Dog Food Research
There is much written about dog foods: brands, labeling, dry vs. wet vs. raw, make your own, grain free, etc. It is hard to decipher it all, but there seem to be a few common conclusions.
1. There should be some type of statement on the packaging stating that the food is “complete and balanced.”
2. A statement that the nutritional adequacy was validated by animal feeding tests based on protocols from the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
3. The healthiest brands will list some type of meat, by name, as the first ingredient.
4. There should be more than one type of meat ingredient listed by name.
5. Avoid “meat and bone meal”, animal by products.
6. Avoid preservatives, fillers, artificial colors, flavors and fructose.
7. Need to have vitamin A, E, C or tocopherols and K. Should also contain B1, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9 and B12.
8. Need fat- but not excessive amounts. In order to absorb the fat, soluble vitamins A, K, E, D are necessary. Fat to protein ratio is recommended 50-70%.
9. Essential Fatty Acids: Omega 3 & 6 from flax or linseed oil, rapeseed or canola oil, hemp oil, soybean oil, cotton seed oil, sunflower oil, corn oil or safflower oil
10. Need fiber- minimum 3-4 %
11. It is recommended that the minerals be chelated- makes the mineral easier to absorb.
12. Good formula has 30% protein and 18% fat.
13. Corn not recommended.
14. Brown rice is a better ingredient than white rice.
A few of the sights I searched:
1. There should be some type of statement on the packaging stating that the food is “complete and balanced.”
2. A statement that the nutritional adequacy was validated by animal feeding tests based on protocols from the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
3. The healthiest brands will list some type of meat, by name, as the first ingredient.
4. There should be more than one type of meat ingredient listed by name.
5. Avoid “meat and bone meal”, animal by products.
6. Avoid preservatives, fillers, artificial colors, flavors and fructose.
7. Need to have vitamin A, E, C or tocopherols and K. Should also contain B1, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9 and B12.
8. Need fat- but not excessive amounts. In order to absorb the fat, soluble vitamins A, K, E, D are necessary. Fat to protein ratio is recommended 50-70%.
9. Essential Fatty Acids: Omega 3 & 6 from flax or linseed oil, rapeseed or canola oil, hemp oil, soybean oil, cotton seed oil, sunflower oil, corn oil or safflower oil
10. Need fiber- minimum 3-4 %
11. It is recommended that the minerals be chelated- makes the mineral easier to absorb.
12. Good formula has 30% protein and 18% fat.
13. Corn not recommended.
14. Brown rice is a better ingredient than white rice.
A few of the sights I searched:
- Reviews.com dog food
- Pet Med for Shelties
- Care.com
- Fidosreviews.com
- Dog Food Advisor
- Consumer Affairs 2016
- Consumersearch.com
- Dog Food Analysis
- Pet Food Talk
- Pet Food Rating
- Dog Food Scoop
- FDA