What’s Really in That Bag of Dog Food?

Dog food has a shelf life of 25 years. Hard to believe, but yes that statement is true. Considering that statement, think about how that is even possible.

Have you ever heard of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) or butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)? How about ethoxyquin? Ever read any of these names listed on a dog food in Malaysia label? You may not see them on an ingredient list, but that doesn’t mean they’re not there.

BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin are all preservatives that pet food and treat companies use to make their products. Ethoxyquin extends the shelf life of a bag of kibble but is a highly dangerous preservative. This stuff makes that bag of kibble you just bought be able to outlive your dog 3 times over. It is a very harmful chemical to ingest. You may not see it listed on a ingredient panel because most companies will use mixed tocopherols as a safer alternative when they can, except for the foods containing fish meal. To avoid the fish from going bad manufacturers use ethoxyquin, then they deliver the fish meal to the pet food companies to be used in production of their product. The Rottweiler food companies did not add the ethoxyquin themselves, so they don’t list it on the label.

BHT and BHA are used to prevent fats and oils from going bad. BHT is also commonly found in jet fuels, rubber, petroleum products and embalming fluid. BHA has been tagged by the US National Institutes of Health as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen”. They both prevent dog foods from going rancid, changing color and developing bad odors. I think it’s safe to say that eating rancid, smelly food with a strange color is safer than eating a carcinogen that has been linked to causing tumors. BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin are toxic chemicals that have serious consequences when consumed, yet is acceptable to be used in pet foods.

Considering all the harmful substances in your dog’s kibble and the risks they pose, there really is no reasonable benefit for a dog to eat it. Commercially manufactured dog food brands offers not only zero benefits but is more like walking through a mind field, there are many dangers even though you can’t see them. Pet food companies do their best to avoid any negative back lash from the ingredients in their products. The problem lies in their motivation. Putting profits before health and safety has resulted in products that are very harmful for dogs.

If you want to ensure that your dog is eating healthy and not exposed to the myriad of harmful substances in commercially processed food than you’re going to have to make it yourself. If you learn the proper way to prepare and use ingredients that provide optimal nutrition to your dog, you will find that it is economical and easy. The benefits to your dog will be immeasurable: extended life span, less visits to the veterinarian, more energy, reduced or eliminated allergies and skin issues. These are just some of the benefits realized when a dog stops eating commercial dog food and starts a diet of homemade dog food recipes and homemade dog treats.

A healthy homemade diet is natural for your dog to eat versus a commercial based diet which is very un-natural. The so-called natural ingredients in dog food are far from natural. Eating dog food every day is almost equivalent to you or me eating fast food every day. The dog food is actually worse. You can imagine the ramifications to your health if you ate fast food for every meal every day.