The Best ... and Worst Dog Treats...
What you want to know about dogs treats...
It's all about the ingredients! When you learn to read dog food labels, picking out your dogs next healthy treat will be a snap!Reading dog food labels can be easier than you think. If you know the truth behind what the manufacturers are trying to trick you into believing, you can make better choices for the health of your pet, AND your bank account. See below what makes the best and the worst dog treats!
Ingredients and Their Definition
Let's take a look at some of the Top 5 ingredients commonly found in "premium" dog treats and dog food.
1) Meat such as Lamb, Chicken, Beef, Rabbit, etc ...
- Ingredients are listed in order by weight, so if chicken is
first then it is the primary ingredient by weight,
right? Wrongo. AAFCO,
the organization that oversees dog food, allows the ingredients to
include their water weight. Meat is more than 70-80% moisture
which has no nutritional value.
This goes for anything "de-boned", (an obvious trick used by manufacturers to give you the visual that your dog's food has a wonderful, whole food ingredient included.) So, keep in mind that if the first ingredient states Chicken, Lamb, etc., the 2nd and/or 3rd ingredient is actually the MAIN ingredient.
2) Meat Meal such as Chicken Meal, Lamb Meal, Turkey Meal ...
- Chicken meal is ground up chicken meat that has been carefully dried to a moisture level of 10%. The protein content is 65% and the fat level is 12%. Regular chicken contains about 70% water with 18% protein and 5% fat.
- To create chicken meal, ingredients are placed into large vats and cooked. This rendering process not only separates fat and removes water to create a concentrated protein product, it also kills bacteria, viruses, parasites and other organisms. Chicken meal is mainly used in pet foods. Its protein content is much higher than regular chicken because most of the water has been removed. It is very important to feed dog food from manufacturers that do NOT use “4D” animals (dead, dying, diseased or disabled).
3) Meat by-product such as Chicken by Product, Turkey By-Product, Meat By-Product and any By-Product Meal ...
- By-products are the clean non-rendered "parts", other than meat,
derived from slaughtered mammals. It includes, but is not limited to
lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, blood, bone, fatty tissue, and
stomachs and intestines freed of their contents. This is a cheap way
for pet food companies to keep the protein levels "high" (although
not high quality) while keeping food production costs
low. Keeping this in mind, high protein levels from low quality sources equate to low quality protein. Period.
4) Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Rice or Brown Rice ...
- Brewer’s rice would be an example of bulky fillers mostly void of nutrients or food value, along with other forms of rice like rice gluten, rice bran and rice flour, that are leftover debris from human food production. Brewers rice is a processed rice product made from the small milled fragments of rice kernels that have been separated from the larger kernels of rice which lacks many of the nutrients contained in whole ground white or brown rice. Brewers rice is one of the many by-products created by rice milling and is sold exclusively for dairy feed and pet food. Sadly, this ingredient is often prominent in prescription diets sold by veterinarians.
- Brown rice (or whole-grain rice as it is also known) is widely regarded as a 'super food' for humans and, as long as it is well cooked, it is easily digested by dogs. It contains a whole host of natural nutrients including three B vitamins, iron, manganese, selenium, magnesium and omega-3 oils. It is also a good source of dietary fiber which is important in maintaining intestinal health.
5) Gluten, or Gluten Meal (Corn, Wheat, Rice) Corn, Corn Meal ...
- Basically, gluten are the left-overs from certain processed grains — like wheat, barley, rye and other wheat-type cereal grains — in other words, all the good starchy carbohydrates have been washed out of them. Think of gluten as a sort of plant-based protein concentrate and meat substitute. And, again, high in protein but low in quality. A cheap ingredient which must make a concerned pet owner wonder about the quality of the other ingredients - as well as the source of these cheap ingredients.
Preservatives
Artificial Preservatives in Dog Food
Commonly used artificial preservatives in dry dog foods include Ethoxyquin, (some studies have linked the ingestion of large amounts of ethoxyquin to health problems), BHA - butylated hydroxyanisole, (the National Toxicology Program classifies it as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen,” the international cancer agency categorizes it as a possible human carcinogen, and it’s listed as a known carcinogen under California’s Proposition 65), and BHT - butylated hydroxytoluene, (used in human and pet foods to keep fats from going rancid, has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals; it’s unknown whether they cause the same in people and dogs. There is evidence that certain people may have difficulty metabolizing BHA and BHT, resulting in health and behavior changes.) Again, we don’t know if the same is true for our dogs. They can greatly extend the product’s shelf life (a year is typical). On the other hand, out of an abundance of caution, many owners understandably prefer to avoid feeding any dog food preserved with these chemicals to their dogs.
