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How to Read a Dog Food LabelDog Food Label - What are the Main Ingredients?In evaluating a particular brand of dog food, we should check the dog food label carefully for the quality of the protein source, the amount of grain by-products, and any artificial ingredients such as preservatives, colors, or flavors among other things. The ingredient listings are regulated by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Ingredients in dog foods are listed on the dog food label in descending order. Therefore, those ingredients listed at the beginning of the list are more plentiful than those listed toward the end. One very easy way to identify the main ingredients is to look for the first source of fat (or oil) on the ingredient list. All the ingredients that are listed before that first source of fat, and including it, are the main ingredients of the food. All the rest of items listed after the first source of fat are usually present in much smaller amounts and are preservatives, flavorings, or vitamins, minerals, enzymes, etc. For example, here is an ingredient list from an actual brand of dog food:
Dog Food Label - Good and Bad IngredientsProtein
Except for vegetarian dog food, the main source of protein is meat. The best dog foods will list a specified meat (e.g. beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, etc.) or a specified
meat meal (e.g chicken meal, lamb meal). (Meal is essentially dehydrated meat and organs and is a good source of protein and other nutrients).
Avoid generic meat ingredients that do not specify the source, i.e. what kind of animal the meat is from (e.g. meat, fish, poultry, liver). Similarly, avoid generic "meal"
such as "meat meal", "poultry meal", "fish meal", etc. In a lesser quality food, meat and poultry meals, by-product meals, and meat-and-bone meal are common ingredients
which are from less desirable animal products such as slaughterhouse offal.
Stay away from "by-products" such as "poultry by-products", "chicken by-products", "fish by-products", etc. These "by-products" very often include such useless and often
harmful ingredients as feathers, hair, and other unidentified meat parts and fat that are not good nutrient sources.
While the processing of meats and by-products for dog foods can destroy a great deal of the nutrients in the food, it does not necessarily destroy the hormones used to
fatten livestock or increase milk production, or drugs such as antibiotics or the barbiturates used to euthanize animals. This is why foods that use organic and/or
human-grade meat sources are the best choice.
Fats and Oils
Fats and oils are needed in a dog's diet. They are essential for healthy skin and haircoat, as well as for proper brain development and other critical processes in the body. However, not all fats and oils are equal. Some are high in saturated fat and low in essential fatty acids like animal fats (e.g. lard, tallow). It is therefore important that we identify the main source of fats/oils in the dog food label.
Look on the dog food label for specifically named fats and oils, such as flaxseed oil, sunflower oil, salmon fish oil, chicken fat, etc. Ideally the fats and oils should
contain high percentages of Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids.
Avoid mineral oil and other non-specific sources of oils and fats, e.g. "poultry fat", "vegetable oil", "fish oil".
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates can be an excellent source of nutrients. Unfortunately, not all sources of carbohydrates are beneficial.
Look for whole, unprocessed grains (also listed as "ground" or in "meal" form) since they yield complex carbohydrates and are much more nutritious than grain fragments and
flours. Examples of whole ground grains are oats, barley, rice, millet, etc.
Avoid fragments such as rice flour, corn gluten meal, beet sugar, as well as any unspecified grain sources like "cereal food fines".
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Dog Food Label - Other Minor IngredientsVegetables and Fruits
Fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables add vitamins, minerals and nutrients to the dog food and are nice to have. However, since these can easily be added to a dog's meal
by ourselves, inclusion of fruits and veggies in a dog food is not of the utmost importance. If a brand of food contains high quality protein, carbohydrate and fat sources
but no fruits or vegetables, it's still better than one with less ideal main ingredients but does include some fruits and veggies.
Vitamins and Minerals
All dog foods have to meet certain nutritional standards, so dog food manufacturers are required to add certain amounts of vitamins and minerals to the foods. Like any other
ingredients, these can vary in quality and in how well the body can absorb them. Look for chelated or sequestered minerals (also labeled as chelates, proteinates, amino
acid chelates or complexes, polysaccharide complexes). For vitamins, look for nonacidic, time released versions of vitamin C (labeled as ester C, calcium ascorbate,
stabilized vitamin C or L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate), natural vitamin E (tocopherol, natural tocopherol) and natural sources of vitamin K (egg yolk, liver, oats, kelp,
alfalfa).
However, remember that some of these supplements may be lost before your dog eats the food due to oxidation. It is therefore advisable to give additional vitamins, minerals, and other natural supplements to your dog.
Preservatives
Some preservatives are necessary to keep the natural foods from getting rancid. Look for natural preservatives such as mixed tocopherols (vitamin E), vitamin C (ascorbic
acid), extracts of rosemary, sage, or clove.
Avoid synthetic preservatives such as BHA, BHT, TBHQ, potassium sorbate, propylene glycol, propyl gallate, and ethoxyquin.
Flavorings
High quality foods usualy get most of their flavor from the ingredients themselves, but natural seasonings such as garlic and some spices are not a problem.
Avoid foods with artificial flavor enhancers (such as phosphoric acid), any highly rendered products (e.g. digests of any kind), broth of unspecified origin (e.g. "meat
broth"), and glandular meal.
Colorings
Dogs do not care what color their food is, so it is not necessary to add any colorings to the dog foods. Natural substances like caramel coloring or coloring agents made
from carotenoids are harmless.
Avoid any "numbered" colorings which are coal-tar derivative dyes, such as Blue No. 1 and 2, Red No. 3 and 40, Yellow No. 5 and 6. Also stay away from color preservatives
like sodium nitrite.
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An Actual Dog Food LabelThe following is a dog food label listing the ingredients of a famous brand of dog food. Will you feed this to your dog?
Natural Organic Dog Food ProductsYou may by now realize how important it is to carefully check a dog food label for quality ingredients. It is rather time-consuming to find natural dog foods that meet all the criteria listed above. However, it is worth the time and effort as natural dog foods can make a big difference in the health of your dog. Invest a bit of time now and you will be rewarded with a healthy beautiful dog that will be your companion for a longer period of time. If you want some recommendations on good, healthy, natural dog food, please visit our page on Natural Organic Dog Food for more information. Please also visit our page on Natural Diets for Dogs for more information on important nutrient sources for dogs and ingredients that provide such sources. If your dog has food allergies, be sure to visit our page on Canine Food Allergies. Want more information on raw diets, vegetarian diets, and high fiber dog food? Visit our pages on Raw Diet for Dogs, Vegetarian Diet for Dogs, and High Fiber Dog Food.References Pitcairn and Pitcairn, Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats (Rodale, 2005). A.D. Shojai, New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats (Rodale Press, Inc., 1999). TOP OF How to Read a Dog Food Label |
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