Thanks to non-enforcement of federal food safety laws, pet food is provided the privilege to include…shall I say…less than optimal ingredients.  Here is a list of those common ‘less than optimal’ pet food and pet treat ingredients, plus a few more questionable ingredients.

Animal Fat (preserved with BHA/BHT) – is a fat produced through the rendering process; imagine a very large pot that cooks a variety of animal ingredients.  The fat that rises to the top of the pot becomes Animal Fat.  FDA testing of pet food linked this ingredient to the discovery of the euthanizing drug pentobarbital (used to end the life of dogs, cats, and horses) in pet food.  Any animal including euthanized animals, road kill, diseased animals (per FDA associations) can be the source of this fat.  To learn more about the pet food/pet treat ingredient Animal Fat, Click Here.

BHA/BHT – are chemical preservatives linked to serious illness.

Canola Oil – is a controversial ingredient not tested for safety with pets.  To learn more about the ingredient Canola Oil, Click Here and Here.

Carrageenan – is a seaweed extract used as a thickener; linked to serious illness. To read more about Carrageenan, Click Here.

Chicken By-Product Meal - per AAFCO – consists of the ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcass of slaughtered chicken such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, and intestines. By-Products could be sourced from healthy internal organs of slaughtered animals OR the by-products could be sourced from diseased tissues rejected as human grade.   The concern for the petsumer is there is no way of knowing the quality.  To learn more about the pet food/pet treat ingredient By-Product Meal, Click Here.

Ethoxyquin – is a chemical preservative linked to serious illness.  Not as commonly used as a pet food ingredient as it once was, however this questionable ingredient can still be found in some grocery store type pet foods and treats AND is used to preserve fish meal pet food ingredients (prior to manufacturing).  To learn more about the pet food/pet treat ingredient Ethoxyquin, Click Here.

Corn, Soy, and Wheat Ingredients – Many pet food experts believe corn, soy, and wheat ingredients are less than optional and a possible source of food allergens in pets.  Another significant concern with grains is the risk of mycotoxins or mold.  Testing of grain ingredients for the presence of mycotoxins is challenging to be 100% complete (only portions of shipments of grains are tested for this deadly mold).  Further, there is science that shows even small amounts of mycotoxins (undetected by testing) – over time – can cause serious health issues with pets.  A final concern of grain ingredients is the majority of grain products are GM (genetically modified); recent science has linked GM corn to liver and kidney disease in animals.  To learn more about mycotoxins, Click Here.  To learn more about GM Corn, Click Here.

Food Dyes (yellow #5, red #40, blue #2, …) – Food dyes in animal studies are linked to everything from tumors to hyperactivity.  Dyes are added to pet food/treat solely for ‘eye appeal’ of the petsumer; they add no nutritional benefit to the pet whatsoever.  To learn more about pet food/treat food dyes, Click Here.

Meat By Products - is the mammal parts other than meat.  By-Products could be sourced from healthy internal organs of slaughtered animals OR the by-products could be sourced from diseased tissues rejected as human grade.   The concern for the petsumer is there is no way of knowing the quality.  To learn more about the pet food/pet treat ingredient Meat By-Products, Click Here.

Meat and Bone Meal – AAFCO definition “is the rendered product from mammal tissues, including bone, exclusive of any added blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings, manure, stomach and rumen contents…” FDA testing of pet food linked this ingredient to the discovery of the euthanizing drug pentobarbital (used to end the life of dogs, cats, and horses) in pet food.  Any animal including euthanized animals, road kill, diseased animals (per FDA associations) can be the source of this ingredient.  To learn more about the pet food/pet treat ingredient Meat and Bone Meal, Click Here.

Poultry By-Product Meal – per AAFCO – consists of the ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcass of slaughtered poultry such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, and intestines. This ingredient can be any type of poultry (chicken, duck, turkey, and so forth).  By-Products could be sourced from healthy internal organs of slaughtered animals OR the by-products could be sourced from diseased tissues rejected as human grade.   The concern for the petsumer is there is no way of knowing the quality.  To learn more about the pet food/pet treat ingredient Poultry By-Product Meal, Click Here.

TBHQ is a chemical preservative related to BHA. Studies have shown that prolonged use has links to cancer.

Turkey By-Product Meal – per AAFCO – consists of the ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcass of slaughtered turkey such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, and intestines. By-Products could be sourced from healthy internal organs of slaughtered animals OR the by-products could be sourced from diseased tissues rejected as human grade.   The concern for the petsumer is there is no way of knowing the quality.  To learn more about the pet food/pet treat ingredient Turkey By-Product Meal, Click Here.

Read the ingredients of every food or treat you provide your pet!