The First 2 Ingredients You Should See On The Dog Food Label
Reading the list of ingredients is the fasted way to judge a dog food..
…so here’s a quick & easy tip:
- in this vid discover the first 2 ingredients you should see and
-1 I hope you DON’T see!
Click here to read more about what goes into your dog’s food
Click here to see what you get with your copy of Dog Food SECRETS
Filed Under: Commercial Dog Food • Commercial Dog Food Videos • Dog Videos
Andrew, Here’s a list of the ingredients of the dog food, treats, and other food that Bo’ gets along with our other two dogs. He’s (Bo) a Golden Labrador (Golden Retriever-Labrador Retriever Mix); our other two are a Long Haired Chihuahua & a Yorkshire Terrier. The dry mixed with a little bit of wet just for flavor are all from the same company and they get different recipes each month plus added Brewer’s Yeast, Cod Liver Oil, Fish Oil, and occasionally cooked chicken, lamb, salmon, and eggs, and/or cooked or raw broccoli, carrots,
cauliflower, peas, spinach, string beans, pota
toes/sweet potatoes, apple, blueberries, banana
strawberries, garlic, kelp, parsley and Himala
yan salt. No pork, scaleless fish, or shellfish
(they are unclean, scavengers and pork has a
microscopic parasite which sometimes cannot be
seen under electron microscopic magnification
and is responsible for causing over 200+ known
diseases in humans; i.e. I don’t want to use my
dogs for animal testing/experimentation); When
Bo’ was a puppy, he went through various levels
of obedience training and his teacher was an
animal nutritionist!! My wife & I try to feed
all our dogs both Holistic/Organic food and treats containing no chemicals, no pork, no gmo”s, no molasses/sugar (honey-ok), no msg (over 50+ different names listed under!!), nothing strange and I will call any/all companies on various ingredients listed on labels (whatever a person/company causes, that they shall also reap! i.e. love people-animals-plants the way you want to be loved! The name of the company is ‘THE BLUE BUFFALO CO.’ and for all/any parties interested, you may contact them via the internet at BlueBuff.com I have no problems with them and recommend them highly!!
Blue Buffalo are one of the better brands, good ingredient list – thanks
1. Where can we find the fiber our dogs need when we make our own dog food (a). what kind of fiber do dogs need.
2. Should dogs eat milk products such as milk, cottage cheese, or sour cream and how much
3. What about salt do dogs need salt added to their diet. I know some animals need salt like a cow.
4. If I make a dog treat such as a doggie biskets should i use whole grain flouer and add meat and or eggs.
5. Is it better to grind up the meat or leave it whole in bigger bites for dogs food or does it matter
6. Can I freeze the home made dog food to store it. Do i need to heat the dogs food?
7. What are the asorbale grains that we can put in our home made dog food where do I get them.
8. Can I use any kind of meat such as pork deer beef chicken hourse meat, goat,lamb
9. What kind of fish is good for our dogs other than tuna and salmom.
10. How much fat do our dogs need and what kind of fAT.
I do not have my new Irish Setter puppy yet he is still with his mother But I will have him soon. so I am going to be some what new at feeding a puppy this new way with home made dog food. I am reading up on all kinds of info about dogs and puppies and the Irish Setter. I will be the top most informed person to ask dog questions soon LOL well maybe in about 10 years I have a lot to learn.
1. Where can we find the fiber our dogs need when we make our own dog food (a). what kind of fiber do dogs need.
A – brown rice, oats, quinoa and vegetables.. they need both soluble and insoluble fiber
2. Should dogs eat milk products such as milk, cottage cheese, or sour cream and how much
A – its usually ok, try products with lactose removed.. I find yogurt and cottage cheese create no problem but some dogs don’t tolerate cheese very well so smaller amounts
3. What about salt do dogs need salt added to their diet. I know some animals need salt like a cow.
A – yes dogs need salt, not so much but cell and nerve function require the elemental components of NaCl
4. If I make a dog treat such as a doggie biskets should i use whole grain flouer and add meat and or eggs.
A – Dog Food SECRETS comes a book of recipes for making doggy treats and bicuits
5. Is it better to grind up the meat or leave it whole in bigger bites for dogs food or does it matter
A – I find your dog will get tired of a food type if it eats it enough meals in a row so I vary between ground and cubes. For cubed I’ll roast a beef shoulder or something and then cube the meat with a knife.
