Feeding your dog should be simple, but with a long list of ingredients on their food, it can feel like decoding a science textbook. We’ve done the work for you, so you can feel more confident about what goes into your pet’s bowl. Here are 10 concerning ingredients to keep an eye out for.
10. BHA/BHT
The golden rule when shopping for food, whether it’s for yourself or for your dogs, is to never trust an ingredient you can’t even pronounce. BHA and BHT are examples of that, both of which are chemical preseratives that keep dog food fresh on the shelf. The problem is they’re banned in other countries and they’ve been identified as possible carcinogens for pets.
9. Corn Syrup
Sugary foods aren’t good for us, and we can say the same thing for dogs. While sugar isn’t toxic to your pet, it’s still unhealthy for them to consume it over a long period of time or in large amounts. Corn syrup is a sweetener that’s basically pure sugar. If you see this ingredient, it’s usually a sign that the dog food is focused more on taste rather than nutrition.
8. Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil is calorie-dense and has little nutritional value. When small amounts add up, this can contribute to weight gain and lead to other health conditions like diabetes and arthritis. Vegetable oils are also rich in omega-6 fatty acids, and having too much of these can lead to chronic inflammation.
7. MSG
Monosodium Glutamate or MSG is used to make dog food taste better. Here’s the kicker: they come with unwanted side effects. MSG has been linked to nausea, headaches, and even seizures in sensitive dogs. This flavor enhancer can also hide under different names like “yeast extract” and “natural flavor,” so make sure to double check the ingredient list.
6. Soy
Soy can be used as a protein source in dog food, but this ingredient may not be the best choice for some pups. It’s one of the common food allergens in dogs and can cause reactions like itchy skin and gastrointestinal issues. Soy is also identified as a “filler ingredient.” Meaning, it takes up space in the ingredient list but doesn’t offer much nutritional value.
5. Melamine
Melamine is a type of plastic that has no place in dog food. Shockingly, it was found in some contaminated pet food, which led to the melamine pet food scandal in 2007 that killed thousands of dogs and cats. While it’s illegal to include melamine in pet food, contamination can still happen in countries with less strict regulations.
4. White Flour
White flour is another filler ingredient that offers little to no nutritional value to your dog. This ingredient can also spike your pet’s blood sugar levels, leading to weight gain and diabetes. Sounds familiar? That’s because white flour can do the same thing to us humans. Healthier dog foods will use coconut flour or oat flour.
3. Propylene Glycol
If you’ve ever read antifreeze labels, then propylene glycol probably rings a bell. Its cousin ethylene glycol is toxic to dogs, and this means that propylene glycol is far from being harmless. The latter is used to keep dog food soft and moist, but FDA has prohibited its use in cat food. If you ask us, that’s already a red flag.
2. Artificial Food Coloring
Here’s the reality: dogs don’t care about the color of their food. They don’t see the colors the same way that we do, and those red kibbles or green-colored treats likely look like shades of brown or gray to them. Artificial colors are used to make the dog food appealing to us pet owners. Additionally, artificial dyes like Red #40 and Yellow #5 and #6 have been linked to cell damage in small mammals.
1. Nitrites
Nitrites can be hidden in “meaty” dog treats like jerky, bacon-flavored treats, and meat sticks. This chemical can help prevent bacterial growth and maintain color in dog food, but they can also form nitrosamines, which are compounds that have been linked to cancer in both humans and animals. Repeated or long-term exposure to nitrites can accumulate harmful effects.