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Many dogs in our community aren't as healthy as they could be because of their unhealthy diets caused by dog food brands.

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Why It Is Healthier To Make Your Own Dog Food

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Why It Is Healthier To Make Your Own Dog Food

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If you can barely find time to cook for yourself, making a meal for your dog may seem out of the question. But your standard dog food is far from ideal, especially compared to simple meals with real food you can whip up in your kitchen. "You wouldn't eat at Burger King and McDonald's every night and expect to be healthy. It's basically the same thing for dogs on dry kibble. That stuff has been cooked, dehydrated, and processed to death," says Judy Morgan, DVM, author of What's For Dinner, Dexter?, a cookbook for dogs. "The stuff that goes into pet food would blow your mind," she adds. Pet foods can contain "human food processing by products." That includes expired grocery-store items and the food containers, meaning plastic and cardboard can find their way into a bag of kibble.

RELATED: How to Shop for Healthy Dog Food

Even if expired groceries aren't the main staple, "the majority of commercial dog food is made from ingredients that are considered 'feed grade,' which means they're unfit for human consumption," says Patrick Mahaney, DVM. Mahaney has been cooking for Cardiff, his Welsh terrier, since the dog was a puppy, and he says that the more he learns about the commercial pet food industry, the more he urges his clients to opt out of it. "People need to be shaken up and woken up about what they're feeding their pets."

Beyond being safer, Mahaney promises that you'll see changes in your dog's health and behavior by the end of his first month on home-cooked meals. Some, like improvements in skin and ear-infection issues, will be easy to spot. Others will be less quantifiable. "They'll be getting better-quality vitamins and minerals from whole food sources rather than from synthetic supplements," he says, adding that over time you'll have a healthier, happier dog.

RELATED: How to Make Your Dog Smell Better

But just as you can't survive on the same meal every day, dogs need more than a bowl of chicken and rice night after night. "That's actually one of the problems we have. Sometimes an owner will just cook chicken and rice for their dog, but just like humans, dogs need a balanced diet," says Morgan. To really make sure your pet is getting everything it needs, you'll have to put some thought into what you're making. Here's a primer to get you started.

Decide Your Level Of Commitment
Mahaney started out by making his dog food completely from scratch. "I was roasting and grinding eggshells for calcium; it was a lot of work." The good news is you don't actually have to do this.

"I cheat sometimes and use mixes that are already made," says Dr. Morgan. Mixes, like ones made by The Honest Kitchen and Dr. Harvey's include dehydrated veggies and all the vitamins and minerals your dog needs. "It's the easy way to do it without screwing up."

And if you're totally kitchen-averse but want to kick your dog's kibble habit, you can actually order complete, human-grade meals for your dog. Lucky Dog Cuisine will ship pre-packaged meatloaf bricks to your door, but it will cost you. A 14-pound package (enough to feed a 50 pound dog for two weeks) costs $169 if not ordered as part of a subscription deal.

Figure Out How Much To Feed
Morgan says as a general rule, dogs need 20-30 calories per pound of bodyweight per day. That usually works out to feeding 2-3 percent of their bodyweight daily. "So if it's a 100-pound dog, you're feeding two to three pounds a day."

Also, your dog is basically Paleo. The majority of their food should be meat, with cooked veggies and fruits and perhaps some whole grains mixed it. "Carbs tend to be the most allergy-inducing ingredients," says Morgan, so if your dog is prone to allergies, pass on adding in rice. Finally, keep fats moderate. Like all carnivores, dogs need fat. But too much fat in a dog's diet can lead to weight gain, pancreatitis, and gastric upset. Generally there will be enough fat in the meat you're cooking for you to not need additional fat, says Morgan, and if you're cooking a piece of meat, trim the excess fat off.

Pick Your Proteins
When it comes to making your own dog food, it can be as expensive - or as cheap - of an endeavor as you make it. Morgan shops exclusively at Whole Foods and buys all organic, local meats. But she says that if you can't do that, don't despair. "Even the huge package of ground beef you get at Sam's Club is going to be better than what's in kibble."

Almost any meat will work. Morgan likes to mix things up by cooking rabbit one night a week, chicken another, and beef the next. Fish is a good thing to include too, since omega-3s are important for dogs. And although you may not be big on organ meats, your dog probably is. "Chicken livers, duck livers, hearts, kidneys, spleen, tripe; up to 30 percent of your protein can be from organ meats." But Morgan adds this warning: "If you ask your butcher for a beef liver, you're going to be getting a 50-pound organ. Just ask for a slice."

Make Your First Batch
You really should follow a recipe while you're getting the hang of things. Several books, including What's For Dinner, Dexter? and Dinner Pawsible, offer straightforward advice, recipes, and troubleshooting for dogs with common health issues.

Dr. Morgan usually makes two kinds of meals: crock-pot stews, which include ground meats and finely chopped or ground veggies, and giant, baked meat loafs. "I just put a bunch of chopped or ground [for small dogs] veggies and meat in the crock pot and leave it for a few hours, or I make a meat loaf with ground veggies, an egg, and ground meat. Put it in the oven for an hour like you would for a human."

Avoid These
There are some foods you should never put in your dog's bowl. Onions, avocados, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, chocolate, and currents are all bad for dogs, and large amounts of garlic should be avoided too. Poultry bones get a bad rap for splintering easily, but that's also true of larger cooked bone, which should also be nixed.

Transition Slowly
As you pull your gleaming meat loaf from the oven, it may be tempting to get Fido's bowl and dish him out a human-sized portion. Resist the urge. Mahaney says this is the fastest way to end up with a pile of dog diarrhea on your floor. "Add it in slowly. Any food change should be done over four to seven days to help them adjust. Each day there should be a 25 percent reduction of the old food and a 25 percent increase in the new food."

Be aware, your dog's poop is going to look different on homemade food. "There will be less poop, which is a bonus," says Morgan. "Commercial dog food has so many fillers, which makes for a lot of poop. Your dog's poop will definitely change," but she says it isn't something to be concerned about unless it's diarrhea-like.

Strategize For Time Management
Unless the kitchen is your happy place, you probably don't want to cook dinner for you and your dog every night. Morgan says that you can easily make a week's worth of food at a time, then portion it out and freeze it. Let thawed portions sit in the fridge for no more than two days; the frozen portions, meanwhile, should keep for several weeks.

Ideally, Morgan suggests having several different frozen options on hand at all times so you can mix things up for your dog. But if that's just too complicated, know your dog is likely going to be happy with any home-cooked meal.

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Is It Healthier to Make Your Own Dog Food?

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If you can barely find time to cook for yourself, making a meal for your dog may seem out of the question. But your standard dog food is far from ideal, especially compared to simple meals with real food you can whip up in your kitchen.

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In an ideal world, all kibble would be created equal. Instead, dog owners are presented with an overwhelming array of options, all claiming to be the best dog food on the market. Wading through these choices to find a dog food brand that is healthy, affordable, and appealing to your pet is often frustrating. Luckily, we have some advice to help you narrow down your options.

What Makes A Dog Food Good?

Most people feed their dogs processed kibble or wet food. These processed foods might not be appealing to us, but they contain all of the nutrients dogs need to stay healthy. Most quality commercial foods are highly regulated and have undergone rigorous testing by veterinary specialists. So what exactly is in these foods?

Dogs, unlike cats, are not strict carnivores. While meat makes up the majority of their diet, domestic dogs also derive nutrients from grains, fruits, and vegetables. These non-meat foods are not simply fillers. They are a valuable source of essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. A good dog food will contain meat, vegetables, grains, and fruits. The best dog foods contain high-quality versions of these ingredients that are appropriate for your dog's digestive system.

Dog Nutrition

The best dog food for your canine companion should meet his nutritional needs. While most commercial dog food brands are specially formulated with at least the minimum nutritional requirements for dogs, it is important to remember that not every dog has the same nutritional needs.

Dogs require a wide range of nutrients in different quantities over the course of their lives. The nutritional needs of a puppy are different from an adult dog, which is why it is a good idea to feed a puppy formula or an "all life stages" food to your young dog. If you are unsure about the differences in nutritional requirements between puppies and adults, the Merck Veterinary Manual lists the recommended nutrients for dogs, along with the recommended amount by weight and age.
More about dog nutrition and feeding
Dog Food Myths and Misinformation

There is a wealth of misinformation about dog food and dog nutrition on the Internet. You can sort through it by following one simple rule: check your sources. Many well-meaning individuals make claims about dog nutrition without backing them up with scientific evidence. As you do your research, always check to see if the information is supported by a credible source, like a veterinarian, nutritionist, or scientific study. It never hurts to be skeptical, either. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Many people have concerns about their dogs eating grains or animal byproducts. If your dog has a grain allergy, you should certainly choose a grain-free diet, however, whole grains are actually a source of wholesome nutrients. Quality animal byproducts are also nutritious. These include organs and entrails, which often contain more nutrients than the muscle meat consumed by humans. Regulated byproducts do not include hooves, hair, floor sweepings, intestinal contents, or manure. As with any pet-related inquiry, feel free to discuss your concerns about your dog's food with your veterinarian.

