|
Beef:
A major ingredient in the poorer quality dog foods as well as premium brands,
beef may be an allergen to some dogs. U.S. beef, (66%) unless otherwise
specified, is treated with the steroid growth hormones of Trenbolone, Melengestrol
and non-steroid Zeranol.
Zeranol was banned in Europe in 1985 due to a link to cancer
[1][2].
Trenbolone alters the responsiveness of skeletal muscle satellite cells
[1].
Trenbolone is a Schedule III drug. Melengestrol is directly linked to animal
breast cancer [1]
.
| Meat |
Protein
quantity per 100 grams |
| Beef |
24-25
grams |
| Chicken |
17
grams |
Beef is also high in saturated
fats and less digestible than chicken, lamb, or fish.
Corn:
A major ingredient in poorer quality dog foods. Corn is a known allergen
with dogs possibly developing an intolerance to it.
Wheat:
A major ingredient in the poorer quality dog foods, wheat is a known
allergen with dogs possibly developing an intolerance to it.
| Grain |
Carbohydrate
quantity per 100 grams |
| Wheat |
74
grams |
| Corn |
75
grams |
| Oats |
66.3 grams |
| Flaxseed |
32 grams |
| Brown rice |
23 grams |
| Millet |
23 grams |
| Barley |
28 grams |
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| Grain |
Protein
quantity per 100 grams |
| Wheat |
9
grams |
| Corn |
10
grams |
| Flaxseed |
24 grams |
| Oats |
16 grams |
| Brown rice |
2 grams |
| Millet |
3 grams |
| Barley |
2.3 grams |
Liver: Liver of animals
cleanses the blood of toxin. The use of drugs to control and treat animal
disease and the use of homones to promote faster, more efficient growth
of livestock is a common practice. An estimated 80 percent of U.S. livestock
and poultry receive some animal drugs during their lifetime. Improper use
of animal drugs may cause residues in the edible tissues of slaughtered
animals that could be hazardous. Therefor, a steady diet which includes
animal liver increases the build-up of drug and hormone residue.
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Glyceryl
Monostearate: A lipophilic non-ionic surfactant with HLB of 3.6 - 4.2.
It has effects of emulsification, dispersion, foaming, defoaming, starch
anti-aging and fat agglomeration control, and is widely used in foodstuffs,
cosmetic, medicine and plastic processing industries. It is an emulsifier
used the most widely and in the largest quantities in the foodstuff industry.
A
thickening, emulsifying, antisticking and antistalant agent. Can contain
up to 200 parts
per million in butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as a preservative (see also
BHT). Depending on method of manufacture, it can also contain glyceryl
distearate (42-44%), glyceryl tristearate (20-23%), free glycerol (3-5%).
Other impurities include mono-, di-, and triesters of related fatty acids
as well as unreacted fatty acids. Due to the uncertainty of chemical additives,
this ingredient should be avoided. |
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Phosphoric
Acid: A clear colorless liquid, H3PO4, used in fertilizers, detergents,
food flavoring, and pharmaceuticals.
A
harmless but unnecessary ingredient, used in inexpensive, poor quality
dog food as flavoring, emulsifier and discoloration inhibitor. Used for
example as a flavoring for Coca Cola. |
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Propylene
Glycol: A colorless viscous hygroscopic liquid, CH3CHOHCH2OH, used
in antifreeze solutions, in hydraulic fluids, and as a solvent.
Used
as humectant in semi-moist kibble to keep it from drying out. May be toxic
if consumed in large amounts, and should definitely not be an ingredient
in a food an animal will eat daily for weeks, months or even years of its
life. In countries of the European Union, propylene glycol is not cleared
as a general-purpose food grade product or direct food additive. |
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Corn
Gluten: A by-product from the manufacture of cornstarch and corn syrup.
An
inexpensive by-product of human food processing which offers very little
nutritional value and serves mainly to bind food together. It is not a
harmful ingredient but should be avoided simply for its poor nutritional
value and quality. |
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Wheat
Gluten: AAFCO defines this as the tough, viscid nitrogenous substance
remaining when wheat is washed to remove the starch.
