I can't express enough how important it is to feed your dog with a proper, well balanced, HEALTHY food now a days, especially if you want your dog to live a healthier lifestyle, despite what some vets and breeders will recommend. Surprisingly, I'm astounded by how many consumers still really have not clue to what is considered HEALTHY for their pet even with so much information that is accessible through the internet. Perhaps it's the manipulation by the marketing objectives by commercial dog food companies or moreover, the recommendation or suggestion of their vet because he/she said so. (Note: Although vets go to medical school for approximately six years - there is very minimal education on animal nutrition unless further education is personally sought by the individual themselves outside of Science Diet Research. This is why you will find vets highly recommending or pushing the prescription foods of Science Diet, which I also consider a very poor diet as well because of many poor ingredients they also use. Read some information on how Science Diet provides kick backs and bonuses to vets who "push" their foods.)
Because there are hundreds of crappy brands and formulas on the market, here is my first review on a national recognized brand of what I call "crap in a bag". Although this, as with many other brands, are associated with having different formulas (puppy, adult, large breed, small breed, senior), their MAIN FORMULAS consist of basically the SAME INGREDIENTS across the board but will slightly differ in one or two ingredients to accommodate each specific formula (added vitamins/minerals or different use of one protein source). However, the rating will ultimately stay the same.
BRAND: PEDIGREE
INGREDIENTS: Ground Whole Corn, Meat and Bone Meal (Natural Source of Calcium), Chicken By-product Meal (Natural Source of Glucosamine†), Corn Gluten Meal, Rice, Animal Fat (Preserved with BHA/BHT), Wheat Flour, Dried Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Wheat Mill Run, Caramel Color, Vegetable Oil (Source of Linoleic Acid), Vitamins (Choline Chloride, dl-alpha Tocopherol Acetate [Source of Vitamin E], L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate [Source of Vitamin C†], Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Biotin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement [Vitamin B2], Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Minerals (Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Potassium Iodide), Iron Oxide, Added FD&C and Lake Colors (Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Blue 2, Red 40).
OUR RATING: Very Poor - Not Recommended.
ACTUAL ANALYSIS: Dogs are carnivores (meat eaters), however, no where do I see any wholesome and actual MEAT proteins in this food of which dogs need based on their genetic makeup. Let's start with the breakdown by the first 8 listed ingredients in the order they appear:
- Main ingredient - CORN - Corn is a cheap grain filler which really does not have a high nutritional value to it nor is fully digestible - even in human consumption. Moreover, it is known to cause allergies in dogs.
- MEAT & BONE MEAL - This is an inexpensive, cheap form of protein and highly consists of grounded up bone fragments (with minimal meat) which additionally does not provide adequate protein, thus is why it is indicated as being a natural source of calcium instead.
- CHICKEN BY PRODUCT MEAL - By products consist of the "after parts", which in this case is the chicken. This consists of parts that are the "leftovers" that are banned from the human food chain. In plain English - it's simply garbage.
- CORN GLUTEN MEAL - Derived from corn, the gluten meal is an cheap protein source; often used to feed "livestock". Again, with the use of corn listed as the 1st and 4th ingredient, it is again a cheap grain "filler" to formulate this food and known to cause allergies in dogs.
- RICE - Although considered a safe but cheap "grain" for dog consumption, the fact that this is the third grain out of five ingredients so far (which not to mention, has more after the 8th ingredient) but yet has any good protein sources listed which should have been already. If this food contained actual and wholesome protein sources (deboned chicken, fish, beef, etc...) with rice being mentioned as either the 3rd or 5th only grain ingredient, then the food's rating would have been much higher (with the exception of what other ingredients are listed).
- ANIMAL FAT (preserved with BHA/BHT) - Animal fat is a "generic" fat source that is most often made up of rendered animal fat, rancid restaurant grease or other oils that are deemed inedible for humans consumption. In addition, it is also preserved with a chemical called BHA/BHT that is banned in many countries, but still known to be used within the US (which the FDA still allows) in pet and human foods although research shows a link between the use of them and cancer. Read More Here
- WHEAT FLOUR -In dog food products, this is commonly a by-product (think floor sweepings) of human food production and is a grain fragment we consider primarily a cheap filler. Wheat is believed by many to be the leading cause of food allergies in dogs . Wheat mill run is a further grain by-product (listed as the 12th listed ingredient).
- BEEP PULP - Beet pulp is a controversial filler. It is a by-product, being dried residue from sugar beets which has been cleaned and extracted in the process of manufacturing sugar. It is a controversial ingredient in dog food, claimed by some manufacturers to be a good source of fiber, and derided by others as an ingredient added to slow down the transition of rancid animal fats and causing stress to kidney and liver in the process. However, research shows that beet pulp is an ingredient that commonly causes problems for dogs, including allergies and ear infections. There are more natural ingredients around if additional fiber is required such as apples, pumpkin, sweet potatos, etc..
It is also noted on the ingredient list of Pedigree, that various artificial food colorings are also used. As mentioned above about the consumption of BHA/BHT , many various forms of artificial food colorings are also banned in other countries due to the fact they are also linking many health issues & certain cancers associated with the consumption of them (although the FDA still allows human food companies to also use it). Therefore, since Pedigree continues to use these DANGEROUS INGREDIENTS, despite what research shows, in the manufacturing of their dog foods - I highly suggest not choosing any of their brands. In addition, please check your own foods ingredient lists and stop supporting companies who continue to jeopardize people and animals lives.
CLOSING NOTES: Premium, quality dog foods DO NOT CONTAIN corn, wheat, soy, by-products, sugars or any artificial preservatives and additives. Look for top listed ingredients such as wholesome & actual protein sources such as de-boned chicken, fish, beef which should then be followed with fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc. Also, a good quality food will not have to use "natural flavors" as an ingredient such as with poor quality foods do. Corn, wheat, bone meals, etc.. do not have any appealing smells unless natural flavors are used to help attract a dog to eat it. Just remember, you get what you pay for and you may save yourself $10 on a 30 lb bag of food when choosing a cheap brand, but in the long run, it can potentially cost you hundreds to thousands of dollars in medical bills (not to mention risking your pet's health) down the road!
Lastly, just because a vet or your dog's breeder recommends a food, it does not validate it to be a QUALITY FOOD! Please do your own research and by your dog's own advocate! Moreover, if your dog is getting frequent allergy shots but your vet has yet to ask you what kind of food you're feeding your pet or perhaps, didn't tell you that your pet's current food contains allergy producing ingredients , I suggest it's time to change your pet's doctor immediately because it's quite obvious your vet really does not care about the welfare of your pet but his pockets instead.
Let your pet eat well & live happy!
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