Many pet food companies use the cheapest ingredients they can find. Whether it comes from dead diseased animals, road kill, or euthanized pets from shelters. 
​​These ingredients are not suitable for human consumption. If you won't eat it, why should your dog! Most pet foods contain 4-D ingredients. 4-D is meat and by-products that have been derived from animals that were rejected by food inspectors who classified the animals as not fit for human consumption because they were “Dead, Dying, Disabled or Diseased” at the time of inspection. 

Any chemicals that existed within that animal, would still be in it when dead. Meat by-products are nothing more than slaughterhouse waste; waste that’s been banned for use in human food and then sold to the pet food industry. It’s what’s left over after the slaughter and classified as inedible waste, unfit for human consumption.
​4-Ds: Roadkill, slaughterhouse rejects, animals that die on their way to meat packing plants - all are acceptable ingredients for pet food under the "4D" rule. Steroids, growth hormones and chemicals used to treat cattle including insecticide patches end up mixed into the final product. Meat from grocery stores past its due date is also added to the mix, as are the Styrofoam trays and plastic wrap they were packed in.
With dry foods, the ingredients are cooked twice.  First during rendering and again in the extruder. Problems are much more common than with canned or homemade foods. Altered proteins may contribute to food intolerances, food allergies, and inflammatory bowel disease.

High-heat processing of pet food – especially kibble – creates potent carcinogens like acrylamide and heterocyclic amine. Needless to say, these cancer-causing by-products of processing won’t be listed on any pet food ingredient list. But they are extremely dangerous, even in small amounts, when fed day in and day out. There’s a connection between these carcinogens and the rising rates of cancer in today’s pets. ​
​Proteins, Fats, Antioxidants, Enzymes, Minerals, Vitamins, and Beneficial Bacteria are all damaged or destroyed during the heating process. Grains and legumes contain mold and even through extrusion, it does not remove or kill the mold. Mold can cause cancer and/or organ failure.
Do you really want to feed your cat this? Learn to read ingredients. Feeding these foods listed will shorten the life of your cat, cause many horrible diseases, seizures, cancer, diabetes, joint issues, and will be sick much more often and you will be spending hard earned dollars on trying to save your cat.

To learn more about kibble and how bad it really is...click "Kibble-The Silent Killer".

Below is a list of some of the popular or inexpensive brands that contain harmful, unnecessary and outright dangerous ingredients which are highlighted in red. Not all bad ingredients are in red. (Read at bottom of this page for more).  

This is not a complete list; unfortunately there are many more brands on the market. Each manufacturer’s website offers a complete ingredient listing and nutritional value analysis of their products.
​If a specific brand of food is not listed here it does not mean it is bad or good, just check the brand’s website and read the ingredients.

Feeding your pet the same food everyday of its life, will cause many issues. Feeding these foods listed will shorten the life of your cat, cause many horrible diseases like allergies, autoimmune disease, cancer, seizures, diabetes, arthritis/joint issues, gastrointestinal disorders, heart disease, liver disease, obesity, skin and coat disorders, and/or urinary tract disorders and you will be spending hard earned dollars on trying to save your cat. These pet foods are lacking certain nutrients. Also many of the ingredients are sourced from China. DO NOT FEED YOUR PET PRODUCTS FROM CHINA! (Includes treats etc.) Also avoid all salmon products. Heavily contaminated with mercury as well. The salmon or fish content in pet foods are also from farmed factories. ​
Buy grain-free to help eliminate allergic reactions. Remember, the top 5 ingredients are the most important. If they are not good, then you probably shouldn't feed your pet that. Also you should change your pet's food every 3 months to avoid any allergies or food intolerances. Remember also, many other ingredients not listed that are most likely in your pets food are contaminants like: pesticides, glues, sawdust, chemicals of all kinds.
Commerical pet foods offer no nutritional value.. And even in wet foods, the water-soluble B-vitamin thiamine can be almost completely lost due to its reactivity with heat, moisture, sulfites, elevated pH and the thiaminase enzymes found in fish and organ meats.

The best diet you can feed your cat is a Raw diet. Cats are carnivores and enjoy eating meats. Sometimes cats may have certain health issues that wont allow raw diets but most of the time, raw is your best diet. Look into a home cooked diet if you have a cat with medical issues that may not allow raw. Make sure in a home cooked diet that you add the necessary nutrients and vitamins.
Veterinarians were not taught about nutrition in college. So do your homework. Find a good holistic vet or animal nutritionist that is educated in nutrition. Whatever you do, remember, this is your furry family member. It is your responsibility as a pet parent to give the best foods you can provide to extend his/her quality of life. Which means less visits to the vet.