An
inexpensive byproduct of human food processing with almost no nutritional
value left, serves mostly as a binder. |
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Brewers
Rice: Also appears in ingredient lists as ground Brewers Rice. AAFCO:
The small milled fragments of rice kernels that have been separated from
the larger kernels of milled rice.
A
processed rice product that is missing many of the nutrients contained
in whole ground rice and brown rice. Contrary to what many pet food companies
want to make you believe, this is not a high quality ingredient, just much
cheaper than whole grain rice. |
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Cereal
Food Fines: AAFCO defines this as particles of breakfast cereals obtained
as a byproduct of their processing.
An
inexpensive byproduct of human food processing of unknown source, quality,
possible chemical residue, sweeteners or other additives. |
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Feeding
Oat Meal: AAFCO: Feeding oat meal is obtained in the manufacture of
rolled oat groats or rolled oats and consists of broken oat groats, oat
groat chips, and floury portions of the oat groats, with only such quantity
of finely ground oat hulls as is unavoidable in the usual process of commericial
milling.
A
food-grade fractionated grain, byproduct from human food processing, that
is not as nutritionally valuable as the product obtained from whole oats |
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Grain
Fermentation Solubles: AAFCO defines this as the dried material resulting
from drying the water soluble materials after separation of suspended solids
from grain fermentation.
An
inexpensive byproduct of human food and beverage production which adds
little or no nutritional value to pet foods. |
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Maltodextrins
& Fermentation Solubles: I have not been able to locate an official
definition for this product so far.
A brewery byproduct much
like "grain fermentation solubles", with some maltodextrin from malted
barley. Better suited for use in short term feeding like e.g. livestock
than as an ingredient in pet food. |
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Potato
Product: AAFCO defines this as potato pieces, peeling, culls, etc.,
obtained from the manufacture of processed potato products for human consumption.
A
cheap byproduct of human food processing that has been stripped of much
of the nutritional benefits that whole, fresh potatos offer. |
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Soy
Flour: AAFCO defines this as the finely powdered material resulting
from the screened and graded product after removal of most of the oil from
selected, sound, cleaned and dehulled soybeans by a mechanical or solvent
extraction process.
Much
of the nutritional value is lost already during processing of the grain
to flour. May contain particles of hull, germ, and the offal from the tail
of the mill. |
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Blue
2 (artificial color) The color additive FD&C Blue No. 2 is principally
the disodium salt of 2-(1,3-dihydro-3-oxo-5-sulfo-2H-indol-2-ylidene)-
2,3-dihydro-3-oxo-1H-indole-5-sulfonic acid with smaller amounts of the
disodium salt of -(1,3-dihydro-3-oxo-7-sulfo-2H-indol-2-ylidene)-2,3-dihydro-3-oxo-1H-indole-5-sulfonic
acid and the sodium salt of 2-(1,3-dihydro-3-oxo-2H-indol-2-ylidene)-2,3-dihydro-3-oxo-1H-indole-5-sulfonic
acid. Additionally, FD&C Blue No. 2 is obtained by heating indigo (or
indigo paste) in the presence of sulfuric acid. The color additive is isolated
and subjected to purification procedures. The indigo (or indigo paste)
used above is manufactured by the fusion of N-phenylglycine (prepared from
aniline and formaldehyde) in a molten mixture of sodamide and sodium and
potassium hydroxides under ammonia pressure. The indigo is isolated and
subjected to purification procedures prior to sulfonation.
The
largest study suggested, but did not prove, that this dye caused brain
tumors in male mice. The FDA concluded that there is "reasonable certainty
of no harm", but most would avoid this ingredient and err on the side of
caution. |
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Red
40 (artificial color): The color additive FD&C Red No. 40 is principally
the disodium salt of 6-hydroxy-5-[(2-methoxy-5-methyl-4-sulfophenyl)azo]-2-naphthalenesulfonic
acid.
The
most widely used food dye. While this is one of the most-tested food dyes,
the key mouse tests were flawed and inconclusive. An FDA review committee
acknowledged problems, but said evidence of harm was not "consistent" or
"substantial." Like other dyes, Red 40 is used mainly in junk foods. Personally
I'd rather avoid this ingredient and err on the side of caution. |
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Titanium
Dioxide: A white powder, TiO2, used as an exceptionally opaque white
pigment and dough conditioner.