6. Can I freeze the home made dog food to store it. Do i need to heat the dogs food?
A – yes absolutely freeze it, I prefer to make large batches but if you serve from the same container, and return to the refrigerator, by the end of it the food is beginning to turn. I place in containers that hold 4-5 meals and freeze, then I’ll turn it out of the container and cut it into 5 frozen sections. I’ll defrost one of them in the microwave and place the remaining 4 back in the container and back in the freezer
7. What are the asorbale grains that we can put in our home made dog food where do I get them.
A – I think you mean absorbable grains like brown rice.. brown rice is my favorite and I also often crush a whole grain rice cake into my dog’s food before serving
8. Can I use any kind of meat such as pork deer beef chicken hourse meat, goat,lamb
A – yes I think all these are fine, a variety is a good idea… I use beef, chicken and pork mostly, occasionally fish too
9. What kind of fish is good for our dogs other than tuna and salmom.
A – deep water fish are highest in omega-3 fatty acids
10. How much fat do our dogs need and what kind of fAT.
A – a combination of animal and vegetable fats.. I don’t think fat needs to be added because the fat present in meat and vegetables naturally is sufficient
Ann, you are off to a great start, they are very good questions. Puppy needs are different to adult dogs and your puppy will go through 5 different stages of diet, Dog Food SECRETS Gold now comes with a special guide called Pack your Puppy With Power, with explains everything you need to know for feeding a puppy
hey andrew i was wondering if i could find a copy of your book in a book store anywhere id like to buy it because im getting a german shepherd puppy tommorow and i dont want to feed it shitty dog food, but i dont own any visa or credit cards id really like to get ahold of your book email me back and let me know thanks
isiah
Hi Isiah, we made a group decision in my company not to create products which could become waste. We follow a policy of no harm to animal nor earth and therefore only carry digital producs. We realize many dog owners don’t like digital books and we apologize for that but at the moment we are determined to follow our principles of no harm.
Hi Andew
Thanks for all the effort and energy that you put in informing people about the money grabbing antics those dogfood people get up to and poisoning our canines at the same time.
I was wondering if next to informing people, something else can be done, such as a worlwide law that prevents this from happening?
That is a nice idea but going up against billion dollar companies as powerful as the pet food industry would not make any politician or law makers popular so at the moment the best I can do is share my info with you in the hope you adopt it and share with the people you know to grow the momentum.
Hi Andy
Can I have you thoughts on this dry dog food? just out of curiosity as I have already switched to your style of feeding, but i have been so worried that my babies have been on this food….. here goes
PROACTIVE IAMS NUTRITION (DRY DOG FOOD)
ingredients:
chicken
maize
wheat
animal fat
poultry meal
dried beet pulp
sorghum
barley
chicken digest
dried whole egg
brewers dried yeast
potassium chloride
sodium chloride
fish oil
sodium hexametaphosphate
calcium carbonate
DL-methionine
ANALYSIS
protein 26%
moisture 8%
oils and fats 15%
fibre 3%
ash 7%
calcium 1.2%
phosphorousP 1.0%
vitamin A
vitamin D
vitamin E (a-tocopherol)
copper added as copper II sulphate
antioxidants (mixed tocopherols)
This is advertised as 100% complete and balanced
With select natural ingredients
no added artificial colours
no added artificial preservatives
no added artificial flavours
Would really like to hear your thoughts on this, many thanks in advance
Tara x
Putting me on the spot Tara… if I say anything bad the giant that is Iams may decide to punish me (only half joking
. This food doesn’t look too bad, I’ve seen worse but I wouldn’t choose it for my own dog. For me the biggest issue is the low protein and fiber content and high grain content. I’d prefer to see 40% protein and more of the carbs coming frm vegetables rather than solely grains. If you really wanted to use this kibble I recommend you supplement it with green vegetable and decent quality protein.
