Pet food is primarily made up of leftovers from human food production, such as the animal products that aren’t wanted or those which are considered unfit for human consumption. The type of ingredients and their quality can vary widely. Naturally, you get what you pay for, as the cheapest pet food is likely to contain lesser quality ingredients. But in some cases you may be paying a premium price for mediocre foods that have simply got a great marketing promotion. There are a few ingredients to look out for on a pet food label that could give a good indication of the food’s overall quality. These could not only prevent your pet from eating foods that may make them ill over time, but will also stop you paying premium prices for foods that are harming your pets’ health.
Animal Fat
Also known as tallow, animal fat is a product of rendering. In this process, parts and pieces of animals (and sometimes the whole animal) are put through a giant grinder and then boiled for 30 minutes to several hours in large vats. The high heat is necessary to kill off bacteria, viruses and moulds, along with other pathogens. This also enables the fat to separate and float to the top, where it is then skimmed and used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. When pet food companies use fat from a single species, they will label it as such. However, when its a mixture, it is labelled as general ‘animal fat. The latter is not something you want your pet to be eating.
Meat and Bone Meal
Meat and bone meal, known as MBM, is yet another product of rendering. This single ingredient doesn’t refer to a combination of meat meal and bone meal. The remaining material from rendering is pressed and dried to create a fluffy brown powder, which is MBM. It’s a high protein powder that is commonly used to bulk out low cost pet foods. It’s also a generic term that could include any one species or a variety. For years, it was rumoured that euthanised cats and dogs were processed into pet foods, but this was denied by the pet food industry. In tests, no samples of either species were found but it was found that meat and bone meal were the ingredients most likely to be associated with the presence of sodium pentobarbital – the drug used for euthanasia.
Animal Digest
This is a common flavouring agent that is sprayed onto dry kibbles to make them more appealing to pets. It’s made from a stew of animal parts than are broken down with enzymes and chemicals. As before, the term ‘animal’ could refer to anything. If you pet is allergic to a certain animal protein, this could be a problem.
Corn Products
Corn products are often found in pet foods, including whole grain corn, ground corn and corn bran. It’s used to provide a source of energy, but the vast majority of corn in the U.S is genetically modified – 85 per cent, in fact. Corn gluten is especially problematic as it is a cheap substitute for meat. Cats and dogs require a meat based diet, so this can lead to health problems.
Chemical Preservatives
Mny pet food companies use synthetic preservatives, such as BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin. These have been linked to a number of health problems, including cancer. Try to opt for foods that offer natural preservatives, such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C), tocopherols (vitamin E) and rosemary oil.