First of all, let me say, I was very surprised at the lack of listed ingredients in pet foods in the UK. I am not sure of the food regulations in the UK but they are definitely lacking when trying to find information online. This list here is not even close to what is being sold that has all these fillers and preservatives in them. If you live in the UK, please look for better foods if at all possible or feed a raw diet. If you know of any that are not on this list, feel free to email me a link to a food with the listed ingredients so I can add them here.
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.
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.
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4-Ds: Road kill, slaughter house 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.
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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 intolerance's, 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 dog this? Learn to read ingredients. Feeding these foods listed will shorten the life of your dog, cause many horrible diseases, seizures, joint issues, and will be sick much more often and you will be spending hard earned dollars on trying to save your pet.
To learn more about kibble and how bad it really is...click "Kibble~The Silent Killer".
To learn more about kibble and how bad it really is...click "Kibble~The Silent Killer".
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Below is a listing of some of the popular or inexpensive worst dog food brands that contain harmful, unnecessary and outright dangerous ingredients which are highlighted in red. Not all bad ingredients are highlighted 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 should offer a complete ingredient listing and nutritional value analysis of their products.
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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. Stay away from grains and fillers. To name a few: potato, potato starch, pea fiber, pea protein, corn, soy, wheat, barley, rye, sorghum, by products, meat meal, fish meal, animal digest, white and brown rice, brewers rice, salt, sugar, brewer's yeast, rosemary, beet pulp, natural flavorings, any food dye coloring, menadione just to name a few. And include the synthetic vitamins to avoid as they cause cancer. Also avoid all salmon products. Heavily contaminated with mercury as well.
Feeding your pet the same food everyday of its life, will cause many issues. (Liver and kidney failure, diabetes, arthritis, cancer and many other illnesses.) These pet foods are lacking certain nutrients. Also many of these ingredients are sourced from China. DO NOT FEED YOUR PET PRODUCTS FROM CHINA! (Includes most (99%) treats, chew bones, etc.) Buy grain-free to help eliminate allergic reactions. Remember, the top 5 ingredients are the most important. If they are not good, then you shouldn't feed your pet that food. Also you should change your pets food every 3 months to avoid any allergies or food intolerance. 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.
Feeding your pet the same food everyday of its life, will cause many issues. (Liver and kidney failure, diabetes, arthritis, cancer and many other illnesses.) These pet foods are lacking certain nutrients. Also many of these ingredients are sourced from China. DO NOT FEED YOUR PET PRODUCTS FROM CHINA! (Includes most (99%) treats, chew bones, etc.) Buy grain-free to help eliminate allergic reactions. Remember, the top 5 ingredients are the most important. If they are not good, then you shouldn't feed your pet that food. Also you should change your pets food every 3 months to avoid any allergies or food intolerance. 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.
Dry Foods offer no nutritional value. Although the best diet you can feed your dog is a raw diet. Veterinarians were not taught about good 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. If you're willing to pay a high price for quality pet foods, then you can afford a raw diet. In fact raw diets may cost less than your premium kibbles or canned foods. You may feed 12 oz to your dog of kibble and only have to feed 8 oz of raw. So you save on money that way as well.
DOGS ARE CARNIVORES: Following the long ancestral history as canids. Pet Food Companies have people believing otherwise since humans eat veggies and fruits so beware. Canines do not have grinding molars therefore cannot grind grains. They are made for ripping and tearing of flesh. This doesn't mean dogs can't benefit from receiving raw juiced/pureed veggies and fruits in small amounts for the nutrients. BUY ORGANIC ONLY! Fur and feathers is not part of that diet.
DOGS ARE CARNIVORES: Following the long ancestral history as canids. Pet Food Companies have people believing otherwise since humans eat veggies and fruits so beware. Canines do not have grinding molars therefore cannot grind grains. They are made for ripping and tearing of flesh. This doesn't mean dogs can't benefit from receiving raw juiced/pureed veggies and fruits in small amounts for the nutrients. BUY ORGANIC ONLY! Fur and feathers is not part of that diet.
These worst dog food brands below have corn as the main ingredient. Use these examples as a comparative guide to what you should not be feeding your dog.
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!
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!
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When changing from a commercial pet food to a raw or homemade diet, you 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.
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FYI-Most ALL vitamins included in commercial pet foods are synthetic vitamins. The body does not recognize these and they are of little use to your pet for nutritional purposes.
The big words that you can't pronounce in the ingredients list are your synthetic vitamins.
Vitamin A supplement (preserved with BHT, includes processing aids of gelatin, sucrose, modified starch, and uses sodium aluminum as in anti-caking agent).
Vitamin C should not be mixed with iron or copper supplements. Most added Vit C comes from China.
Vitamin E Supplements are preserved with BHT.
Niacin (B3-Made in China)
Vitamin B12 Supplement (Made in China)
Vitamin D3 Supplement (preserved with BHT, includes processing aids of gelatin, sucrose, modified starch, and uses sodium aluminum as an anti-caking agent)
Riboflavin Supplement (B2, Made in China)
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).
The big words that you can't pronounce in the ingredients list are your synthetic vitamins.
Vitamin A supplement (preserved with BHT, includes processing aids of gelatin, sucrose, modified starch, and uses sodium aluminum as in anti-caking agent).
Vitamin C should not be mixed with iron or copper supplements. Most added Vit C comes from China.
Vitamin E Supplements are preserved with BHT.
