Photo by Karsten Winegeart
Have you ever wondered whether your dog’s food is safe and nutritious? Or have you ever wondered why your dog is a picky eater? Choosing the right dog food can be overwhelming due to unclear labels, questionable practices, and mystery ingredients. Learning about the hidden dangers of dog kibble and the potential health risks could change how you think about your pet’s diet.
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How Is Dog Kibble Made?
In 1956, the introduction of kibble dog food revolutionized the pet food industry. Kibble is a processed form of dog food that comes in small, dry pellets. Kibble may be made from various ingredients, including meats, grains, vegetables, and essential nutrients. After cooking at high temperatures, typically from 300°F to 400°F, the mixture is extruded, forming the kibble.
Extrusion is a method of mass-producing shelf-stable foods by mixing wet and dry ingredients together. The mixture is then fed through a machine, where it is subjected to extreme heat and pressure, and then through a die-cutting machine to form the kibble bits. After drying, the kibble may be coated with chicken or pork fat to enhance the taste.
Is Kibble Safe for Dogs?
Pet food manufacturers must follow country-specific laws for manufacturing pet food. In the United States, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) aims to enhance food safety by requiring preventative controls, sanitation measures, and corrective actions from pet food manufacturers to prevent contamination and improve product safety. Additionally, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) collaborates with state, federal, and international feed regulators to define ingredients, establish label standards, and maintain laboratory protocols.
Even though these laws exist, not all dog food is created equal. Pet owners should do their due diligence to ensure their pets are getting the nutrition that will give them the healthiest possible life.
Many believe that pet food standards are higher and more consistently enforced in Europe than in the US. For instance, the FDA has admitted that due to limited resources and competing priorities, it does not enforce all violations of the law.
Questionable Practices
Even though they may not be violating any laws, some popular pet food manufacturers use questionable ingredients, such as 4-D meats. The term “4-D meats” refers to food made from animals that are either dead, dying, diseased, or down in the field.
While these meats are considered adulterated by FSMA standards and illegal for human consumption or in raw pet foods, pet food manufacturers are legally allowed to use these meats if they are processed with high heat to kill bacteria. Even so, you could be feeding your dog diseased, cancerous, or decomposed meat.
Another concern is that most US pet foods have been found to contain PFAS levels, aka “forever chemicals.” The chemicals are likely used in the food bags to make them resistant to grease absorption but are known to cause various cancers and other disorders. Other pet foods have even been found to contain trace amounts of drugs used to euthanize animals. It’s pretty horrifying to think that your dog could be eating the remains of someone else’s euthanized pet.
Nutritional Degradation
Another downside to kibble is the extrusion process used to make it. While the high-heat processing may make the food more digestible and kill bacteria from processed meat, one could argue that the extrusion process makes it possible for dogs to eat food that they shouldn’t be consuming in the first place.
Since the extrusion process involves sterilizing and artificially preserving the food, it can lead to degradation of nutrients. The extreme heat and drying remove beneficial vitamins, nutrients, and moisture while increasing carcinogen levels.
For instance, acrylamide is a chemical that can be found in many common foods that are cooked at high heat. Although there is no conclusive evidence on the effect of acrylamide in kibble on cancer in dogs, studies on laboratory rats have shown that exposure to acrylamide resulted in tumors of the thyroid and mammary glands, as well as mesothelioma of the testes.
A 2021 study found that the high-heat process used to make kibble produces acrylamides and similar cancer-causing compounds that are 122 times higher in dog food than human foods. This fact has raised concerns that excessive amounts of acrylamide in dry dog food may lead to the development of cancer over time.
Harmful Ingredients in Kibble
Even though pet food manufacturers may not use illegal ingredients, it doesn’t necessarily mean the ingredients are healthy for your pet. Many foods contain fillers or ingredients that offer little to no nutritional value. When selecting dog food, be on the lookout for any of these ingredients:
Meat Byproducts
Meat byproducts are most parts of an animal other than its muscle tissue, including parts that are deemed not fit for human consumption, like lungs, blood, and udders.