Non
toxic but is used in detoxification of waste water and is an unnecessary
ingredient that should be left out. |
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Yellow
5 (artificial color): The color additive FD&C Yellow No. 5 is principally
the trisodium salt of 4,5-dihydro-5-oxo-1-(4-sulfophenyl)-4- [4-sulfophenyl-azo]-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic
acid (CAS Reg. No. 1934-21- 0). To manufacture the additive, 4-amino-benzenesulfonic
acid is diazotized using hydrochloric acid and sodium nitrite. The diazo
compound is coupled with 4,5-dihydro-5-oxo-1-(4-sulfophenyl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic
acid or with the methyl ester, the ethyl ester, or a salt of this carboxylic
acid. The resulting dye is purified and isolated as the sodium salt.
The
second most widely used coloring can cause mild allergic reactions, primarily
in aspirin-sensitive persons. |
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Yellow
6 (artificial color): The color additive FD&C Yellow No. 6 is principally
the disodium salt of 6-hydroxy-5-[(4-sulfophenyl)azo]-2-naphthalenesulfonic
acid (CAS Reg. No. 2783-94-0). The trisodium salt of 3-hydroxy-4-[(4- sulfophenyl)azo]-2,7-naphthalenedisulfonic
acid may be added in small amounts. The color additive is manufactured
by diazotizing 4-aminobenzenesulfonic acid using hydrochloric acid and
sodium nitrite or sulfuric acid and sodium nitrite. The diazo compound
is coupled with 6-hydroxy-2-naphthalene-sulfonic acid. The dye is isolated
as the sodium salt and dried. The trisodium salt of 3-hydroxy-4-[(4-sulfophenyl)azo]-2,7-naphthalenedisulfonic
acid which may be blended with the principal color is prepared in the same
manner except the diazo benzenesulfonic acid is coupled with 3-hydroxy-2,7-naphthalenedisulfonic
acid.
Industry-sponsored
animal tests indicated that this dye, the third most widely used, causes
tumors of the adrenal gland and kidney. In addition, small amounts of several
carcinogens contaminate Yellow 6. However, the FDA reviewed those data
and found reasons to conclude that Yellow 6 does not pose a significant
cancer risk to humans. Yellow 6 may also cause occasional allergic reactions.
A risk not worth taking for your pet's health. |
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Animal
Fat: AAFCO: Obtained from the tissues of mammals and/or poultry in
the commercial processes of rendering or extracting. It consists predominantly
of glyceride esters of fatty acids and contains no additions of free fatty
acids. If an antioxidant is used, the common name or names must be indicated,
followed by the words "used as a preservative".
Note
that the animal source is not specified and is not required to originate
from "slaughtered" animals. The rendered animals can be obtained from any
source, so there is no control over quality or contamination. Any kind
of animal can be included: "4-D animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or
dying prior to slaughter), goats, pigs, horses, rats, misc. roadkill, animals
euthanized at shelters, restaurant and supermarket refuse and so on. |
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Beef
Tallow: AAFCO: Fat with titer above 40 degrees Celsius, obtained from
the tissue of cattle in the commercial process of rendering. Also called
Beef Fat.
Dogs
and cats like the taste of this fat, so it is often used to make low-quality
food more palatable. Beef tallow is very low in linoleic acid and much
cheaper for the pet food industry to use than a good quality vegetable
oil or nutritionally rich chicken fat. |
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Lard:
AAFCO: The rendered fat of swine.
Very
low in linoleic acid but very attractive to pets, used to make poor quality
food more appealing. Few nutritional benefits. |
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Poultry
Fat: AAFCO: Obtained from the tissue of poultry in the commercial process
of rendering or extracting. It shall contain only the fatty matter natural
to the product produced under good manufacturing practices and shall contain
no added free fatty acids or other materials obtained from fat. It must
contain not less than 90 percent total fatty acids and not more than 3
percent of unsaponifiables and impurities. It shall have a minimum titer
of 33 degrees Celsius. If an antioxidant is used, the common name or names
must be indicated, followed by the word "preservative(s)".