I hope you have gained some knowledge into the pet food industry here on this site and will look further into changing your pet's diet ASAP! When changing from a commercial pet food to a raw or homemade diet, you will need to add in quality supplements and herbs to build the immune system. It is imperative that you do this or you may continue to deal with allergies and other illnesses from the built up toxins in your pet. Please do your research or speak with a holistic vet before changing anything especially with a pet with a chronic disease.

Synthetic vitamins are normally found in premixes purchased for pet foods. They are not beneficial for your dog. The body cannot absorb them. They ARE  synthetic (man made).
Mycotoxins

Before you start moistening your pet's food to try to replace the missing moisture, you should know about mycotoxins, another potential side effect of the use of grains in pet food. Mycotoxins are naturally occurring fungal by-products that can cause disease and death in dogs and cats. When grains are improperly stored, mycotoxins can develop. Two common forms, both of which have been found in pet food (more commonly in dog food) are aflatoxin and vomitoxin. Although mycotoxins are found worldwide they only become toxic in temperatures above 82 degrees and over 80 percent humidity at which point they interfere with cellular function, and are extremely carcinogenic and immunosuppressive. ​
​Aflatoxin B1 is the most toxic of the aflatoxins and is the most potent liver carcinogen known. Substantial evidence exists to indicate that low-level exposure to aflatoxin may cause suppression of the immune system and increase susceptibility to disease. Young and pregnant animals of all species are extremely sensitive to aflatoxins. Aflatoxin is also excreted in milk of dams and may contribute to reproductive failure. Exposure during pregnancy has resulted in transplacental transfer of aflatoxin to and immune dysfunction in offspring. 

The elimination of mycotoxins in food is extremely expensive. Pet food manufacturers are not known for using the highest quality grains available; they would not be able to keep up their high profit margins if they did. The grains most pet food manufacturers use are those that are not fit for human consumption or are by-products from other processes.
FYI-Most ALL vitamins included in commercial pet foods are synthetic vitamins. The body does not recognize these and they are of no use to your pet for nutritional purposes.
​
​Be aware of the difference between synthetic and natural vitamins. Synthetic supplements are manufactured with unnatural ingredients and chemicals. They are made to mimic natural vitamins but not everyone is convinced of their efficacy.


Wonderful Webinar on nutrition and
how to avoid diseases

Other ingredients besides corn that are full of GMOs are:

  • Alfalfa
  • Canola
  • Soy
  • Sugar Beets
  • Zucchini and Yellow Summer Squash

Crops that are suspect to have genetically modified relatives in production – known as “Monitored Crops” are…

  • Beta vulgaris (e.g., chard, table beets)
  • Brassica napa (e.g., rutabaga, Siberian kale)
  • Brassica rapa (e.g., bok choy, mizuna, Chinese cabbage, turnip, rapini, tatsoi)
  • Cucurbita (acorn squash, delicata squash, patty pan)
  • Flax
  • Rice
  • Wheat
The Best Dishes to Use to Feed Your Cat

 Use ceramic, glass, or high quality stainless steel bowls to feed your cat, and make sure they’re heavy enough that they won’t tip or spill while he’s eating. Don’t use plastic bowls. They contain BPA as well as plastic is a breeding ground for germs, and it can retain the smell of cleaning products and previous meals, which may discourage your cat from eating.

Do not use strong detergents or bleach to clean your cat’s food and water dishes, as these products can be toxic. Instead, wash bowls between feedings with a mild dishwashing detergent, and always rinse thoroughly.

Cat Chow Complete Cat Food

​Ingredients:
Poultry By-Product Meal, Corn Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Ground Whole Wheat, Brewers Rice, Soy Flour, Animal Fat Preserved With Mixed-Tocopherols (Form Of Vitamin E), Fish Meal, Brewers Dried Yeast, Phosphoric Acid, Animal Digest, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, Added Color (Red 40), Niacin, Manganese Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium  Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source Of Vitamin K Activity), Sodium Selenite.

Hill's Prescription Diet w/d Feline Low Fat- Diabetic-Gastrointestinal Dry Food

Ingredients:
Brewers Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal, Powdered Cellulose, Chicken, Chicken Liver Flavor, Soybean Oil, Calcium Sulfate, Lactic Acid, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, 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), Iodized Salt, Taurine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), L-Carnitine, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Beta-Carotene, Natural Flavors.

