Ready to start 2021’ off right for you and your pup? Here’s how we can help. Let’s start with diet and what to avoid.
WHAT INGREDIENTS IN K-9 FOODS and SNACKS SHOULD YOU AVOID?
6 Ingredients to absolutely avoid at all costs!
Choosing the right dog food and snacks for your pup can be a daunting task. Roaming the aisles at your local pet store, or the virtual aisles online can be so overwhelming that pet parents often immediately jump to the brands they’ve heard of over the years, or the labels they’ve been inundated with while scrolling the vast landscapes of social media.
Well, look no further. We’re here to give you a simple hack that will guide you to the best food and snacks for your pup’s health by simply showing you what ingredients to avoid. Here’s a list of our top six. As soon as you see these ingredients in K-9 foods and snacks, look for something else.
1. RENDERED FAT or MEAT MEAL... YUCK!
This one is possibly the most obvious and comes in at the top of our list. An easy rule of thumb is, “If you wouldn’t eat it, don’t feed it to your dog.” Meat meal is unspecified meat…it’s basically mystery meat. This can include restaurant or factory waste, expired or diseased meat, unidentified fat, grease or fatty tissue. Alongside your mystery meat, you will often find rendered fat, even rendered fat from sick animals. This protein is highly toxic and must be processed so thoroughly to avoid making animals stick. Bottom line, if you see this ingredient, don’t touch the stuff and definitely don’t feed it to your precious pooch.
2. CORN SYRUP and XYLITOL
Corn syrup is a concentrated sweetener that is derived from corn. Just because you see in it your own food, doesn’t mean it’s healthy for your dog. The problem with corn syrup is that it’s cheap and spikes your dog’s blood sugar. Did you know dogs can suffer from obesity and diabetes? Yep! Your pup has a pancreas and if you’re constantly bombarding it with corn syrup, eventually their bodies won’t be able to keep up.
On the flip side, Xylitol is a low-calorie sweetener that claims to be healthier for your dog. However, very little research has been done. There have been studies to show that xylitol can be toxic to dogs, causing seizures, hyperglycemia, and even death.
3. BHA
Butylated Hydroxyanisole, otherwise known as BHA is a chemical preservative found in many dog foods and treats. Check out your pup’s food and treats to see if there is an expiration date. It’s important to recognize that dog foods and treats with a long shelf life are often loaded with preservatives.
According to the CDC, BHA is a carcinogen and can really affect your dog’s health. Many other countries have banned this preservative. STAY AWAY!
4. NITRATES and STPP
Sodium nitrite is a common preservative found in human food as well as pet food and treats.
Nitrates, like sodium nitrate have been linked to many different kinds of cancer as well as blood disorders.
STPP, or sodium tripolyphosphate, is another preservative used in dog foods and treats. Little known fact, it’s also in laundry detergent to soften the water. Would you knowingly pour laundry detergent over your pup’s food?
5. ARTIFICIAL COLORS AND FLAVORS
There is just no need for artificial colors and flavors in your pet’s food or treats. These two unhealthy ingredients are often added to make the food and treats look more appealing to the pet parents and really do nothing for the pet. Just avoid it, there’s no need.
6. PROPYLENE GLYCOL
Propylene glycol is a toxic ingredient found in wet pet foods, which also happens to be found in antifreeze. This one goes without saying. STAY AWAY.
Looking for a healthy treat or food topper that will add nutrition to your pet’s diet while avoiding harmful ingredients or artificial flavors or colors?
Check out OFF WE GO’s limited ingredient, bone broth, artisanal superfood treats and toppers. Our treats and toppers are made up simply of bone broth, sweet potato, turmeric, oat flour, and coconut oil. Click here to SHOP NOW!
All our treats are made with 100% certified organic, limited healthy ingredient, and produced in small local kitchens right alongside our own human healthy treats. We believe in treating our pet’s bodies like our own and that healthy diets and activity are key to ensuring longevity and a good quality of life for our pets.
Giving Back!
Off We Go donates 10% of our net profit to no-kill animal shelters when purchased from www.offwego.co.
We love hearing from pawrents! Send your questions, thoughts, or blog topic suggestions to blog@offwego.co
Happy Woofs!