When it comes to dog food, there are certain ingredients that should be avoided to ensure your dogs health and well-being. Here are some ingredients to avoid in dog food:
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Artificial Preservatives: BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), and ethoxyquin are chemical preservatives that should be avoided. These chemicals can be harmful with long-term exposure and ingestion, and can have adverse effects on your dog's kidney and liver.
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Corn Syrup, Xylitol, or Food Dyes: These are often used to make food and treats taste sweeter, but they can be harmful to your dog's health. These additives are often high on the glycemic index and offer no real nutritional benefits for your dog. Decrease your dog's risk for diabetes by avoiding ingredients like corn syrup and food dyes in their treats, bones, and dog food.
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White Flour: This starchy ingredient is a simple carbohydrate used as a binding agent and filler in some dog foods. During the bleaching process, most of the nutrients from the wheat are stripped away.
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Meat Meal: This is a low-quality protein source that can be made from any type of animal, including euthanized pets, roadkill, and diseased livestock.
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Farmed Salmon: Farmed salmon, salmon meal, and salmon oil in your pet's food can add mercury, PCBs, and other fat-soluble toxins to the diet.
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MSG: MSG (monosodium glutamate) is prevalent in many prepared foods and can cause trouble for your dog's health.
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Rendered Fat: This is a low-quality fat source that can be made from any type of animal, including euthanized pets, roadkill, and diseased livestock.
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Propylene Glycol: This is a synthetic liquid used to maintain moisture in some dog foods, but it can be harmful to your dog's health.
It's important to read the labels of dog food and treats carefully to ensure that they do not contain any of these harmful ingredients. You can also make some of your own treats and food with a few healthy, simple ingredients to keep your pet happy without harming their health.