How To Read A Dog Food Label

One way to determine a good dog food from a bad is to read the label. This is easier said than done, as labels are not only hard to read, due to the small print and awkwardness of handling bags of food in the store, but also because labels can be misleading, as the Merck Veterinary Manual explains. Labels are required to tell you eight pieces of information:

1. Product name

2. Net weight of the product

3. Name and address of the manufacturer

4. Guaranteed analysis

5. List of ingredients

6. Intended animal species (i.e. dog or cat)

7. Statement of nutritional adequacy

8. Feeding guidelines

Product Name

The product name tells you a lot about the product. The term "beef" means that beef must make up at least 70 percent of the entire product. The terms "beef dinner," "beef entrée," or "beef platter," on the other hand, only require that beef makes up at least 10 percent of the entire product. "With beef" only requires that 3 percent of the total product be beef, and "beef flavor" simply implies that there is enough beef in the product to flavor it (less than 3 percent).

Ingredients

The ingredient list on the label will not tell you the quality of the ingredients or where they came from, and some manufacturers split up the ingredients to make the distribution more equal. For instance, different types of corn, such as flaked corn, ground corn, or kibbled corn, can be listed separately. This bumps corn down on the list of ingredients, even though the actual content of corn in the food is high. Meat is another tricky ingredient. Whole meats contain a large percentage of water weight, which means that the overall percentage of meat after processing is lower than it appears. Meat meal, on the other hand, sounds less appealing to us but actually contains more meat than "whole meats," as there is no water weight to throw off the calculation.

While the ingredient list might not tell you the quality of the ingredients, it does tell you what is in the food. This is especially important for dogs with special dietary needs or allergies and is also useful for owners who wish to feed their dogs specific sources of fiber, protein, and carbohydrates.

"Complete And Balanced" Dog Foods

One of the first things you should look for on a label is the statement "complete and balanced." This is more than just advertising - the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has strict requirements to make sure that a product is in fact complete and balanced. Complete and balanced diets must contain the minimum amount of all of the nutrients necessary for dogs, which is also indicated in the "guaranteed analysis." This analysis gives the minimum amount of crude protein and fat, along with the maximum amounts of water and crude fiber. The analysis does not, however, give the exact amount of these components, which means there is room for considerable variation. The manufacturer's average nutrient profile is often a better tool for evaluating a product.

You can always contact the dog food company directly to get more information about its product. A reputable company that has your pet's interest at heart should be happy to answer your questions and in many cases will give you more information than what is available on the website or product label. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association has a helpful sheet with questions you can ask a company representative.

The Best Dog Food for Small and Large Breeds

Small dogs and big dogs have different nutritional needs. Large breed dogs are more prone to musculoskeletal problems than smaller breeds, and so they often require food with higher balances of certain nutrients to promote musculoskeletal health, especially as puppies. Small breed dogs, on the other hand, can choke on the large kibbles in large dog breed food and have their own nutritional requirements. Research your dog's breed to find out if there are any additional nutritional requirements you need to be aware of.

More about the best dog food for large breeds.

The Best Dog Food For Puppies

The nutritional needs of dogs vary throughout their life. Puppies have different nutritional needs than active adult dogs, and senior dogs have their own nutritional considerations. Most dog food companies carry specially formulated foods for each stage of life, making it easier to narrow down your choices. If you are concerned about which is the best dog food for your dog's life stage, consult your veterinarian to see what stage is appropriate for your dog.

Your puppy requires a different nutrient balance than an adult dog. This is especially true for large breed puppies, as their growth needs to be monitored carefully to prevent bone and joint disease. Other puppies do well on both "puppy food" and food labeled "for all life stages." The best food for your puppy depends on your puppy's size and breed.
More information about feeding puppies More information about feeding large and small breed puppies
The Best Dog Food For Dogs With Special Dietary Needs

Allergies, sensitive stomachs, and dietary restrictions affect dogs, as well as people. Feeding dogs with special dietary needs can be tricky. Your best course of action is to consult your veterinarian for advice about the dog food that best helps with their condition.

More about why people warm their dog's food.

Best Dry Dog Food

The most widely available and affordable dog food is dry dog food. Dry dog food does not require refrigeration, which is its main advantage over wet dog food, as it contains approximately 90 percent dry matter and 10 percent water. This makes it easy to store. Dry dog food is made by combining and cooking ingredients like meat and grains. This process converts the starches in the food into an easily digested form, while also destroying toxins and flash sterilizing the ingredients. There are many different varieties of dry dog food on the shelves. The best dry food for your dog depends on your dog's dietary needs. In general, a higher quality dry dog food that contains the appropriate ingredients for your dog's life stage and breed is the best choice, but talk to your vet or veterinary nutritionist about the healthiest choice for your pet.

Best Wet Dog Food

Wet dog food, or canned dog food, is a perfectly viable alternative to dry dog food. While generally slightly more expensive, wet dog food is more palatable than dry food and can help stimulate the appetite of picky eaters. Wet dog food contains many of the same ingredients as dry dog food, but not in the same quantities. Wet food contains higher amounts of fresh meat, poultry, fish, and animal byproducts, along with more textured proteins derived from grains. Canned dog food has a long shelf life, however it must be refrigerated once opened. The best wet food for your dog, just as with dry dog food, depends on your dog's life stage, breed, and any special dietary needs or allergies. Talk to your vet about the wet dog food that he recommends for your pet.

How Much Should I Feed My Dog?

Obesity is a growing concern in the veterinary community and has been linked to many health problems in dogs. Luckily for our pets, we are usually better about controlling their diets than we are about controlling our own. Knowing how much to feed your dog and what a healthy weight looks like can be tricky. Many owners accidentally overfeed their pets, which is why it is important to take your dog in for regular checkups and to talk with your vet about appropriate portions. The guidelines on the back of the bag are just that - guidelines. Some dogs may require more than the recommended amount, whereas others require much less.

More about canine obesity.

Choosing the Best Dog Food

What's the best dog food for your dog is ultimately up to you to decide. As an owner, you are the one who sees your dog on a regular basis. If your dog produces firm, healthy stool, is active and fit, and has a healthy appetite, then your dog food is probably working just fine.

Your veterinarian is a valuable resource to you during this process. Your veterinarian knows more about pet nutrition than the average owner, and they also have access to research and resources that owners do not have. Your vet can help you narrow down your options and should be more than happy to help you find the answers to your questions about your dog's food.

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Best Dog Food: Choosing What's Right For Your Dog

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In an ideal world, all kibble would be created equal. Instead, dog owners are presented with an overwhelming array of options, all claiming to be the best dog food on the market. Wading through these choices to find a dog food brand that is healthy, affordable, and appealing to your pet is often frustrating.

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Research On How To Make  Your Own Dog Food

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Research On How To Make  Your Own Dog Food

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(Or if you should do it)

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When it comes to providing your dog with well-balanced, wholesome nutrition many dog owners worry that commercial dog foods simply aren't enough. It is true that many commercial pet foods are made with low-quality ingredients and only meet the most basic nutritional needs for dogs, but that is not true of all dog foods. Still, many pet owners wonder whether it would be better for their dogs if they started making their own dog food at home. Homemade dog food has its pros and cons, as does any type of dog food, and it can be very challenging to create a well-balanced homemade dog food diet. If you are thinking about switching to a homemade dog food diet, take the time to learn the advantages and disadvantages of this decision - you should also learn how to do it properly before you decide whether it is really a good idea to make the switch.

Check Out All Our Commercial Dog Food Reviews Here

Here Is a Great Book With Dog Food Recipes

Pros and Cons of Homemade Dog Food

As it has already been mentioned, there are both pros and cons associated with switching to a homemade dog food diet. Providing your dog with a high-quality, nutritious diet is the key to maintaining his health and wellness, so changing his diet is not a decision that should be made lightly. Below you will find a list of pros and cons associated with homemade dog food:

Pros of Homemade Dog Food

Homemade dog food can be made fresh so that the ingredients retain their maximum nutritional value.

If your dog suffers from food allergies, a homemade dog food diet may enable you to control his exposure to the offending ingredient.

With homemade dog food you can control the ingredients, limiting your dog's exposure to artificial preservatives, flavors, dyes, and hormones.

A homemade dog food diet may be more cost-effective than certain specialty diets like raw food diets for dogs.

Making your own dog food enables you to cater directly to your dog's taste - this is especially beneficial if your dog is a picky eater.

You can make homemade dog food using many of the ingredients you purchase for yourself and your family (ex: fresh meat, vegetables, eggs, etc.).

Homemade dog food will always be fresh - this may make it more appealing and palatable for your dog.

Cons of Homemade Dog Food

It can be difficult to strike the right balance of nutrients with a homemade dog food - you need to use a recipe approved by an animal nutritionist.

Homemade dog food is typically made fresh so it has a shorter shelf-life than commercially prepared dog food.

Making your own dog food might be more expensive than commercial dry dog food.

There is a greater risk for your dog developing nutritional deficiencies on a homemade dog food diet if you don't provide the right balance of nutrients.

Homemade dog foods are often made raw which increases the risk for food-borne illness.

Creating a nutritionally balanced homemade dog food requires a lot of research to make sure that your dog's nutritional needs are met.

Addressing Common Myths and Misconceptions

Before deciding whether or not a homemade dog food diet is right for your pet, take the time to consider some common myths and misconceptions. Many dog owners believe that a homemade dog food diet will improve their dog's nutrition, but they do not understand how difficult it is to create a well-balanced homemade dog food. Below you will find a list of several misconceptions regarding homemade dog foods:

1. Homemade dog food is easy - you just need to provide a variety of wholesome foods.

While it is true that wholesome, natural foods will provide your dog with the maximum degree of nutrition, striking the right balance of those nutrients can be fairly difficult. Commercial dog foods follow strict formulas to ensure that they meet the AAFCO requirements for balanced nutrition. When you make your own dog food at home you may not be using the ingredients in the right proportions to meet your dog's nutritional needs.

