We understand the overwhelming feeling. The aisles of dry food closing in on you. You’re cornered and in your panic you look to google, the answers you are looking for will surely be on the first page! Surely if vets recommend it, it has to be the cure to all my dogs problems! Surely, if my favorite celebrity endorses it, it has to be the BEST POSSIBLE OPTION! You may be wrong, my friends. Let us explain and break down the real difference between a sub par kibble and a kibble that is biologically superior and compatible with your animal’s diet.

What brand names come to mind when we say “Vet Recommend”? Purina Pro Plan, maybe? Hill’s Science Diet, perhaps? ROYAL CANIN, likely?? While these might all sound great and safe, they just might be making your dog have less energy, cause sensitivity reactions, and have runny stool. Don’t believe us? Let us dive into the ‘why?’  

Starting with basic information: INGREDIENTS. When we buy our own food at the grocery store we make sure to check the nutritional facts and what makes up the product we’re consuming then, we make choices based on our preferences and knowledge. Unfortunately, our pets cannot do that for themselves so it is up to us; as responsible and loving owners, to give them exactly what they need and what’s best for them. We will go through a few really common ingredients found in a lot of commercial brands and the pros & cons to each, both for consumers and corporations. This way you can really understand why it’s going into your pet and why it can cause potential problems.

 Here is a comparison between some popular dog food brand’s ingredient profiles:








 

As we all know, the ingredients that are at the very top of the list of the profile are what make up the majority of the products. So let’s start with the following highlighted at the tippity-tops.

The three out of four examples above include the ingredient ‘Brewer’s Rice’, right in the first line. What is brewer’s rice and why is it used and different from regular? 

 

“Brewers' rice is a by-product of rice milling, consisting of small, broken grains of white rice that are separated from the larger, whole kernels.”

 

Here are the pros and cons:

 

Pros:

  • Digestibility: 
    • Brewers rice is easily digested, making it potentially suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs or digestive issues.
  • Energy Source: 
    • It provides a source of carbohydrates for energy.
  • Commonly Used: 
    • It's a frequently used ingredient in dog food, especially in prescription diets. 

 

Cons:

  • Low Nutritional Value:
    • Brewers rice is a refined grain and lacks the nutritional density of whole grains like brown rice. 
  • Filler Ingredient:
    • It's often categorized as a filler ingredient, meaning it adds bulk to the food but provides minimal nutritional benefit. 
  • Potential for Digestive Issues:
    • While some dogs tolerate it well, others may experience digestive upset or weight gain due to its high starch content. 
  • Obesity Risk:
    • The high carbohydrate content can contribute to weight gain in some dogs.

 

So in summary this is a safer carb to use as a filler in your pet food. It fills them up but provides low nutritional value. So are you really getting your bang for your buck if you’re ending up at the vet a few times?

 

Another suspicious item is ‘Corn Gluten Meal’. This is a source of protein used in animal food. This is another way companies can advertise higher protein contents from a lower cost protein. While this might be okay for animals such as birds and other herbivores, dogs and cats can’t biologically break down plant proteins nearly as efficiently as animal. Very similar to soybean meal, it is a more cost friendly substitution to animal based proteins. Here are the pros and cons:

 

Pros:

Protein Source:

  • Corn gluten meal is a source of protein, which is essential for muscle development, healthy skin, and coat. 

Digestibility:

  • It's generally considered easily digestible for most dogs, making its nutrients readily available. 

Cost-Effective:

  • It can be a more affordable protein source compared to some animal-based proteins. 

Complementary Protein:

  • When combined with other protein sources, it can help create a more complete and balanced diet. 

Nutrient Content:

  • It contains essential amino acids and other nutrients like linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, and antioxidants. 

Cons:

Allergies:

  • Some dogs can develop allergies to corn, though it's not the most common allergen. 

Lower Quality Protein:

  • Corn gluten meal is not as nutritionally complete as some animal-based proteins, particularly for essential amino acids like lysine. 

Digestive Issues:

  • While generally digestible, some dogs may experience digestive upset, especially with excessive amounts. 

Potential for Aflatoxin Contamination:

  • Corn is susceptible to aflatoxin contamination, a type of mold that can be harmful. 

Misleading Labeling:

  • The term "gluten" in corn gluten meal can be misleading, as it refers to a protein fraction, not the gluten found in wheat.

