The culprit of many health problems dogs face can be traced back to one common factor: their food. Just as humans can have health issues caused by diets, like how consuming too much fat can cause heart disease and diabetes, the same can happen with dogs. Kibble is a popular option for dogs–– it may even be what you feed your dog. We’ve done some research and found that kibble may not be the best option on the market, and we’ve broken down the “why.”
The Ugly Truth About Kibble & What To Feed Your Dog Instead
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The Dangers Of Kibble
Low-Quality Ingredients
Kibble is typically made up of feed-grade, processed ingredients. Because these ingredients are processed, the majority of the nutrients have nearly dissipated. Many kibble brands contain carcinogens, such as aflatoxins, otherwise known as a type of mold. Aflatoxins are known to cause cancer. Since many kibble brands contain food with grain, it’s easy for this mold to grow. The most common of these grains susceptible to mold-growth are corn, wheat cereals, peanuts, rice, and soybeans. Many of these grains, which are high in starch, contain a high glycemic index, spiking your dog’s insulin, glucagon, and cortisol, putting them at risk of obesity.
Artificial Food Coloring
There are many food dyes added to kibble, and, unfortunately, they aren’t what you want in your dog’s food. Food dyes, like Yellow 5 and Blue 2, are known to cause cancer, thyroid tumors, asthma, allergies, and brain tumors. The other food dyes to look out for are Red 40 and Yellow 6, which can also cause cancer, ADHD, skin issues, asthma, and chromosomal damage.
False Labeling
The worst part? It’s extremely difficult to understand if the kibble in question contains harmful ingredients or if it contains the ingredient marketed. At your local pet store, you’ll find plenty of kibble options whose name suggests they are predominantly made up of various meats like chicken, turkey, beef or lamb. However, FDA product naming rules can be easily manipulated and made to be misleading. Here’s what the label really means:
| Rule | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| The “95%” Rule | “Beef for Dogs” | With straightforward names like this, at least 95% of the product must be the named ingredient. With water added for processing, the named ingredient must be 70% of the product. |
| Two Name Rule | “Chicken ‘n Liver Dog Food” | The two named ingredients must together make up 95% of the product. The first name must be more predominant than the second. In this example, you may only be getting 2% of liver and 93% chicken. |
| The “Dinner” Rule | “Beef Dinner for Dogs” | If the label uses a vague descriptor like “Dinner”, “Platter”, “Entree”, “Nuggets, “or “Formula”, this product is mostly not made up of the named ingredient. Without water, the product must contain 25% of the named ingredient. With added water, the requirement drops to just 10%. Without checking the ingredients, you may be feeding your dog something you don’t want to. |
| The “With” Rule | “Dog Food With Beef” | Only 3% of the named ingredient is required to be present in the product. This means simply rewording the label “Beef for Dogs” to “Dog Food With Beef” can be the difference of 95% beef and 3% beef present in the product. |
| The “Flavor” Rule | “Beef Flavor Dog Food” | No specific percentage requirement, but the product must contain an amount sufficient enough to be “detected”. |
All things considered, kibble isn’t what you want to feed your dogs. The good news: there are brands out there that produce food actually focused on your dog’s health. We’ve put together some alternatives so that you can feed your dog food the most nutritious food on the market.
The Healthier Option
Fresh food differs from kibble in that it is, as the name says, fresh. The power of fresh food is that you don’t need the label to understand what’s in your dog’s food – you’ll see it right there in the bowl. On average, fresh food is made no more than a week before it hits your dog’s bowl, so there is no need for processed additives or preservatives. Instead, it’s filled with whole ingredients like meat, vegetables, and fruit, making it high in naturally sourced antioxidants and nutrients. With all of those antioxidants and fiber from fruits and vegetables, you won’t have to worry about your dog having digestive issues, as you would with kibble.
Many fresh food brands source their ingredients from farms that are USDA-certified for human consumption, meaning your dog is eating food from ingredients that are fresh enough for you to consume. This includes fruits, vegetables, and even meats. Most meats in fresh food are hormone-free, and sometimes even free-range. Essentially, what you would find at your local grocery store.
With fresh food, your dog will be eating food that’s high in quality; made with fresh ingredients that are actually listed on the label; and not filled with artificial dyes. If you’re looking for a healthier option than kibble, we think fresh is the perfect alternative. We’ve done our research and listed the top three fresh dog food brands below.
Our Favorite Fresh Dog Food Brands
The Farmer’s Dog
The Farmer’s Dog was the first fresh dog food delivery service brand in the space, so to say they have a strong grasp on what your dog should put in their body would definitely be an understatement. The Farmer’s Dog partners with a team of board-certified, veterinary nutritionists, who help craft their recipes in-house. They source from well-known food suppliers and local farms, who all comply with USDA standards. The Farmer’s Dog makes it easy to control how much your dog is eating, which is why they ship their food in pre-portioned packets. This avoids any risk of detrimental weight gain or weight loss on your dog. After you feed your dog, you’ll put the rest of the packet in the biodegradable, recyclable container provided and store it in the fridge, ready for the next feeding time.
With its years of experience, The Farmer’s Dog is an expert on what your dog needs to live a healthier lifestyle. The Farmer’s Dog is extending a limited time offer to our readers. Buy The Farmer’s Dog now through this article and receive 50% off your first box for a limited time only.
Nom Nom
Dog food delivery service, Nom Nom, focuses on recipes created by their veterinary nutritionist, Dr. Justin Shmalberg. Each recipe uses whole-food ingredients that are sourced in the U.S. and approved by the USDA for human consumption. Nom Nom does not contract any aspect of their company, including their supply chain, which means that your dog’s food is only made in their kitchens, located in Nashville, Tennessee and the San Fransisco Bay Area. Nom Nom routinely performs meticulous ingredient and safety inspections, ensuring your dog the best food possible.
Bonus Raw Food Option: Darwin’s
Raw food is another alternative to kibble. Raw food is typically freeze-dried or frozen, offering less preservatives and more nutrients than what kibble provides. It’s a more affordable option if you are looking to give your dog more health benefits, without paying the price for fresh food.
Darwin’s is a raw dog food brand, free of grains, fillers, and artificial alternatives. They craft their meals with 75% meat and 25% vegetables. All ingredients are USDA-certified and human-grade from the U.S. and Australia. Darwin’s food is filled with vitamins and minerals, including Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids, and does not contain chemical preservatives, hormones, or steroids. Meals are made fresh, vacuum-sealed, and then frozen to ensure the best nutritional value possible.
Darwin’s is an excellent alternative if you’re looking for food that’s better than kibble, but not as expensive as fresh food.
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by Insider Envy Staff