Purina Feline UR RX diet

Ingredients: 
Corn gluten meal, chicken, poultry by-product meal, brewers rice, oat fiber, wheat gluten, whole grain corn, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), salt, animal liver flavor, phosphoric acid, dried egg product, calcium carbonate, potassium chloride, fish oil, choline chloride, taurine, zinc sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium selenite. 

Ingredients: (Soft-moist)

Water sufficient for processing, chicken by-product meal, soybean meal, corn gluten meal, wheat flour, brewers rice, beef, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (source of Vitamin E), chicken, animal digest, phosphoric acid, brewers dried yeast, fumaric acid, sorbic acid (a preservative), calcium carbonate, choline chloride, salt, calcium propionate (a preservative), potassium chloride, taurine, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin E supplement, vitamin E supplement, biotin, copper sulfate, thiamine hydrochloride, vitamin B-12 supplement, folic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D-3 supplement, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), calcium iodate, sodium selenite.

Iams Healthy Naturals Adult with Wholesome Chicken

​Ingredients:
Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Meal, Brewers Rice, Ground Whole Grain Barley, Chicken Meal, Dried Beet Pulp, Dried Egg Product, Natural Flavor, Sodium Bisulfate, Potassium Chloride, Fish Oil (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Animal Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), DL-Methionine, Dried Apple Pomace, Dried Carrots, Brewers Dried Yeast, Fructooligosaccharides, Dried Peas, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Dried Spinach, Dried Tomatoes, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamins (Niacin, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Acetate, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (source of vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (source of vitamin B2), Inositol, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Minerals (Zinc Oxide, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Cobalt Carbonate), Rosemary Extract.

9Lives Daily Essentials cat food

Ingredients:
Whole ground corn, poultry by-product meal, corn gluten meal, soybean meal, whole wheat, meat & bone meal, animal fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), salmon, chicken, beef, animal digest, salt, phosphoric acid, choline chloride, titanium dioxide, potassium chloride, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin A supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, menadione sodium bisulfite complex, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement), taurine, minerals (ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, manganous oxide, copper sulfate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), red 40, yellow 5, yellow 6, potassium sorbate (used as a preservative), BHA (used as a preservative), blue 1, rosemary extract.

Tender Centers Salmon & Turkey Flavors with Vitality Bursts

​Ingredients:
Whole Ground Corn, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Soybean Meal, Animal Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Whole Wheat, Animal Digest, Calcium Carbonate, Phosphoric Acid, Salmon Meal, Turkey By-Product Meal, Corn Syrup, Glycerin, Titanium Dioxide (Color), Potassium Sorbate (Used As A Preservative), Salt, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, L-Lysine, Calcium Sulfate, Vitamins  (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride,  Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Taurine, Dicalcium Phosphate, Carrageenan, Minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Red 40, Dl-Methionine, Yellow 5, Blue 2, Natural White Meat Chicken Flavor, Bha (Used As A Preservative), Rosemary Extract, Celery Extract.

Friskies Surf And Turf Purina Dry Cat Food

Ingredients:
Ground Yellow Corn, Brewers Rice, Chicken By-Product Meal, Wheat Flour, Soybean Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Animal Fat Preserved With Mixed-Tocopherols (Form of Vitamin E), Soy Flour, Soy Protein Isolate, Ocean Fish Meal, Milk, Animal Liver Flavor, Calcium Carbonate, Phosphoric Acid, Salt, Choline Chloride, Added Color (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2 and Other Color), Meat and Bone Meal, Liver Meal, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, Calcium Phosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Manganese Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Sodium Selenite.

Meow Mix Original Choice Dry Cat Food

​Ingredients:
Ground Yellow Corn, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken By-Product Meal, Soybean Meal, Beef Tallow Preserved with Mixed-Tocopherols (Source of Vitamin E), Turkey By-Product Meal, Salmon Meal, Oceanfish Meal, Brewers Dried Yeast, Phosphoric Acid, Animal Digest, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Tetra Sodium Pyrophosphate, Calcium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Added Color (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 2 and other Color), Salt, Taurine, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, L-alanine, Niacin, Vitamin Supplements (E, A, B-12, D-3), Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Copper Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Citric Acid, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite.