This
product the source is not defined as "slaughtered poultry". The rendered
fowl can be obtained from any source, so there is no control over quality
or contamination. Any kind of animal can be included: "4-D animals" (dead,
diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter), turkey, chicken, geese,
buzzard, seagulls, misc. roadkill, birds euthanized at shelters and so
on. |
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Vegetable
Oil: AAFCO: The product of vegetable origin obtained by extracting
the oil from seeds or fruits which are processed for edible purposes.
The
source vegetables for this oil (and therefore the nutrient properties or
lack thereof) are unknown. Use of canola oil or sunflower oil is best. |
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Cellulose:
AAFCO: Purified, mechanically disintegrated cellulose prepared by processing
alpha cellulose obtained as a pulp from fibrous plant materials.
Dried
wood is the most common source for cellulose. It is cleaned, processed
into a fine powder and used to add bulk and consistency to cheap pet foods. |
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Corn
Bran: AAFCO: The outer coating of the corn kernel.
An
inexpensive source of fiber that serves as a filler ingredient to add bulk
to poor quality pet food. |
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Corn
Cellulose: AAFCO: A product obtained from the cell walls of corn.
Obtained
by use of a chemical process, it is used to add bulk and consistency to
cheap pet foods and has no nutritional value. |
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Oat
Hulls: Oat hulls are a high-fiber, low energy, low-protein feedstuff.
Because of their high fiber content, oat hulls can be used as a roughage
extender during times when forages are in short supply.
Used
for fiber in feed cattle. Left over from dehulling the whole oat kernels
after harvesting, comparable to peanut hulls. It is not the same as oat
bran (the hull that protects the grain itself), which is a quality source
of dietary fiber and removed prior to rolling and/or flaking. Thumbs down
for this filler ingredient. |
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Peanut
Hulls: AAFCO definition: The outer hull of the peanut shell.
No
nutritional value whatsoever, and are used exclusively as a cheap filler
ingredient. Possibility of pesticide residues being present. |
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Rice
Hulls: AAFCO definition: The outer covering of rice.
An
inexpensive byproduct of human food processing, serving as a source of
fiber that is considered a filler ingredient. |
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Soybean
Mill Run: AAFCO definition: Composed of soybean hulls and such bean
meats that adhere to the hulls which results from normal milling operations
in the production of dehulled soybean meal.
An
inexpensive byproduct of human food processing, commonly referred to as
'floor sweepings'. An inexpensive filler with no real nutritional value. |
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Wheat
Mill Run: May also appear as "Wheat Middlings". AAFCO: Coarse and fine
particles of wheat bran and fine particles of wheat shorts, wheat germ,
wheat flour and offal from the "tail of the mill".
An
inexpensive byproduct of human food processing, commonly referred to as
'floor sweepings'. An inexpensive filler with no real nutritional value. |
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Animal
Digest:AAFCO definition: A material which results from chemical and/or
enzymatic hydrolysis of clean and undecomposed animal tissue. The animal
tissues used shall be exclusive of hair, horns, teeth, hooves and feathers,
except in such trace amounts as might occur unavoidably in good factory
practice and shall be suitable for animal feed. If it bears a name descriptive
of its kind or flavor(s), it must correspond thereto.
A
cooked-down broth made from unspecified parts of unspecified animals. The
animals used can be obtained from any source, so there is no control over
quality or contamination. Any kind of animal can be included: "4-D animals"
(dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter), goats, pigs, horses,
rats, misc. roadkill, animals euthanized at shelters, restaurant and supermarket
refuse and so on. |
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Digest:
May also appear as dried, or spray dried. Sometimes the type and part of
animals used is specified, such as in "Chicken Digest", "Lamb Digest" or
"Poultry Liver Digest" AAFCO definition: Material which results from chemical
and/or enzymatic hydrolysis of clean and undecomposed animal tissue. The
animal tissues used shall be exclusive of hair, horns, teeth, hooves and
feathers, except in such trace amounts as might occur unavoidably in good
factory practice and shall be suitable for animal feed.