Dyes & Food Coloring
Dyes and food colorings offer no benefit to dogs and may contain toxins that cause allergies or even cancer.
Meat & Bone Meal
Meat and bone meal can be made from almost any animal part, including blood or organs that offer no nutritional value. The meat could be from 4-D meats, horses, rats, roadkill, and even euthanized pets! It could also contain diseased, cancerous, or decomposed tissue. Unfortunately, you will find meat and bone meal as an ingredient in most kibble since it is an easy way to hide what they are really putting in the food.
Corn or Wheat Gluten
Corn and wheat gluten are used as cheap protein substitutes and may lead to skin irritations, digestive issues, and nutritional imbalances. Manufacturers often add glutens to raise protein levels, even though they are less nutritionally complete than meat-based proteins.
Dog Food Alternatives to Kibble
If you’re worried about the safety and quality of kibble for your pet, be assured that there are other options! Bear in mind that each dog has unique nutritional needs based on its age, breed, or health issues. It is also highly recommended that when changing your dog’s diet, to slowly transition them to the new food to avoid digestive issues, as explained in this article.
Before switching to any alternative to kibble, you should consult your veterinarian or a certified pet nutritionist. They can help you create a balanced meal plan that meets your dog’s specific dietary requirements and monitor its health as it adjusts to the new diet.
Here are a few alternatives to kibble to consider:
Fresh Dog Food
Fresh dog food is becoming increasingly popular as it simulates a more natural dog diet. These meals are typically made using human-grade ingredients and are prepared at low temperatures rather than using a high-heat extrusion process. Brands like Spot & Tango, Ollie, Nom Nom, and The Farmer’s Dog offer customizable meal plans tailored to your dog’s specific needs and preferences.
Raw Dog Food
Raw food diets, also known as BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) or prey model diets, consist of uncooked meats, bones, organs, and some fruits and vegetables. Supporters of raw food diets argue that it resembles what dogs would eat in the wild, leading to improved digestion, healthier coats, and increased energy levels. However, raw food diets introduce additional nutrition and contamination considerations, so first consult with a veterinarian or pet nutritionist to ensure your dog’s raw diet is balanced and safe.
Homemade Dog Food
Homemade dog food gives you complete control over every ingredient in your pet’s meals. This option can be particularly helpful for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities since you can eliminate potential triggers. Homemade dog food recipes typically include proteins such as chicken, beef, turkey, or fish combined with healthy carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes, brown rice, quinoa, and vegetables. Remember that homemade diets require careful planning to ensure they meet your dog’s nutritional needs. Try this homemade beef recipe.
Our Own Experience With Kibble
For the first two years of our dog Nala’s life, we fed her traditional kibble. We even spent the extra money to make sure we were getting her the best kibble we could find. However, as a picky eater, she often left her food untouched for most of the day. To entice her to eat, we tried various food toppers, which helped her eat most of her food. However, after learning some of the dangers of kibble, we decided to make the transition to a fresh food diet.
Finding the right dog food company became a priority. As mentioned, there are many well-reviewed fresh dog food companies, but we felt Spot & Tango was our best option. When we switched to Spot & Tango’s fresh Unkibble dog food, Nala’s behavior changed completely. Now, as soon as she sees us preparing her food, she gets very excited and starts licking her lips in anticipation. Once we put the bowl in front of her, she gobbles it all down immediately. We have never seen her so excited to eat!
Give fresh dog food a try… You won’t regret it!
UnKibble recipes are made with fresh, whole ingredients and contain no artificial preservatives, fillers, or additives. They are complete and balanced for puppies and adults and are GMO-free.
UnKibble recipes are gently dried, which maximizes nutritional integrity. With four different recipes, you’re sure to find one your dog enjoys.
The Fresh recipes are made also with fresh, whole ingredients and contain no artificial preservatives, fillers, or additives.
Ingredients are cooked gently in small batches to preserve their nutrients. The cooked ingredients are mixed, flash-frozen to maintain freshness, and delivered to your door within a few days of freezing.
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