Ditch The Dry | A ProDog Raw analysis
One of only two brands K9 Anytime have chosen to stock as absolute leaders in the raw food market for uncompromised quality, read on to reveal ProDog Raw's own eye-opening results of their research into the "top" dry kibble brands on the market.
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Here at ProDog Raw, our mission from the very beginning has been to provide nutritional advice and support for dog owners around the UK. Drawing on the findings of modern nutritional science, we continuously work to raise awareness of the health benefits a natural, fresh raw food diet has for dogs and the facts about dry kibble-based diets.
As part of our Ditch the Dry campaign, we decided to team up with veterinarian Dr Nick Thompson and research the ingredients, macronutrients and additives that go into ten of the UK’s best-selling kibble brands.
When we analysed the results, what we found was pretty shocking.
What this means for your dog
Dr Nick Thompson explains the kibble manufacturing process is extensive and highly processed. Cast off meat, which could literally be any part of any animal, is rendered and heated to such high temperatures, the protein is denatured, and any micronutrients are broken down. This is why kibble has many mineral & vitamin additives to add back in some nutrients.
What exactly is ‘Meat meal’ and ‘Meat and animal derivatives?
‘Meat and animal derivatives’ is an incredibly vague definition that does not indicate as to where the meat content in food comes from*
Manufacturers use this to avoid declaring what the actual meat content in kibble is made from. For example, brands that produce flavours such as ‘with chicken’ or ‘with turkey’ often state that they only include 4%, 5% or 6% of that meat – meaning that the rest of the meat content could be from any animal and any animal part.
Meat meal is a dry brown powder typically made from the leftover parts of animals which humans don’t consume. Meat meal is made through a rendering process – the raw animal products are ground and cooked at a high temperature. The moisture is then removed, and pressure is applied; this separates melted fats from the protein and bone material. The mix is then processed even further by additional moisture removal before being ground into a powder**.
Sunflower and vegetable oils
Sunflower and vegetable oils are hydrogenated oils that are often added to processed foods to extend their lifespan and maintain flavour stability***. Hydrogenation, the process behind these oils, where hydrogen is chemically bonded to the organic compound in the presence of a catalyst, has been linked to the generation of free radicals, which when consumed can have detrimental health effects****.
Vitamins and mineral additives
Our research revealed that the majority of kibble brands are adding long lists of vitamin and mineral additives. While this may seem like a good thing initially, artificial minerals and vitamins have lower bioavailability than natural alternatives, which is why manufacturers are adding such large amounts to kibble. This can create a higher potential for hypervitaminosis and mineral excess, as we saw in 2019 when Hill’s Pet Nutrition had to recall its product due to vitamin D toxicity*****.
Omega 3 and Omega 6 oils
We found that of the seven brands that disclosed the information, the average ratio of Omega 3 oil to Omega 6 was 1:5.3, indicating that there is on average five times more Omega 6 oil than Omega 3 oil in kibble food and in some cases, the ratio was even 1:10.
Medical professionals recommend that this ratio should be closer to 1:1 – Omega 6 is pro-inflammatory and has been linked to chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, whereas Omega-3 is anti-inflammatory******.
Ditch the dry, and make the move to raw.
Methodology behind the research
For the study ten of the UK’s most popular dry dog food brands were selected. Each brand then had its ingredients, additives and macronutrients listed out and analysed by ProDog Raw’s in-house nutritionists and veterinarian Dr Nick Thompson.
**https://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/dog-food-ingredients/0005/meat-meal
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