When it comes to feeding your beloved pet, it's essential to look for the best option. To help you with this, we've listed ten ingredients you should avoid in dog food.
BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)
is the first on our list. This chemical is used as a preservative and has been linked to a number of health problems in dogs.Poor quality dog food can contain much worse “by-products” than just leftovers. It can also contain controversial 4-D meats, which are animals that have died, been diseased, disabled or decomposed before slaughter. Kal Kan Complete Adult is an example of a dog food that should be avoided. Its main ingredient is corn, which is an obvious and immediate warning sign.
Corn is a cheap filler that provides little nutritional value for your pup. At first glance, IAMS Dog Food doesn't seem so bad. It is proud that its main ingredient is chicken, which we all know is a good source of protein. However, it also contains beet pulp, which is high in sugar and can cause weight gain.
Twin Pet Dog Food generally appeals to supporters of a plant-based diet, although it contains meat by-products that are even worse for dogs than real meat. In addition, this particular brand of dog food is known for its colorful look. These colors are created by adding artificial food colors, including Red 40, Yellow 6, Yellow 5 and Blue 2, all of which have been linked to a number of health problems in dogs. Cowboy Cookout flavor contains an impressive 47% good quality protein, which is almost the highest we've seen.
Another great option for a dry dog food that contains all the good and nothing bad is Rachael Ray Nutrish PEAK dry dog food. It contains 30% high-quality protein, most of which comes from US open field beef, with some venison and lamb included. It also includes large amounts of omega-3 and omega-6, so if your dog's coat looks worse from wear and tear or suffers from a skin condition, this could be the best brand to choose. Foods that are dangerous to dogs include chocolate, raisins, grapes, onions, carrots, apples and many other types of food. It is also advisable to avoid giving your dog supplements or vitamins with any of these foods. In such cases, you should consult with a veterinarian for more information. Beneful by Purina contains chicken as protein but it's also packed with corn, soy and wheat.
These ingredients can cause significant digestive and health problems over time. Orijen dog food has a variety of ingredients including chicken and turkey meat, whole eggs, flounder, mackerel, chicken and turkey liver. Gluten-free, grain-free and without artificial flavors or colors, this product is a healthy premium brand dog food packed with vitamins and minerals. Purina dog food defects include low-quality ingredients such as wheat grains, soybean meal and corn, artificial food colors, preservatives and flavors. Ol' Roy certainly makes the list of the worst dog food brands of all time but it is still one of the best sellers in the United States. Now that you understand which brands of dog food you should avoid, let's take a look at the ones you should buy instead. Even if your dog has eaten these foods in the past without problems they could be causing serious problems that you may not be aware of. We all know that feeding your dog can be a thankless task but by understanding what ingredients to avoid you can make an informed buying decision.