2. Giving my dog a multivitamin will cover any gaps in his nutrition.

Many dog owners believe that giving their dog a multivitamin is enough to fill any nutritional gaps left by their homemade dog food recipes. While a multivitamin may help to supplement your dog's nutrition, there are too many multivitamins out there so it can be difficult to choose the one that will provide the right balance of nutrients. Your dog's nutritional needs vary depending on his size, age, breed and sex so the multivitamin that works for one dog might not work for another. Plus, the nutrients in multivitamins are less biologically valuable than the nutrients in fresh, wholesome foods.

3. My dog's nutritional needs are similar to my own so I can just feed him what I eat.

In reality, dogs have very different nutritional needs than humans. Humans are omnivores and the average human diet is composed primarily of carbohydrates with some protein and fat. Dogs, on the other hand, are primarily carnivorous so they require a diet that is high in protein. In order to ensure that your dog's nutritional needs are met, you need to learn what they are by speaking to an animal nutritionist or by doing your own research.

4. Adding yogurt to my dog's homemade food will cover his needs for calcium.

Dogs actually require very high levels of calcium and adding yogurt to your homemade dog food recipe probably won't cut it. Consider this - a 75-pound dog requires about 2,000mgs of calcium per day, or 14,000mgs per week. A diet of turkey, ground lamb, liver, sardines, brown rice, and squash provides about 1,750mgs of calcium. This means that you need to provide an additional 12,000mgs per week which equates to about 40 cups of yogurt - it is extremely unlikely that your dog will eat that much yogurt in a week and, even if he did, it would put him over his daily recommended calorie intake.

5. I should use a lot of vegetables in my homemade dog food so my dog gets the nutrients he needs.

Fresh vegetables are an important part of a homemade dog food diet, but they should not make up the majority of the formula. Protein is more important than carbohydrate for dogs and that protein should come from animal-based sources, not plant-based sources. There is a great deal of debate regarding how much carbohydrate a dog's diet should include and certain vegetables are better than others for dogs. In fact, some vegetables (like nightshades including eggplant and tomatoes) actually interfere with your dog's absorption of nutrients. Some vegetables are also too high in certain nutrients and others are too starchy.

6. Grains are always bad for dogs.

It is a very common misconception that all grains are bad for dogs because they are so high in carbohydrate. In reality, certain grains are a good source of dietary fiber for your dog and as long as they are whole grains and properly cooked, they have some nutritional value. If your dog suffers from a grain-related food allergy, however, it is true that grains are bad for him and should be avoided. For the most part, however, easily digestible whole grains can play an important role in a well-balanced homemade dog food diet.

7. The same homemade dog food diet can be used for puppies, adults and senior dogs.

The nutritional needs of dogs vary slightly in different life stages. Puppies, for example, require more protein and calcium to support the growth and development of their bones and joints. Senior dogs may require a lower calorie diet as their metabolism slows down to prevent them from gaining too much weight. Before you feed your dog a homemade dog food diet you need to make sure that it provides the right balance of nutrients for your dog according to his age and activity level. Working with an animal nutritionist will help to make sure that your homemade dog food is properly balanced.

8. A raw homemade dog food diet is better than a cooked diet.

Both raw food and cooked diets for dogs have their associated pros and cons. Raw food diets tend to preserve more of the natural nutrient content of the ingredients but it puts your dog at a greater risk for food-borne illness. Cooked dog foods might have a slightly lower nutritional value but they may also have a longer shelf-life and they are sometimes safer, especially for young dogs. Before you choose the type of homemade dog food diet you want to use, consult your veterinarian.

Now that you've learned the basics about homemade dog food diets you should have a better idea whether or not it is the right choice for your dog. If you do decide to make your own dog food at home, be sure to do your research to determine your dog's individual nutritional needs and then select a recipe that will meet those needs. Ideally, you should use a recipe that has been created or approved by an animal nutritionist and you should follow the formula careful to prevent any nutritional deficiencies in your dog's diet.

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Should You Make Your Own Dog Food? Things to Consider - Dog Food Insider

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When it comes to providing your dog with well-balanced, wholesome nutrition many dog owners worry that commercial dog foods simply aren't enough. It is true that many commercial pet foods are made with low-quality ingredients and only meet the most basic nutritional needs for dogs, but that is not true of all dog foods.

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Heart Disease in Dogs: Just to be able to give an example in the brochure

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Heart Disease in Dogs: Just to be able to give an example in the brochure

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Bentley, a golden retriever, with his owners Tracy and Chris Meyer of Phoenix, Md., had been eating a grain-free diet all his life. Last year he went into heart failure but has since recovered. Credit Credit Andrew Mangum for The New York Times

Bison and chickpeas. Wild boar and sweet potatoes. Kangaroo and lentils.

These are just a few of the spectacularly popular selections of "grain-free" dog food that have deluged the pet food market in recent years. Dense with exotic proteins, teeming with legumes favored by health-conscious humans, they are promoted as delicious as well as nutritious - better for gluten-sensitive bellies, closer to the ancestral, protein-rich diets of the Yorkie's savage forebears.

But earlier this month, the Food and Drug Administration announced that it is investigating a link between these diets and a common type of canine heart disease.

The condition is dilated cardiomyopathy, or D.C.M., in which the heart weakens and becomes enlarged. Symptoms include fatigue, difficulty breathing, coughing and fainting. Some dogs can abruptly go into heart failure.

D.C.M. is typically seen in large breed dogs that have a genetic predisposition for it, like Doberman pinschers, Irish wolfhounds, boxers and Great Danes. But CVCA, a practice of 19 veterinary cardiologists in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area, alerted the F.D.A. that it has been seeing D.C.M. among other breeds, including golden retrievers, doodle mixes, Labrador retrievers and Shih Tzus.

The common factor was a diet heavy in peas, lentils, chickpeas and potatoes - carbohydrates typically intended to replace grains.

Other veterinary cardiologists have also noticed the phenomenon. "The first clue for us was when we saw a household with two unrelated miniature Schnauzers with D.C.M.," said Darcy Adin, a veterinary cardiologist who teaches at North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. "They were both eating the same boutique, exotic protein, grain-free diet."

Her team has documented 36 dogs with suspected nutritional D.C.M., including poodles and dachshunds.

The possibility that expensive food, lovingly chosen, could make one's adored pet devastatingly ill is sending shudders through dog owners.

"Don't panic," said Martine Hartogensis, a veterinarian who is deputy director for the Office of Surveillance and Compliance in the F.D.A.'s Center for Veterinary Medicine.

There are no recalls yet, she said. Millions of dogs happily and safely vacuum up these diets. The number of patients so far is small.

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Grain-free products in a pet store in Lutherville, Md. Sales of grain-free dog food rose to nearly $2.8 billion by the end of 2017, 44 percent of the market. Credit Andrew Mangum for The New York Times

CVCA, the group that contacted the F.D.A., did a survey of 150 recent cases of D.C.M. Most of the dogs had been on grain-free diets. Steven L. Rosenthal, a partner, noted that they could not rule out other influences, but said that the group now sees eight to 12 new D.C.M. cases a month that are not associated with genetics.

The F.D.A. has recently received reports of some two dozen additional cases. Three dogs died.

"We don't want to be alarmist," Dr. Hartogensis said. "But," she added, "this is a real signal."

Researchers do not know why these diets may be problematic - whether it's the absence of grains, the presence of legumes or something else.

But Lisa Freeman, a veterinary nutritionist and researcher with the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, sees this moment as an opportunity to view grain-free diets skeptically. "Contrary to advertising and popular belief, there is no research to demonstrate that grain-free diets offer any health benefits over diets that contain grains," she said.

Grains are an important source of protein and other nutrients in many meat-based pet foods, she continued. "Grains have not been linked to any health problems except in the very rare situation when a pet has an allergy to a specific grain."

Grain-free canine diets began to gain traction in the wake of the 2007 recalls of pet foods contaminated with melamine from China, industry analysts said. By 2011, grain-free dog food accounted for 15 percent of sales in American pet specialty stores or, nearly $1 billion. By the end of 2017, it had exploded to 44 percent of the market, or nearly $2.8 billion in sales, and continues to grow, said Maria Lange, an analyst on the pet specialty industry for GfK, the global market research firm.

"Most pets are seen as fur babies," she said, "so owners say, 'Maybe my dog is allergic to grains, so just to be safe, I'll feed him grain-free.' But in some ways it's a marketing ploy to catch the consumer's eye."

Bentley, a broad-shouldered, 95-pound golden retriever, had been wolfing down his grain-free pork and squash for years, for which his owners, Tracy and Chris Meyer of Phoenix, Md., paid about $80 a month.

"You look at the ingredients: peas, red lentils, green lentils," Mrs. Meyer said. "They were near the top of the list. It looked like something I would eat, so I thought it would be all right."

When Bentley started backing off his food, she thought it was because they had just moved to a new house. She switched flavors, added treats.

