Dog food

Dog food is plant or animal material intended for consumption by dogs or other canines. Special dog foods given as a reward, and not as a staple, are known as dog treats. Some people make their own dog food or feed their dogs meals made from ingredients purchased in grocery or health-food stores; many others rely on commercially manufactured dog food. There are many different recommendations on what diet is best for dogs. Some people argue that dogs have thrived off of leftovers and scraps from their human owners for thousands of years and that commercial dog foods (which have only been available for the past century) contain poor-quality meats, additives, and other ingredients dogs should not ingest, or that commercial dog food is not nutritionally sufficient for their dogs.

Commercial dog food

There are many varieties of commercial dog food to choose from.

By its water content, commercial dog food can be categorized into following types: dry, semi-moist, and moist.

Dry dog food

The average dry food is the least expensive, per pound, when compared to its canned (wet) or semi-moist counterparts. It is usually 6-10% moisture by volume, as compared to up to 78% in canned food. It can be beneficial in the prevention of tartar buildup, as well as being less likely to spoil quickly than an open can.^[1] However, if cans are opened only at the time of feeding, they will tend to keep longer than dry food, as dry food cannot be opened on an as-needed basis, and (unless stored in an airtight container) is by necessity exposed to air for the duration of its use.

The manufacturing process

Pellets of dry dog food, called kibble, are primarily produced by one of two methods: extrusion and baking. During the extrusion process, cut dough or a mixture of raw materials is fed into an expander, while pressurized steam or hot water is added. When removed from the high pressure that results, the pellets puff like popcorn. The resultant kibble is allowed to dry, then sprayed with vitamins, fats and oils, or any other ingredients that are not heat-tolerant. If extruded kibble is exposed to air for too long or not properly stored, the fats and oils added after cooking can become rancid, and vitamins and minerals in the food may be destroyed by heat during storage or shipping.^[1] Baked kibble is often sought after by pet owners seeking a more natural or more digestible food, although the effect of baking on either of these factors is the subject of much discussion (see below). Because the heating process is slower, kibble being prepared this way is subjected to a lower pressure for a much longer period of time. Because fat can be cooked in rather than sprayed on, baked kibble will tend to have a slightly longer shelf life compared to extruded kibble, especially when exposed to air, or after its package has been opened by the consumer. Because of the longer shelf life and less efficient cooking methods, baked kibble will tend to have a notably higher price tag, and is generally only available in pet and specialty stores, rather than supermarkets. There is persistent debate within the pet care industry as to which method is better for the dog nutritionally. Some proponents of baked food assert that baking aids in the digestibility of raw proteins, and that extrusion requires the use of harmful preservatives, such as BHT or Ethoxyquin.^[2] However, it has been pointed out that the canine digestive system is tailored to eating raw meat in the natural environment, and that many extruded foods use natural preservatives, such as tocopherols. As with any cooking procedure, the simple act of preparing kibble destroys many nutrients in raw ingredients. It has been suggested that either baking^[2] or extrusion^[3] is less harmful to the nutrient content of a food, but no conclusive evidence has been presented in either direction, and the argument continues.

Wet dog food

Wet, or canned, dog food is significantly higher in moisture than dry or semi-moist food.^[1] Because the food is sterilized after being canned (sometimes it is also cooked in the can), it is often easier to ensure the sterility of wet food. A given wet food will often be higher in protein or fat when compared to a similar kibble on a dry matter basis (a measure which ignores moisture). However, because water accounts for so much of the food, the canned food will generally be lower in protein and fat in terms of actual content.

Fresh dog food

Fresh dog food is a new category of dog food founded in Australia a decade ago. It has recently made its way into the American market. Fresh dog food uses the pasteurization instead of the traditional extrusion method used to process pet food. This processing technique makes fresh dog food more vulnerable to bacteria compare to dry and wet dog food. To prevent spoilage, refrigerators are used as storage instead of shelves. Fresh dog foods are highly palatable, contains zero preservative (BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin), and use only fresh wholesome ingredients.

Contents

Many commercial dog foods are made from materials unusable or less desirable for human consumption. These may include:

• Meat by-products or digests (which is rumored to include euthanized animals, although any verifiable evidence has yet to surface.^[4])
• Meat-and-bone meals
• Grain by-products
• Horse meat

Less expensive dog foods generally include less meat, and more animal by-products and grain "fillers". Proponents of a more natural diet criticize the use of such ingredients, and point out that regulations allow for packaging that might lead a consumer to believe that they were buying a natural food when, in reality, the food might be comprised mostly of ingredients such as those listed above.^[5][6] However, several pet foods exist which do not contain any of these ingredients. Such brands may include Evanger's and Tripett. Many pet stores stock well-known brands that are free of by-products, and run at around the same price as some grocery store brands. More expensive dogs foods may be made of ingredients suitable for human consumption, organic products, or free-range meats.

Dog treats are special dog foods given as a reward, and not as a staple food source.

