Personally, having owned and trained family dogs of many different breeds for the past sixty years, I have experienced first-hand the effects that different diets have had on the health and wellbeing of our dogs. During that period, we have also seen a dramatic change in the types and varieties of dog food available and their respective ingredients. In today's dog food marketplace, we continue to experience an explosion in the dog food manufacturers, as well as the types of food being marketed worldwide for dogs.
The base ingredients for dog food over the past decade have not changed significantly. However, with the exception of some new protein and plant sources, the ways in which they can now be processed and presented have grown dramatically, together with new artificially created equivalents of existing ingredients.
Government agencies around the world have formulated and continue to update their listings of approved ingredients for pet food, supported by research and, in many cases, years of use without and without adverse effects that we are aware of. These are continually updated and revised as new information becomes available.
To create this one stop comprehensive reference glossary of dog food ingredients, not currently available anywhere else, we have scoured all sources, which specifically include: all relevant Government agencies and related organizations on six continents, Universities & Research Repositories, Veterinary & Medical Organizations, Published Research Papers, and reputable Websites for approved listings of animal, fish and insect-based protein products, grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, minerals, vitamins, additives, and supplements, as well as any ingredient that is or can be used in dog food, worldwide.
You will be positioned to evaluate the ingredients of the dog food you are, or maybe considering, using and most importantly have a true and real understanding of what each ingredient really is and what benefits, problems or major health issues that are applicable.
Having identified so many major and potentially dangerous issues we wanted to share this vital information with as many dog owners as we can to give you had quick and easy access to all the information in one place in terms they could understand and appreciate. You will then be positioned to give your dog the best, by choosing food with the highest quality ingredients, thereby ensuring that they are getting the nutrition they need to stay healthy and happy.
The Challenge
Which brings us to the most important aspect of understanding dog food packaging, specifically the ingredients list, which is required by law. The ingredient list is required to display all ingredients from most to least by weight. The biggest contributors are first, and the smallest are last. The ingredients are either major or minor.
a. Major ingredients will usually be the first five listed and generally constitute 80% of the product.
b. Minor ingredients are mostly ingredients that supply minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients.
They may include a few unrecognizable names, and many will be "chemical sounding." Other minor ingredients include preservatives, conditioning agents, emulsifiers, stabilizers and coloring or flavoring agents.
The Goal,
To spotlight the 'Good, the Bad and the Dangerous', this bible of dog food ingredients can be used regardless of the type of dog food and what country you live in. From Kibble to Raw, freeze dried to tinned, organic to fresh, we have incorporated them all, in excess of one thousand three hundred ingredients, so that you can see for yourself and explore key aspects and facts from preeminent primarily independent sources, veterinary websites, and animal welfare organizations, to lift the veil on dog food ingredients. It's time to discover what has been carefully disguised, omitted, and purposely hidden from you about your dog food.