Is Fido’s kibble on this list of toxic dog food brands?
You probably know this already, but not all commercially produced dog foods are created equal. Yet with every product on the market doing its best to convince you just how good they are for your beloved pooch, identifying exactly which are the most toxic dog food brands to avoid isn’t always so straightforward. After all, while we all know that there are certain human foods like chocolate, dog food manufacturers go to extraordinary lengths to promote ingredients in their recipes as beneficial for your pup even though, as you’re about to find out, that isn’t always the case. So, Pet Compilation has done its research. Today, I want to talk about which 3 toxic dog food brands to avoid, and because I’m all about presenting you with solutions rather than problems, offer my recommendations on the brands that genuinely are good for your beloved canine.
Kibbles’ N Bits
Rather than a complete meal, this toxic dog food brand is more like an unhealthy snack they’ll love. But they won’t get all that much nutrition from it. That’s because a bag of Kibbles’ N Bits has primarily plant-based proteins, which include:
-Soybean
-Corn
-Ground wheat flour
-Wheat middlings
These things might be healthy. But your dog won’t digest them very well. Now, it does have a specified meat source: beef and bone meal. However, it’s only 4th on the list of ingredients. So, when combined, the grains could weigh more than the meat. Therefore, the dog food’s digestibility is still relatively poor. Plus, the brand has corn syrup and generic animal fat. The first is unnecessary because the grains already have enough sugar in them. So, over time, vets say it might result in:
-Upset stomach
-Diabetes
-Dental cavities
-Weight gain
That’s why some canines that are fed with Kibbles’ N Bits pee and drink water A LOT daily.
Fun fact: PetMD says that most pups have a sweet tooth. This might be because, back in the day, dogs in the wild had a diet made of fruits and veggies. So that explains why the added syrup makes this kibble so delicious for Fidos.
Ol’ Roy
You’ve probably seen this budget-friendly brand at Walmart. Why is it so cheap, though? Well, its bag primarily contains filler or ingredients with little nutritional value for your pup. You should also research the manufacturer and determine whether they ensure the quality of their products. Ol’ Roy dog food brand has had six recalls so far. But before I talk more about this, you may think… “What should quality dog food have?”
-A notice from The Association of American Feed Control Officials
-Specified sources of meal, bones, fat, or digestion.
-Named meat source as 1st ingredient.
-Minimum daily nutrient requirements of dogs.
-More actual meat and whole grains and less by-products.
Their ‘Complete Nutrition Dog Food’ formula from Ol’ Roy includes:
Ground Yellow Corn, Soybean Meal, Bone and Meat Meal, Animal Fat, Wheat Middlings, Corn Gluten Meal, Ground Wheat, Animal Digest, Calcium Carbonate, Garlic Oil, Salt, Added Color (Red 40), Minerals and Vitamins.
Take Note: These are arranged from heaviest to lightest quantity. So, check the first few ingredients of any brand you buy because they make up most dog food. However, a study says that Plant-based proteins (e.g., corn) have fewer essential amino acids than animal meat. They’re substances you need to make protein. Research also shows that dogs digest animal meat better than plant-based ones. So, most soybeans and corn will leave your dog’s system undigested. And your precious pup won’t absorb all the nutrients its body requires. The 3rd ingredient is ‘meat and bone meal.’ It’s dried leftover bones and tissues. So, while it might be cheaper than fresh meat, what’s worrying is that the brand didn’t specify the animal they used. Also, Ol’ Roy also has other mystery ingredients, like animal fat and animal “digest.” This is another red flag since you don’t know where they got these. If the brand used a high-quality source of fat or meat, they would most likely specify it on the list. So it’s likely of lower quality. Or worse, products or 4D meats taken from animals that are dying, already dead, disabled, or diseased.
Purina Beneful
This dog food brand has been around for nearly 100 years. And it holds many brands like Beneful. But considering its price, I’m sure you can get a healthier option for your beloved canine. Now, you’re probably thinking, “What’s the problem? Purina has a great reputation!” And Beneful lists an identified meat as its 1st ingredient: salmon or beef, depending on the formula. And that’s great. But usually, what comes after that are 4 to 8 different grains, including:
-Whole grain wheat
-Rice
-Barley
-Oatmeal
-Corn gluten meal
-Soybean meal
-Soybean hulls
-Ground whole corn
Here’s what to remember about this dog food brand: the meat in the ingredients list is wet. It’s roughly 75% water. So, if you take that out, all the grains will likely outweigh the meat. And you’ll have less animal protein than you want. Then, after the grains, you’ll usually see a chicken by-product meal, which is from less-desirable regions of the poultry.
Note: Many people online claim that their dogs had odd-smelling poop while on Beneful. But here’s what’s more disturbing: In 2015, there was a lawsuit against this toxic dog food. It claims that Purina’s dry dog food made thousands of pups sick. And there were over 3,000 complaints online. According to this lawsuit, the culprit is propylene glycol, which is FDA-approved. But here’s the thing: You can also find this ingredient in antifreeze! Pet food companies use this to absorb extra water, and to keep enough moisture in the dog food. But as per the Pet Poison Hotline, it’s mainly toxic to dogs. Ultimately, Purina denied all the allegations, and the lawsuit was dropped in 2016.
Top 3 dog food brands Pet Compilation recommends
So, now that I’ve discussed which brands to avoid, which ones should you buy instead? Here are Pet Compilation’s recommendations on the best dog food brands around:
Rachael Ray Nutrish PEAK Dry Dog Food
An excellent choice for dry dog food that contains all the good stuff for your pooch and none of the bad, Rachael Ray Nutrish PEAK Dry Dog Food has 30% high-quality protein, most of which comes from open-range, USA beef, with some lamb and venison included. Gluten-free, grain-free, and free of artificial colors or flavors, this healthy, premium dog food brand is chock-full of vitamins and minerals.
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free
As the name suggests, Taste of the Wild’s High Prairie Grain Free dog food brand contains no grain, wheat, corn, or other fillers. It also doesn’t have any artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. But it is jam-packed with real venison meat to give it a high dose of good proteins, fruits, and veggies to provide your dog with all the minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients it needs to stay in tip-top shape.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula
Produced with adult dogs in mind, Blue Buffalo prides itself on always guaranteeing that real meat is the first ingredient in their products. In their Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food, the real meat is quality boneless chicken for optimum protein delivery. And even though this dog food brand does use healthy grains, it doesn’t have corn or wheat fillers, and no meat by-products either. It also includes considerable amounts of omega-3 and 6. So if your canine’s coat looks worse for wear or if they suffer from a skin condition, this might be the best brand to go for.
So what are your thoughts on these toxic dog food brands. Let me know in the comments below. And if you found this article useful, check out: Dog Bonding Tips: 5 Special Ways To Strengthen Your Link With A Rescue
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