HOW TO READ THE INGREDIENT STATEMENT:

Ingredients are listed on the label in the order of their quantity in the product. So, if the first ingredient listed is Corn, then there is more corn in the product than anything else. If the second ingredient is Wheat Flour, then after corn there is more wheat flour than anything else. You get the idea.

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What is by-product meal? By-Product Meal is anything that cannot be used for human consumption such as; Cancerous Tumors, Gangrene, Beaks, Feathers, Infected meat. This is if it comes from a specific industry, such as Chicken by-product meal or Beef by-product meal. However, if it simply states byproduct meal is could be anything; road kill, euthanized animals, plastic bag, collar and all. I worked in a popcorn plant, anything that was not sell able went into totes to be sold for by-product meal. We did not separate the plastic bags and paper bags used to package the microwave popcorn, it all went in and was processed.

Any kind of by-product meal is toxic for your dog.

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BAD

This is an ingredient statement off of a common, somewhat expensive dog food. Note the main ingredient is Whole Grain Corn, dogs don’t need corn or get any nutrients from corn it is used for filler. 2nd ingredient is poultry by-product meal, YUK!

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Ingredients

Whole grain corn, poultry by-product meal, animal fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), corn gluten meal, meat andbonemeal, brewers rice, soybean meal, barley, whole grain wheat, animal digest, calcium carbonate, salt, calcium phosphate, potassiumchloride, L-Lysine monohydrochloride, choline chloride, zinc sulfate, Vitamin E supplement, zinc proteinate, ferrous sulfate, added color (Red 40, Yellow5, Blue 2, Yellow 6), DL-Methionine, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, niacin, Vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, calciumpantothenate, copper proteinate, garlic oil, pyridoxine hydrochloride, Vitamin B-12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, Vitamin D-3 supplement, riboflavin supplement, calcium iodate, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), folic acid, biotin, sodiumselenite. S-4101

 

BETTER

This ingredient statement is from a more expensive brand that is usually sold in Veterinarians Offices; It is better, but still has a lot of fillers such as; Rice Flour, Ground Whole Grain Wheat. Wheat is an allergen and causes problems for some dogs.

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Ingredients: Lamb Meal, Brewers Rice, Rice Flour, Ground Whole Grain Wheat, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Corn Gluten Meal, Cracked Pearled Barley, Animal Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Dried Beet Pulp, Soybean Oil, Chicken Liver Flavor, Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Iodized Salt, vitamins (L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Taurine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid, BetaCarotene, Rosemary Extract.

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BEST

This ingredient statement is from a Holistic Dog Food; I will name the brand “Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul”. The main ingredient is Chicken. The 2nd is Turkey. 3rd is Chicken Meal, this is not by-product meal, it is just plain meal which is actually good for your pet. There is barley and brown rice, you could eat this.

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Ingredients

Chicken, turkey, chicken meal, ocean fish meal, cracked pearled barley, whole grain brown rice, oatmeal, millet, white rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), potatoes, egg product, tomato pomace, duck, salmon, flaxseed, natural chicken flavor, choline chloride, dried chicory root, kelp, carrots, peas, apples, tomatoes, blueberries, spinach, dried skim milk, cranberry powder, rosemary extract, parsley flake, yucca schidigera extract, L-carnitine, Enterococcus faecieum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Saccharomyces cerevesiae fermentation solubles, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin, vitamin D supplement, folic acid.

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So:

1. Holistic or all natural dog food is not really any more expensive than some of the more common thought to be “quality” foods.

2. Your dog will go through a detoxification and will probably eat quite a lot of food when it is first introduced. His body is starving for nutrition, so we will eat to fill the hunger.

3. Once adjusted to the food your dog will eat less and go to the bathroom less. He will be using what he eats instead of passing it.

4. If you have noticed skin irritations or allergic systems these will probably improve or disappear all together.

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Try to always remember what a dog would eat in the wild and provide it for them. I believe in also giving my pets meat and vegetables on top of a quality kibble.

 

Your dog should live a long happy life with proper nutrition. There are many books on the subject, do a search for Homeopathic or Holistic animal care and take your pick.

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I FEED DIAMOND NATURALS LAMB & RICE FROM TRACTOR SUPPLY.

I ALSO FEED COOKED RICE, MEAT AND VEGGIES TWICE A DAY.