At the start of a New Year, it’s always a good practice to evaluate certain health habits. Because we are huge fans of the Environmental Working Group where they list the Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15 for humans, we wanted to share our take on the Dirty Dozen ingredients for pet foods. Note: The Dirty Dozen is an annual report released by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) that ranks conventional (not organic) fruits and vegetables based on the amount of pesticide residue found on each. The ingredients on the below list were compiled by Dr. Karen Becker in her book, The Forever Dog. Use this information like your secret weapon, helping you make informed choices for your beloved pets.

Any type of by-product: By-products are what's left of a slaughtered animal after the parts intended for human consumption have been removed. This meat processing scrap is considered inedible and includes waste material like beaks feet, backs, etc. These ingredients are nothing more than inedible waste of inferior nutritional value. Furthermore, if the ingredient doesn't identify the source of the meat (chicken, beef, pork, etc.) and just says "meat" it could legally contain road kill, dead zoo animals, dead, dying, and diseased animals, and even euthanized pets from animal shelters. Why? Because the FDA openly allows this practice and has also approved poop, dust, plastic, breakfast cereal, candy, hair, & feathers in "feed" grade foods. The exception would be any human-grade pet food. None of these ingredients would be allowed in a human-grade manufacturing facility. Susan Thixton of thetruthaboutpetfood.com states, “You Can’t Put Perfume on Condemned, Diseased, Decomposing By-products. We have a problem with illegal, nonslaughtered, decomposing, dead livestock processed into pet food as a by-product with a picture of a grilled steak on the pet food label. We have a problem with the huge lack of transparency in quality of ingredients.”

Menadione (synthetic vitamin K): Also known as Vitamin K3 and more toxic than Arsenic, Menadione’s chemical registration states it is “not for human or veterinary use,” is “harmful if swallowed,” and it is linked to reproductive damage, tumor growth and cancer. 

Titanium dioxide: Titanium dioxide has the potential to damage DNA and cause chromosomal damage.

Peanut hulls: A significant source of mycotoxins which is toxic to dogs and can cause harm to the liver.

Dyes and colors (e.g., Red #40): Our pets don't care about the color of their food, but artificial dyes can cause allergies and sensitivities. Synthesized from coal tar, petroleum and other chemicals, these carcinogenic, allergy inducing aesthetic ingredients are minimally researched and usually contaminated with high levels of heavy metals. 

Poultry or animal digest: "Animal Digest" is essentially a concoction of ingredients that most pet owners would prefer to remain blissfully unaware of. It may encompass some of the elements found in the aforementioned by-products, along with skin and the contents of the animal's stomach post-slaughter.Ideally, it's more reassuring to encounter a specified meat source like "chicken digest," but even then, it tends to be a budget-friendly option with questionable quality. Digest is typically utilized for flavor enhancement rather than nutritional value.

Animal fat: The lack of specificity raises questions about the quality of fat and its impact on your pet's health. Opt for clearly labeled sources. If the fat is from unknown origin, it is rendered (generally meaning it was rejected for human food consumption due to contamination or concerning quality) and can legally be anything from tallow to restaurant fryer grease. 

Propylene glycol: Used as a type of preservative, this chemical ingredient is largely used in anti-freeze! Lactic acidosis, renal failure, and damage to the liver can occur. It reduces moisture that is needed to aid in digestion and good bacteria levels in the gut and has been linked to intestinal blockage and intestinal cancerous lesions.

Soy in all its forms: Soy contains large quantities of natural toxins. In dogs and cats, soy has been linked to gas and bloat, bladder stones, blood sugar fluctuations, thyroid damage and seizures.

"Oxide" and "sulfate" forms of minerals: Oxide and sulfate forms may have lower bioavailability, meaning that pets may not absorb and utilize these minerals as efficiently as they would from natural sources. This can lead to potential mineral deficiencies in the long run. Some pets may also find it challenging to digest and absorb minerals in oxide and sulfate forms, potentially causing gastrointestinal discomfort. Certain mineral oxides and sulfates, when consumed consistently over time, may accumulate in the body. This accumulation can lead to imbalances and may have adverse health effects.

BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin (synthetic preservatives): BHA is considered a carcinogen and both BHA and BHT can promote tumor growth and impair blood clotting. They've been banned in Japan, Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. You shouldn't consume it and neither should your pets. Natural preservatives are a much better choice.

Sodium selenite (synthetic selenium): Synthetic selenium is mutagenic and can cause cancer whereas real/natural selenium is anti-carcinogenic and actually stops cancer.

Let's aim for pet food that reads like a recipe you'd proudly share. Always check the labels, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need guidance. Our furry friends deserve the best, and together, we can ensure they get it!

Resources for further research:

Barkandwhiskers.com

Ewg.org