The top five ingredients in dog food should consist of a balance of protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats and fatty acids, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. First of all, a high-quality source of animal protein, such as fish, beef, or deboned chicken, should be the main ingredient.
Quick Tip: Look at the basic four: protein, fat, fiber, and water. Many states have regulations requiring the minimum amount of nutrients a pet food must contain, as well as the maximum amount of moisture and crude fiber. Dog food labels must display the percentage of crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and water.
Focus on the first ingredients.
The main protein should be first and an actual meat source like chicken, duck or lamb. The second ingredient should be another meat source, generally a clearly labeled meal such as lamb meal or duck meal.
corn is the #1 ingredient used in dry dog foods, more than twice as much corn is used than any other ingredient. Meat and bone meal – the rendered ingredient that can include any type of mammal, or diseased/non-slaughtered animals – is the second most commonly used dry dog food ingredient.
The six basic nutrients are water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. These essential nutrients are required as part of the dog's regular diet and are involved in all of the basic functions of the body. The minimum dietary requirement has been established for many nutrients.
All pet food products must have a section of the label containing a list of the ingredients in the product. All ingredients should be listed by their common or usual name, and in descending order of predominance by their weight in the product. All ingredients should be listed in the same size letters or type.
Processed dog food is generally made using extremely low-quality ingredients. As explained elsewhere in this article, that means animal by-products and derivatives and low-quality grain.
The answer is yes. Rice is an ingredient sometimes found in commercial dog foods. Many pet owners feed white rice to their sick dog. One of the reasons white rice is the chosen grain for a dog with an upset stomach is that it's easy to digest, quick to prepare, and low in fiber.
A food must contain at least 18% protein, 5% fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture. Some dog foods guarantee minimum levels of other nutrients such as calcium, phosphorous, sodium, and linoleic acid which are especially important for bone growth in puppies.
The two biggest factors that determine whether your dog's food is good for their health is whether it's nutritionally complete and balanced and whether you're giving your dog the right proportions based on their size and weight.
Ingredient list. Nutritional adequacy statement. Feeding instructions. Contact information for the manufacturer or distributor.
BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin
These are artificial preservatives found in some traditional dog foods and treats, used to extend their shelf life. “There are concerns that these chemicals can be harmful with long-term exposure and ingestion,” says Richter, who recommends avoiding any artificial ingredients in food or treats.
Both dry and wet food are legit dog food sources. Vets say wet is better for ease of eating, better hydration, and better satiety and palatability with fewer carbs. Meanwhile, dry food is better for convenience and oral health benefits at a much lower price point. A combo of both can also be ideal.
Those who feed their dogs kibble suggest the potential benefits to be: reduced dental plaque, healthier gums, reduced risk of bacteria, easier storage, less risk of spoilage, and cost-effectiveness. On the other hand, some dog owners choose to switch to fresh food like Ollie due to the risks of kibble.
Domesticated dogs are largely carnivores that eat some omnivorous foods. Dr Leigh from Your Vet Online advises that it is important to ensure your dog's food is both complete and balanced for its stage of life, and if it has any medical issues. It is entirely acceptable to feed your dog a pure kibble diet.
It also doesn't tell us whether the ingredients are used in the right amounts to provide optimal nutrition for pets (as a side note, pet foods containing “human grade” ingredients that may sound more appealing to us, such as “fresh angus beef”, can increase the number of animals that need to be raised to feed humans ...