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Showing posts with label dog food ingredients. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dog food ingredients. Show all posts

The Devil Is In The Details - How to Compare Dog Food Ingredients


Comparing dog food ingredients, once you look at the paragraph on the side of the bag, may seem like it requires a PHD to decipher.  Protein meals, by-products and tocopherols abound.  Many authorities on dog food and nutrition recommend that buyers avoid any dog food containing by-products while others eschew grain based products.  Understanding dog food ingredients and their legal definitions as well as the guaranteed analysis will help you to better compare dog foods and find the best value and nutritious diet for your four legged companion.

Dog Food Ingredients Comparison 101:

The ingredients are listed on the food packaging by their weight, in descending order.  Ingredients are listed on an “as fed basis,” which can make interpretation of ingredient lists difficult, as key ingredients are regularly added with differing moisture contents. Meats contain more moisture which results in greater weight per volume, and therefore they may be listed first on the ingredient list.  Furthermore, while we are pleased to see the protein listed as the first ingredient, it may in actuality be third or lower on the least.  Manufacturers can mislead consumers through the process of “splitting” ingredients.  A label that reads:

“Turkey (natural source of glucosamine), brewers rice, corn gluten meal, poultry by-product meal (natural source of glucosamine), oat meal, whole grain wheat, corn germ meal, soy flakes, whole grain corn, soybean germ meal, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), soybean meal...”

may actually have corn as the number one ingredient.  The manufacturer has split corn into 3 ingredients: corn gluten meal, corn germ meal and whole grain corn.  In addition, many other carbohydrates follow the first ingredient, Turkey, without any additional animal meats, meals or byproducts.  We can suspect that this food’s protein level falls in the lower range of the 25-95% AAFCO protein requirement for pet food Formulas and Recipes.

Ingredient Definitions:

Animal Meat: AAFCO defines meat on an ingredient label as any combination of skeletal muscle meat or muscle meat found in the tongue, diaphragm, heart, and esophagus. The meat may or may not include fat, skin, sinew, nerves, and blood vessels that normally accompany muscle. Meat as an ingredient excludes feathers, hair, hooves, horns, teeth, heads, feet, and entrails.

Animal by-products: By-products are proteins that have not been heat process (unrendered) and may contain heads, feet, lungs and organ meats such as kidneys and liver.  Hooves, hair, horns, teeth and feathers may not be included in this category.  While many people avoid products with by-products in the ingredient list, they can be more nutritious than the muscle-meat form of the protein.  Kidneys, lungs and liver are members of the by-products list and are high in nutritive value.  Udders, bone and connective tissue, which may be included are relatively low in nutritive value.  The ingredient list generally does not contain information on the quality of the ingredients used.

Animal Meal: You will frequently find Fish or Chicken meal listed in the first 4 ingredients of a pet food. Meal is derived from heat rendering the by-products to remove the moisture and fats from the by-product.  Here is an example where the rendering process reduces the moisture and weight of this ingredient, allowing for greater actual volume of meal to meat in the formula, although the meat remains a higher level ingredient on the label.

Dried Whey: An inexpensive form of dried cow’s milk which adds protein, and has been linked with some digestive allergies.

Glutens, Brans and Hulls:  Fillers that add fiber and bulk to the formula and are poor sources of protein, which may cause digestive upset.

Fruits and Vegetables:  Always a rich source of natural vitamins and antioxidants, these are a big plus on the label!
Preservatives:  Tocopherols are preservatives made from either Vitamin E or C or a combination of the two.  They are preferred to chemical preservatives such as Ethoxyquin, BHA and BHT, which are suspect to cause chronic disease and cancer.  Tocopherols are not as effective at preserving food for extended periods of time as are their chemical counterparts, especially once the seal has been broken on the packaging.  Be sure to store dry food in an air tight container after opening, if your pet food is preserved with Tocopherals.
Food Additives: The following ingredients fall into the food additive category: Vitamins, Minerals, Antioxidant preservatives, Humectants (additives that retain moisture), Antimicrobial preservatives, Coloring agents (Red Dye 40 and 3, Blue dye 2 and Yellow5 are suspected carcinogens), Flavors, Palatability enhancers and Emulsifying agents.

