what DO they put in dog food?

Question

I'm talking about the cheap kind like Pedigree and Alpo. I hear a lot of crap on the internet but has anyone actually seen what they put into pet food for themselves?

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/index.php

Answer 1

I used to work with a girl who had a job working at a dog food processing plant. As for how truthful her story was, is about how much you know about meat processing plants but this is what she told me...

They would recieve deliveries of containers with unused or unfit meat for human consumption, i.e. skin, bones, fat, parts we humans just don't care to eat. Add some mix of poultry, beef, horse...who knows. Sometimes feathers and feet and beaks. Corn, fillers, by-products dogs can't even digest to make them feel full. A really bad food is like the crap you get out of a grocery store dumpster and mix and mash it into a dog's food. WOULD YOU EAT THAT!?

Answer 2

I haven't seen personally, but there's a fairly big difference between the "grocery" pet foods (ones that have very few specific life stage/breed formulas) and the higher end ones (ones that have large breed, senior large breed, puppy, small dog, etc. etc.).

The difference is usually apparent after reading the first 4-6 ingredients. The higher end foods usually have different meats listed for the first several ingredients, and then the fillers, whereas the grocery pet foods might have fillers as even the second or third item.

If you can afford higher end foods, it isn't a waste of money. It's much better for your pet to get them specific life stage/breed formulas without so much filler.

Also stick with hard foods/kibble instead of wet foods since it's better for their teeth (I know you didn't ask about that- but just thought I'd throw that in there).

Answer 3

I have worked at freezing works. You'll be surprised what they put into it,but, I have found through trying out different brands,that the cheapest and the best dog food,are the "cheap brands", they at least have lumps of meat in it,not this finely ground sausage meat that you pay the earth for, buy your dog cannon bones for him to nor on, they might let off a smelly fart now and again, but boy, you are going to end up with one healthy dog...I have a cross between a English,& an American bull terrier, he is so solid,and muscular, he could take on any dog,or a 'small tiger',lol, and put up a good rumble,lol..not that I would do that to him..only give your dog water..never any milk..

Answer 4

Our pets need quality pet food. Read the ingredients list and learn what the stuff on there is and what it does (or does not do) to/for our pets. A quick pet food 101. If the pet food contains corn/corn products or by products it is a poor quality food. Do not pay attention to advertising, they all say there food is great. Corn is a filler that can trigger skin problems. (allergies, skin problems, itching and excessive shedding) By products is anything from an animal not fit for human consumption, including cancerous tissue. Quality foods have meat as the first ingredient. California Natural, Solid Gold, Innova and Merrick are a few of the best brands available. If you want to learn more check out: http://www.sagekeep.com/petfood.htm www.api4animals.org/facts?p=359& more=1 http://animalark.eapps.com/animal/PetFoods.nsf/$$PetFoodsByRating?OpenForm

Answer 5

I took a pet food class when I was about 23 (I am 36 now) We saw a few videos of dog food plants, not giving any names but what I saw would gross you out!! When they say chicken by products it means heads, feet, guts and all the other stuff you would not want to eat and this was a video of a supposed Good food which is now sold in grocery store!! (that should give you a hint) Grocery store food is crap for you pet!!

Answer 6

I don't think you would want to know. I came across a web site and this person makes cat and dog food and he told what other companies put in their dog and cat food and it made me not what to buy canned food for my cat.

Answer 7

A lot of junk. I never understood the importance of a quality dog food until my yellow lab started shedding profusely. I changed his food from Purina One to Canidae (I found at the pet store). I had never heard of this food before, but he has the shinest, just beautiful coat now. A quality dog food is important in so many ways and there may be reasons besides just a beautiful coat, but to me if the hair is healty the puppy is health.

Answer 8

I had to watch a video also, and it's HORRIBLE and DISGUSTING.

'By-products' could be ANYTHING, including feathers, beaks, feet or anything of the like.

When it's not a named meat source, and it says 'meat meal' it could even be dead dogs and cats, the bodies have to go somewhere right? Did you think the vets just keep them in the office forever? nope.

Also, wheat gluten meal and corn gluten meal are like floor sweepings, they're nutritionless fillers, things you would hopefully) NEVER feed your dogs in their raw state.

..Dogs are carnivores and don't need to be eating grains, it's hard for them to digest. Plus, why do they need dyes? Who cares what color the food is, and salt? Why? for flavor? I don't think so..

Answer 9

read the ingredients, Did you know they also make a vegeritarian diet food for dogs and cats?

Answer 10

That's not really a question now is it? Did you post this to make a statement? If you want to run an op-ed... make a blog.