A
cooked-down broth made from specified, or worse, unspecified parts of specified
or unspecified animals (depending on the type of digest used). If the source
is unspecified (e.g. "Animal" or "Poultry", the animals used can be obtained
from any source, so there is no control over quality or contamination.
Any kind of animal can be included: "4-D animals" (dead, diseased, disabled,
or dying prior to slaughter), goats, pigs, horses, rats, misc. roadkill,
animals euthanized at shelters, restaurant and supermarket refuse and so
on. |
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Flavor:
A substance, such as an extract or spice, that add flavor to a product.
Detailed
information may or may not be given by the manufacturer about what is used
for flavoring and whether it is made from a natural or chemical substance. |
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| Glandular
Meal: This is used as a source of liver flavor in poor quality
foods, it is safe to assume that it is a meal obtained from the livers
and other glands of various, unspecified animals. As with all generic,
unspecified ingredients, it is wise to avoid. |
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Apple
Pomace: AAFCO definition: The mixture
of apple skins, pulp, and crushed seeds.
An
inexpensive byproduct of human food processing. Does not contain the whole
complement of nutrients as does whole fresh or dried apples. |
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Citrus
Pulp: Citrus Pulp is the dried residue of peel, pulp and seeds of oranges,
grapefruit and other citrus fruit.
This
inexpensive byproduct is mainly used as a bulk carbohydrate concentrate
in cattle feed but also added as a source of fiber in dog food. Since the
peel and some twigs and leaves are also included, there is a possibility
of residues from pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. |
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Grape
Pomace: AAFCO definition: The mixture of grape skins, pulp, and crushed
seeds.
An
inexpensive byproduct left over from pressing grapes for juice or wine.
The product contributes some fiber but otherwise has little to no nutritinal
value. Grapes have also shown to contain a substance that is toxic to dogs,
so they should not be fed at all. |
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| BHA:
Butylated Hydroxysanisole - a white, waxy phenolic antioxidant, C11-H-16-O2,
used to preserve fats and oils, especially in foods. Banned from human
use in many countries but still permitted in the US. Possible human carcinogen,
apparently carcinogenic in animal experiments. The oxidative characteristics
and/or metabolites of BHA and BHT may contribute to carcinogenicity or
tumorigenicity. |
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| BHT:
Butylated Hydroxytoluene - a crystalline phenolic antioxidant, C15-H24-O,
used to preserve fats and oils, especially in foods. Banned from human
use in many countries but still permitted in the US. Possible human carcinogen,
apparently carcinogenic in animal experiments. The oxidative characteristics
and/or metabolites of BHA and BHT may contribute to carcinogenicity or
tumorigenicity. |
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| Ethoxyquin:
6-ethoxy-1,2-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline. Antioxidant; also a post-harvest
dip to prevent scald on apples and pears. Developed by Monsanto as a stabilizer
for rubber, Ethoxyquin has also been used as a pesticide for fruit
and a color preservative for spices, and later for animal feed. The original
FDA permit for use as stabilizer in animal feed limited was limited to
two years of use and did not include pet food, but it falls under
the same legal category. It has never been proven to be safe for the lifespan
of a companion animal. It has been linked to thyroid, kidney, reproductive
and immune related illnesses as well as cancer, but so far no conclusive,
reliable research results either for the safety of this product or against
it have not been obtained. Monsanto conducted research years ago, but results
were so inconclusive due to unprofessional conduct and documentation that
the FDA demanded another study. There are currently several studies underway
to determine whether Ethoxyquin is safe or not, and until those studies
are completed, pet food suppliers may continue to use Ethoxyquin. This
is the status after about 6 years. No new details have emerged so far. |
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| Propyl
Gallate: Also known as Gallic Acid or Propyl Ester. It is made from
natural Gallic Acid, which is obtained by the hydrolysis of tannins from
Tara Pods. Used as an antioxidant to stabilize cosmetics, food packaging
materials, and foods containing fats. I have not found conclusive evidence
either for or against the safety of this product, but it is suspected of
causing liver diseases and cancer, so once again personally I prefer to
err on the side of caution. Mixed tocopherols, citric acid and rosemary
extract are effective, all-natural alternatives - just more expensive. |
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Animal Plasma: It's
a source of palatable protein product composed of albumin and globulin
proteins. It also supplies natural sources of iron, sodium, chloride, potassium,
calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, numerous vitamins, and over 18 amino acids.
