Companies that produce dog foods won’t have the same regulations as companies that produce human foods. For that reason, you won’t find serving size information that tells you how much fat, carbohydrates, and protein you’re feeding your pup. It will break down the ingredient list though and you’ll have to guess on the percentages.
Here are the five most common dog food ingredients that you should be aware of.
Table of Contents
Grains
Cheap and mass-produced dog foods will have a grain as the first ingredient more often than not. The most common grain used will be rice, but other companies can use wheat or barley instead.
These will make up the carbs and fiber that your dog needs for digesting. Though grains are exactly natural to their diet.
Dried Meats
Dried meats will be where your pup gets its protein from. This protein then breaks down into amino acids to help with the normal function of their body.
If you have an active dog, you’ll want to make sure the meat component comes first in their diet. This would include chicken, poultry, or fish.
You also need to be careful with wet meats. If you’re asking yourself “can dogs eat canned chicken,” then you should check out the link to learn more.
Fats
Fatty acids are another necessary component that needs to be added because they are often filtered out of dried meats. It is not uncommon to find added fish oil or soybean oil so that your dog gets the fat it needs to function.
Healthy fatty acids like DHA play a portion in helping keep your dog’s brain alert and their eyes from getting dry.
Mineral Supplements
Vitamins and minerals still need to be added to their food because even with the previous ingredients, they aren’t nutritious enough to be on their own.
Instead, you’ll often find the scientific name for minerals in food. This would include Ferrous Sulfate (Iron) or Sodium Selenite (Selenium). If there are any that you’re not sure about, a quick Google search can help clarify the scientific names.
Vitamin Supplements
Vitamin supplements follow the same steps as minerals. They often include the scientific name, like Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (B-6) or Thiamine Mononitrate (B-1).
Not all vitamins and minerals are created equally. Certain types of vitamins that are bonded with oxygen can actually cause an upset stomach for your dog. A good rule of thumb to understand what absorbs will be any mineral that ends in “ate” (for example pantothenate or mononitrate).
Not All Dog Food Ingredients Are Bad
While there are sketchy ingredients in many commercial companies, not all dog food ingredients in the products are bad. It more often than not has to do with the ratio of these products. Try and avoid grain-heavy foods and play around with the foods until your dog seems happy and healthy.
If you want to learn more about how to take care of your pet, then be sure to check out the rest of the blog. Know someone that is looking to get a dog? Get them prepared by sharing this article with them.