Discover the Hidden Dangers in 'Premium' Dog Foods

Harmful Ingredients in 'Premium' Dog Foods

Is your dog’s food secretly harming them? Learn the shocking truth about what’s really in your dog’s food. If you think your brand is good? Think again. Read on to find out if your dog’s food is as good as you believe and learn exactly what to look for.

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Low-Quality Ingredients in 'Premium' Dog Foods

Recognizing the Crap in Dog Food

Did you know that even some ‘premium’ dog food brands use low-quality ingredients that can compromise your dog’s health?

Brands like Purina Pro Plan, Royal Canin, and Hill’s Science Diet often include subpar ingredients like corn and corn gluten meal. These are inexpensive feed-grade and waste products, not whole corn, and are cheap ways to bump up the protein level. However, they can contain moldy, rotten corn and fungus that, at worst, contain aflatoxins and, at best, cause allergies leading to scratching, licking, and that yeasty Frito smell. Additionally, meat by-products are commonly found in these foods, including dead, diseased animals and all internal parts void of healthy meat. Artificial flavors are added to make your dog eat it, while risking cancer.

Don’t let these hidden dangers harm your canine companion. Read on to learn what to look for and how to choose better foods.

Toxic & Harmful Ingredients Overview

Toxic Ingredients to AVOID

BHA: Linked to cancer, often used to extend shelf life.

BHT: Another preservative with potential health risks.

Ethoxyquin: Used in some pet foods, can cause liver damage.

Propylene Glycol: Moisture-retaining, toxic in large amounts.

Menadione: Can cause liver toxicity, allergic reactions, and hemolytic anemia.

Low Quality Ingredients

Corn Gluten Meal: A low-quality (waste product) protein source that can cause allergies and digestive issues.

Soybean Meal: Often genetically modified, hard to digest, potential allergen.

Poultry By-product Meal: Ground up carcasses, potential 4-D poultry, void of healthy meat, beaks, feet. Concentrated source of protein.

Meat By-products: Can include tumors and diseased tissues, rancid trim pieces and innards of various animals, road kill, and 4-D meat.

Chicken By-product Meal: Ground-up carcasses, potential 4-D chicken, internal organs, beaks, feet. Concentrated source of protein.

Dried Yeast: Waste product, can become toxic to the liver, causes allergies and arthritis.

Corn: Inexpensive feed-grade can include moldy grain or fungus, aflatoxins, has caused death.

Animal Digest: Rendered, by chemical and/or enzymatic process, non-descriptive animal tissues used for flavor.

Animal Fat: Unspecified source, indicates 4-D fat, chemically preserved, potential carcinogenic.

Wheat: Indicates feed-grade quality, causes allergies and digestive upset. Not whole ground.

Artificial Colors and Flavors

Red 40: Synthetic dye linked to hyperactivity and possible carcinogen.

Yellow 5: May cause allergic reactions in some pets and possible carcinogen.

Blue 2: Associated with cancer in animal studies.

Artificial Chicken Flavor: Contains no real chicken. Can be carcinogenic.

Artificial Beef Flavor: Chemicals designed to replicate taste of beef so dog will eat it.

Sweeteners and Additives

High Fructose Corn Syrup: Contributes to obesity.

Sorbitol: Can cause digestive upset.

Glycerin: Used to retain moisture, can be harmful.

Caramel Color: Adds no nutritional value, potential carcinogen.

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): Linked to neurological issues.

Emulsifiers and Thickeners

Guar Gum: May cause digestive issues in large amounts.

Xanthan Gum: Can lead to bloating and gas.

Carrageenan: Linked to gastrointestinal inflammation.

Cellulose: Indigestible fiber, adds bulk but no nutrition.

Modified Starch: Used as a thickener, offers no nutrients.

Chemical Preservatives

Sodium Benzoate: Can form carcinogenic benzene.

Sodium Tripolyphosphate: Rancid meat preservative. Cheap potentially harmful source of phosphorus.

Sodium Nitrate: Linked to various health issues and cancer in some studies.

Calcium Propionate: Can cause digestive issues and behavioral changes.

Sodium Metabisulfite: Can trigger allergic reactions and other health problems.

Harmful Additives

Propyl Gallate: Antioxidant with potential health risks.

Butylated Hydroxyanisole: Preservative linked to cancer.

Butylated Hydroxytoluene: May cause liver damage.

Artificial Smoke Flavor: Contains no real smoke, potential toxins.

Sodium Selenite: Toxic at high doses and less bioavailable than organic forms of selenium.

Controversial Ingredients

Melamine: Used in plastics, found in some pet foods.

Arsenic: Toxic element, sometimes present in rice-based foods.

Lead: Heavy metal, can contaminate pet food.

Mercury: Found in fish, harmful in large amounts.

Bisphenol A (BPA): Found in packaging, linked to health issues.