Goodlife Recipe Indoor Dry Cat Food With Real Chicken Brown Rice & Garden Greens

Ingredients:
Chicken-by-product meal, ground whole corn, corn gluten meal, chicken, dried beet pulp, powdered cellulose, natural poultry flavor, whole grain brown rice, animal fat, dried peas, rice, wheat flour, brewers dried yeast, salt, potassium chloride, choline chloride, dicalcium phosphate, titanium dioxide, dried vegetables (spinach, tomatoes, carrots), calcium carbonate, taurine, skim milk powder, dl-methionine, vitamins (dl-alpha tocopherol acetate [source of Vitamin E], vitamin A acetate, niacin, vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin supplement [vitamin B2], thiamine mononitrate, [Vitamin B1], d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin D3 Supplement, biotin, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate [source of Vitamin C], folic acid, vitamin A acetate, vitamin B12 supplement, niacin, riboflavin supplement [vitamin B2], biotin, pyridoxine hydrochloride [vitamin B6], folic acid), vegetable oil (source of linoleic acid), minerals (zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, zinc proteinate, manganese sulfate, copper proteinate, potas.

Muenster Natural Cat Food

​​Ingredients:
Chicken meal, ground corn, corn gluten meal, chicken fat, (preserved with mixed tocopherols, citric acid, and rosemary extract), ground wheat, flax seed, ground brown rice, ground grain sorghum, ground barley, dried beet pulp, diatomaceous earth (an inert carrier and anti-caking agent), natural chicken flavor, yeast culture, sodium bisulfate, potassium sulfate, salt, dried eggs, yucca schidigera extract, zinc amino acid complex, manganese amino acid complex, copper amino acid complex, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, mixed tocopherols, citric acid, rosemary extract, ferrous sulfate, choline chloride, manganese sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, niacin, d-calcium pantothenate, biotin, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B-12 supplement, folic acid, ethylene diamine dihydriodide, and cobalt carbonate.
water filters

Fancy Feast Gourmet Cat Food Filet Mignon Flavor With Real Seafood & Shrimp

Ingredients:
Brewers rice, poultry by-product meal, corn gluten meal, beef tallow preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), ground yellow corn, soybean meal, animal liver flavor, fish, shrimp, phosphoric acid, calcium carbonate, natural and artificial flavors, salt, potassium chloride, dried yeast, choline chloride, added color (Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Red 40 and other color), natural filet mignon flavor, taurine, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium selenite.

​​Purina Cat Chow Naturals

​Ingredients:
Chicken meal, corn gluten meal, soybean meal, brewers rice, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), corn meal, chicken, salmon, powdered cellulose, ground whole wheat, natural flavor, soybean hulls, malt extract, phosphoric acid, salt, dried spinach, choline chloride, taurine, calcium carbonate, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, potassium chloride, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, copper sulfate, riboflavin supplement, Vitamin B-12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, Vitamin D-3 supplement, calcium iodate, biotin, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), sodium selenite.

This entire list just repeats itself. All the brands listed below contain similar or the same ingredients as above. 

ALL of these should be avoided at all costs. ​
​

​Potato (carcinogenic)
Potato starch
Pea fiber 
​Corn (GMO/BT(Bacillus thuringiensis),
Wheat (commercial wheat is doused     with cancer-causing glyphosate     herbicide right before harvest)
Barley
Rye
Sorghum
Fish meal
​Animal digest 
White and brown rice (GMO, arsenic,     glyphosate)
Soy (GMO)
Meat By-Products
Rice (any kind)
Meat Meal (any kind)
Animal Fat
Caramel Color
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite
Citric Acid (contains corn)
Hydrochloric Acid
​Grains (allergies and joint inflammation)
​Brewers rice
​Salt
Sugars (dextrose)
Brewers yeast
Rosemary extract
Beet pulp (glyphosate)
Natural flavorings
Carrageenan 
​Xanthan gum
​Propylene glycol 
Sodium bisulfate
Food dye colorings 
BHT
​BHA
​Ethoxyquin
Menadione
​Onion Powder
High Fructose Corn Syrup
Dried Egg Product
Rosemary Extract
Vegetable Oil
Animal Digest
Garlic (daily)

Kit & Kaboodle: Original Medley Chicken/Turkey/Salmon & Tuna Flavors Cat Food

Ami Cat Vegan Cat Food (NO MEAT INCLUDED)

Evolution Vegan Cat Kibble (No Meat Included)

​ROYAL CANIN Veterinary Diet feline URINARY SO MODERATE CALORIE

Supreme Cat Combo

Tuffy's GOLD Premium Cat Food

OPTIMUM® Adult Cats

Goodlife Recipe Indoor Adult Cat Food

​​Purina Pro Plan Dry Cat Food

​H‑E‑B Texas Pets Kitten Food

List Of Ingredients In Commercial Pet Food
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