Controversial Ingredients to Watch For on Dog Food Labels
One day, while I was on a walk, a neighbor stopped me to ask for some pet care advice. He told me that his three small dogs had all been suffering from skin rashes for over a year. He explained that he had changed their shampoo, and even "upgraded" their food from Purina, to Nutrish by Rachel Ray. I then broke the news to him that even though switching from Purina was a good move, feeding Rachel Ray's dog food may not have helped much. This is because it has been sited as containing chemicals and synthetic ingredients, (including L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, menadione sodium bisulfite). I then suggested that he start feeding his furry kiddos a brand of dog food that was made with healthier ingredients, and that did not contain harmful ones. I also let him know that using a homemade lemon water rinse on their skin after their baths should also help clear up the rashes. Some time later, we talked again. He told me that after he started feeding the higher quality grain free food I recommended, and adding a lemon water rinse to his dog's bath time routine, the skin rashes went away and his dogs seemed to be in much better moods as well. Thankfully, he was aware that the first step in investigating a cure for his dog's illness was to adjust their diet. And usually, that is the best place to start. "The wrong ingredients in the wrong combinations can lead to a host of health problems, both physical and mental." Unhealthy ingredients that are in some dog foods can cause allergies, that result in skin rashes and digestive disorders. So if your pet is showing any of these symptoms, before rushing to the vet for pills and other forms of medication, you might want to take a closer look at the ingredients in his food. Here is a list of some of the controversial ingredients to look for when examining the labels on your pup's foods. 1. BHA, BHT Ethoxiquin, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Selenite 2. Meat, meat meal & by products 3. Corn, wheat, soy & beet pulp 4. Products from China and rendering plants 5. Onions, grapes, garlic and avocados
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the five groups of controversial dog food ingredients covered in this article?
The article lists five groups to watch for on labels: (1) BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, propylene glycol, and sodium selenite; (2) meat, meat meal, and by-products; (3) corn, wheat, soy, and beet pulp; (4) products from China and rendering plants; and (5) onions, grapes, garlic, and avocados.
Why should I check my dog's food label before rushing to the vet?
According to the article, unhealthy ingredients in some dog foods can cause allergies that result in skin rashes and digestive disorders. The author suggests taking a closer look at the ingredients in your dog's food as a first step.