Harmful Ingredients In Dog Food
Would it surprise you to know that many of the ingredients found in dog food are actually the very same ingredients your dog should avoid?
Commercial brands often contain “filler” ingredients. These are ingredients that do not benefit your dog and can sometimes be quite dangerous. They’re used for two reasons – because they’re cheap and to keep the food fresh for longer. While these reasons may seem harmless, sometimes they can actually be toxic for your little pup.
So, before you go shopping for your dog, take a step back and remember to read the bag, can or pot. This is something that comes as second nature for many of us when choosing our own food, but not often when considering what your pet consumes.
We’ll take you through some of the ingredients you should watch out for…
BHA
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a chemical preservative found in many commercial dog food brands. Used to preserve the food, it has been listed by the CDC as cancerogenic.
And yes, that is as bad as you suspected. The chemical has a negative effect on the liver and kidneys if consumed in sustained periods. Many countries have banned the use of BHA in pet food, but it is still widely used in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
White Flour
While this may sound like nothing serious, white flour can actually have detrimental effects on your dog’s health. It is usually used as binding and filler in commercial dog food. And it contains no nutritional value for your pup.
In fact, white flour can cause spikes in blood sugar that then quickly drop off. This means that your dog may feel full for a short while, but not for a sustained period. As such, white flour has been noted as a known cause for weight gain in dogs. Obesity in dogs is a huge concern for many owners and can lead to worse health issues for your pet, including diabetes.
Meat Meal
If you see meat “meal” or unspecified meats listed in the ingredients label, put it back on the shelf. This meat is often very low quality, and the source can often be a mystery. Any meat meal listed usually comes from leftover meats with minimal quality control. These include expired meats, scraps from diseased and dead animals, as well as fatty tissue and general waste meat.
This isn’t something you’d like as your own meal, so it surely won’t be good for your dog either. The nutrition your dog receives from these meats will vary wildly, so they’re best avoided.
We always recommend choosing products that label a specific type of meat, as these are generally safer for your dog.
MSG
This is an incredibly controversial ingredient and its use in human consumption is often debated. However, regardless of where you stand on the debate, we can be certain that monosodium glutamate (MSG) should not be used in dog food.
MSG, first and foremost, is a flavor enhancer. For this to be a necessary ingredient within dog food, the food itself will greatly lack nutritional value. Additionally, it has been reported that MSG can cause brain damage in dogs. Many dogs and humans alike are also allergic to MSG – so we’d rather not risk it!
Unfortunately, many companies can get away with not including MSG on food labels. As such, you may have to do your research for this one. However, you will find that organic and low ingredient dog foods will be a safe bet when avoiding MSG.
Food dyes, additives and corn syrup
There is absolutely no reason for your dog’s food to be colored. This is done purely to make the food look appetizing to their owners. Additives and corn syrup are used in dog food to add some flavor or sweetness to the food.
We recommend avoiding any foods with dye or additives, as not only do they lack nutritional value, but they have also been linked to hyperactivity and hypersensitivity in dogs. Corn syrup also has a high glycaemic index, which can cause further issues for your dog.
Sodium Hexametaphosphate
This one is a mouthful, but it’s definitely one worth remembering. Used in many dental hygiene products, sodium hexametaphosphate can help reduce tartar build-up on teeth. This is fantastic when you consider the alternative – putting your dog under for a dental cleaning.
However, it comes with some pretty nasty side effects. With long-term exposure, sodium hexametaphosphate has been linked with growth inhibition, bone decalcification, kidney issues and more. So, you may want to reconsider whether it is worth the long-term health risk for your pup.
Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil is another ingredient that may not seem out of place to you at first glance. After all, it’s widely used in human foods. However, it is not recommended for use in pet food.
Your dog needs to consume both vegetables and fats in healthy doses. But this should not come in the form of vegetable oil, which is usually made from cheap corn and soybean oils. As such, it often contains high levels of omega 6 fatty acids. So, if your dog is eating a commercial diet, they will be exposed to more essential fatty acids than is necessary.
Increased exposure can result in a number of health issues, including arthritis, hip and joint problems. Given that many dog breeds already suffer with these issues, vegetable oil is better avoided.
So, what are the alternatives?
First, you should always make sure to check the labels of the food that you’re purchasing for your dog. It might seem time consuming at first but trust us – it’s worth it! And you’ll get used to it, too.
Then, you should consider moving your dog to an organic or single-ingredient diet. This might be a slow process, while you’re figuring out what works for you and your dog, but once you get there, you’ll see the improvements in your dog in no time.
Why not take a look at our single-ingredient dog treats to get you started?