Meal:
Chicken Meal consists of any ratio of skin, beaks, caucuses, intestines, head, feet, toes. It is used because it’s much less expensive and is much less digestible than real chicken muscle.
Pearled Barley and Oatmeal
These ingredients are cheap bulk fillers and have little nutritional value. It is much cheaper than using real muscle meat and vegetables.
It is difficult to digest and can contribute to a number of GI tract damage and complications. The source of known allergens. Can cause itchy skin, rashes, hot spots, eye discharge, hair loss, stinky skin, and ears.
This not to be confused with real, human-grade barley and oatmeal which are actually good for dogs, and people.
Brown and White Rice
These are not the same brown and white rice that we eat. These are cheap and not digestible. The cheap version used in some dog foods causes inflammation and the FDA warns of high arsenic content. Human grade brown (white rice, not so much) is good for dogs and is a great source of energy, along with other carbohydrates such as barley, fruits, and vegetables.
Millet
Another cheap bulk filler and binder that has little nutritional value and can actually be dangerous for dogs. Millet is actually small seed grasses usually found in birdseed. Yep, millet is for the birds, literally!
Millet has been known to cause hair loss, hypothyroidism, depression, and fatigue in dogs.
Menhaden Fish Meal
Menhaden Fish Meal is again used as a cheap bulk filler. It is made from the parts of fish not edible by humans. They heat, ground and extract it, which removes all nutritional content. They use it as oil for paints, soaps, and lubricants. very strong smell it has is used to cover the chemical odors.
Monocalcium Phosphate
Why exactly this is added is a complete mystery to me. This chemical can’t even be twisted to sound like it’s good for dogs, (or any animal, for that matter). It is a man-made chemical compound that is highly toxic to the liver and lungs. It is often found in fertilizers.
It was originally created in a lab for pig farmers to add to feed to fatten them before slaughter. So, obviously, it causes obesity in dogs and makes it hard for them to lose weight.
Sodium Selenite
This added ingredient is very dangerous for dogs. It is highly toxic to the environment, classified as a carcinogen and contributes to reproductive and developmental problems. Sodium Selenite can cause nervousness, liver and spleen damage, and is the cause of the onset of diabetes, and cancer.
Added Vitamins and Minerals
When you read “added vitamins and minerals” in the ingredient list, you might think, “well at least it has some vitamins and minerals in it”.
I really hate to disappoint you, but, here’s the truth about them. These are not real vitamins and minerals. They are synthetic, have zero quality control, and can include ammonia, formaldehyde, cyanide and other chemicals. They can actually prohibit the absorption of any real vitamins and minerals that they may ingest.
How To Determine The Best “Fast Food” to feed your dog
When it comes to feeding your dog species-appropriate food always make sure that the ingredients are real meat, fruits, and vegetable sources.
Dr. Karen Becker, DVM. is a nationally recognized holistic veterinarian. Dr. Becker is as passionate about pets and keeping them healthy as I am and I am a big fan.
I have included two videos at the bottom of this post that she has produced to help guide you through the maze of pet store dog foods.
The very best dog food that you can feed your dog is real meat protein, carbohydrates as fruits and vegetables, and fats.
If because of your lifestyle or circumstance you can not feed your dog fresh homemade dog food, do not despair. Although manufactured, store-bought dog food is not the best food to feed your dog, there are some that are definitely better than others. These two videos explain what to look for and what ingredients you should absolutely avoid.
