You know your diet greatly impacts your health, so you probably watch what you eat. Do you give the same courtesy to your dog? If you want your pet to avoid some of the most common illnesses caused by poor diet—including obesity, arthritis, diabetes, gum disease, and cancer—you must take pet nutrition seriously. Here’s what dog food ingredients to look for and what to avoid.
Healthy Dog Food Ingredients
Commercial dog food is regulated by the FDA, which requires labels to list all ingredients and nutritional contents. The most important characteristic of your dog’s food is for it to deliver the proper combination of proteins, carbs, fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals needed at your pet’s particular stage in life.
As you peruse the pet store aisles for a brand of dog food to try, look for these ingredients to ensure your dog’s diet promotes good health:
- Meat: Dogs are natural carnivores, so the bagged or canned food you feed him should contain primarily, if not solely, meat ingredients.
- Natural preservatives: Some canned food is available without preservatives. Look for food with this trait if possible. If you prefer dry dog food, look for a version with natural preservatives, including vitamins E and C, which are healthier than their chemical counterparts.
Dog Food Ingredients to Avoid
Commercially available dog food often features some troubling ingredients. To ensure your pet’s food contributes to better health, avoid the following:
- Non-meat ingredients: Steer clear of dog food with corn, wheat, and other grains. These are fillers that don’t provide your pet with optimal nutritional value.
- Chemical preservatives: Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA), Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT), and Ethoxyquin are three common pet food preservatives. They are often added to prevent oils and fats in dog food from going rancid. Unfortunately, these are known carcinogens and can also cause kidney and liver damage.
- Food dyes: Your dog doesn’t care what color his food is—we promise. Avoid any product that contains Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, or caramel color (4-MIE), which may cause allergic reactions, behavioral issues, or cancer.
- Rendered fat: While this enhances the flavor of dry dog food, it’s also a source of salmonella and toxins. You might see rendered fat listed as “meat meal,” “bone meal,” or “animal by-products” on the label.
Why Spend a Little More on Dog Food?
Cheap pet food may seem more appealing at the checkout, but if it contains less-than-optimal nutrition, it could lead to illnesses that require more vet visits or medications. This is why we recommend investing in the best dog food you can afford. Invest a little more in your pet’s health, and he’ll remain healthy and live a longer life as a result!
Contact Germantown Vet Clinic for More Dog Nutrition Tips
It can be difficult to pinpoint exactly which brand or type of food to feed your dog, especially if he’s a picky eater, has allergies, or needs to be on special diet. Fortunately, the team at Germantown Vet is experienced in dog nutrition and can provide you with personalized advice to ensure the best possible health for your beloved furry friend.
For answers to all your pet-related questions, or to schedule a vet visit for your dog, please contact Germantown Vet today at 240-252-7467.