"Whether I was up at 5 a.m. or 8 a.m., he was already awake at the bottom of the bed, panting," Mrs. Meyer recalled. "He started a honking cough. Then his stomach became distended. I took him out one time before going to the vet's and he just stopped, had a bowel movement, and fainted, foaming at the mouth."

The Meyers with Bentley, who is mostly back to normal after a year and a half, though he must take supplements and two heart drugs. Credit Andrew Mangum for The New York Times

At the veterinary emergency room, she was told that Bentley had gone into heart failure. Dr. Rosenthal was on duty. He ran Bentley's levels of taurine, an amino acid essential to a healthy heart that dogs can make on their own. A normal taurine level is over 200. Bentley's was 58.

A year and a half later, Bentley is back to his happy-go-lucky, goofy self. He has come off a heart medication that can affect kidney function. His appointments have been pared back. He still takes supplements and two other heart drugs. His new diet has plenty of grains.

Dr. Adin noted that some dogs have improved with diet change, medication and taurine supplements. Unlike D.C.M. in dogs with a genetic predisposition, she said, D.C.M. in diet-associated cases can sometimes even be reversed.

The F.D.A. said research has just begun on these uncharacteristic cases of D.C.M. One group, cocker spaniels and golden retrievers, do reveal low taurine levels. Investigators speculate that legumes may interfere with the dog's ability to make taurine or perhaps absorb it. Joshua Stern, a veterinary cardiologist at the University of California, Davis, is tracking 24 golden retrievers with low taurine levels who had been on grain-free diets.

But taurine levels in other affected dogs, including mixed breeds, are normal, which puzzles researchers. The F.D.A. requested that owners and veterinarians take blood and urine samples from affected dogs for comparative analysis.

For now, the pet food industry is holding its breath. Dana Brooks, chief executive of the Pet Food Institute, which represents most pet food manufacturers, said in an emailed statement: "While the exact cause of the reported illnesses has not yet been identified, P.F.I. shares the belief that any pet illness should be taken seriously, and we remind pet owners to consult their trusted veterinarians with any questions about their pet's health and well-being."

Some veterinary experts recommend that owners with dogs on such diets review the reasons for doing so with their veterinarians. Dr. Freeman also suggested that owners watch for early signs of heart disease, including weakness and fainting.

"I know that owners want the very best for their pets, but instead of avoiding grains based on myth," she said. "I recommend selecting a pet food that contains high-quality ingredients, is made by a manufacturer with strong nutritional expertise and rigorous quality control, and has the right nutritional profile for the individual pet."

Both Dr. Rosenthal and Dr. Adin suggested that owners also peruse recommendations by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. It does not have regulatory authority, but does promulgate widely recognized standards.

Dr. Adin also said that owners might move away from exotic proteins like alligator and kangaroo, whose benefits, compared to tried-and-true chicken and beef, have not been scrupulously evaluated.

Dr. Rosenthal feeds his own American bulldog, Eddie, a diet from a mainstream commercial pet food maker that includes grains.

"A lot of people would have qualms because it uses less expensive or nonorganic ingredients," he said. "But we've seen dogs thrive on these diets."

A version of this article appears in print on , on Page A18 of the New York edition with the headline: Grain-Free Dog Foods, Heavy on Legumes, May Be Linked to Heart Disease. Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe

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Popular Grain-Free Dog Foods May Be Linked to Heart Disease

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Bison and chickpeas. Wild boar and sweet potatoes. Kangaroo and lentils. These are just a few of the spectacularly popular selections of "grain-free" dog food that have deluged the pet food market in recent years.

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⚠ Important Blue Buffalo recall information appears below.

Blue Buffalo was founded in 2002 by Bill Bishop. The company proudly advertises its natural approach to premium dog and cat food and products. The company was named after Bishop's Airedale Terrier, Blue.

Blue Buffalo produces dry and canned cat and dog food, treats for cats and dogs, and a natural cat litter.

Blue Buffalo Quick Facts

Brand line includes: Blue Buffalo BLUE Life Protection, Blue Buffalo Freedom, Blue Buffalo Wilderness, Blue Buffalo Basics, Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipes, Blue Buffalo Divine Delights, Blue Buffalo BLUE Chunky Stew, and a variety of Blue Buffalo treats for cats and dogs
Cost: $$$
Where to buy: Latest deals on Blue Buffalo dog or cat food - Amazon.com (affiliate link)
Company: Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd.
Headquarters: 444 Danbury Road / P.O. Box 770, Wilton, CT 06897
Contact info: 1-800-919-2833, website

Has Blue Buffalo Ever Been Recalled?

Yes, there have been a number of Blue Buffalo recalls over the past decade. However, before we detail those recalls, we also want to point out that despite rumors, there has been no "Blue Buffalo lead recall." A lawsuit filed in June 2017 claims that 3 Blue Buffalo dog foods (Blue Wilderness Chicken Recipe for Small Breed Adult Dogs, Blue Freedom Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Small Breed Adult Dogs, and Blue Basics Grain-Free Turkey & Potato Recipe for Adult Dogs) contained very high levels of lead, but those allegations have not been proved, and there has been no recall because of lead.

Now let's talk about what has been recalled in the past. Most recently, in March 2017, Blue Buffalo recalled a brand of canned dog food because of potentially excessive levels of beef thyroid hormone (a Wellness brand of canned dog food was also recalled for the same reason). A month earlier, in February 2017, Blue Buffalo recalled some cans of its Homestyle Recipe dog food because of possible metal (aluminum) contamination. Also in February 2017, the company recalled wet dog food cups because of a packaging problem.

In 2016, moisture problems and the possibility of mold prompted a limited recall of some Blue Buffalo sweet potato-flavored dog food.

In fall 2015, there was a Blue Buffalo recall on a single lot of some chew bones. The cause was listed as potential salmonella contamination. Less than 3 weeks earlier, a limited number of Blue Kitty Yums cat treats were pulled from shelves following reports of propylene glycol, which is unacceptable in cat treats under FDA guidelines.

In 2010, Blue Buffalo voluntarily recalled a few products because of a "sequencing error" made by an ingredient supplier. The supplier had conducted a previous processing of Vitamin D in which some carryover may have contaminated the products.

Finally, in 2007, the FDA confirmed the presence of melamine in rice protein concentrate in food manufactured by American Nutrition, Inc. for Blue Buffalo. Blue Buffalo denied knowledge or consent of the additive being in the product. As a result of the recall, Blue Buffalo pulled all of its manufacturing from American Nutrition, Inc., even including products not listed in the recall.

Next, we list the full details of every single Blue Buffalo pet food recall over the years.

Blue Buffalo Recall List

March 2017

February 2017

Divine Delights Filet Mignon Flavor in Gravy, UPC #84024312035

Divine Delights New York Strip Flavor in Gravy, UPC #84024312037

Divine Delights Prime Rib Flavor in Gravy, UPC #84024312039

Divine Delights Rotisserie Chicken Flavor in Gravy, UPC #84024312041

Divine Delights Pate Filet Mignon Flavor, UPC #84024312043

Divine Delights Pate Porterhouse Flavor, UPC #84024312045

Divine Delights Pate Grilled Chicken Flavor, UPC #84024312047

Divine Delights Pate Top Sirloin Flavor, UPC #84024312049

Divine Delights Pate Angus Beef Flavor, UPC #84024312051

Divine Delights Pate Roasted Turkey Flavor, UPC #84024312053

Divine Delights Pate With Bacon, Egg & Cheese, UPC #84024312057

Divine Delights Pate Sausage, Egg & Cheese Flavor, UPC #84024312059

Divine Delights Pate Steak & Egg Flavor, UPC #84024312061

Wilderness Trail Trays Duck Grill, UPC #84024312071

Wilderness Trail Trays Beef Grill, UPC #84024312073

Wilderness Trail Trays Chicken Grill, UPC #84024312075

Wilderness Trail Trays Turkey Grill, UPC #84024312077

February 2017

May 2016

November 2015

November 2015

October 2010

April 2007

If you have not done so already, we urge you to sign up now for Petful's FREE recall alerts by email. Our free alerts are saving pets' lives.

Have You Had a Problem With Blue Buffalo?

1. See our reporting page for contact info.

2. Leave a comment below to share your experience with others.

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Blue Buffalo Pet Food Recall History - Has Blue Buffalo Been Recalled?

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⚠ Important Blue Buffalo recall information appears below. Blue Buffalo was founded in 2002 by Bill Bishop. The company proudly advertises its natural approach to premium dog and cat food and products. The company was named after Bishop's Airedale Terrier, Blue.

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Research On Brand Recalls, Ingredient Substitutes, etc

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Research On Brand Recalls, Ingredient Substitutes, etc

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Are you on a strict budget?

Well, I get it. Sometimes we all have to face some hard times. But, you really don't have to make an adverse change in your furry friend's diet!

I'll tell you why...

When you're looking for a dog food, it's not the brand name or presence if the dog food that matters. What matters most is the ingredients in your doggy's food.

So, today, I'll be discussing some of the best cheap dog food brands that are available to buy.

Don't worry! I've got you covered!

So, let's start, shall we?

Best Cheap Dog Food: An Overview

Let's take a look at the five best cheap dog food brands that we'll be looking at today, shall we?

I'll talk about them in depth later.

Moving on...

Good or Harmful?: The Lies Top Dog Food Companies Have Been Telling You!

Did you know that most of the kibble available in the market isn't suitable for your doggy friend?

It's true!

