Commercial Dog Food Rating Dilemma
18 Sep 2008
Commercial dog foods that are scientifically formulated are packed with chemical supplements. This makes the dog food rating process extremely difficult. These so-called supplements are used to ‘fortify’, i.e. make up for deficiencies in the basic ingredients used to make the dog food, which are typically byproducts (waste material) from slaughter houses, food and beverage companies. Other chemical additives are used to make the food palletable for the dog, stabilize and preserve the food so that it can sit on shelves and in warehouses for long periods of time and to color and ‘texturize’ the food to make it actually appear edible.
Such supplements, which by the way are also added to processed foods for human consumption, are not subject to any FDA inspection or oversight, and the government has no records as to country of origin of these ‘additives’ and ’supplements’ according to a CNN News report on 20 July, 2007.
More Problems With Commercial Dog Food Ratings
During the manufacturing process many micronutrients are destroyed. Excessive exposure to heat and/or water denatures proteins, destroying essential amino acids and fatty acids that your dog needs to survive and must get from food. Vitamins C, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, are also destroyed according to Dr. Michael W. Fox, B.Vet.Med., Ph.D., D.Sc. M.R.C.V.S.
Acidification is another process that manufacturers use to control struvite crystal formation in the urine that becomes too alkaline when dogs and cats are fed diets that are too high in cereal/grain content. This artificial alteration of the acidity/alkalinity of the food can cause many common ailments in dogs, such as metabolic acidosis, kidney failure, calcium oxalate uroliths/stones and urinary retention. Acidification can also destroy acid-sensitive micronutrients like vitamin K, biotin and B-12.
The bottom line is that even though the vitamins, amino acids and fatty acids may have been added to the food, they will likely be destroyed during the manufacturing process. This makes a dog food rating process extremely complex when rating commercial dog foods.
Dr. Fox states: “I have come to believe that dogs and cats should not be fed most manufactured pet foods as their main or only source of nutritional sustenance. I have come to this conclusion because of the dramatic clinical improvement in dogs and cats suffering from a number of chronic, debilitating, and costly health problems once they have been taken off highly processed commercial pet foods and are given naturally formulated, organic whole food diets appropriate for their species, age, physical condition, and activity level.”
For more information on the commercial dog food rating dilemma and ways to improve your dogs diet watch this video: Commercial Dog Food Rating Secrets
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