Natural Preservatives in Dog Food
Adding natural substances such as such as vitamin E (mixed tocopherols),
vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and plant extracts (e.g., rosemary) to a dry
dog food can also prevent fats from becoming rancid. Unfortunately,
natural preservatives are effective for shorter periods of time than are
artificial preservatives, which means naturally preserved foods tend to
have a shorter shelf life. As long as you purchase bags well before the
"best by" date printed on the label and don’t buy excessively large
amounts of food at one time, this shouldn’t be a big concern. Fresh dog
food is preferred anyway, right?
Now that you know a bit more about ingredients, let's look at dog treats.
Dog Treats - The Ingredients Will SHOCK YOU!
Dog treats are definitely something we pet owners love to give our best friends. It makes them happy which makes us very happy! But, have you ever really looked at the ingredients in the treats you feed your sweet doggie?
Common Ingredients Found in Popular Dog Treats
- Sugar
- Corn Starch
- Wheat Flour
- Soy Grits
- Cane Molasses
- Guar Gum
- Food Dyes (Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, 4-MIE)
- Smoke Flavor
The BEST dog treats!
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Check Out Life's Abundance Full Line of Premium Dog Food ~ No Artificial Anything!
Want to know more? Read on...
Ingredients to Avoid
- Corn and wheat gluten
- Meat and grain by-products
- BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
- BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
- Ethoxyquin
- Food Dyes (Blue 2, Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, 4-MIE)
- PG (Propylene Glycol)
- Cheap fillers and artificial ingredients
- Flavors, colors, and non-specified or non-species specific ingredients. (Animal Fat, Natural Flavors, Oil)
- Rendered fat
Let's Check Out Some Popular Dog Food and Dog Treat Brands
(Read the ingredients to see if you can spot the inferior or harmful ingredients!)
Iams ProActive Health Adult Mini Chunks Dry Dog Food - Price 40# for $42.95
Ingredients: Chicken, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Chicken By-Product Meal, Dried Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols), Dried Egg Product, Potassium Chloride, Flaxseed, Caramel Color, Salt, L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, Choline Chloride, Carrots, Tomatoes, Calcium Carbonate, Fructooligosaccharides, Spinach, Green Peas, Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Potassium Iodide), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate (source of Vitamin B1), Vitamin B12 supplement, Niacin, Riboflavin Supplement (source of Vitamin B2), Inositol, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (source of Vitamin B6), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Dried Brewers Yeast, DL-Methionine, Dried Apple Pomace, L-Carnitine, Dried Blueberry Pomace, Mixed Tocopherols, Rosemary Extract.
Milk-Bone Soft & Chewy Beef & Filet Mignon Recipe Dog Treats Beef, Chicken, Soy Grits, Sugar, Corn Starch, Filet Mignon, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Rice Flour, Propylene Glycol, Natural Smoke Flavor, Guar Gum, Lactic Acid, Garlic Powder, Potassium Sorbate (Used As A Preservative), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Red 40, Sodium Nitrite (For Color Retention), Yellow 5, BHA (Used As A Preservative), Blue 2.
Purina Pro Plan Savor Adult Shredded Blend Lamb & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food - Price 35# for $45.78
Ingredients: Lamb, Rice Flour, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Wheat, Chicken By-Product Meal (Source Of Glucosamine), Soybean Meal, Beef Tallow Naturally Preserved With Mixed-Tocopherols, Barley, Oat Meal, Fish Meal (Source Of Glucosamine), Dried Beet Pulp, Natural Liver Flavor, Dried Egg Product, Glycerin, Mono And Dicalcium Phosphate, Soybean Oil, Wheat Bran, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Minerals [Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite], Potassium Chloride, Vitamins [Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B-3), Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B-5), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B-2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9), Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Vitamin K), Biotin (Vitamin B-7)], Choline Chloride, L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Vitamin C), Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Garlic Oil.,R447017
Milo's Kitchen Chicken Meatballs Dog Treats Chicken, Soy Grits, Beef, Sugar, Glycerine, Textured Soy Protein Product, Salt, Monoglyceride, Garlic Powder, Propylene Glucol, Sorbic Acid (Used As A Preservative), Citric Acid (Used As A Preservative), Natural Smoke Flavor, BHA (Used As A Preservative), Onion Extract.
Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Chicken Recipe Dry Dog
Food - Price 28.5# for $52.99
Ingredients: Chicken, Cracked Pearled Barley, Brown Rice, Pea Fiber, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Meal, Dried Tomato Pomace, Oat Fiber, Chicken Liver Flavor, Flaxseed, Dried Beet Pulp, Coconut Oil, Pork Flavor, Lactic Acid, Potassium Chloride, L-Lysine, DL-Methionine, Carrots, Iodized Salt, Lipoic Acid, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Choline Chloride, minerals (Manganese Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, L-Carnitine, Beta-Carotene, Apples, Broccoli, Cranberries, Green Peas.
Hill's Science Diet Soft Savories with Peanut Butter & Banana Dog Treats Peanut Butter, Potatoes, Wheat Flour, Cane Molasses, Glycerin, Peanuts, Chicken Fat, Bananas, Peas, Technical Pork Gelatin, Natural Flavors, Dried Skim Milk, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness.
Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon Grain-Free Dry Dog Food - Price 28# for $48.99
Ingredients: Beef, Peas, Garbanzo Beans, Lamb Meal, Canola Oil, Egg Product, Wild Boar, Ocean Fish Meal, Pea Flour, Dried Yeast, Tomato Pomace, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil (A Source Of DHA), Salt, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Dried Chicory Root, Tomatoes, Blueberries, Raspberries, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bi Fidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D Supplement, Folic Acid. Contains A Source Of Live (Viable), Naturally Occurring Microorganisms.
Pup-Peroni Original Beef Flavor Dog Treats Beef, Meat By-Products, Soy Grits, Sugar, Liver, Salt, Propylene Glycol, Garlic Powder, Caramel Color, Potassium Sorbate (Used As A Preservative), Natural Smoke Flavor, Sodium Nitrite (For Color Retention), Red 40, BHA (Used As A Preservative), Onion Extract.
Royal Canin German Shepherd Adult Dry Dog Food - Price 30# for $65.69
Ingredients: Brewers Rice, Chicken By-Product Meal, Brown Rice, Oat Groats, Chicken Fat, Pork Meal, Natural Flavors, Powdered Cellulose, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Wheat Gluten, Fish Oil, Vegetable Oil, Sodium Silico Aluminate, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, L-Tyrosine, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Vitamins [Dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (Source Of Vitamin E), Niacin Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source Of Vitamin C), D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin A Acetate, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement], Salt, Monocalcium Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Yeast, Choline Chloride, Dl-Methionine, Taurine, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Marigold Extract (Tagetes Erecta L.), Trace Minerals [Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Copper Proteinate], Magnesium Oxide, Green Tea Extract, Chondroitin Sulfate, Rosemary Extract, Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid.
Rachael Ray Nutrish Soup Bones Chicken & Veggies Flavor Chews Dog Treats Wheat Flour, Glycerin, Rice Syrup, Potato Starch, Water, Wheat Gluten, Rice Flour, Chicken Meal, Chicken, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Poultry Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Gelatin, Natural Flavor, Calcium Carbonate, Phosphoric Acid, Monosodium Phosphate, Dried Peas, Potassium Sorbate (a preservative), Tapioca, Titanium Dioxide (color), Dried Carrots, Iron Oxide (color), Citric Acid (a preservative), Rosemary Extract.
Rachael Ray Nutrish Natural Chicken & Veggies Recipe Dry Dog Food - Price 40# for $41.43
Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Dried Peas, Soybean Meal, Whole Ground Corn, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Pea Starch, Corn Gluten Meal, Brown Rice, Dicalcium Phosphate, Natural Flavor, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Dried Carrots, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Choline Chloride, Beet Powder (Color), Iron Sulfate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Biotin, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Selenium Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K), Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid.
Check Out Life's Abundance Full Line of Dog Treats (Natural, Nutritious and Dog's Dig 'em!)
Check Out Life's Abundance Full Line of Premium Dog Food (No Artificial Anything!)