It's because most of the dog foods available just don't use real meat. And if that wasn't all, they only have enough nutrition to keep your doggy alive.

And, if you look closely enough and read your dog's food labels, you'll see that it's got a lot of quantity of corn in it, which is a filler ingredient.

And, it's the corn that has been deemed unfit for human consumption!

Yes, it is true that most of the dog food companies use really bad quality ingredients in the food that they advertise!

But, there's more that you should know...

Food Recalls: A History You Need To Be Aware Of!

You really should be keeping a track of all the pet foods that you buy for your doggy.

This is because you simply just don't know what the food manufacturers are mixing in it!

In fact, there had been a huge dog food recall that took place in 2007. Do you know why?

I'll tell you.

Some of the major dog companies were accused of putting certain chemicals in dog food to make it look like there was more quantity of protein in them than there actually was.

The dogs that ate this food paid the toll.

The thing is that the chemical that was supposedly added to the food lead to kidney failure in several doggys.

This affected a lot of dogs all over the globe. From China to the United States of America!

So, what I'm trying to say is that you shouldn't just blindly trust any dog food company and take their word for it.

There are a lot of filler ingredients, low-grade stuff and God knows what, which is being mixed in your doggy's kibble!

What does this mean?

I'm trying to tell you that just because it's the most expensive dog food on the shelves, it doesn't mean that it's the best one.

So, sometimes, cheap dog foods are actually way better than named and well-established brands!

So, let's talk about the best cheap dog food brands, shall we?

A Taste Of Everything: Variation

Are you just feeding your doggy kibble?

Well, like I said earlier, do food isn't necessarily the best thing you are giving your dog. Some named brands can contain chemicals and ingredients that may be harmful for your doggy...

So, what should you do?

Well, for starters, you can give your furry little friend some extra nutrition from treats like bell peppers, olives, tuna, and potatoes.

This will simply ensure that your doggy gets the right nutrition as well as vitamins and minerals from his diet.

That'll give you peace of mind!

How Can I Find The Best Affordable Dog Food?

Don't worry! I'll help you along the way!

So, I've got a few tips that you'll appreciate about finding the best cheap dog food for your furry little friend.

Let's go over them, shall we?

Buy more, save more: Well, it's true when you buy shampoos, rice, etc. and it's true for dog food as well!

Read the ingredients and choose the best one! It's simple arithmetic, you don't need to major in Math for it!

If you monthly subscribe to some dog foods, you get some additional benefits and discounts!

I hope you get a little insight and save some more of that cash!

Let's Take A Look At The Best Cheap Dog Food

Keeping track of macros, ingredients, etc. of all the puppy foods available in the market can be really confusing and time-consuming.

And I get sometimes you just can't understand those labels. They make them be so confusing!

And then, there are so many brands. You just can't keep track of the price, macros, etc. and keep yourself sane!

And, so, I've decided that I'll provide you with a list of the best affordable dog food so that you don't need to spend hours and hours on research.

I've made a table for you so that you can quickly review the macros in the five best affordable dog foods that I've picked up.

And, I'll later go into more detail. Okay?

I've got one secret that I need to share with you.

It's not just the macros that count! You also need to look at the quality of ingredients in the food, their nutrition and finally, the meat content.

So, don't judge a food by the macros!

The best cheap dog foods that I've selected for you today meet all three criteria.

I can assure you that you won't find any cheap filler ingredients in these.

If we look at the ingredients alone, then, Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Dog Food is a really good quality above-average dog food. And, one of the best cheap dog food brands available!

But, hold on! You need to know about the macros as well!

Let's get to that, shall we?

This food contains the following:

Now, what does that mean?

I'll help you turn these statistics into something you can understand!

Basically, this dog food had an above-average amount of protein which is a great thing! It also has a near-average amount of fat, but a below-average amount of carbs.

But, that' not all that you have to see!

This dog food also has a notable amount of meat even if you single out the protein in peas and flaxseed.

A good deal, isn't it? Indeed this is one of the best affordable dog foods!

So, by only judging this one by its ingredients, this one comes out as one of the best cheap dog food brands that you'd want to switch to during the harder times...

Your doggy will love it!

Let's talk a bit more about Taste of Wild, shall we?

Well, this product has the following macros:

Let's turn that into something easily comprehensible, shall we?

Taste of Wild, when compared to an average dog food, contains above-average levels of both, protein and fat. But, when it comes to carbs, it's got below average levels of them.

Your doggy will love this kibble! It's one of the best cheap dog foods to keep an eye on!

Apart from that...

When you single out the protein in garbanzo beans, flaxseed, yeast, and pea products it still contains a moderate amount of meat in it, compared to other brands.

So, you know you're getting the best deal.

Well, I feel that the Taste of the Wild definitely is a good plant-based dog food and it contains moderate quantities of named meats.

Now, that's what I call a great deal!

But, wait!

We also need to talk about the pros and cons!

So, here's the deal:

When you just judge this one by its ingredients, Wellness CORE Natural Dog food definitely is certainly an above-average kibble.

And, one of the best cheap dog foods available!

But, hold on!

We need to talk about the macronutrients as well!

The food contains:

Wondering what these numbers say?

Well, I'll help you out with that!

Well, as you can see, Wellness CORE Natural Dog food has above-average amount of protein, an average amount of fat, and below average amount carbohydrates when compared to other dog foods.

But, that's not all!

When you single out the protein in legumes and flaxseed, Wellness dog food has a significant amount of meat in it.

Now, isn't that just great!

I really feel that this one is one of the best cheap dog food alternatives that you'd want to switch to.

So, like all the others, when you judge the Canidae life stages dry dog food just by its ingredients, it's an above-average dog food. And that landed this one on my list of the best cheap dog foods.

But, let's not jump the gun, shall we?

We should also be talking about the macronutrients...

The food contains:

Confused? Well, I'll be your savior, my damsel in distress!

So, this product simply contains an above-average amount of carbs, and below-average amounts of both, protein and fats.

Got it?

Now, let's talk about the meat content.

When you try to single out the protein-boosting effects of flaxseeds and alfalfa, this one still contains a moderate amount of meat content in it.

Well, this is the last one on my list...

The Natural Balance Ultra Premium dog food is an above-average kibble. Now, that's a good thing, isn't it?

So, what about the macros?

I've got the stats ready for you!

So, here are the macros:

Well, I'll help you convert the numbers into something you can understand...

The stats simply suggest that the food has below-average levels of protein, a a near-average amount of fat, and an above-average amount of carbohydrates.

But, what's the meat content like?

What I love about this product is that it is a meat-based food and contains a lot of amount of named meats.

Now, that's a good deal...
Read More Reviews
So, What Should I Keep In Mind?

Household dog food brands aren't necessarily the best choice for your doggy. So, switching to the cheap dog food may just be the best thing you do for your doggy friend. All you should be looking for is the macronutrients and ingredients in the food...

There's another thing.

You should also be looking at a brand's recall history before investing in it. You'll thank me later for this...

Don't rely on just kibble, feed your doggy friend some good 'ol home cooked food as well!

But, it's your choice.

Here are some of the best cheap dog food alternatives that you should look out for:

Earthborn Holistic Great Plains which has average amount of protein and is a good meal for your doggy
Taste of the Wild, Canine Formula is also a good alternative when looking for the best cheap dog food
Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food is a natural alternative and your dog will love this one!
CANIDAE Life Stages Dry Dog Food is also an awesome dog food that your dog will just love!
Natural Balance Ultra Premium Wet Dog Food is the last one on my list and is also another natural dog food that contains named meats

Did I help you out? Let me know in the comments section!

If you've got any questions, I'll be more than happy to help you out. Leave a comment and I'll get back to you with an answer!

And, all of your suggestions are always welcome!

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Best Cheap Dog Food To Look Out For! - PetDt

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Are you on a strict budget? Well, I get it. Sometimes we all have to face some hard times. But, you really don't have to make an adverse change in your furry friend's diet! I'll tell you why... When you're looking for a dog food, it's not the brand name or presence if the dog food that matters.

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The conversation about fillers is everywhere on the internet. At every turn, there seems to be another list of ingredients that supposedly just take up space and don't benefit your dog. But is that really the case? What's the deal with fillers in dog food? To tackle the subject, we take a look at what dog food fillers are, what dog food fillers aren't, and put ingredients to the test.

What are Dog Food Fillers?

Honestly, dog food fillers can be anything that the food trend of the day and the internet-at-large wants them to be. Why? AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) doesn't give a definition...since fillers aren't recognized as "a thing" by the nutrition community. But dog food fillers are worth discussing, which is why we've put together a definition combining the main characteristics you'll see out there:

You may see fillers described as unhealthy ingredients in pet food that have little or no nutritional value, could have been replaced by higher quality alternatives, and aren't biologically appropriate for your dog.

By that definition, fillers are the worst thing in the world, right? (By that definition, we would agree!) Some of Just Right's ingredients are accused of being fillers, but as doting dog owners ourselves, we're still able to sleep at night. When it comes to such a hotly debated topic, here's our argument: The ingredients typically thought of as dog food fillers (corn, wheat, soy, rice, etc.) don't actually fit the description of "fillers". But don't just take our word at face value - let's break down the description and see if each of these "filler" ingredients fits the mold.

Do Dog Food "Fillers" Have Nutritional Value? Or Are They Just Empty Calories?

