5. Ingredients to Avoid in Dog Food

There are dogs that will eat anything, and we mean anything. Our canine companions have been known to eat grass, mud, trash from the trash can, and even their own faeces. Our canine companions aren’t picky eaters, so they don’t try to eat in a way that supports their physical and mental well-being.

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So, as dog owners, it’s our responsibility to give our canine companions a balanced diet. However, navigating the constantly evolving pet food industry can be a daunting task, so we’ve put up this guide to help you out.

Read on to learn what to look for in a nutritious dog food dish and what to avoid when making your selection.

WHAT DOG FOOD INGREDIENTS SHOULD I AVOID?

ARTIFICIAL COLOURS AND PRESERVATIVES

The best diet for your dog is one that is free of artificial flavours, colours, and preservatives and instead consists of fresh, natural ingredients. We can see that this isn’t good for us, so why would it be beneficial for our dogs?

If your dog is eating vividly coloured kibble biscuits, like red, yellow, or whatever, you should probably keep your distance. Your dog doesn’t care what colour their food is, they only care that it tastes nice, therefore this colouring isn’t natural, it’s merely coloured so that it stands out more on the shelf for you.

The only reason your dog’s supper should be bursting with colour is because of real, nutritious foods like fruit and vegetables, not because of any artificial dyes.

Many commercial dog diets and treats use artificial preservatives such as BHA and BHT to keep the lipids from going rancid while they are on the shelf. We know that they cause cancer, so we should stay away from them.

However, at Pure, we carefully remove the moisture from all our meat, fruit, and vegetables, which naturally preserves the food and seals in all the nutrients, so we don’t need to use any of these harmful preservatives or colorings. Because of this, we can provide delicious, nutritious food that is full of nutrients and free of additives.

MEAT MEAL

Meat is a staple in dogs’ diets, and its popularity is common knowledge because they much like eating it. However, if the label reads “meat meal,” then it is clear that this is not the high-quality protein source that your pet need. Any animal or combination of animals could provide the protein in an unspecified “meat,” so even though you may be buying the same bag of food repeatedly, the composition could be completely different each time.

Furthermore, the word “meal” implies that the meat your dog is consuming is not of the same high grade as the meat we eat. Meat meal is the generic name for a powder made from finely powdered animal parts. These parts might be from any part of the animal, such as the head, the feet, the beak, and the bones. These are not the kinds of foods we would voluntarily consume.

In its place, you should seek for high-quality, actual protein sources that clearly label the sort of animal used (‘Chicken,’ ‘Duck,’ ‘Salmon,’ etc.). When it comes to the meat we use at Pure, you can rest assured that your dog is getting only the best. Your dog requires a high-quality protein supply to help with growth, tissue repair, energy, skin health, and coat shine. Plus, it has a wonderful flavour.

CORN SYRUP

Corn syrup, a very sweet flavouring made from corn syrup and glucose, is commonly used in many dog diets and treats.

Dogs have a serious sweet tooth, and this flavour enhancer is highly addictive. However, it’s incredibly unhealthy, and a major contributor to obesity and diabetes, because it can cause your dog’s blood sugar levels to dangerously drop and then jump, and these sugar rushes are extremely damaging.

Fortunately, your dog won’t require this flavour enhancer if they eat high-quality food packed with natural appetising components like real meat, fruit, and vegetables.

NONDESCRIPT FATS

In case you didn’t know, a dog’s diet must include some fat. Although there is a significant distinction between good fats and the bad fats that can cause health issues including weight gain.

Some mass-market dog food companies sprinkle their kibble biscuits with an unidentifiable animal fat to make the bland brown balls more palatable to canines. Your dog’s food should not contain any oils or fats unless the label specifically states otherwise.

Ingredients to watch out for in dog food

Ingredients to avoid while feeding a dog
An essential ingredient in dog food is omega-3 fatty acids, which can be derived from salmon, algae, and other natural sources and help maintain your dog’s overall health and happiness.

Over general, the quality of a pet food is much greater than average when the label includes information about the origins of its ingredients.

ADDED SALT

Salt, or sodium chloride, is an important nutrient for both humans and canines because it aids in cell activity, regulates electrolyte balance, and improves the flavour of food. Of course, we humans enjoy a sprinkle of salt on our chips, crisps, and other foods for flavour.

But as with humans, giving your dog an excessive amount of salt can have disastrous effects on his health.

Adding extra salt isn’t necessary at all, and can lead to problems like high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, strokes, and various other heart problems, when the ingredients in your dog’s diet should already contain sufficient levels of salt to pack in enough flavour and provide all the nutrients your dog needs. Keep an eye out for this annoying ingredient on the dog food label!

SO, WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE ESSENTIAL IN MY DOG’S FOOD?

A dog’s healthy diet has many of the same components as a human’s. Meat, produce, complex carbohydrates, good fats, and vitamins and minerals are all things to keep an eye out for. You had me at “yum.”

We’ve written an extensive blog post explaining why these five things are required in every bag of dog food. None of the nasties we’ve listed above are ever included in our meals; instead, it’s uncomplicated, wholesome, and well-balanced with nothing missing.

Healthy, delicious dinners with only the finest ingredients are our specialty here at Pure. To provide your dog with complete and balanced nourishment that will help them thrive both physically and mentally, we use a wide variety of all-natural ingredients, including real meat, fruit, and vegetables, as well as added vitamins and minerals.

And because we care about your dog’s wellbeing so much, we create special recipes for each dog based on their breed, age, weight, health, and activity level. This manner, we can ensure that your dog receives the optimal diet that is tailored specifically to its needs.

We never add anything strange or unusual like harmful preservatives, additives, or colorings, and we never employ the kind of processing that destroys beneficial nutrients. It’s as easy as that to prepare delicious, nutritious cuisine!