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As a pet parent, you want to feed your dog the best food. But what is the best dog food? In this blog, we’ll look at what factors make an ideal food for dogs and what to look for (and avoid) when choosing the best dog food.
The Downside of Processing in Kibble
Kibble has been the standard pet food for decades. However, the downsides become clear when we look at what goes into kibble and how it’s made. Here’s why the heavy processing of kibble can negatively impact your dog’s health:
- Low-Quality Meat Meals: Kibble is often made with meat meals as a cheap source of protein. Meat meals are created by grinding and cooking down animal parts often unsuitable for human consumption, such as skin, bones, and fatty tissue. This intense processing removes many of the nutrients that fresh meat naturally provides.
- Extrusion Process: Most kibble is made using extrusion, a high-heat process that shapes kibble into small, dry pieces. The high temperatures can destroy vital nutrients and amino acids, many of which are essential to your dog’s health. Often, these nutrients are added back in later as synthetic vitamin and mineral mixes, which aren’t as bioavailable as the vitamins and minerals in fresh ingredients.
The Effect is Reduced Nutritional Quality
Using meat meals and extrusion processing to make kibble kills off beneficial enzymes and nutrients. Dogs are biologically wired to thrive on fresh, unprocessed food, so when their diet is limited to processed kibble, they miss out on key nutrients, which can impact their long-term health.
Why Fresh, Whole Food Ingredients Are Ideal for Feeding Your Dog
So, what sets fresh, raw pet food apart? Fresh dog food, particularly raw food, is designed to provide the nutrition that dogs are biologically designed to thrive on. Here are some of the benefits that fresh ingredients can bring:
Rich in Easily Digestible Nutrients
When you choose a raw diet, your dog is getting food in its natural, unprocessed state, which is packed with bioavailable nutrients—nutrients that are easily absorbed by the body. Natural foods provide the appropriate levels of essential vitamins and minerals, carefully balanced as they occur in nature. In contrast, synthetic additives in kibble have been linked to numerous pet food recalls, often due to dangerous imbalances. For example, excessive Vitamin D—while vital in the right amounts—has been a culprit in some recalls, as it can lead to severe health issues like kidney failure or even death when over-supplemented.
Supports Digestive Health
A dog’s digestive system is very short and designed to digest uncooked meat quickly. On the other hand, herbivores have long digestive tracts, which is ideal for consuming grains and vegetables that take longer to digest. Because most kibble is loaded with starches and fillers, digestive issues like bloating, gas, and irregular/large stools are experienced due to the slow and low digestion rate of those ingredients. Fresh food, especially one free of fillers and starches, is easier and quicker to digest and may help reduce these issues.
Boosts Energy and Overall Health
Just as fresh food supports human health, dogs also benefit from fresh food’s vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. Just like how you feel better when you eat healthy, fresh dog food can help boost your dog’s energy, maintain a shiny coat, support muscle health, and even improve cognitive function, especially as dogs age.
What Ingredients to Look for in Dog Food
When searching for the best dog food, it’s essential to check the label. Quality raw food will contain whole, unprocessed ingredients that support your dog’s health.
- Meat: Fresh meat from high-quality sources should be the primary ingredient in any dog food. High-quality raw meats deliver ideal protein levels and essential amino acids. Avoid meat meals and plant proteins such as corn, soy, and legumes.
- Organs: Organ meats like liver and kidney are nature’s multivitamins for your dog’s health. These organs provide B vitamins, iron, and other nutrients in a form that’s easy for dogs to absorb.
- Bone and Calcium Sources: Bones provide a natural form of calcium essential for strong bones and teeth. In raw diets, bones are often ground into very small pieces or even a powder to provide needed calcium.
- Vegetables and Fruits: In moderation, fruits and vegetables can be great additions to a dog’s diet, especially if they are pesticide-free. They may be used to balance your dog’s diet without synthetic vitamins naturally.
- Healthy Fats: Omega-3 fatty acids found in sources like fish and flaxseed oil are essential for skin and coat health, joint support, and heart health.
Our sourcing is available on our ingredients page, down to what farms each protein comes from.
Ingredients to Avoid in Dog Food
Not all ingredients are created equal; certain ones can do more harm than good.
- Starches and Fillers: Many commercial kibbles are loaded with starches like corn, wheat, and rice. These ingredients are used to bulk up the food but have little nutritional value for dogs. They can also cause blood sugar spikes, contribute to obesity, and lead to inflammation over time.
- Legumes: Peas, lentils, and chickpeas have become common in dog food to boost protein levels cheaply. However, these ingredients can be hard on a dog’s digestive system and may contribute to digestive upset.
- Synthetic Additives: Many kibbles add synthetic vitamins and minerals to replace the natural nutrients lost during processing. Although these synthetics help meet nutritional standards, they are less effective than nutrients from fresh food sources and are subject to easily over or underdosing due to human error.
- Artificial Preservatives and Flavors: Look for natural preservatives like vitamins E and C instead of artificial ones like BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin. Similarly, avoid artificial colors and flavors, which offer no nutritional benefits and can cause allergic reactions
The Importance of Quality Sourcing
Sourcing is critical for any ingredient and is especially important for pet food. Ingredients contaminated with pesticides, antibiotics, or hormones can seriously impact your pet’s health.
Here’s what to look for:
- Pesticide-free and Non-GMO Ingredients: Choose dog food brands that use organic and non-GMO ingredients when possible.
- Free-Range and Grass-Fed Proteins: Many raw food companies use responsibly sourced meats, such as free-range chicken and grass-fed beef. These sources provide cleaner, higher-quality meat closer to what nature intended.
- Sustainable and Ethical Practices: Choose brands that prioritize animal welfare and sustainability. This benefits the environment and supports the use of higher-quality ingredients. Check out our sustainability page to hear more about what we do to give back to the planet!
Nutrition Isn’t All or Nothing
We understand that feeding a 100% raw diet isn’t always practical or affordable for everyone—but it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Even small changes, like just feeding Steve’s Real Food as a topper or adding fresh food on top of kibble can make a big difference. These simple, small additions provide a boost of natural nutrients and variety, enhancing your dog’s health without overhauling your routine or budget. Every little bit counts when it comes to giving your dog the best nutrition possible.
Choose the best dog food for your pet - Feed Steve’s Real Food Today!
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