DogFoodRatings

 

 

Although you can often choose what to feed your dog on brand name alone, you'll want to examine the ingredients list of any food that you feed your puppy or dog.  You should pay attention to the following--the order of ingredients, ingredients that should be included, and ingredients that should not be included.  Unfortunately, labels can be confusing so take the time to learn what the ingredients mean. 

Unless your dog has allergies and is on a special diet, human-grade quality meat should be the first ingredient of your dogs food.  An example of quality dog food would be a product that listed chicken, lamb, or chicken meal as the first ingredient.  Dog food lists the ingredients by weight, so the most important ingredients should always be listed first on the label.  Beware of ingredients that are listed multiple times in the ingredients list in different forms.  Wheat germ and wheat flour both listed in the first few ingredients means that there is too much wheat in the dog food.

 

When looking at dog food ingredients, there are foods that you should look for and foods to avoid.  There is no perfect dog food.  Instead, you want to find a dog food that has as many positive ingredients and avoid as many negative ingredients as possible. 

 

You want to feed your dog real meat, not meat by-products.  Look for a food that doesn't contain a meat by-product, especially as one of the primary ingredients.  Also avoid meat digest.  Meal from meat sources is OK.  Preservatives are necessary, especially in dry food, but try to avoid the synthetic ones of BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin. 

 

The food you choose does not have to be grain free unless your dog is allergic, but grains should not make up the bulk of your dog's diet.  Ground corn or whole grain corn should be avoided.  Look out for sweeteners in your dog's food such as sucrose or corn syrup.  Also avoid artificial colorings--your dog doesn't need it. 

 

Dog food can't be labeled as human-grade, but it can contain human grade meat.  Look for this when possible.  If you are willing to spend the extra-money, buy from companies that use only organic, hormone and antibiotic free meats.  You can also look for meat that was free range or pasture raised.

 

Look for healthy oils, such as fish oil, flax seed oil, or sunflower oil.  Avoid animal fats other than fish oil.  Fish oil and plant based oils are added to the food for Omega 3 and Omega 6.  Other animal fats are not nutritious and are simply added for taste.

 

Finally, make sure that the food meets Association of American Feed Control (AAFCO)'s specifications for a complete and balanced food.  The AAFCO seal doesn't mean that the food is of the highest quality, but it will ensure that your dog is getting all the needed nutrients.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Glyceryl Monostearate, Phosphoric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Corn & Wheat Gluten, Brewers Rice, Cereal Food Fines, Feeding Oat Meal, Grain Fermentation Solubles, Maltodextrin, Fermentation Solubles, Potato Byproducts, Soy Flour, Artificial Colors, added Animal Fat, Cellulose, Nut or Grain Hulls, Meat or Corn Meal, Added Sugars, BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin, Propyl Gallate...

The ingredients shown in red is just a partial list of things that are added to commercial dogfood which may not be necessary or even healthy for your dog. To find out more about these ingredients click the following link. Ingredients to avoid in dog food.