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for all the great info. and spreading the word about commercial dog food! I just recently adopted a beautiful Boxer (Lucy) and want to start her on a combo diet that includes raw and cooked(but not in the same feeding).Or should I stick to just one or the other ?I’m sure she has always been on a kibble only diet and has a very sensitive stomach. What do you think and how do I get her started without giving her a lot of digestive upset.Thanks Chris
Hi Chris, a mix of raw and cooked is fine and often the way many owners choose to go. Dog Food SECRETS now comes with a Change-Over Guide which shows how to change diet without any tummy upsets
I think a diet of raw and cooked is good. I’d recommend feeding them mixed together so each meal has a similar consistency. Dry dropping your raw meat into boiling water for a 20-30 secs to destroy any harmful microbes (they survive freezing). Dog Food SECRETS now comes with a Canine Diet Change-Over Guide for changing to a better diet without upsets
Hi again Andy,
I realized I forgot to include that the ingredients above said they are naturally preserved with vitamin E and citric acid. I couldn’t find anywhere in the ingredients the toxic preservation you mentioned – EQ (ethoxyquin) and wonder if they have to print it on the bag if it is used to preserve a particular dry pet food.
Thanks, Jenny
Yes they would need to print it on the packaging but there is a loop hole which the industry exploits. They get the preservatives added to the meat before they receive delivery and therefore since it was not them that added it, they don’t need to declare it on the packaging.
Hi Andrew – thanks for the tuna recipe. My bichons both loved it. Also, want to say thanks for caring so much about our dogs that you would put together these videos for us. After seeing your videos, I have changed the way I feed my bichons. I also have a persian that has been on Royal Canin ‘Persian’ for years, and only because the kibble is easier for her to pick up with her tongue. Her face is completely flat and she has trouble picking up her food. I am trying to find someone healthier but she doesn’t eat any other shaped kibble.
I wanted to ask your opinion of a dog food containing these ingredients?
Deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, russet potato, deboned salmon, herring meal, sweet potato, peas, deboned lake whitefish, salmon meal, deboned walleye, chicken liver, deboned turkey, chicken fat, whole eggs, deboned herring, sun-cured alfalfa, salmon oil, chicory root, dehydrated organic kelp, pumpkin, carrots, spinach, turnip, greens, apples, cranberries, saskatoon berries, black currants.
Here’s one I’m not sure is good: choline chloride.
Others in the same food are psylium, licorice root, angelica root, fenugreek, marigold flowers, sweet fennel, peppermint leaf, chamomile flowers, dandelion, summer savory, rosemary, sea salt, vitamin supplements (Vit A, D3, E, niacin, Vit C, thiamine mononitrate??, riboflavin, Vit B5, B6, folic acid, biotin, Vit B12), mineral supplements (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, selenium). Not sure of proteinate and not sure of these: Lactobacillus acidophilus and enterococcus faecium fermentation product.
The guaranteed analysis on the bag says:
Crude protein (min.) 40% *Omega-6 (min.) 2.5%
Crude fat (min.) 15% *Omega-3 (min.) 1%
Crude fiber (max.) 6% DHA 0.6%
Moisture (max.) 10% EPA 0.3%
Calcium (min.) 1.6% *Carbohydrate (max.) 20%
Calcium (max.) 1.8% *Glucosamine (min.) 1400mg/kg
Phosphorus(min.) 1.1% *Chondroitin (min)1200mg/kg
Phosphorus(max.) 1.3% *Microorganisms 120M cfu/kg
*not recognized as essential by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles
Can you recommend a dry dog and cat food?
Jenny
That looks to be quite a good food Jenny.
Choline chloride is an organic salt which has several roles in the body, its not a baddie.
Lactobacillus acidophilus is an intestinal microbe important for digestion, also a goodie.
Enterococcus faecium fermentation is also to aid digestion, I’m impressed to see this one has been added.
