What is dog food made of?
Dog food comes in many types. We can find dry food, wet food, hypoallergenic food, natural food, and complementary food—food designed to meet specific nutritional goals. Each one fulfills a specific function and, generally, has a specific composition, depending on the manufacturer. In this article, we'll focus on common dog food, the most commonly sold in both specialty stores and supermarkets. We'll answer questions about what dog food contains, how dog food is made, and what the best dog food should be like. If you want to learn more about the ingredients in dog food, keep reading!
What's in dog food?
When answering the question of what dog food contains or what the ingredients in dog food are, there's one thing we need to be clear about: dogs are carnivores that need protein for their bodies to function properly. Therefore, the proportion of protein in comparison to other foods is higher, as it's the main ingredient. It's also important to clarify that some foods, such as natural foods, lack chemicals and, in some cases, grains ( grain-free foods). However, the quality of dog food depends not only on the ingredients used or the quantities, but also on the quality of the meat and other foods. The fresher and more natural, the better .
Dog food: proteins
Proteins provide the amino acids pets need to produce muscle fiber and for their bodies to function properly . The protein used to make pet food can be animal or plant-based. Animal proteins have a higher nutritional value, making them more suitable. These proteins are generally extracted from chicken, lamb, pork, beef, or fish. Also, keep in mind that depending on the type of dog food, you can find proteins that come from fresh meat, dehydrated meat, hydrolyzed meat, or animal protein meal.
Dog food: vegetables and cereals
The best dog foods also tend to contain a proportional amount of vegetables based on the pets' needs. Although dogs primarily eat meat, the nutrients in vegetables are also necessary for the body to function properly, especially due to their vitamins. These vitamins regulate intestinal flora and strengthen digestive processes . Dog foods also tend to contain grains and natural fibers that perform the same function, in addition to providing a greater amount of nutrients. Generally, dog foods contain corn, wheat, oats, soy, rice, and legumes.
Dog food: fats or lipids
When making dog food, fats and lipids are also added. These are designed to provide energy to the pet , but also because they support the animal's cellular structure and help strengthen and regenerate the skin and coat. An example of these lipids are omega-3 acids. In fact, we can find fats and lipids of plant origin, such as soybean, sunflower, or corn oils; or animal fats, which are extracted from the skin of cows, pigs, or chickens.
Dog food: minerals and vitamins
Minerals and vitamins are essential for our little one's body, which is why dog food includes them. Vitamins' main function is to activate the body's energy . They help strengthen the metabolism and also influence different biological processes such as reproduction, growth, and brain function. Minerals, on the other hand, serve to strengthen the immune system , oxygenate the body, and strengthen the cardiovascular system. Keep in mind that the amounts of minerals should be smaller compared to vitamins, since high doses are not recommended for the digestive system. The amounts of ingredients in dog food, therefore, should be proportional to our little one's needs.
Dog food: additive components
The best foods tend to be chemical-free, although all pre-made foods contain additives because they add flavor and ensure the product's shelf life . Additives can also be natural, such as flavorings and colorings derived from cereals, vegetables, and greens. Examples include turmeric, beets, celery, and spinach. However, we can also find additives in the form of trace elements—made from natural oils to provide the dog with energy—chemical additives, and zootechnical additives—chemically processed.
How dog food is made
The process of making dog food involves mixing dry and wet ingredients to form a dough. This is followed by an extrusion process , whereby the dough is heated under pressure and then pushed through a die that cuts the food while expanding due to changing pressure. The food—or kibble—is dried and cooled, then spray-coated with a blend of ingredients to enhance the flavor and preservatives to prevent spoilage. Another process used to make dog food is baking . It should also be noted that many of the by-products used to make dry dog food are first transformed into flour. To do this, they are cooked to remove the fat and dry out the remaining material.
What is ash in feed?
Ash in animal feed, or raw feed ash—as it appears on many labels—refers to proteins in the form of animal meal, as we mentioned above. These are produced by subjecting meat to high temperatures until it is reduced to ash. However, they have a lower nutritional value than other animal proteins.