Some self-proclaimed dog food experts slam pet food manufacturers for using ingredients like corn gluten meal to "artificially boost" the protein level in a dog food. In a lot of ways, this is a misleading argument and frankly, misses some key ways in which nutrition works for your dog. For example, corn gluten meal (the ground, milled protein from corn) is a concentrated form of protein, and actually contributes 60-67% protein to your dog's food. While this form of protein is coming from a plant, critics fail to realize that a dog's body uses protein - whether the protein comes from animals or plants - in the exact same way, so it's not an artificial boost at all. Your dog gets the quality protein that the ingredient label promises. In fact, including plant-based protein in a dog's diet actually helps complete all the amino acids they need to thrive, which wouldn't be possible if using animal-only protein sources.

Nutritional value doesn't just stop at protein. Corn goes even further beyond the label of a filler with all the benefits it provides - corn gluten meal is an efficient and affordable carbohydrate for energy, provides 3x the amount of protein as chicken, plus fatty acids for healthy skin, coat, and immune system, and a variety of vitamins and antioxidants. When ingredients like corn and rice are ground and processed during the dog food manufacturing process, the carbohydrate inside is highly digestible - think 99.4% digestible for corn and 99.5% digestible for rice.

Veterinarians and animal nutritionists will tell you over and over: looking at the ingredient label does NOT tell you everything you need to know about a dog food. There's so much more involved in determining what a quality dog food is than just the ingredients. It's all about the careful balance of all the ingredients working together, providing the nutrients your dog needs. Veterinarian Lauren Pagliughi describes this balancing act and why fillers just don't make sense:

The term 'filler' doesn't have a place in the pet food industry. It takes an extraordinary amount of work to formulate the right nutrients in the right amounts for complete and balanced nutrition. It would be a waste of money and valuable space to use an ingredient that has no purpose!

THE VERDICT: Do corn, wheat, soy, and other "filler" ingredients have significant nutritional value? YES.

Could "Fillers" be Replaced by Higher Quality Alternatives?

Before we talk about high-quality vs. low-quality ingredients, it's a good idea to make sure we're on the same page with what "quality" means. Defining quality may be more involved than you'd initially think. For us, there are a couple different factors that contribute to defining an ingredient as a quality one:

Is the ingredient safe for your dog? - Both the ingredient itself and the amount that's included in the food should be edible and species-appropriate. (Chocolate, for example, isn't edible for dogs.)

Is the ingredient wholesome? - The wholesomeness of an ingredient means that it isn't contaminated, rotten, rancid, etc., and that it's in great condition and suitable for use in food. As ingredients buyer Viktoriya and food safety supervisor Dan can tell you, we've got some of the strictest standards for wholesomeness and safety in the industry to help prevent and catch any unwholesomeness. Between multi-step audits on our ingredient suppliers' sanitation and safety practices, routine purity tests in our own labs, and much more, Purina conducts 30,000 checks involving ingredients, packaging, receiving, processing and packing in a typical 24-hour production. We worry about ingredient wholesomeness so you don't have to.

Is the ingredient nutritious? - To us, your dog has a checklist of nutrients, amino acids, etc. he needs to be healthy. So with each ingredient we select, we ask ourselves: Does the ingredient offer nutrients that efficiently contribute to that checklist? Can your dog's body digest the ingredient so that the nutrients can be used?

If the answer is "yes" to all of the above, then you've found yourself a high-quality ingredient!

These criteria are applied to every ingredient, and every ingredient we use qualifies as high-quality, otherwise, we don't use it. And yet, many dog owners are interested in other ingredients they perceive as higher quality; maybe because they're more novel? More exotic? But are these ingredients really any better quality than the so-called dog food "fillers" they're replacing? The science says no. Quality ingredients are quality ingredients if they're checking all the boxes that your dog needs and part of a complete and balanced diet. Ingredients like corn and wheat that you're familiar with may not be as exciting as pumpkin or kale, but in terms of ingredient quality, the only difference between corn and pumpkin is the name.

THE VERDICT: Are corn, wheat, soy, etc. quality ingredients? YES.

Are Dog Food "Fillers" Biologically Appropriate?

How do you determine if a diet is biologically appropriate? Above everything else, the diet must provide the nutrients that your dog needs. And how can you tell that it does? That's where the concept of digestibility comes into play. Digestibility is all about how much of the nutrients your dog's body can absorb from his food. (In other words, how much of the food your dog's body uses vs. how much shows up in the poop bag.) If a large portion of a food's nutrients are getting used, as illustrated by a small pile of poop compared to the amount of food eaten, then there's really no room left for fillers - unused, indigestible, space-wasters?

Research has shown time and time again that many of the ingredients that are villainized as "fillers" actually provide vital nutrients for your dog. So when a diet contains ingredients like corn, wheat, and soy, and you're seeing good results in the back yard, rest assured that those ingredients are contributing to an efficient, nutritious, and digestible diet...they're not just taking up space in the food and coming out the back end. ;)

THE VERDICT: Can a dog food diet that contains so-called "filler ingredients" like corn, wheat, soy, etc. be highly digestible and biologically appropriate? YES.

So...Is Your Dog Food Full of "Filler" Ingredients?

Definitely not. If fillers are ingredients that serve no purpose for your dog, then it would be pointless to include them in the first place. If you'd like to exclude corn, wheat, and soy from your dog's personalized blend, that's entirely your choice, and you can do that! Just know that those ingredients aren't dog food fillers.

At Just Right by Purina, every ingredient and every nutrient works together so that your dog's diet is complete and balanced, and designed to help him live happy and healthy. It's simple: We believe in nutrition with purpose.

Ready to create your dog's ideal blend?

The conversation about fillers is everywhere on the internet. At every turn, there seems to be another list of ingredients that supposedly just take up space and don't benefit your dog. But is that really the case? What's the deal with fillers in dog food? To tackle the subject, we take a look at what dog food fillers are, what dog food fillers aren't, and put ingredients to the test.

What are Dog Food Fillers?

Honestly, dog food fillers can be anything that the food trend of the day and the internet-at-large wants them to be. Why? AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) doesn't give a definition...since fillers aren't recognized as "a thing" by the nutrition community. But dog food fillers are worth discussing, which is why we've put together a definition combining the main characteristics you'll see out there:

You may see fillers described as unhealthy ingredients in pet food that have little or no nutritional value, could have been replaced by higher quality alternatives, and aren't biologically appropriate for your dog.

By that definition, fillers are the worst thing in the world, right? (By that definition, we would agree!) Some of Just Right's ingredients are accused of being fillers, but as doting dog owners ourselves, we're still able to sleep at night. When it comes to such a hotly debated topic, here's our argument: The ingredients typically thought of as dog food fillers (corn, wheat, soy, rice, etc.) don't actually fit the description of "fillers". But don't just take our word at face value - let's break down the description and see if each of these "filler" ingredients fits the mold.

Do Dog Food "Fillers" Have Nutritional Value? Or Are They Just Empty Calories?

Some self-proclaimed dog food experts slam pet food manufacturers for using ingredients like corn gluten meal to "artificially boost" the protein level in a dog food. In a lot of ways, this is a misleading argument and frankly, misses some key ways in which nutrition works for your dog. For example, corn gluten meal (the ground, milled protein from corn) is a concentrated form of protein, and actually contributes 60-67% protein to your dog's food. While this form of protein is coming from a plant, critics fail to realize that a dog's body uses protein - whether the protein comes from animals or plants - in the exact same way, so it's not an artificial boost at all. Your dog gets the quality protein that the ingredient label promises. In fact, including plant-based protein in a dog's diet actually helps complete all the amino acids they need to thrive, which wouldn't be possible if using animal-only protein sources.

Nutritional value doesn't just stop at protein. Corn goes even further beyond the label of a filler with all the benefits it provides - corn gluten meal is an efficient and affordable carbohydrate for energy, provides 3x the amount of protein as chicken, plus fatty acids for healthy skin, coat, and immune system, and a variety of vitamins and antioxidants. When ingredients like corn and rice are ground and processed during the dog food manufacturing process, the carbohydrate inside is highly digestible - think 99.4% digestible for corn and 99.5% digestible for rice.

Veterinarians and animal nutritionists will tell you over and over: looking at the ingredient label does NOT tell you everything you need to know about a dog food. There's so much more involved in determining what a quality dog food is than just the ingredients. It's all about the careful balance of all the ingredients working together, providing the nutrients your dog needs. Veterinarian Lauren Pagliughi describes this balancing act and why fillers just don't make sense:

The term 'filler' doesn't have a place in the pet food industry. It takes an extraordinary amount of work to formulate the right nutrients in the right amounts for complete and balanced nutrition. It would be a waste of money and valuable space to use an ingredient that has no purpose!

THE VERDICT: Do corn, wheat, soy, and other "filler" ingredients have significant nutritional value? YES.

Could "Fillers" be Replaced by Higher Quality Alternatives?

Before we talk about high-quality vs. low-quality ingredients, it's a good idea to make sure we're on the same page with what "quality" means. Defining quality may be more involved than you'd initially think. For us, there are a couple different factors that contribute to defining an ingredient as a quality one:

Is the ingredient safe for your dog? - Both the ingredient itself and the amount that's included in the food should be edible and species-appropriate. (Chocolate, for example, isn't edible for dogs.)

