The Truth Behind Dry Dog Food

Many families today are taking the time to read labels at the grocery store. We all want to make sure that we are getting the best value for our money while still getting the nutrition our bodies need. We wouldn't dream of feeding our families something that had toxins in it. There would be a public outcry if something like formaldehyde was found in one of our food ingredients. Yet, everyday, pet owners unknowingly feed there beloved family pets foods that are not only unhealthy but also causing the slow death of their pets. Some of the ingredients found in dry dog food are nothing more than cheap fillers and still more ingredients are actually toxic.

The primary ingredient, as well as protein source, for many dry dog foods is meat meal or, more commonly known as, meat byproducts. Meat byproducts are the parts of animals that wouldn't dare be consumed by any logical person. These parts include head, feet, entrails, lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, liver, stomach, bones, blood, intestines, and any other part of the carcass not fit to be labeled for human consumption. The parts can come from dead, disabled, diseased, and dying livestock. Other animals used are road kill, zoo animals and even euthanized dogs and cats.

The process that turns this disgusting meat into something remotely acceptable by the general public is called rendering. A machine grinds all these parts in huge vats. This product is then cooked at a high temperature for twenty minutes to an hour. The mix is then spun at high speeds and the grease rises to the top which is then removed from the mixture. That grease becomes the "animal fat" that is found in many pet foods. The remaining mix is then dried and becomes the end product, meat meal, in dry dog food.

If that is not disgusting enough, imagine all the chemicals that are in the "meat" before it is rendered. For example, sodium pentobarbital, the same chemical used to euthanize animals doesn't cook away. It survives on into the finished product which is then fed to your dog. This fact has been known by veterinarians for years and still the dangers to our pets exist. The FDA has performed research on the effects of sodium pentobarbital in small miniscule amounts over an eight week and found no significant health threats. However, most people feed their dogs the same brand of food for more than eight weeks.

It is also a known fact that when a diseased or sick animal dies, or is prematurely slaughtered, the disease is still active. These diseases include cancers of all sorts not to mention things like mad cow disease. When meat is rendered in the way presented here, not all of that disease is cooked away. It actually survives and is still present in the product that is nicely packaged on your grocer's shelves for your pet. The long term effects of consumption of this, even in small amounts, have not been determined. With that said though, how long would you eat something knowing that it had small amounts of poison in it?

The accumulation effects of small amounts of toxins are the same as taking medicine over extended periods of time. After taking a particular drug or vitamin, your body builds up an accumulation of it. When you miss a dosage for a day or two you may not notice because the medicine is still in your body tissue. The same result happens when ingesting miniscule amounts of toxins on a daily basis. The tissues in the body accumulate these toxins and oftentimes this causes health issues and even death.

This is not the only inexpensive way that suppliers make dry dog food. Most dog food manufactures not only fill their protein requirements with cheap meat byproduct, but also cheap fillers to make up for bulk. Cheap grain fillers are fortified with synthetic vitamins to give our pets their recommended daily allowances. The problem is that there is more filler than there are actual vitamins. The vitamins that are found in most dry dog foods are either at the bare minimum or are so out of balanced it could cause your pet more harm than good.

Most people believe that there are strict rules in place for the manufacturing of pet foods. While there are guidelines, the FDA says on its' own website, "There is no requirement that pet food products have pre-market approval by the FDA" http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/Products/AnimalFoodFeeds/PetFood/default.htm

The current FDA regulation states that all ingredients be properly identified. All a manufacturer has to do is just put in the proper identification of the product and it is approved. It doesn't matter that the ingredient as little or no nutritional value.

Another affect of feeding your dog dry food is that they do not get enough water. Have you noticed that your dog always seems thirsty after eating dry food? The food actually draws moisture from your dog's body which will cause your dog to want more water. Lack of body moisture will cause skin irritations which could mean lots of scratching and chewing. Another side effect of your pet not getting enough clean fresh water while eating a dry food diet is that they are more susceptible to kidney problems and urininary tract infections.

There are good, quality dry dog foods on the market. Pet owners need to research and understand the labels that come on their dog food just as they would read labels on their family's food. Cheaper dog food may mean less strain on your wallet but could cause detrimental strain to your dogs' health. With a little effort you can determine what is best for you and your pet. Remember too, that no matter what dry food you feed your pet always has a fresh, clean supply of water.