The
source of the plasma is not indicated and could come from diseased or dying
beef. It is obtained from beef in the U.S.and therefor can contain growth
hormones including Zeranol. |
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Beef
& Bone Meal: AAFCO definition: The rendered product from beef tissues,
including bone, exclusive of any added blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings,
manure, stomach and rumen contents, except in such amounts as may occur
unavoidably in good processing practices.
Beef
and Beef meal is a byproduct made from beef parts which are not suitable
for human consumption. It can incorporate the entire cow, including the
bones, quality cuts of meat are always removed. This is an inexpensive,
low quality ingredient used to boost the protein percentage. |
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Blood
Meal: AAFCO definition: Blood Meal is produced from clean, fresh animal
blood, exclusive of all extraneous material such as hair, stomach belchings
and urine except as might occur unavoidably in good manufacturing process.
A large portion of the moisture is usually removed by a mechanical dewatering
process or by condensing by cooking to a semi-solid state. The semi-solid
blood mass is then transferred to a rapid drying facility where the more
tightly bound water is rapidly removed. The minimum biological activity
of lysine shall be 80%.
Blood
meal is an inexpensive protein booster. You have no way of knowing what
type of animal the blood came from or what residues of hormones, medications
or other substances are in this product. It has a better use as fertilizer
than as a dog food ingredient. |
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Chicken
Byproduct Meal: AAFCO definition: Consists of the dry, ground, rendered,
clean parts of the carcass of slaughtered chicken, such as necks, feet,
undeveloped eggs, and intestines -- exclusive of feathers except in such
amounts as might occur unavoidably in good processing practices.
Chicken
byproducts are much less expensive and less digestible than the chicken
muscle meat.The ingredients of each batch can vary drastically in ingredients
(heads, feet, bones etc.) as well as quality, thus the nutritional value
is also not consistent. Don't forget that byproducts consist of any parts
of the animal OTHER than meat. |
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Corn
Distillers Dried Grains With Solubles: Distillers Dried Grains with
solubles (DDGS) is the product obtained by condensing and drying the stillage
that remains after fermenting the starch in corn or milo in the production
of ethyl alcohol.
An
inexpensive byproduct used as protein filler in cheap dog foods. Its amino
acids are poorly balanced, not very digestible, have a high fiber content
and nutritional value can vary greatly from batch to batch. Better suited
as cattle feed. |
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Corn
Germ Meal: AAFCO definition: Ground corn germ which consists of corn
germ with other parts of the corn kernel from which part of the oil has
been removed and is obtained from either a wet or dry milling manufacturing
process of corn meal, corn grits, hominy feed, or other corn products.
An
inexpensive by-product of human food processing, rich in protein but often
used as a booster in poor quality foods. It is not a harmful ingredient
but should not rank high in the ingredient list of a quality product. |
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Corn
Gluten Meal: AAFCO: The dried residue from corn after the removal of
the larger part of the starch and germ, and the separation of the bran
by the process employed in the wet milling manufacture of corn starch or
syrup, or by enzymatic treatment of the endosperm.
An
inexpensive by-product of human food processing which contains some protein
but serves mainly to bind food together. It is not a harmful ingredient
but should not rank high in the ingredient list of a quality product. |
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Fish
Meal: AAFCO definition: The clean, rendered, dried ground tissue of
undecomposed whole fish or fish cuttings, either or both, with or without
the extraction of part of the oil.
As
with all other animal sources, if a type isn't specified, quality is unassured
and type and quality of fish is unknown. According to US Coast Guard
regulations, all fish meal not destined for human consumption must be conserved
with Ethoxyquin (unless the manufacturer has a special permit). This preservative
is banned from use in foods for human consumption except for the use of
very small quantities as a color preservative for spices. So unless the
manufacturer either presents a permit or states "human grade" fish or fish
meal is used, you can be pretty sure Ethoxyquin is present in the food
even if it is not listed. |
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Liver
Meal: AAFCO defines this as the dried product of ground hepatic glands
of mammals.
