Dogs are carnivores and require diets rich in quality animal protein. Protein is important because it is the primary source of amino acids for dogs. Dogs lack the ability to produce ten essential amino acids, so it’s important to ensure there is enough amino-acid-rich protein in a dog’s diet. Sadly many premium dog foods don’t contain enough protein because it is expensive and it doesn’t run well on the equipment that makes most dog food.
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Dogs have no nutritional requirement for carbs yet most premium dog food is made up of 40% to 60% carbohydrates. Pet food companies use lots of carbohydrates because they are less expensive than quality animal protein and run better on the equipment that makes dog food. Carbohydrates also contain high levels of starch and sugar which have been linked to increased rates of diabetes and obesity.
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Premium dog food companies use low-quality ingredients in their formulas and cook their foods at extremely high temperatures, resulting in significant nutrient loss. To compensate they must supplement their formulas with lots of synthetic vitamins, minerals and amino acids because their foods are nutrient deficient if they don’t. Even if your dog food says it’s “Natural” it can contain these non-natural ingredients because there’s a loophole in dog food labeling laws.
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Studies show some dog food ingredients are more likely to cause an allergic reaction than others. The most common food allergens for dogs are: beef, dairy, wheat, corn, egg, chicken, soy, pork, and white fish. These are ALL common ingredients used in premium pet food, and typically more than one allergen is present. Unfortunately, there is no requirement these ingredients be disclosed in the name of the product, so you must read the ingredient listing on the label carefully.
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Meals are a common ingredient in premium pet food. Some meal can be a good natural source of calcium and phosphorus. But others can contain hoof, animal hide, blood, manure and diseased animals because the regulations allow for “unavoidable” amounts to be used in pet food. When buying a premium dog food, it is important to know how much meal and what kind of meal your dog food company is using.
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In 2007 tens of thousands of dogs were sickened (and over 1,000 died) when ingredients sourced from China were found to be contaminated with melamine. Despite this history of serious safety violations, many premium pet food companies continue to source ingredients from China. Common ingredients sourced from China include meat, poultry, potatoes and synthetic vitamin and minerals supplements.
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