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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According to Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM, “commercial pet food does not always provide all of the nutrients that some dogs and cats need to be healthy at different times in their lives. This food also contains things that your pet doesn’t need, such as chemical additives and preservatives.

“An example of a preservative that is commonly found is propylene glycol. It is used to keep moist pet foods fresh. It has been linked to anemia and bloat. One of the single most important things you can do for your pet’s health is to feed a more natural diet. I have seen natural diets improve allergies, arthritis, diabetes, chronic vomiting and diarrhea.”

Unfortunately many dog owners think that any commercial dog food they buy will be good for their pet. They also fail to realize that many of the health and behavioral problems that they experience with their dog are likely caused (or are compounded) by poor nutrition, reactions to chemicals, and/or food allergies.

This is not surprising, because most people ignore the signals their own bodies are giving them when they eat poor food, why would they recognize the signs their dog is giving them as a reaction to poor food. By paying attention to what you are putting in your dogs mouth and his/her reaction to it you may be able to solve a lot of problems or avoid future problems, just the same as you can by paying attention to what goes in your own mouth.

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