The protein level is very high, not alarmingly, but perfectly balanced. Most commercial foods are woefully low in protein because teh FDA guaranteed analysis is only 9% protein.
Overall I think this is a very good food.
Hi Jenny, may I know what dog food is this?
Hi, Andy! I am completely amazed at the information you have provided to us all. In just the little bit of time I have been aware of all this I have went to the store and only found ONE dog food that Hank can eat. I am amazed and deeply disturbed. I can not keep my mouth shut to anyone. I have shared you web site with family, friends, and even strangers in the grocery stores. Thank You! I will continue to follow you and spread your news to all. Good luck in all you endeavers!
Jessica, feedback like that makes it all worthwhile — thanks you!
Andrew, Thank you so much for all the information and videos you are providing for viewers. Believe this or not but every time I pull up your e-mails and view your videos my little girl will come to the computer and try to get up in my lap when she hears your voice. My neighbor does not want to believe that the manufacturers of dog food are allowing these things to be used in dog food. Especially in regards to your video where it shows that uthenized animals or dogs are used as a filler in some dog foods. Any material I can used to prove her wrong. Some people just don’t want to believe that the goverment would allow this. Thanks again for everything you do and Babi thanks you too.
You’re welcome Darlene… I think some people also don’t want to believe because if it’s true, then they must start making more effort in the way they feed their dog. Thanks for your input
Hi!Andrew ,i’m so thankful for your videos and informations you are sending me !!asince i’ve learned from your websites i never miss reading about your information,I love my siberian husky so much and so the time i got him i always make sure to buy the best even cost much dog food here in japan,,but really so thankfull for your information and now i’m cooking for him just about a week,he is 8 months old but he is big even he’s still a puppy,im a bit confuse of how much should i give him meat a day,i’m giving him beef ,or chicken,fish, mixed with vegies a day,,but how much meat should i give him,,he always seems not satisfied of the amount im giving him.Again thanks so much..
try about 40% calories from protein, 25% starchy carbs (rice, oats, potato etc), 25% vegetables (cabbage, carrots, broccoli stalks etc) and about 10% fat (fat on the meat, oil etc)
the 25% calories from vegetables are not only very healthy and high in fiber, they also provide a lot of volume to fill your dog’s tummy
Hi Andrew,
I didn\’t know that frozen foods contain additives until I read your website.
Thank you for the useful information. I thought giving my dog a home-cook
diet is good enough, but there\’s more knowledge to that when preparing!
Regards
Jaycee & my dog KC
Not all frozen veggies have added chemicals so its a matter of checking the packaging. Home-cooked, presuming its done sensibly, is still better than commercial even if you have not done the research simply because commercial is so bad its very easy to do better.
Glad this info is useful for you Jaycee
Hi this is Nancy
I’m the one that has Bella, she weighs 10 to 11 lbs, and I gave her the tuna recipe, is that ok for her breed? Chihuahua/ShihTzu. Please advise I have feed her mixed vegtables before and it was orintal kind with potato, and corn and she threw some of the corn and potatos up the next evening so last night she did not eat? so I dont want to hurt her. Thank you Nancy
nancy, try brown rice instead of the bread. Corn and dogs dont mix… if you are going to use veggies, best you can prepare are fresh veggies. this is especially so if your dog is small because they are much more prone to toxicity from food additives (even frozen veggies have additives)
Thanks for the information, videos and the Tuna recipe, Andrew. It smelled and tasted so good I ate some myself. My dog,Spirit, can\\\’t wait for me to put it in her dish before she starts gulping it down, unlike her regular dog food kibble which she took her time to eat. The only problem is, she can,t get enough of it and I have to make a double batch. Keep up the good work.
John and Spirit.
Hi Andrew, thank you for the videos, my dog loves the tuna recipe I tried it and it is very tasty, he has a skin problems at the moment and i am reading everything you send me to see if it helps, I have seen meat by products in the ingredients of many dog foods that I have bought not realising wha it WASN’T.
Thanks again
Mel ( and my dog Samson)