Whenever
the word 'meat' or the name of an organ appear by themselves (without a
species) on a pet food label, there is no way to know which kind of animal
it came from. It could be horse liver, goat, duck, pig, or even skunk or
other animals of questionable origin |
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Meat
& Bone Meal: AAFCO defines this as the rendered product from mammal
tissues, with or without bone, exclusive of any added blood, hair, hoof,
horn, hide trimmings, manure, stomach and rumen contents except in such
amounts as may occur unavoidably in good processing practices.
The
animal parts used can be obtained from any source, so there is no control
over quality or contamination. Any kind of animal can be included: "4-D
animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter), goats,
pigs, horses, rats, misc. roadkill, animals euthanized at shelters and
so on. It can also include pus, cancerous tissue, and decomposed (spoiled)
tissue. |
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Meat
Meal: AAFCO defines this as the rendered product from mammal tissues,
exclusive of any added
blood,
hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings, manure, stomach and rumen contents except
in such amounts as may occur unavoidably in good processing practices.
The
animal parts used can be obtained from any source, so there is no control
over quality or contamination. Any kind of animal can be included: "4-D
animals" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter), goats,
pigs, horses, rats, misc. roadkill, animals euthanized at shelters and
so on. It can also include pus, cancerous tissue, and decomposed (spoiled)
tissue. |
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Pork
& Bone Meal: AAFCO definition: The rendered product from pork tissues,
including bone, exclusive of any added blood, hair, hoof, skin, manure,
stomach and rumen contents, except in such amounts as may occur unavoidably
in good processing practices.
A
byproduct made from pork parts which are not suitable for human consumption.
It can incorporate the entire pig, including the bones, but the quality
cuts of meat are always removed. This is an inexpensive, low quality ingredient
used to boost the protein percentage. |
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Poultry
Byproduct Meal: AAFCO definition: Consists of the ground, rendered,
clean parts of the carcasses of slaughtered poultry, such as necks, feet,
undeveloped eggs, and intestines, exclusive of feathers except in such
amounts as might occur unavoidably in good processing practices.
The
parts used can be obtained from any slaughtered fowl, so there is no control
over the quality and consistency of individual batches. Poultry byproducts
are much less expensive and less digestible than chicken meat.The ingredients
of each batch can vary drastically in ingredients (heads, feet, bones,
organs etc.) as well as quality, thus the nutritional value is also not
consistent. Byproducts consist of any parts of the animal OTHER than meat. |
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Poultry
Meal: AAFCO: The clean combination of poultry flesh and skin with or
without bone. Does not contain feathers, heads, feet or entrails. If from
a particular source it may state so (i.e. chicken, turkey etc).
This
product source is not defined as "slaughtered poultry". The manufacturer
does not disclose the species (or the mix of species) of the poultry used.
The fowl can be obtained from any source, so there is no control over quality
or contamination. Any kind of animal can be included: "4-D animals" (dead,
diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter), turkey, chicken, geese,
buzzard, seagulls, misc. roadkill, birds euthanized at shelters and so
on. |
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Soybean
Meal: AAFCO definition: The product obtained by grinding the flakes
which remain after removal of most of the oil from soybeans by a solvent
or mechanical extraction process.
A
poor quality protein filler used to boost the protein content of low quality
pet foods. Has a biologic value lof ess than 50% of chicken meal. |
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Bone
Phosphate: Bone Phosphate is the residue of bones that have been treated
first in a caustic solution then in a hydrochloric acid solution, and thereafter
precipitated with lime and dried.
Bone
Phosphate is precipitated with lime and dried. It is used for livestock. |
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Salt:
Also listed as Sodium Chloride. A colorless or white crystalline solid,
chiefly sodium chloride, used extensively in ground or granulated form
as a food seasoning and preservative. May also appear in ingredient list
as "Iodized Salt" (iodine supplement added), "Sea Salt" (as opposed to
salt mined from underground deposits) or "Sodium Chloride" (chemical expression).
