Ingredients In Dog Food - What The Commercial Food Makers Dont Want You To Know

Realizing the actual ingredients in dog food is an eye opener. Now it's time to decide what you are going to do about it. The best thing to do is to understand what your dog has been eating and how you can change their diet to benefit their health. The change will not only benefit their internal health but external and emotional health as well.

So what really is in the dog food you buy? Depending upon the brand and if it is supposed to do something "special" or not, you may get different ingredients, but probably not. The pet industry, unfortunately, is considered an extension of both the agricultural and human food industries. This may sound good but it's not. The waste from the agricultural and human food industries gets passed onto the pet industry.

Consider that the waste that is transferred between industries is extremely low in nutritional value, if there is any value. It is allowed by law for pet food producers to use just about anything in the products they mass produce. This includes internal organs, parts that can't be made into anything and even parts that might be considered contaminated or cancerous.

A model for what would be considered appropriate ingredients in dog food is provided by AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Offices), but the industry does not have to adhere to this model nor is there an office that regulates what happens within the production processes of pet food.

Almost all brands will have byproducts (the unwanted parts of the slaughtered animal) contained within them. A few of the "organic" or "premium" labels may not have any byproducts but can still have bones (chicken) less the meat as part of the ingredient list. Of course the rest of the ingredients will consist of a thickener or gluten which we all know is not good for us.

Other ingredients in dog food can consist of various fats; which include those of animals, poultry, vegetables, and various types of oils such as used restaurant oil. Of course there are a number of preservatives, additives and other chemicals to make the final product look and smell pleasing to the eyes and nose. So if the ingredients in dog food are upsetting you at this point, I'm sorry, it can only get worse before it gets better.

Just like in humans, if your dog is eating the wrong foods, their health will suffer. Remember, the pet food companies tell you that the food is good for your dog! Actually, the health of your dog will suffer. Some of the medical ailments that can be caused are:

• Bloating
• Urinary Tract Disease
• Obesity
• Hyperthyroidism
• Heart Disease
• Kidney Disease

So are you interested to know what the alternative to the ingredients in dog food is? It is by providing your family furry playmate with homemade food. Offering homemade dog food is healthier and the recipes you will find are simple and take just a little prep/cook time. Do you want to give your pet chemicals with little or no nutritional value, or food full of the necessary proteins, vitamins and minerals?