Guaranteed Analysis:
The FDA required that manufacturers provide a guaranteed analysis on the package.  The guaranteed analysis on the information panel of a pet food label lists the minimum levels of crude protein and fat (those ingredients that we would like to see more of) and the maximum levels of fiber and moisture (water) that will be found in the food (those fillers that we would like to see less of as they reduce the nutritive value of the food on a per cup basis). The protein and fat are listed as crude sources rather than as digestible sources, which can vary widely depending on whether they are from animal meats or meals. Double check the ingredient list to determine the sources of the protein and fat.

Generally speaking, foods high in fiber and lower in fat content make good choices for pets that need to lose weight.  Large percentages of carbohydrates and corn in particular will cause pets to gain weight, and highly active dogs will require more protein and fat to support their increased energy levels.

How Do I Know Where These Ingredients Came From?
The US requires that the name and address of the pet food manufacturer, distributor, or dealer listed on the label. When one sees phrases such as “Distributed by…” or “Manufactured for…” or “Imported by…” we can expect that a company other than the company selling the product is the actual manufacturer of the pet food. Frequently the manufacturer is listed as a co-packer.  In the US, products manufactured outside of the United States also require “Product of (country of origin).”  Also required is the date of manufacture and “Expiry Date” or “Best Before Date” the date beyond which it is recommended to feed the product.  Often retailers will discount products with fast approaching expiry dates.  So double check those when purchasing pet food discounted on a “Manager’s Special.”

What does it all mean?

When researching ingredient lists on pet food labels, look to see at least two meat based protein sources in the first 4 ingredients on the list.  Avoid pet foods that are in the practice of splitting ingredients, with individual ingredients broken down into whole grain corn, corn gluten meal, corn meal etc…Don’t pass-up products simply because they contain animal by-products.  While by-products are not appetizing to most humans, they can be a rich source of nutrition.

Many vets and the FDA recommend changing or rotating your pet’s diet between several foods every 3 or 4 months; gradually swapping over to the new food over the course on one week.  This can prevent deficiencies caused by dietary requirements as yet not fully known, as well as prevent the onset of allergies that can develop with overexposure to a particular ingredient in a single pet food.   As you rotate your pet through several products, pay attention to weight gain or undesired weight loss as well as coat shine and skin condition.  Dull coats and flakey skin indicate your pet is not getting adequate nutrition or may be developing an allergy.  Remove any food creating the undesired effect from the rotation, noting which ingredients differ in that product from the more successful foods in your pets diet.  By keeping track of those dietary ingredients on which your pet thrives and those that should be eliminated, you can sculpt the perfect diet for your pet’s individual needs.

Shopping For A New Pet Food? How to Decipher Pet Food Labels



According to the American Pet Products Association, Americans spent an estimated $52 billion dollars on their pets in 2012, with an estimated $19 billion of that being spent of pet food.  Clearly Americans love their pets, and as pet food recalls have heightened pet owners’ concerns about pet food safety and nutrition, many “Premium” foods have entered the market, competing for those dollars.  With the typical pet super market containing 6-8 aisles of dog food and 4-5 aisles of cat food, how is the health conscious pet owner to decipher the labels and choose the best food for their pet with a reasonable price tag?

The Cover Story: Food, Recipes and Flavors – What’s in The Bag?
The FDA and the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) have regulated guidelines for how pet foods products may be labeled and marketed.  Many so called premium dog foods have found creative marketing tactics for dodging these regulations while luring consumers with promises of holistic or evolutionary diets. 

When I first learned that FDA requirements stated that a dog food labeled as “Salmon for Dogs” must contain at least 95% salmon (by weight percentage), I was stuck by the fact that my premium dry dog kibble barely even smells like seafood. I went to double check the label.  My premium food calls itself a “Life Protection Formula,” later defined in smaller print as a “Fish and Sweet Potato Recipe.”  Many other ingredients follow on the side of the package so what gives?