If we’re keeping a trend with items that can be potential filler and empty calories, be wary of Whole Wheat Grain being at the very top. This item can be beneficial in many ways but be cautious of the amount and quality of this ingredient. Whole wheat grain can be a very good source of carbohydrates and nutrient IF it is cooked properly and of a higher quality. Here is the list of pro’s and cons:

 Pros:

  • Nutrient Source: 
    • Whole wheat contains fiber, B vitamins, and other nutrients that can contribute to a dog's overall health. 
  • Energy Source: 
    • It's a good source of carbohydrates, providing energy for your dog. 
  • Digestive Health: 
    • The fiber content can promote healthy digestion. 
  • Cost-Effective: 
    • Whole wheat is often a more affordable ingredient compared to some other carbohydrates

Cons:

  • Digestive Issues:
    • Some dogs may have difficulty digesting wheat, leading to stomach upset or diarrhea. 
  • Allergies:
    • Wheat is a common allergen for dogs, and some may develop skin or digestive problems after consuming it. 
  • Potential for Empty Calories:
    • If not properly cooked or if used in excess, wheat can contribute to weight gain without providing significant nutritional value. 
  • Quality Concerns:
    • The quality of wheat can vary, and some sources may be contaminated with pesticides or herbicides.

Now, my friends, we get to the ingredient that should set off your alarms with any formula anytime you see it! The icky, the questionable, the mcdonalds of it all: BY-PRODUCT. By-product is a widely used term in a lot of animal foods.When you look up animal by product by definition, you get the following:

 

“Animal by-products are materials of animal origin that are not intended for human consumption. These can include parts of animals slaughtered for food, like skin, bones, and offal, as well as materials produced by animals, such as manure, wool, and feathers. They also encompass animal products that are no longer suitable for human consumption, like expired milk or meat.”

 

 In my personal opinion, that definition isn't appetizing in the slightest but, my pet can’t read and thinks it the best junk food ever. BRING ON THE LIST:

 

Pros:

  • Nutrients:
    • By-products, particularly organ meats like liver, kidney, and heart, are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that are crucial for a dog's health. 
  • Cost-effective:
    • By-products are generally more affordable than muscle meat, making dog food more accessible. 
  • Reduces food waste:
    • Utilizing by-products helps minimize waste in the human food industry, promoting sustainability. 
  • Highly digestible:
    • When properly processed, by-products can be easily digested and absorbed by dogs, providing them with readily available nutrients. 
  • Palatable:
    • Many dogs find the taste and texture of by-products appealing, making them a good option for picky eaters.

Cons:

  • Quality variability:
    • Not all by-products are created equal. Some may be of lower quality or contain less desirable parts of the animal (e.g., hair, feathers, or hooves) 
  • Potential for contamination:
    • Raw, unprocessed by-products can carry a risk of bacterial contamination. However, reputable pet food manufacturers heat-treat by-products to eliminate pathogens. 
  • Misinformation:
    • There's a common misconception that all by-products are harmful, which can lead to pet owners avoiding nutritious ingredients. 
  • Labeling transparency:
    • Some pet food companies may use vague terms like "animal by-product meal" instead of specifying the exact source, making it harder for consumers to assess the quality.

Many if not all the items above are not necessary for the wellbeing and overall longevity of your animal. These items are used for cutting costs for companies but why are they still charging you nearly $100 per bag??? There are many kibble on the market that contain little to none of these ingredients that are also vet formulated and celebrity endorsed; here’s the best part, some are even MORE cost effective than Purina Pro Plan or Royal Canin. It’s a matter of looking at the label and using your acquired knowledge to make your own judgement on what should be going into your pet’s body. 

Don’t worry though! We’re here to start off your journey with some great recommendations:




Be mindful of where your animal food is manufactured, sourced, and regulated. Many kibbles made in other regions such as Europe will have a higher standard for animal feed than the USA. You can spot some very major difference in content between these brands and the brands mentioned initially. Better brands are going to have animal meat and very beneficial grains and produce at the top as opposed to filler and by-products. You also want to avoid  getting protein from plant based items such as corn gluten meal, soybean meal, or pea protein but rather from solely animals. 

We know this is just the beginning of your pet food journey and it’s a great place to start! We hope this little article helped maybe answer some questions about what really sets aside a low quality kibble to a good quality one! Feel free to stop by the shop and strike up a conversation about this topic anytime!