Our dogs are dear to us, and we want to make sure we keep them as healthy as possible. That includes being mindful of foods you should feed your dog, and the foods not to feed your dog.
With so many different foods to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which food is right for your canine friend. While there are many great dog foods to choose from, there are also some food ingredients that you would not want to include in your dog’s diet. Below you’ll find seven foods not to feed your dog.
Whole Grain Corn
Many dogs are allergic to corn. What’s worse, they don’t add any nutritional value. While most people may think that corn is healthy because it is a vegetable, the corn found in pet foods is not what we’re used to eating. It is a cheap commodity that has more sugar and protein content added. It is, therefore, advisable to avoid all corn ingredients in your dog’s diet.
Added Colors
Sometimes artificial colors like Blue #2 and Red #40 are used in pet foods. However, these colorings are harmful to pets and have been banned in some countries as a possible carcinogen. In any case, avoid adding these ingredients in your dog’s food.
Ethoxyquin
Ethoxyquin is used as a preservative and is mostly found in dog foods. But believe it or not, this product was developed for herbicide. As people are becoming more obsessed with their pet’s health, veterinarians came to understand that ethoxyquin is related to the development of liver and kidney damage, cancer, leukemia, and blindness.
Propylene Glycol
Propylene is used to preserve and sweeten pet foods. It is also the main ingredient in anti-freeze. It is ironic that a product widely known for its toxic properties shares ingredients available in pet food. Some people even claim that pets like to drink it due to its sweet taste. To keep your pet safe, avoid any foods that contain propylene glycol.
Corn Syrup
In most cases, corn syrup is used to sweeten your pet’s palate. As you may already aware, too much sugar can lead to diabetes, weight gain, hyperactivity, and in some cases, change in mental behavior. Corn is an inexpensive filler that can lead to the development of fungus and, in severe cases, death.
Beef Tallow
Beef tallow or fat adds no nutritional value to your dog. In most cases, fat is used in pet foods to bring flavor and make the food more appealing to our canine friends. However, beef fallow is just another non-beneficial, low-quality ingredient.
Meat By-Product
Once they reach your pet, meat by-products are not considered as meat-like. Usually, meat by-products come from animal parts that aren’t fit for human consumption, including rancid and cancerous tissues. You can, therefore, do your pet a big favor by avoiding meat by-products.
Now that we’ve looked at the ingredients you don’t want to see in your dog’s food, let’s now look at five super healthy ingredients you should include in your dog’s food.
Five ingredients you SHOULD feed your dog
While it’s a fact that various dogs have different nutritional needs as well as sensitives, some food ingredients are essential for excellent health and nutrition. They include:
1. Meat
Meat is among the most important dog food ingredients. Let’s take the example of Nature’s Recipe Lamb Meal & Rice Adult Dog Food that comes from beef, chicken, rabbit, and many other meat sources.
2. Fats
People usually speak about the dangers of fats, but they play a vital role in proper cell functioning and digestion. Not only do they provide energy, but they also help in the absorption of certain vitamins. Consider looking for high-quality fats, such as fish oils, chicken fat, omega 3 and omega 6, and olive oil.
3. Carbohydrates and Grains
If your dog does not have any sensitiveness to grains, it can be a very helpful ingredient. Carbs and grains are among the things that most people do not include in a dog food ingredients list. However, they are a great source of energy for your dog and good grain can help indigestion.
4. Vegetables
Vegetables can also be an excellent source of minerals and proteins for your dog.
5. Vitamins
Vitamins help with digestive, immune, and metabolic processes. They can also help keep blood cells and nerves healthy.
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