Dog Food Insights

In today’s age of artificial preservatives, low-quality and even unknown ingredients, it can be hard to make sure your pet is getting all their necessary nutrients. While your veterinarian can help you find the best food for your pet and their specific needs, there are some general ingredients to look out for on your dog's food bag.

The bulk of their nutritional needs come from protein, carbohydrates, fats, and water.

Toxic, Raw, and Sensitive Ingredients to Avoid

• Toxic: When consumed long-term, garlic powder, oregano, and lavender become toxic. Less common ingredients found in dog food that are toxic in short-term consumption are chocolate, avocado, citrus, dairy, and nuts.

• Raw: Pose a risk of salmonella and E. coli bacterial infections for both humans and pets. Always feed a fully cooked diet.

• Sensitive: Some dogs are allergic or sensitive to certain foods that can commonly be found in dog foods. These ingredients are important to avoid for your dogs specific safety and talking to a veterinarian about what food is best for your pet is a great way to ensure their food is allergen free.

Should you avoid by-products and filler?

These ingredients are commonly feared among pet parents, but often provide key nutrients to the dog. According to Dr. Hannah Hart, a veterinarian with PetMD by Chewy, animal by-product is “simply meat trimmings and organ meats that provide protein and essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals.”

What should be in their food?

• Protein: A high-quality, lean protein source supplies amino acids and helps the dogs build and maintain muscle mass, form new skin cells, and grow hair. These can come in the form of whole muscle tissues, meals, or by-products.

  • Meat: Beef and Lamb

  • Poultry: Chicken and Turkey

  • Fish: Salmon and Whitefish

  • Plant-based source like soybean

• Carbohydrates: Simple and complex carbs are necessary as an energy source and provide fiber for gut health.

  • Carb sources: Rice, corn, barley, peas, and potatoes

  • Fiber sources: Wheat, bran, inulin (type of prebiotic), powdered cellulose (insoluble fiber), beet pulp (complex carb), dried chicory root, and fructooligosaccharides (plant sugar).

  • Fat sources: Healthy sources contain both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which provide energy, support joint and skin health, reduce body inflammation, and support cell and nerve function. They can be animal based (Fish oil, beef or chicken fat) or plant based (corn, soybean, canola oil).

• Water: Small amounts are present in dry foods and larger amounts present in wet foods. Typically dogs will drink enough water outside of their meals.

• Vitamins and Minerals: Vitamins A; D; E; K, B vitamin complex, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium and chloride (salt), iron, copper, zinc, manganese, selenium, and iodine.

  • These support organ function and the health of a dog’s eyes, skin, immune system, bones, heart, nervous system, digestive system, and thyroid.

  • Sodium and Chloride help to balance body fluids and pH levels, respectively.

• Probiotics: Lactobacillus acidophilus and enterococcus faecium are commonly found in dog foods.

• Preservatives: Both natural and artificial preservatives can be found in dog foods.

  • Natural: Calcium, propionate, ascorbic acid/vitamin C, and mixed tocopherols.

  • Artificial: BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin

Wet vs. Dry Food:

The main difference between wet and dry food is how it is processed before packaging.

Wet food is made by grinding the protein source then adding a gravy that contains vitamins, minerals, and grains. The protein source and gravy is then mixed, cooked, and canned.

Dry food is made with similar ingredients but the protein mixture is pulverized into a consistent dough which is then cooked and formed into the kibble shape. Then, the kibble is dried and sprayed with the necessary fats, oils, vitamins, and minerals.

Talking to your veterinarian about the best diet for your dog is always a great place to start with decisions about dog foods. A combination of wet and dry could be the happy medium your dog needs, just be sure to check with your veterinarian about the daily feeding amount for your pet and ensure you are meeting their caloric needs with the mixture.