Recipes, Dinners and Formulas fall under different rules with regards to FDA and AAFCO labeling regulations.  A pet food using one of these monikers need only contain between 25% and 95% of the main ingredient listed on the front label.  The food must contain more of the first listed ingredient on the label than the following label ingredients.  So my fish and sweet potato formula, by AAFCO regulations, might only contain 13% fish and 12% sweet potato.  If it said “Fish, Sweet Potato and Oatmeal Recipe,” I might expect the food to contain perhaps 10% fish, 8% sweet potato and 7% oatmeal. Other terms used under this rule include entrĂ©e, platter, pate or shreds.

Trickier still is the word “With”  Pet food bags that market ingredients using the term “with” need only contain 3% of the additional ingredient. For example, if my food bag read “sweet potatoes with fish recipe,” then the manufacturer would only be required to put 3% fish in the product.  Products with names like “TurDucKen” and “Shepherds Pie” fall completely outside of regulation.  You will have to delve deeper and check the ingredient list on the side or bottom of the package to know what the manufacturer is actually selling in that bag or can.

Finally, there is the packaging descriptor “Flavor.”  Foods that are flavored with beef, chicken or fish, have no strict percentage requirements other than it should contain a sufficient amount that the flavor be detectable by the pet. Interestingly, the product need not contain the actual product that is “flavoring” the dinner.  Manufacturers may use other ingredients that simulate the flavor, so a beef flavored dinner may not contain any beef at all.  Professional dog food taste testers determine if the flavor can be detected.  These dogs are trained to respond to the presence of a scent in order to indicate that the food possesses that essence or flavor.

Gravy, Sauce and Aspic – Purchasing Cans of Water
Moisture, the amount of water in the dog food, ranges from about 8-10% in dry Kibble to 78% in canned pet food.  AAFCO limits the amount of moisture to 78% of weight, but manufactures can add more liquid, 79%+ moisture as a percent of weight, to the overall meal by adding phrases such as “in sauce,” “in gravy” or “with aspic.”  79% or more of moisture seems like a waste of money, although for animals with kidney disease needing to increase their water intake, high moisture foods may be of value.

“Grain-free”foods do not contain wheat, soy or corn; three ingredients that animals frequently have trouble digesting.  It is interesting to note that these are three crops that have undergone substantial genetic engineering over the last few decades.  “Gluten-Free” products can include corn, but not wheat, rye or soy.  Most “sensitive stomach” formulas are based on rice, oatmeal or potato for the bulk of their carbohydrates.

Life Stages Labeling
Frequently manufacturers will divide their product lines in a series of life stages formulas.  Puppy or Kitten, Adult and senior are typical stages.  AAFCO has established two nutrient profiles each for dogs and cats—growth/lactation and maintenance—to fit their life stages.  Through feeding trials, the manufacturer tests the product on dogs or cats under strict guidelines. Products found to provide proper nutrition based on these feeding trials may carry a statement such as: "Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that “This Product” provides complete and balanced nutrition for (specific life stage)."  Products found to be suitable for an adult are referred to as maintenance diets, which may or may not provide adequate nutrition for animals in the lactating or growth phase, or hard working animals.  Large Breed, Small Breed and Senior formulas mean that they meet the requirements of a maintenance, adult diet and nothing more.  “All Life Stages” diets meet both the requirements for maintenance and the higher nutritional requirements of the growth diet.


Holistic, Natural, Premium and Organic Labeling
The terms Holistic and Premium are not defined by AAFCO or the FDA and therefore have no legal meaning.  These labels are “sales puffs,” and are defined by the individual consumer’s imagination.  “Natural,” however does have a legal definition in the pet food industry.  Natural products are defined by AAFCO as:
 “A food or ingredient derived solely from plant, animal, or mined sources, either in its unprocessed state or having been subject to physical processing, heat processing, rendering, purification, extraction, hydrolysis, enzymolysis, or fermentation, but not having been produced by or subject to a chemically synthetic process and not containing any additives or processing aids that are chemically synthetic except in amounts which might occur unavoidably in good manufacturing practices.”

Natural products may not contain synthetic additives (which include certain dyes, preservatives and chemically produced flavor enhancers), as well as many trace elements such as taurine and vitamins which are synthetically derived. Manufacturers choosing to add vitamins or other nutrients to a “Natural” product must label their products with a disclaimer such as, “Natural ingredients with vitamins added.”



