Dog Food Ingredients to Avoid

 There are many things that your dog shouldn’t eat.  Why are they included in dog food to begin with?  That is a very good question!  Often, fillers are the main issue.  Dog food companies are required to meet certain protein requirements and will do whatever it takes to do so.  It is important to note that protein fillers do not add any sort of nutritional value whatsoever.  Please continue reading this article to learn more about which dog food ingredients to avoid at all costs!

BHA – This is a very common chemical preservative found in many dog foods and treats.  The main point of BHA is to preserve fats and oils.  It can have negative effects on the liver and kidneys of animals.

White Flour – This is used as a binding and filler in dog foods.  It is a bleached flour containing no nutritional value.  White flour is known to cause spikes in blood sugar which can cause obesity.

Meat Meal – Also known as “mystery meats”, these fillers can be scary.  They are usually low quality, leftover meats with minimal regulation or quality control.  Think about fatty tissue, grease, fats, and expired meats.  This can’t be good!

Artificial Colors and Flavorings – These are added to dog foods to make them look and smell more appealing.  They are unnecessary and linked to hypersensitivity and/or allergic reactions.

Nitrates – These preservatives have been linked to a blood disorder called methemoglobin as well as cancer.

Vegetable Oil – This oil is made from corn and soybean oils, which contain high levels of omega-6 fatty acids.  Excessive amounts can cause unhealthy inflammation in your dog’s joints.

As you can see, this list can be overwhelming.  However, you have not seen all of it!  There are other ingredients which you should avoid.  We recommend that you do your research to determine what is best for your four-legged friend.