Special varieties

There are dog foods specially formulated for dogs allergic to common ingredients such as chicken, wheat, or corn. These foods usually contain "novel proteins" and substitute uncommon starches for the usual grains. Meats used in allergy formulas can range from the mundane, such as lamb, beef or whitefish, to the unusual, such as venison or duck. Carbohydrates in allergy formulas are usually a less common grain, such as rice or barley, but such ingredients as potato and quinoa are sometimes used. Some foods are designed for dogs with maladies such as urinary tract infections, and some are tailored to the dietary needs of especially young or aging dogs. There are also vegetarian dog foods for owners who do not want their dogs to consume meat products.

List of Special Food Types

A list of specially formulated dog food types:

• Allergy-reducing
• Arthritis-relieving
• Breeding needs
• Dental aids
• Diabetic control
• Puppy needs
• Nursing female needs
• Senior needs
• Weight management

List of Food Types

A list of food types commonly found in dog food:

• Beef
• Buffalo
• Chicken
• Duck
• Fruits such as apples and berries
• Grains such as barley, oatmeal, and rice
• Lamb
• Salmon
• Vegetables such as carrots, green beans, and sweet potatoes
• Venison

Premium labels

Certain manufacturers label their products with terms such as premium, ultra premium, natural and holistic. Such terms currently have no official definitions so caveat emptor applies. The AAFCO is currently looking to define some of the terms. There are also varieties of dog food labeled as "human-grade food". Although no official definition of such term exists, the assumption is that other brands use foods that would not pass US Food and Drug Administration inspection according to the Pure Food and Drug Act or the Meat Inspection Act.

Raw food

Main article: Raw feeding

Raw food is also a growing industry.

Recalls

Main article: 2007 pet food recalls

Dog food at a supermarket in Brooklyn, New York.

The 2007 pet food recalls involved the massive recall of many brands of cat and dog foods beginning in March 2007. The recalls came in response to reports of renal failure in pets consuming mostly wet pet foods made with wheat gluten from a single Chinese company, beginning in February 2007. After more than three weeks of complaints from consumers, the recall began voluntarily with the Canadian company Menu Foods on March 16 2007, when a company test showed sickness and death in some of the test animals. Soon after, there were numerous media reports of animal deaths as a result of kidney failure, and several other companies who received the contaminated wheat gluten also voluntarily recalled dozens of pet food brands. By the end of March, veterinary organizations reported more than 100 pet deaths amongst nearly 500 cases of kidney failure, with one online database self-reporting as many as 3,600 deaths as of April 11. As of April 8, Menu Foods has confirmed only about 16 deaths. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration refuses to estimate the amount of sick or dead because there is no centralized government records database of animal sickness or death in the United States as there are with humans (such as the Centers for Disease Control). As a result, many sources speculate that the actual number of affected pets may never be known and experts are concerned that the actual death toll could potentially reach into the thousands. Overall, several major companies have recalled more than 100 brands of pet foods, with most of the recalled product coming from Menu Foods. Although there are several theories of the source of the agent causing sickness in affected animals, with extensive government and private testing and forensic research, to date, no definitive cause has been isolated. As of April 10, the most likely cause, according to the FDA, though not yet proven, is indicated by the presence of melamine in wheat gluten in the affected foods. The Chinese company behind the contaminated wheat gluten has initially denied any involvement in the contamination, but is cooperating with Chinese and American investigators. In the United States, there has been extensive media coverage of the recall. There has been widespread public outrage and calls for government regulation of pet foods, which had previously been self-regulated by pet food manufacturers. The United States Senate held an oversight hearing on the matter by April 12. The economic impact on the pet food market has been extensive, with Menu Foods losing roughly $30 Million alone from the recall. The events have caused distrust of most processed pet foods in some consumers.

Past recalls

In 1995 there was a dog food recall when the Nature’s Recipe company pulled thousands of tons of dog food off the shelf after consumers complained that their dogs were vomiting and losing their appetite. Nature’s Recipe’s loss amounted to $20 million. The problem was a fungus that produced vomitoxin (or “mycotoxin,” a toxic substance produced by mold) contaminating the wheat. In 1999, another fungal toxin triggered the recall of dry dog food made by Doane Pet Care at one of its plants, including Ol’ Roy (Wal-Mart’s brand) and 53 other brands. This time, the toxin killed 25 dogs.^[7] A 2005 consumer alert was released for contaminated Diamond pet foods for dogs and cats. Over 100 canine deaths and at least one feline fatality have been linked to Diamond pet foods contaminated by the potentially deadly toxin Aflatoxin, according to Cornell University veterinarians.^[8]

References

External links

• The Dog Food Project An independent, non-commercial resource on commercial dog food and dog nutrition.
• Best Dog Food Guide Get educated about the relation between dog nutrition and health today.
• Dog Food Central A meta-resource on ingredients, recalls and manufacturers of dog food.
• To Buy or Not to Buy: A Dog Food Review by Jane Baetz, Spaniel Journal Informative article deciphers the ingredients list on dog foods.
• What's Really in Pet Foods by the Animal Protection Institute
• Dog Food- Decoding Fact From Fiction an informative article on how to choose the right dog food.
• Dog Food Nutrition an independent site providing nutritional information for different types of dog food.
• Evanger's Dog Food A quality dog food manufacturing plant.
• A Pet Lovers Post Informative article about dog nutrition.
• [1] Foods to avoid in dogs.
• Dog Food Blog Blog dedicated to news and trends in dog food.