Is the ingredient wholesome? - The wholesomeness of an ingredient means that it isn't contaminated, rotten, rancid, etc., and that it's in great condition and suitable for use in food. As ingredients buyer Viktoriya and food safety supervisor Dan can tell you, we've got some of the strictest standards for wholesomeness and safety in the industry to help prevent and catch any unwholesomeness. Between multi-step audits on our ingredient suppliers' sanitation and safety practices, routine purity tests in our own labs, and much more, Purina conducts 30,000 checks involving ingredients, packaging, receiving, processing and packing in a typical 24-hour production. We worry about ingredient wholesomeness so you don't have to.

Is the ingredient nutritious? - To us, your dog has a checklist of nutrients, amino acids, etc. he needs to be healthy. So with each ingredient we select, we ask ourselves: Does the ingredient offer nutrients that efficiently contribute to that checklist? Can your dog's body digest the ingredient so that the nutrients can be used?

If the answer is "yes" to all of the above, then you've found yourself a high-quality ingredient!

These criteria are applied to every ingredient, and every ingredient we use qualifies as high-quality, otherwise, we don't use it. And yet, many dog owners are interested in other ingredients they perceive as higher quality; maybe because they're more novel? More exotic? But are these ingredients really any better quality than the so-called dog food "fillers" they're replacing? The science says no. Quality ingredients are quality ingredients if they're checking all the boxes that your dog needs and part of a complete and balanced diet. Ingredients like corn and wheat that you're familiar with may not be as exciting as pumpkin or kale, but in terms of ingredient quality, the only difference between corn and pumpkin is the name.

THE VERDICT: Are corn, wheat, soy, etc. quality ingredients? YES.

Are Dog Food "Fillers" Biologically Appropriate?

How do you determine if a diet is biologically appropriate? Above everything else, the diet must provide the nutrients that your dog needs. And how can you tell that it does? That's where the concept of digestibility comes into play. Digestibility is all about how much of the nutrients your dog's body can absorb from his food. (In other words, how much of the food your dog's body uses vs. how much shows up in the poop bag.) If a large portion of a food's nutrients are getting used, as illustrated by a small pile of poop compared to the amount of food eaten, then there's really no room left for fillers - unused, indigestible, space-wasters?

Research has shown time and time again that many of the ingredients that are villainized as "fillers" actually provide vital nutrients for your dog. So when a diet contains ingredients like corn, wheat, and soy, and you're seeing good results in the back yard, rest assured that those ingredients are contributing to an efficient, nutritious, and digestible diet...they're not just taking up space in the food and coming out the back end. ;)

THE VERDICT: Can a dog food diet that contains so-called "filler ingredients" like corn, wheat, soy, etc. be highly digestible and biologically appropriate? YES.

So...Is Your Dog Food Full of "Filler" Ingredients?

Definitely not. If fillers are ingredients that serve no purpose for your dog, then it would be pointless to include them in the first place. If you'd like to exclude corn, wheat, and soy from your dog's personalized blend, that's entirely your choice, and you can do that! Just know that those ingredients aren't dog food fillers.

At Just Right by Purina, every ingredient and every nutrient works together so that your dog's diet is complete and balanced, and designed to help him live happy and healthy. It's simple: We believe in nutrition with purpose.

Ready to create your dog's ideal blend?

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What's the Deal with Dog Food "Fillers?"

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The conversation about fillers is everywhere on the internet. At every turn, there seems to be another list of ingredients that supposedly just take up space and don't benefit your dog. But is that really the case? What's the deal with fillers in dog food?

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Dedicated dog lovers tend to be very kind people. We share our hearts and homes (and for some lucky pups, even the foot of our beds) with our canine pals. Surely there is nothing wrong with sharing our favorite foods with them too, right? Not necessarily. Many of the foods, such as fruits and vegetables, that humans digest just fine can wreak havoc on a dog's body, causing severe health problems. On the other hand, some of the foods people eat can be introduced to a dog's diet just fine, and even provide health benefits such as joint strength, better breath, and allergy immunity.

But before giving your dog foods that you crave, read on and learn which foods are safe, and which can send your dog straight to the emergency vet. And always be mindful that even healthy foods fed in excess can lead to canine obesity, a major health concern for U.S. dogs. Always choose a quality dog food as your dog's main diet.

Chocolate: No, dogs should never eat chocolate. This isn't just an urban legend. Chocolate contains toxic substances called methylxanthines, which are stimulants that stop a dog's metabolic process. Even just a little bit of chocolate, especially dark chocolate, can cause diarrhea and vomiting. A large amount can cause seizures, irregular heart function, and even death. Do not have chocolate in an accessible location for your dog. If your dog does ingest chocolate, contact a veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline as soon as possible.

Corn: Yes, dogs can eat corn. Corn is one of the most common ingredients in most dog foods. However, the cob can be hard for a dog to digest and may cause an intestinal blockage, so if you're sharing some corn, make sure it is off the cob. (Or just opt for a squeaky corn toy instead.)

Peanut butter: Yes, peanut butter is OK for dogs. Peanut butter can be an excellent source of protein for dogs. It contains heart-healthy fats, vitamins B and E and niacin. Raw, unsalted peanut butter is the healthiest option. Read the label carefully to be sure the peanut butter does not contain xylitol, a sugar substitute that can be toxic to dogs.

Quinoa: Yes, quinoa is OK for dogs. You can now find quinoa in some high-quality dry dog foods. The strong nutritional profile of quinoa makes it a healthy alternative to corn, wheat, and soy - starches that are often used to make kibble.

Shrimp: Yes, shrimp is OK for dogs. A few shrimp every now and then is fine for your dog, but only if they are fully cooked and the shell (including the tail, head, and legs) is removed completely. Shrimp are high in antioxidants, vitamin B-12, and phosphorus, but also low in fat, calories, and carbohydrates.

Yogurt: Yes, yogurt is OK for dogs. Plain yogurt is a perfectly acceptable snack for dogs. However, some dogs may have trouble digesting dairy products. If your dog can digest it, the active bacteria in yogurt can help strengthen the digestive system with probiotics. Plain yogurt is the best choice. Avoid any yogurts with added sugar, and skip all yogurt with artificial sweeteners.
AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.

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Dedicated dog lovers tend to be very kind people. We share our hearts and homes (and for some lucky pups, even the foot of our beds) with our canine pals. Surely there is nothing wrong with sharing our favorite foods with them too, right? Not necessarily.

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Pet Food: The Good, the Bad, and the Healthy

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As a holistic veterinarian, I focus highly on the quality of nutrients in my patients' food. Which ingredients should you look for or avoid in your pet's food?

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As a veterinarian, dog lovers are always asking me for my opinion on what are top vet recommended dog food brands that are healthy for dogs. But one thing owners want to consider is the price range which they can afford, so I have to consider the best cheap dog foods that are also good enough for pets. This list of veterinarian recommended dog foods will help you make a better choice for your Fido.

One thing I always mention is that even though I have my favorite vet approved dog food brands, each individual canine will have specific needs, and there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to dog nutrition and foods ( source).

It is best to have a chat with your veterinarian about your specific dog's individual needs before you switch his diet, but for the purpose of this article, I've put an arbitrary list of ten vet recommended dog food brands that are good enough for a large majority of canines.

Top Dog Tips have done a complete breakdown of the pet food market and picked the best dog food brand that's holistic, human-grade and completely natural. I can't say I disagree with their top dog food choice pick. The Honest Kitchen is on my veterinarian recommended dog foods list as well. However, it's also very expensive, which may not be ideal for many pet parents.

Further in the article, I mention all the reasons why vets consider these dog foods best for our pets. Scroll down for more details on my picks of ten veterinarian recommended dog food brands. In short, here are top five most commonly recommended brands:

* Click on the dog food brand for more information, prices and nutrition or scroll down below to read our overview.

The nutrition that your dog requires is based on a lot of variables. It's affected by his breed, size, age, weight, skin and coat condition, medical history, and overall health just to name a few.

Your veterinarian knows your pet and understands his specific health needs. They will be able to give you a list of vet recommended dog food brands that will best meet your dog's needs and also suggest any additional pet supplements that he may require that can't be met by dog food alone.

Actually, because the dog food market is so huge, today there are lots of great vet recommended dog food brands that offer blends for dogs with sensitive stomachs, skin allergies, and other special dietary requirements. For more on commercial dog food safety and humanization of pet food, I recommend you these two podcast interviews:

Dog owners can purchase commercial dog food recipes with certain supplements and vitamins for dogs added to them. Glucosamine and chondroitin are two common supplements found in a lot of dog foods made specifically for active dogs and senior dogs. Making homemade dog foods is also a viable option if you know what you're doing.

Below I've chosen my top 10 vet recommended dog food brands, and I hope to explain a little more in detail what goes into my selection process. Then you can use similar criteria when selecting your dog's diet. However, as I mentioned, you really should consult with your dog's veterinarian before making any large changes to his diet.

Often you can do this over the phone without having to pay for an office visit. Just remember that paying for a vet visit won't be much compared to the bill for treating a dog with allergies or some other issue related to the wrong diet.
RELATED: Top Vet Recommended Dog Supplements
Selecting 10 Vet Recommended Dog Food Brands

As a pet parent, when choosing the best dog food brand for your Fido you need to consider the health and nutritional benefits of that dog food. Don't just take the company's claims as proof that the food is healthy.

There are certain things that you should be looking for in order to make sure the dog food you select is going to give your pet the nutrition that he requires. Start by reading dog food labels closely and analyze well what's on them.

