KNOW YOUR INGREDIENTS - MEAT MATHS FOR DOGS! - Bern Pet Foods (2024)

FAQs

How do I find the ingredients in my dog food? ›

Like packaged food for people, pet food must list ingredients by weight,starting with the heaviest. But if the first ingredient is a type of meat, keepin mind that meat is about 75% water, according to the FDA. Without that water weight, the meat probably would fall lower on theingredient list.

Some of the better options for lean meat cuts are chicken breasts, lean cuts of beef such as sirloin or flank steak, and pork tenderloin. These kinds of cuts can be boiled, baked, or grilled, but you'll want to avoid adding seasonings or other ingredients that might be harmful to your dog.

Corn, wheat, and soy are cheap, commonly used fillers in many commercial dog foods. While they may provide some nutritional value, they are also some of the most common allergens in dogs. Many dogs have trouble digesting these ingredients, which can manifest as skin irritations and other health issues.

The 95% Rule

At least 95% of the product must be the named ingredient, for example, “Chicken for Dogs,” or “Salmon Dog Food,” must include at least 95% of chicken or salmon, respectively. In addition, this main product must be at least 70% of the total product when counting the added water.

The 25% Rule

The named ingredient(s) must comprise at least 10% of the total product by weight and at least 25% of the product by weight not including the added water. Additional descriptors, such as “dinner,” “entrée,” “platter” and so on, appear in the name.

The general rule of thumb for a home-made diet for a healthy canine patient is 75% meat/15%vegetables/10% carbohydrate. Variety is the key to a healthy diet so be sure to vary your meat, carbohydrate and vegetable sources from time to time.

You should avoid cuts of chicken that are high in fats or include the skins. Chicken fats can cause digestive issues and can cause the dreaded pancreatitis. You should also never give your dog raw store-bought chicken due to the risk of bacterial infections from salmonella and Campylobacter bacteria.

Feeding your dog fatty foods, like hot dogs, bacon, ribs, or fried chicken, can upset your dog's stomach and cause vomiting and diarrhea. It can also lead to pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas. Some breeds, like Miniature Schnauzers and Yorkshire Terriers, may be more prone to pancreatitis.

What meat is gentle for dogs? ›

Some protein sources might not sit well with your dog's tummy or skin. So, pay attention to the type and quality of meat or fish in the dog food for a sensitive stomach. For many, gentle options include venison, fish, duck, turkey, and lamb – easy on the digestion, and a hit with the taste buds.

Yes, dogs can eat white rice. Although lower in nutritional value than brown rice, white varieties of rice can be included in a dog's diet. Since it's fairly bland, vets often recommend white rice for dogs with an upset stomach.

We do know that many of the reported cases of diet-associated cardiomyopathy occurred in dogs eating foods with large proportions of lentils, peas, chickpeas, and other legumes. These ingredients have been safely included in dog foods for decades, but were used in larger amounts when grain-free foods became popular.

Information Panel. The information panel lists all the ingredients in the pet food. At the bottom of the information panel, the manufacturer's name and address will usually be displayed.

Protein and complex carbohydrates are the most common canine allergens. In an oft-cited study, beef, dairy products, chicken and wheat were found to cause the most food-related allergies in dogs. These top four allergens are followed by eggs, lamb, soy, corn, pork, fish and rice.

This information lists each ingredient in the product by its common or usual name, and in descending order by weight. That is, the ingredient that weighs the most is listed first, and the ingredient that weighs the least is listed last.