4-D Meat: Refers to meat from animals that are dead, dying, diseased, or disabled. This type of meat can contain harmful substances and pathogens, posing significant health risks to pets.

4-D Stands For:

Diseased: Includes rejects from FDA-inspected facilities that are not permitted for human consumption.
Dying: Animals that are in the process of dying.
Down: Animals that are unable to stand due to a broken leg, sickness, or other conditions.
Dead: Includes animals that have died naturally or have been euthanized.

Note on 4-D Meat in Pet Food: While many pet food brands strive to avoid using 4-D meat, it is not entirely impossible for such ingredients to be included, especially if quality control measures are not stringent. The use of 4-D meat in pet food is illegal and considered adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). However, there have been instances where lower-quality or less transparent brands have been found to include such ingredients.

For premium brands like Purina, Royal Canin, and Hill’s, the likelihood of 4-D meat being included is lower due to their rigorous quality control and sourcing standards. However, without absolute transparency and third-party verification, it is difficult to guarantee that no 4-D meat ever makes it into their products.

Example of 4-D meat: One Pet Owner’s Rude Awakening – Truth about Pet Food (graphic image warning)

Understanding Harmful Additives

I became a dog food geek over the past 20 years. It all started when my first dog, Norman, was diagnosed with liver disease. I thought I was feeding him the best ‘premium’ dog food, but it turned out to be not so healthy. This realization led me to learn as much as I could about dog food, and I’ve been passionate about it ever since.

The guilt of realizing that what I had been feeding him led to his condition was overwhelming. I never wanted to feel like ‘I should have known better’, and I don’t want you to go through the same guilt I did.

By choosing foods free from these harmful ingredients, you can ensure a healthier, happier life for your dog.

Always read labels carefully and opt for brands that prioritize natural, wholesome ingredients.

If you want to cut to the chase and find out what I, a dog food geek, recommend and feed my own dog, then check out my list of favorite dog foods.

Exposing Low-Quality Ingredients in Top Brands

You May Be Thinking, "That's Not in My Dog's Food"

Think again. Even some of the top ‘premium’ brands like Purina, Royal Canin, and Hill’s Science Diet contain harmful and low-quality ingredients that can compromise your dog’s health. Check out the comparison below to see which brands include these questionable ingredients. Don’t let fancy packaging fool you—know what you’re really feeding your canine companion.

Purina Pro Plan

Menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K)
Sodium tripolyphosphate
Poultry by-product meal
Corn gluten meal
Animal fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols)
Corn
Soybean meal
Chicken by-product meal
Carrageenan

Royal Canin

Menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K)
Sodium tripolyphosphate
Poultry by-product meal
Corn gluten meal
Animal fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols)
Corn
Chicken by-product meal
Carrageenan

Hill's Science Diet

Corn gluten meal
Corn
Soybean Meal

Please note that not all formulas of Pro Plan, Royal Canin, and Hill’s contain these ingredients. It’s important to always check the labels to ensure you’re selecting the best product for your dog’s needs. Additionally, there are many other brands not listed here that may contain these ingredients. This is just an example.

I am not trying to knock these brands; my goal is to inform pet parents. While these brands claim to be ‘premium,’ it’s important to be aware that they can contain inferior ingredients. There are much better dog foods available that provide higher-quality nutrition for your dogs.

Take Action for Your Dog's Health Today

Ensure your canine companion enjoys a healthier diet by examining the ingredients in their food. Follow these clear steps to find the right dog food for your dog:

1. Analyze Ingredients: Start by checking the first five ingredients in your pet’s food. These make up the bulk of the product. If you spot low-quality ingredients like corn, corn gluten meal, or any by-products, then it’s time to consider switching to a better brand.

2. Read Labels: Always read ingredient labels and cross-reference them with trusted lists to identify high-quality ingredients. This ensures you know exactly what your dog is consuming.

3. Beware of Claims: Don’t be misled by “natural” or “wholesome” claims on packaging. Verify the actual ingredients, as these terms can be used loosely without strict regulation.

4. Avoid Artificial Additives: Steer clear of foods and treats with artificial colors and chemical additives like Red 40 or Yellow 2. These can be harmful to your dog’s health.

5. Shop Smart: Avoid buying dog food from big-box, grocery, or convenience stores, which often carry only the big brands and lower-quality products. Opt for independent pet stores, health food stores, natural stores, or reputable online retailers that offer healthier options. Many of the best foods are available online.

6. Supplement with Real Food: Enhance commercial dog food with fresh, homemade meals using quality ingredients. Minimize the carbs; focus on fresh meats, eggs, vegetables, and superfoods like liver, sweet potato, sardines, kelp or spirulina.

By following these steps, you can ensure your dog enjoys a nutritious and healthy diet. For more guidance, check out Cyndi’s Favorite Dog Foods List.