Niacin (B3-Made in China)
Vitamin B12 Supplement (Made in China)
Vitamin D3 Supplement (preserved with BHT, includes processing aids of gelatin, sucrose, modified starch, and uses sodium aluminum as an anti-caking agent)
Riboflavin Supplement (B2, Made in China)
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).
Chudleys Adult Lite Dog Food
Ingredients:
Whole grain wheat, Whole grain oats, Chicken meal, Whole grain maize, Whole grain barley, Chicken liver, Unmolassed beet pulp, Rice, Prairie meal, Yeast, Alfalfa, Peas, Carrots, Salmon oil, Dicalcium phosphate, Sodium bicarbonate, Potassium chloride, Cinnamon, Fructose & mannan oligosaccharides, Yucca, Blackcurrant, Kale, Spinach, Beetroot, Rosemary, Rosehip & Pomegranate. |
Foldhill Chewdles Dog Meaty Dinners Beef
Composition:
Cereals, Meat and Animal Derivatives (26% meat meal of which 4% beef meal), Oils and Fats, Various Sugars, Minerals. Additives: Colourants; Preservative; Nutritional Additives (kg); Vitamin A 12000iu, Vitamin D3 800iu, Vitamin E 60mg, Ferrous Sulphate Monohydrate 267mg, Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate 111mg, Manganese Sulphate Monohydrate 78mg, Copper Sulphate Pentahydrate 52mg, Sodium Selenite 7.5mg, Calcium Iodate Anhydrous 2.3mg. |
Purina Bakers Complete Adult Beef and Country Vegetable
Composition:
Cereals (35%), Meat and animal derivatives (26% meat in the chunk, 4% beef in the brown & natural kernels), Vegetable protein extracts, Derivatives of vegetable origin, Oils and fats, Various sugars, Minerals, Vegetables (4% vegetables in the green & yellow kernels). |
Purina Beta Adult Dog Food Maintenance with Chicken
Composition:
Cereals (wholegrain 20%), Meat and animal derivatives (meat 14%, chicken 4%), Vegetable protein extracts, Oils and fats, Derivatives of vegetable origin (dried beet pulp 1.1%), Vegetables (dried chicory root 1.1%), Minerals. |
Burns Choice Chicken and Maize
Ingredients:
Maize (Min 70%), Chicken Meal (Min 16%), Peas, Chicken Oil, Seaweed, Minerals & Vitamins. |
Vitalin Royale Complete Adult Dog Food
Ingredients:
Cooked Wheat, Cooked Sweetcorn, Meat & Marrowbone, Cooked Barley, Vitamins & Minerals. |
Skinners Field and Trial Duck and Rice Dry Mix
Ingredients:
Whole rice (40%), duck meat meal (20%), naked oats, peas, whole linseed, sunflower oil, beet pulp, vitamins and minerals. |
Pero Labrador Food Life
Ingredients:
Fresh Salmon (min 26%), Brown Rice (min 26%), Corn, Herring, Barley, Chicken Oil, Oats, Potato, Brewer’s Yeast, Sugar Beet, Whole Linseed, Salmon Oil, Minerals, Vitamins, Yucca Extract, Chicory Extract, Chondroitin Sulphate, Glucosamine Sulphate, MSM, L-Carnitine. |
Vitalin Original Complete Adult Dog Food Vat Free
Ingredients:
Cooked Wheat, Cooked Sweetcorn, Meat & Marrowbone, Soya, Cooked Barley, Vitamins & Minerals. |
Wagg Foods Chicken Complete Adult Dog Food
Ingredients:
Cereals, Meat and Animal Derivatives (5% chicken in brown chunk), Oils and Fats, Derivatives of Vegetable Origin, Vegetables (4% peas in pea kibble, 4% carrots in carrot kibble), Minerals, Yeasts (0.08%), Citrus Extract (0.04%) & Yucca Extract (0.01%). |
Red Mills Tracker Complete Dog Food Vat Free
Ingredients:
Cereals, Meat and Animal Derivatives, Oils and Fats, Fish and Fish Derivatives, Derivatives of Vegetable Origin, Vegetable Protein Extracts, Minerals, Chicory Extract, Yeast Extract. Vit A 15000IU/Kh Vit D3 2000IU/Kh Alpha Tocopherol (Vit E) 200IU/Kh Copper 15mg/kg Selenium 0.1mg/kg BHA/BHT Antioxidant. |
Gilbertson & Page Heritage Adult Dog Food Chicken
Composition:
Poultry (minimum 30% chicken), whole grain wheat, whole grain barley, whole grain rice (minimum 8% rice), chicken fat, whole grain maize, vitamins and minerals, linseed, prebiotic (FOS), mixed herbs (1800 mg/kg), extract of New Zealand green-lipped mussel (200 mg/kg), yucca extract. |
Bestpets Gold Sport Complete Adult Dog Food Vat Free
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HiLife Complete Moist Mince Dog Food Turkey Chicken & Fresh Vegetables Flavoured With Bacon
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Alpha Adult Maintenance Sporting Dog
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Arkwrights Complete Dog Food Beef
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Eukanuba Dog Food Daily Care Sensitive Joints
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Wafcol Chicken Complete
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Butchers Complete Adult Dog Food with Beef
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Judge's Choice Country Pursuit Original
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Pascoe's Original Complete Dog Food
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Pedigree Adult Complete Healthy Vitality Lamb & Vegetables Dry Dog Food
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Purina Omega Tasty Complete Adult Dog Food - Chicken Flavour Vat Free
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Salter's Canine Maintenance
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Fold Hill - Laughing Dog - Complete Chicken - Adult Dog Food
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Autarky - Autarky Adult Complete Dog Food
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