Organic foods also have a legal definition and must follow strict growing, harvesting and processing procedures. Under the current FDA standard the term organic is applied to human foods, and can only be applied to pet foods if the human standards have been met. Organic on the label indicates that the food has been produced through methods that promote cycling of resources, ecological balance and biodiversity. Furthermore organic protiens must be raised without the use of drugs such as hormones and antibiotics.
A Pet food wherein more than 95% of the ingredients meet the human standard may display the USDA organic seal. When organic contents, after moisture has been removed, are between 70%+ and 95%, the label may say, “Made with organic ingredients.” And those foods with 70% or fewer organic ingredients, may list the organic ingredients in the ingredient list, but cannot make mention of organic anywhere else on the labeling.

What does all of this mean when you are perusing the pet food aisles?  Don’t expect to find a pet food that meets the 95% rule and in order to be able to call itself a “beef” or “lamb” pet food.  Even Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw frozen food, which guarantees a minimum of 95% meat and bone meal, promotes itself as a formula. 

If you are concerned about additives and the processing of your pet’s food, you will want to see “Natural” on the label.  If hormones, antibiotics and sustainability concern you, then you will need to seek out those pet foods that proudly display the USDA Organic seal.  You will find that the manufacturers of organic pet foods are very proud of their foods and price them accordingly.  $60 for a 30 pound bag of food would be the average going price for a certified organic dog food.  And if you’re just looking for a food with a good protein balance, you will have to flip the bag or can and investigate the ingredient list further.

Once you have identified three or four pet food brands of interest, it’s time to compare the ingredient lists to see which provides the optimal value and nutritional content.


High End Dog Foods That Deliver Healthy Skin, Coat and Firm Stools


 


These dog foods have scored high on antioxidants and probiotics that produce firm stools and healthy, shiny coats. Consider rotating your dog through these foods on a quarterly basis to prevent food allergies from developing.


  • Castor and Pollux has freeze dried bits of vegetables and fruits that are recognizable when you are feeding your dog.  Our test dogs did very well on this foods with ultra shiny coats and small firm stools (that indicates they are easily absorbing the nutrients present in the food).
  • Taste of the Wild is the number one selling natural dog food online and a big favorite on the Dog Show Circuit. (Owned by Diamond)
  • Diamond Naturals left the Show Afghans with amazing coats and excellent muscle tone. Made in the USA
  • Canidae produced ultra shiny coats; made with all natural human grade ingredients.
Is your dog experiencing digestive issues, runny eyes or itchy skin? Check out The 5 Best Probiotics for Dogs Reviewed.

Easy, Healthy Pumpkin Dog Treat Receipe

Canned pumpkin tops the list of the most nutritious fruits and vegetables!  Rich in Vitamin C and E, high in fiber as well as antioxidants, it also helps to control loose stools.  Add to that a teaspoon of cinnamon, an anti-inflammatory that improves blood circulation and helps regulate blood sugar and lower cholesterol,  and you have a super nutritious and inexpensive treat for your best friend.  This is a gluten free recipe that's great for dogs on a limited ingredient diet. Also, dogs suffering from diabetes or arthritis will benefit especially from this recipe.

Preparation time 5 minutes:

Ingredients:
3/4 Cup Dry Rolled Oats
1 - 15 oz Can of Pumpkin (not the spiced pie filling)
1 - Teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 Cup Dry Powdered Milk
2 - Tablespoons Water
2 - Tablespoons of Molasses - optional

Place dollops on a greased (or Pam sprayed) cookie sheet, and bake for 15-20 minutes at 300 degrees.

Does your dog need to lose a little weight?  Research shows that approximately 50% of american dogs are overweight, placing unnecessary stress on the animal's joints as well as spawning other health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. To help him shed those extra pounds, reduce the dry kibble by half a cup, and add in 1/2 cup of canned pumpkin.  Pumpkin is low in calories, high in fiber and nutrients and will help your companion feel full and satisfied.

For more Easy Homemade Treat Recipes click here!

Learn how to turn your leftovers and kitchen scraps into Health Snacks for Your Dog