Dog food: what exactly is in it?

Nowadays, there are an incredible number of different dog food brands available. For many people, it can be difficult to determine which brand of food is best for their pet. All dog foods sold in Europe must meet various strict quality standards (from FEDIAF: The European Pet Food Industry). This means that all dog foods labeled as complete diets on the packaging contain all the nutrients your dog needs. However, there are quite a few quality differences between different dog food brands. The key is not to be misled by attractive images and catchy marketing texts, but to look at the composition of the products and learn how to best evaluate them. In this blog, we give you tips on how to take a more critical look at the composition of dog foods.

Complicated Terms

It probably won’t surprise anyone that packaging often contains many difficult terms. The same goes for dog food packaging. However, there is indeed a difference here. Although budget brand dog food is also a complete diet and meets all quality requirements, these foods often only contain the basic and minimum required nutrients and ingredients. Pet food manufacturers try to make the compositions look a bit better than they are by using, you guessed it: complicated terms. Often, a closed declaration is used. This means that the ingredients are grouped together and not listed separately in the product’s composition. No percentages or precise information about the ingredients are given. This makes it unclear and difficult for pet owners to find out what they are actually feeding their four-legged friends. Below we explain a few of these terms:


Meat and animal by-products
This is a vague term that makes it hard to know exactly what is in the food. Animal by-products are defined in EU legislation as ingredients not intended for human consumption. Although muscle or organ meat may be in the food, this is not guaranteed. The meat can be any combination of slaughter waste, which may even include feathers, claws or hooves, bones, and beaks. Additionally, it is unclear which protein source is used in the food. This uncertainty can be very frustrating, especially for owners of dogs with sensitive digestive systems or food allergies or intolerances. The manufacturer can use any possible combination of meat and animal by-products under the term ‘meat and animal by-products’ and can change the recipe at any time.


Grains and plant by-products
Many manufacturers include grains in their dog foods as a carbohydrate source. Food with a high percentage of grain products is not healthy for a pet in large amounts. Dogs are not able to digest large quantities of grain products. This results in more stool because the body cannot absorb and digest all the nutrients from the grains. Additionally, it is common that dog foods do not specify which type of grain is used (for example barley, wheat, or oats). If your dog has a grain or gluten intolerance, it can be difficult to determine whether the food is suitable for your pet. Examples of plant by-products are wheat gluten or corn gluten.

Other Ingredients You Should Avoid in Dog Food

Besides by-products, there are other ingredients that manufacturers add to dog food which you should avoid. One of these ingredients is sugar. Sugar derived from a carbohydrate source (such as a type of grain, potatoes, or legumes) is not harmful to dogs, but when sugar is listed on the ingredient list, it means it has been added to the food. Added sugar does not belong in healthy dog food. Sugar depletes the body of vitamins and minerals because nutrients are needed to process sugar. Additionally, sugar causes a rise in blood sugar levels. Too much sugar can ultimately contribute to overweight, dental diseases, and in the worst case, even diabetes.

Another example is salt, also called sodium or chloride. The same applies here: if you spot these terms in the ingredient list of your dog’s food, it’s better to look for another food for your pet. Salt can be added to products to improve flavor. However, too much salt in dog food can lead to an increased risk of health problems, such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Excess salt is also bad for a dog’s kidneys.

Finally, you should be alarmed if you see the term “artificial fragrance, color, and/or flavorings” in your dog’s food ingredient list. Unfortunately, manufacturers can add chemicals to dog food to adjust the taste, smell, and color of the kibble. These chemicals add no nutritional value, so the dog gains nothing from them, making them unnecessary in dog food.