What's in your dogs food?

Let's Talk Dog Food!

Just like we scrutinize our own food labels, we must do the same for our furry friends! Dogs are just like children; they rely on us to make healthy choices for them. If you often find yourself turning your pup’s food bag upside down to check for quality ingredients, you’re already on the right track. Kudos to you, responsible pet parent!

Decoding Ingredients

When you examine your dog's food label, you might come across terms that seem harmless but are actually not what they appear to be. Take “chicken by-products” as an example. It sounds legit, right? After all, it does contain chicken… well, sort of.

According to the AAFCO Official Ingredient Definitions, meat by-products can include parts of the animal other than muscle meat, such as lungs, spleen, kidneys, stomachs, intestines, and other organs, while poultry by-products can also include heads, feet, beaks, noses, snouts, and feathers. These are all legal, commonly used ingredients in pet food, but they’re not exactly what most of us think of as “meat.”

In my opinion, if you can, it’s best to choose foods that list named meat sources first and minimize by-products. This ensures your furry family members are getting wholesome, digestible protein, rather than processed leftovers.

A Little About Rendering

Many of these by-products are turned into dog food ingredients through rendering, a process that cooks and grinds raw material to remove moisture and separate fat from protein. This is how ingredients like meat meal, animal byproduct meal, and poultry byproduct meal are created. While safe under FDA regulations, the quality of these ingredients can vary widely depending on the source.

Preservatives: A Concern for Me

Preservatives are added to kibble to keep it fresh. Some are synthetic, like ethoxyquin, BHA, and BHT, while others are natural, such as mixed tocopherols (vitamin E) or ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

The FDA monitors the safety of these preservatives. However, there is research linking ethoxyquin to liver enzyme elevations and liver protoporphyrin IX buildup in some animals. Because of this—and from my own experience—I choose to avoid foods containing this chemical entirely. I’ve seen pets suffer adverse effects, and no amount of convenience is worth putting my puppies at risk.

Why Quality Nutrition Matters

Dogs thrive on high-quality nutrition, just like we do. Poor ingredients can lead to digestive issues, skin problems, and other complications. Always check that real meat is listed as the first ingredient. Be cautious of vague terms like “meat by-products,” excessive fillers, and synthetic preservatives.

When it comes to my Maltese puppies, I’ve noticed subtle signs that diet matters: healthier mothers often have healthier puppies, and their overall vitality seems influenced by the food they eat. Nutrition impacts egg viability and puppy growth in ways you might not see immediately, but it’s real.

My Approach as a Breeder

I carefully select foods that meet AAFCO standards and are free of ethoxyquin and unnecessary by-products. These foods may not always be the cheapest, but they provide peace of mind for me and health benefits for my puppies. On my website, cuddledcritters.com, I link to the brands I trust—foods I personally feed and recommend based on ingredients and results I’ve seen over the years.

Takeaways for Pet Parents

• Look for named meat sources first in your dog food

• Avoid synthetic preservatives if possible

• Check labels for vague or highly processed by-products

• Trust reputable brands that meet AAFCO nutritional adequacy standards

Remember, as a breeder, my priority is not just happy, healthy puppies but also responsible owners who want the very best for their dogs. By learning to read labels and understanding what goes into dog food, you can make the healthiest choices for your furry family members.