Cat and Dog Food Label Basics

Dog and cat foods will also contain various grains and other products. Common grains found in foods are corn, wheat and rice. There are concerns with allergies to corn and wheat. Other grains used may be brewer’s rice, soybean meal, sorghum and oatmeal. There may be various vegetables in pet food, probiotics, Glucosamine, lecithin, shark cartilage, cider vinegar, etc.

What about preservatives? Most dog and cat foods that are commercially made (not including the pre-made raw diets that may not meet AAFCO standards) will have some form of preservative. They have to or the food will spoil. But not all preservatives are equal. BHT and BHA (butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole respectively) have raised concerns as preservatives.

Ethoxyquin has been under much debate as it has been linked to health issues but there has been no concrete proof of this. Propylene Glycol is the chemical preservative found in some “safer for pets” antifreeze and is used to create theatrical smoke. It is not as bad as Ethylene Glycol (what makes most antifreezes deadly) but can still be toxic. Sodium Nitrate is used as a red food coloring and also as a preservative. This preserves color but can also be toxic. Tocopherols sound scary as well. But these are vitamin-based preservatives and considered safer.

Now, what about those colored bits or the semi-soft pieces? These are added garbage to be blunt. Semi-soft food (like those red burgers and bits found in that brand with crunchy and soft pieces, many cats foods, etc.) is high in colors, sugars, preservatives and basic junk. It would be like subsisting on food from your local corner gas station or fast food restaurant.

Let’s look at cost of food and quality. Often, the cheaper the food, the lesser the food's quality will be. If you can buy a 40lb bag of food for $10.00, do you really think the company can afford to put in high quality sources of protein and grains? No. It would cost more to make that bag than to sell it! Cheaper pet food is often less digestible and less nutritious than more expensive brands.

However, this does not mean all expensive brands are top quality. Some may use more harmful preservatives and more meat digest than meat or meat by-products. Read the labels of the desired food carefully. Even if your veterinarian recommends the food for general feeding (I am not referring to prescription diets here), read the labels. Many foods are marketed directly to vets but may not be the best quality.

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