Last week, we discussed how kibble is made and why it’s problematic. Now that we have established how kibble is made, it’s important to note that not all kibbles are made equally. Several companies are working to create a better product that is still shelf-stable without cutting corners for the sake of a cheaper ingredient. I’m well aware that not everyone wants to switch to a raw/fresh diet, and that’s okay. This week, I will tell you what to look out for when reading the label so you can ensure your dog gets high-quality kibbles.
Things to Look for in Kibble
Look for many named meats (e.g., beef heart or pork liver, rather than meat/ bone meals) near the top of the ingredient list so you know the bulk of the calories are coming from animal sources of protein and other nutrients.
Things to Avoid in Kibble
- Avoid ingredient splitting, which is when a company takes an ingredient like peas, for example, and splits it up into pea protein, pea fibre and pea flour, rather than just listing peas. They do this to make peas look like they make up a smaller percentage of the overall food than they actually do. If you have 9.5 kg of peas and 3.6 kg of chicken, you can split the peas into three categories and then claim chicken is the number one ingredient.
- Avoid potentially carcinogenic, synthetic preservatives like ВНА, ВНТ and ethoxyquin.
- Avoid artificial colours like Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6 and Blue 2.
- Avoid corn. Corn isn’t necessarily unhealthy but is a common, cheap filler in many popular kibble brands. It’s often used because it’s a good source of energy (but so are doughnuts – it doesn’t mean they’re healthy) and cheaper than high-quality meats. Dogs have no biological need for any sort of carbohydrate in their diet.
- Avoid added sugars, such as molasses, brown sugar and granulated sugar.
Sugar in small quantities (like treats) isn’t a bad thing, but it’s not something you want in every meal you feed your dog. - Avoid excess carbohydrates. Carbs are not necessarily bad for dogs, but high-glycemic, highly processed carbs may be at the root of many common ailments our dogs go through. You want your kibble to have many named meats like beef heart and chicken liver before carbs start showing up. Dogs have evolved over thousands of years to become carnivorous animals, with a digestive system well suited to digesting meat and bone. Their sharp teeth, powerful jaws and short intestines are all adaptations that allow them to efficiently process and extract nutrients from animal proteins and fats. Dogs have no biological need for carbohydrates and can thrive on a diet that is rich in animal products alone, but adding vegetables and probiotics such as kefir is always a good idea.
If you’re looking for a high-quality kibble, try Edgard & Cooper. Their label shows that they only use fresh, whole foods. Use our code NAYA20 for 20% off your first order.