Basic Criteria for Selecting a Dog Food

Does it meet AAFCO standards for balanced nutrition?

AAFCO stands for the American Association of Feed Control Officials. This is not a government regulatory agency but a voluntary quality standard group that sets nutritional standards for each stage in a pet's life.

Most commercial dog food companies formulate their dog foods for puppy, adult, and senior/mature life stages based on AAFCO's standards. I use AAFCO's and FDA's recommendations to go by, including for this list of best vet recommended dog foods. I think you should too.

Look for the AAFCO statement on the bag or can of dog food - if it's there, it's a sign of quality. Commercial raw diets and "freshly prepared" diets should also meet AAFCO requirements or NRC (National Research Council) standards. All of my vet recommended dog food brands meet AAFCO standards.

How reputable is the dog food company?

On the other hand, in an era of Salmonella contamination scares and the 2007 melamine pet food recall, it is hard to know which "big brand" you can trust these days. It seems that every food company out there has had problems with bacterial contamination at some point or another, so there is always a risk that a dog food will be recalled.
RELATED: Vet Recommended Safe Dog Treats for Snacking
Going with a "boutique" raw diet or freshly-prepared diet won't necessarily prevent food contamination either. Some food companies have had more problems than others ("repeat offenders"), and those companies are not included on my list. As far as commercial pet food companies are concerned, my favorites for balanced nutrition, palatability (how tasty dogs think it is), and quality control are listed below.

Topping my list of vet recommended dog food brands is Hill's Science Diet. It has been a forerunner in quality control and AAFCO nutrition standards since the 1930s. Since the 2007 melamine scare, it sources its raw ingredients from North America only and manufactures all of its products in the USA.

Royal Canin is about on par with Hill's Science Diet for quality and nutrition. It offers some specific foods for particular breeds, which can be very helpful. While certain breeds don't require different nutrients from other breeds, some characteristics of the Royal Canin breed-specific foods are quite appropriate.

For example, the Royal Canin Yorkshire terrier dog food has appropriately sized and shaped kibble, making eating dry food much easier for tiny mouths. Breed specific diets aren't extremely common, but in some instances they are necessary.

Purina is one of the oldest pet food companies in North America and provides solid nutrition for a good price. Over the last 80 years, much of the published nutritional research in canines was done by Purina. ProPlan, Purina's more "premium" line, is a favorite of veterinarians and dogs alike. With some of the recent publicity they've been having lately, the company continues to innovate and satisfy majority of their customers.

Orijen is the best that you can get if you are concerned about human-grade food traceability. Orijen is a Canadian pet food company dedicated to sourcing its raw ingredients from Canada only. On their website, the company publishes the exact province where the fish, meats, fruits, and vegetables are sourced for its products. All Orijen products meet AAFCO standards and Fido's taste test, too!

If you are a health nut and want the convenience of a relatively inexpensive commercial food, Wellness may be a good option for your pup. Wellness provides whole-food based nutrition with a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and a boost of antioxidants and probiotics for healthy digestion. Wellness have been in the dog food business for the longest time and they continue to lead the way for many vet recommended dog food brands.

Castor & Pollux offers one of the only USDA Organic brands of dog foods. Many of their canned diets resemble home-cooked "stew" type of meals, which is tasty for your dog and more pleasing to human eyes. Personally, I have used them before myself with my own dogs and taste-wise, canines usually love this brand. It's a great option and I have a lot of trust in their future dog food releases.

Like Royal Canin, Iams/Eukanuba offers a variety of diets for specific breeds and for dogs with specific medical issues at a more affordable price. If your dog has sensitive skin and is a toy breed that needs a small kibble, Iams/Eukanuba will have the diet for you. The price is also great to at least start it off and see if your pets like the taste of Iams/Eukanuba dog food brands.

Nutro Ultra provides a natural blend of ingredients for optimal nutrition. It offers a variety of formulas for large and small breeds alike. While it offers the trendy "grain-free" formulas, it also makes most of its dog foods with grains that are less likely to cause allergies such as whole-grain oats and brown rice. Many veterinarians would recommended this brand of dog food as one of the top choices among grain-free dog foods.

If you are interested in whole, human-grade dog foods but don't have the time to cook a balanced diet for your dog, The Honest Kitchen provides balanced, freeze-dried dog food that makes it easy to "cook up" your pup's dinner in no time. Their offerings include low-allergen duck and fish and whole grains like quinoa. The company also continues to grow, innovate with human grade dog food and provide better products for pet parents in America.

Natural Balance is one of the more affordable "natural" diets that contain balanced nutrition with a boost of healthy omega-3s. While Natural Balance is not a "hypoallergenic" diet, many dogs with allergies benefit from its novel protein and carbohydrate recipes such as salmon and potato or venison and sweet potato. Many owners see an improvement in their dog's coat without a prescription diet.

While this list is a "top 10" of my vet recommended dog food brands, it is best for you to select the best food for your own budget, lifestyle, and dog's individual needs. Some dogs are more "picky eaters" than others while some will eat whatever whenever. The goal is to provide the best nutrition that you can and for your dog to enjoy eating it. Speak to your veterinarian if you are concerned about your pet's diet or health.
RELATED: Why and Where to Shop for Wholesale Pet Supplies
Disclosure: We may earn affiliate commissions at no cost to you from the links on this page. This did not affect our assessment of products. Read more here and find full disclosure here.

In the last 8 years, Dr. Shores has worked as a clinical veterinarian for dogs, cats, small mammals and non-human primates as well as a writer on the subject of pet health. Her passion is breaking down the intricacies of proper dog health care and dog nutrition.

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10 Vet Recommended Dog Food Brands That Are Inexpensive (2017)

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As a veterinarian, dog lovers are always asking me for my opinion on what are top vet recommended dog food brands that are healthy for dogs. But one thing owners want to consider is the price range which they can afford, so I have to consider the best cheap dog foods that are also good enough for pets.

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Research On What Treats Not To and What To Feed Your Dog

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Research On What Treats Not To and What To Feed Your Dog

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by ·

Homemade dog food can be the most nutritious food you can feed your dog.

Thank you for stopping in and checking out my site. My goal is to help you feed your dog healthy, nutritious homemade dog food. The best dog food you make right in your kitchen. All the homemade dog food ingredients are readily available at your local grocery store. The homemade dog food recipes are easy to follow and simple to make. Most importantly your dog will thrive on these homemade dog food recipes and love the way they taste.

I believe dogs are designed to digest raw meat and bones the best. So I present raw homemade dog food recipes throughout this website as the best dog food for your dog. That said, I know many of you just can't bring yourself to feed your dog a homemade dog food that contains raw meat. So I also present cooked homemade dog food recipes that are healthy and nutritious. I believe these homemade dog food recipes are still vastly superior to commercial kibble. Your dog will too!

If you are new to the site and possibly websites in general let me offer this information. The links on this site are "yellow gold" click them and they will take you to that "topic" or page. An example might be to click here to see a new page with a screen shot of the links and navigation menu. They do not have to say "click here" to be clickable. Also at the top of the website is the main menu where you can navigate to other sections of the website. There are also sub menu topics under the main menu topics. Just "mouse over" the menu topics and the subtopics will appear.

Homemade Dog Food Recipe

This is my first homemade dog food recipe video. I hope you like it. My goal is to have a video for each homemade dog food recipe. Happy viewing:)

FAQ About Homemade Dog Food

Question: Some of your homemade dog food recipes contain raw ground beef and chicken Is it safe to feed these items to my dog? What about the bacteria in the homemade dog food recipe?

Answer: Yes, it is safe to feed these ingredients to your dog. Dogs are carnivores and scavengers by nature. Dogs have a short digestive tract with strong stomach acids that protect them from getting sick from bacteria on food. This is how a dog can eat garbage and not become deathly ill.

Question: I've also heard they feed cattle antibiotics and other things aren't these bad for my dog?

Answer: Maybe. I think of it this way. The food in your grocery store is considered fit for human consumption. The ingredients in dog food are considered NOT fit for human consumption! What ingredient do you think are better to include in a homemade dog food recipe?

Question: I notice you don't use vegetables in your homemade dog food can I add them?

Answer: Like I said earlier, dogs are carnivores and have a short digestive tract. A dog's short digestive tract is ill equipped to digest vegetables and receive their nutrients. So most just pass through as roughage. If you are determined to feed vegetables they need to be "predigested" so to speak. Cook and pulverize them to simulate them going through the digestive tract of a herbivore. Then add them to the homemade dog food.

Question: Why do you include white rice in your homemade dog food? Isn't brown rice better?

Answer: Remember dogs have a short digestive tract. A dog's short digestive tract does not effectively digest brown rice. The vast majority of any nutritional benefit to your dog just passes through undigested. White rice is better because it is easily digest by dogs. Brown rice is great for humans because we are omnivores with a long digestive tract. A human's long digestive tract digests the brown rice and unlocks the nutritional benefits.

Easy Homemade Dog Food Recipes to Get You Started

Special note: If you intend to comment about homemade dog food, please be kind. Hostile comments are always a challenge for me to answer:)

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Homemade Dog Food is Healthy and Nutritious - Homemade Dog Food

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by · Homemade dog food can be the most nutritious food you can feed your dog. Thank you for stopping in and checking out my site. My goal is to help you feed your dog healthy, nutritious homemade dog food. The best dog food you make right in your kitchen.