Ingredient list of dog food

Coarse ash: It is an inorganic residue produced during processing and is an unavoidable ingredient in the current technology. It is considered an impurity, so the lower the ratio, the better.

Crude protein: Protein measured by Kjeldahl method is also called crude protein. The Kjeldahl method is a standard method for determining protein content and is used to roughly estimate protein content, so the result is called crude protein.

Crude fiber: Also called dietary fiber, it includes components such as cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and cutin. Cannot be digested and absorbed.

Crude fat: During processing, the general term for soluble organic matter may include chlorophyll, carotene, organic acids, resins, fat-soluble vitamins... So crude fat is not "fat", it is A collective name for many nutrients.

Moisture: It is impossible to make dog food completely free of water by any process. The moisture content of dry dog ​​food is usually less than 10%, while the moisture content of soft dog food is about 15%.

Calcium: Many people like to supplement calcium for dogs. In fact, calcium is not an expensive material, so qualified dog food cannot be deficient in calcium. If your dog is really calcium deficient, you should first check your body to see if there are any problems with the absorption of calcium and other trace elements. For example, excessive amounts of vitamin A or D can lead to abnormal calcium absorption.

Phosphorus: One of the most important trace elements, like calcium, phosphorus does not significantly increase the cost of dog food. So no additional phosphorus supplement is needed. Moreover, the proportions of all trace elements are certain in the body. For example, if the proportion of phosphorus is high, the absorption rate of phosphorus will decrease, and the absorption rate of calcium will also decrease.

Water-soluble chloride: Mainly salt. Yes, dogs need salt, but the amount is very small.

Lysine: One of the most important amino acids that dogs need. There are 20 kinds of amino acids that are the basic raw materials for the body to synthesize protein. Similar to humans, dogs also have essential amino acids—amino acids that cannot be synthesized by other nutrients in the body, and lysine is one of them.

Answers to frequently asked questions

Is the more meat in dog food, the better?

Of course not. Any time a dog eats too much meat or offal, it will put great pressure on the digestive system. The most common problem is acute pancreatitis, which can be severe or even fatal.

So, most breeds of dogs should not eat too much meat for a long time. A balanced nutritional ratio is required.

Is there really meat in dog food?

This depends on cost and craftsmanship. When making dog food, fresh meat can be used. But the costs will increase dramatically. Even if you use the cheapest chicken breast, it will take 4-5 pounds to produce one pound of dried meat after it is completely dried and dehydrated. If it is beef and mutton, it will directly cause the manufacturing cost of dog food to rise to more than 100 yuan/jin. Although not all dog food is meat, meat is indeed one of the main ingredients, accounting for a large proportion.

The meat in dog food mainly comes from leftovers from meat processing. For example, after steak is cut on the assembly line, a lot of scraps and minced meat will come off. It is much cheaper than ordinary beef, but it is also high-quality beef.

After these leftovers are processed into meat powder, they are one of the main raw materials for dog food. In natural grains, meat is also processed into meat powder, so there is no difference in this part.

So, almost all dog food contains meat. The difference lies in the amount of meat contained and the food safety status during processing.

Do I need to supplement other nutrients when eating dog food?

Generally not required. Dog food is a formula that has been developed after years of experimentation and improvement. All necessary nutrients have been properly proportioned and no additional supplements are needed.

If you find that your dog has symptoms of nutritional deficiencies, it is better to go to the pet hospital for a biochemical examination. If there is no problem with your dog food brand, then there is something wrong with the dog's body. Simply supplementing nutrition may not solve his health problems.

The body's absorption of nutrients is a very complex process. For example, calcium and phosphorus, if excessive calcium is absorbed, the body will automatically adjust to reduce the absorption of calcium, which will also lead to a decrease in the absorption rate of phosphorus. Because calcium and phosphorus have a fixed ratio in the body.

So, simple nutritional supplements are likely to cause new problems. And overnutrition itself is also a big problem. Like people, dogs are now suffering from more and more metabolic diseases, such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, etc. Don’t let blind pampering ruin your dog’s health.

Why do dog foods come in different colors?

There are many colors of dog food on the market now, the most common ones are yellow, brown and colored.

Let’s talk about color first. Of course, it is dyed with artificial pigments, which is very unhealthy. So don’t eat colored dog food.

Yellow and brown are mainly due to the different protein content in dog food. It can also be roughly considered that the meat content is different. Those with more meat are darker in color, while those with less meat are lighter in color. Of course, this is just a general identification method and does not rule out artificial dyeing by unscrupulous merchants.

It’s not just about having more meat. Many dogs will suffer from indigestion if they eat dog food that contains too much meat. So the one that suits your dog is the best.

Is the higher the protein content, the better?

Of course not. The protein content can roughly reflect the meat content in the dog food. Too much meat can cause indigestion in some dogs. Therefore, you should choose a dog food that suits your dog. Different breeds of dogs have different protein needs. Don’t just pursue high protein content. And excess protein can also cause digestive problems, leading to soft stools and diarrhea. Severe cases may cause digestive system diseases.