While
salt is a necessary mineral, it is also generally present in sufficient
quantities in the ingredients pet foods include. There are exceptions and
by looking at the other ingredrients one can tell if it's needed or an
ingredient to attract a dog. Like for humans, too much sodium intake is
unhealthy for animals. In poor quality foods it is often used in large
amounts to add flavor and make the food more interesting. |
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Mineral
Oil: Any of various light hydrocarbon oils, especially a distillate
of petroleum.
Mineral
oil functions as a laxative and stool softener. Informatin has not been
found producing any evidence of any other health benefits. |
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Yeast
Culture: AAFCO definition: The dried product composed of yeast and
the media on which it is grown, dried in such a manner as to preserve the
fermenting activity of the yeast.
An
unnecessary, feed-grade ingredient in pet foods, added mainly as a flavoring
to make inexpensive food more attractive. Lacks the nutritional value of
higher quality yeast supplements. The media on which the yeast was grown
is not identified. Also a potential allergen for some dogs. |
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Yeast
Fermentation Solubles: AAFCO: The soluble portion of yeast (Saccharomyces
cerevisiae) and the media in which is produced.
A
feed-grade ingredient in pet foods, added as a vitamin B supplement. It
is harmless, but lacks the nutrients of higher quality yeast supplements.
The media on which the yeast was grown is not identified. Also a potential
allergen for some dogs. |
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Cane
Molasses: AAFCO defines this as a by-product of the manufacture of
sucrose from sugar cane. It must contain not less than 43% total sugars
expressed as invert.
Sugar
or sweetener is not needed in dog foods and is added to make the product
more tasty. Continuous intake can promote hypoglycemia, obesity, nervousness,
cataracts, tooth decay, arthritis and allergies. |
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Corn
Syrup: A syrup prepared from cornstarch, used in industry and in numerous
food products as a sweetener.
Sugar
or sweetener is an absolutely unnecessary ingredient in pet foods, added
to make the product more attractive. Continuous intake can promote hypoglycemia,
obesity, nervousness, cataracts, tooth decay, arthritis and allergies.
Addiction to foods that contain sugars is possible. |
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Fructose:
A very sweet sugar, C6-H12-O6, occurring in many fruits and honey and used
as a preservative for food and as an intravenous nutrient.
A
monosaccharide found naturally in fresh fruit and honey. It is obtained
by the inversion of sucrose by means of the enzyme invertase. Used in small
quantities it serves as a nutrient for probiotics, specifically bifidobacteria,
which ferment it and produce beneficial enzymes. |
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Sorbitol:
A white, sweetish, crystalline alcohol, C6-H8-(OH)6, found in various berries
and fruits or prepared synthetically and used as a flavoring agent, a sugar
substitute for people with diabetes, and a moisturizer in cosmetics and
other products.
Sugar
or artificial sweetener is an absolutely unnecessary ingredient in pet
foods, added to make the product more attractive. Continuous intake can
promote diabetes, hypoglycemia, obesity, nervousness, cataracts, tooth
decay, arthritis and allergies. Pets also get addicted to foods that contain
sugars. |
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Sugar:Can
include sucrose, cane sugar, caramel, corn syrup and others products.
Sugar
or sweetener is added to make the product more attractive to dogs. Continuous
intake can promote hypoglycemia, obesity, diabetes, nervousness, cataracts,
tooth decay, arthritis and allergies. Dogs can get addicted to foods that
contain sugars making non-sweet foods unappetizing.. |
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| Dl-Alpha
Tocopherol Acetate: A synthetic vitamin
E that is also listed as Dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate. This substance is
only about 50% as effective as natural vitamin E and not as readily available
to the body. |
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Sources:
* Ingredients101.com
* Sabine Contreras, Animal
Nutritionist. Certification in Animal Care from the University
of Guelph, Ontario, Ca
* Stuart Thompson, Professor,
Neurobiology, Signal Transduction, Stanford University
* Dr. Michael Rubinstein,
Humane Society of New York, member of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
* US Department of Agriculture |
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