In addition, the preservative is not permitted for use in Australian dog foods nor is it approved within in the European Union.
Considering these troubling issues, you’d think these two dubious preservatives would be shunned by the pet food industry.
Although animal fats are a crucial part of every dog food, they’re also subject to spoilage — becoming rancid not too long after manufacture.
Dogs are a captive audience. They have no choice but to eat what we put in front of them. The same food, consumed day after day. Week after week. Year after year.
So, to extend the shelf life of any pet food, suppliers must add a preservative to many fat or oil ingredients.
Unless you are making your dog’s diet from scratch and serving it immediately, preserving dog food in some way is essential. Without preservation, food quickly spoils and can produce illness rather than the good health we are all looking to provide through optimal nutrition. There are many ways to preserve commercially prepared dog food, each of which has advantages as well as drawbacks. Read on to determine which is best for you and your dog.
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Commonly used artificial preservatives in dry dog foods include ethoxyquin, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). They are very effective at preventing fats from becoming rancid (the primary problem we face in preserving dry dog food) and can greatly extend the product’s shelf life (a year is typical). On the other hand, some studies have linked the ingestion of large amounts of ethoxyquin to health problems. While there is certainly no “smoking gun” out there indicating most pets need to avoid the levels of artificial preservatives currently present in dry food, out of an abundance of caution, many owners understandably prefer to avoid feeding them to their dogs.
Adding natural substances such as such as vitamin E (mixed tocopherols), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and plant extracts (e.g., rosemary) to a dry dog food can also prevent fats from becoming rancid. Unfortunately, natural preservatives are effective for shorter periods of time than are artificial preservatives, which means naturally preserved foods tend to have a shorter shelf life. As long as you purchase bags well before the “best by” date printed on the label and don’t buy excessively large amounts of food at one time, this shouldn’t be a big concern, however. To determine whether or not a dry dog food contains only natural preservatives, look at the ingredient list. Remember that descriptions like “all natural” on the front of the bag can mean almost anything. If you see ethoxyquin, BHT, and/or BHA in the ingredient list, the food is not naturally preserved.
Feeding only canned food is another way to avoid artificial preservatives. The canning process is one of the most effective preservation methods available, so no artificial or natural preservatives need to be included in the food itself. Unopened canned food can last for years when stored in a cool, dry environment, although owners should still observe the “best by” dates that are printed on the label. Canned food is significantly more expensive than is dry (and generates more waste) but is another option for owners who want to get the artificial preservatives out of their dog’s diet. * Of course, what type of preservatives are used in a food is not the only (or even the most important) issue involved in how best to feed dogs. A combination of high quality ingredients that altogether provide balanced nutrition is what is nonnegotiable.
Commercially prepared dog food and dog treats require preservatives to extend shelf-life and keep perishable ingredients from going bad. Theres a variety of artificial preservatives to keep Pals biscuits fresh, including ethoxyquin, butylated hydroxytoluene, known as BHT, and butylated hydroxyanisole, referred to as BHA. Though theyre approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in pet food, there is growing concern about their safety in the long-term.
More commercial pet food and treat manufacturers are moving away from artificial preservatives because of concerns about their safety. The FDAs safety tests are for negative effects of the compounds in a short amount of time, instead of on a daily, long-term basis, which is how most food and treats are served. According to Dog Food Advisor, ethoxyquin is suspected to be linked to certain types of canine liver and kidney cancer, giving dog owners pause about that and other artificial preservatives. As well, the fact that some preservatives are used in other toxic substances — the preservative propylene glycol also is used for some types of antifreeze — makes people wary of their use in dog food and treats.
If you want to avoid the problem of preservatives in Pals treats, you can make him some delicious snacks yourself. Cesars Way and Rodale News provide a variety of tasty bites you can cook up for your pup. Whether its as simple as making him “ice cream” with peanut butter and yogurt, or baking him a batch of yummy pumpkin balls, youll be able to control the quality of ingredients. Homemade treats can be frozen for safe-keeping, so you dont have to concern yourself with figuring out which preservatives, or how much, to add to his treats. If youre buying treats and want to avoid artificial preservatives, look for the natural preservatives on the label. Remember: Just because the label says its an “all natural” treat doesnt mean it doesnt have artificial preservatives.
Natural preservatives are gaining in popularity for commercial dog food and treat manufacturers. Vitamin E, commonly referred to as mixed tocopherols, vitamin C, known as ascorbic acid, and plant extracts such as rosemary are all used to prevent rancidity in dog treats. If you choose natural preservatives as an alternative to artificial preservatives, keep in mind they have a shorter shelf life. If you buy Pal biscuits made with natural preservatives, make sure you dont keep them past the “best by” date on the label.
Its nice to give your pooch a little treat to reward his good behavior. However, as with dog food, many commercially prepared treats rely on preservatives to keep them fresh. If theres any animal fat in Pals treats, there should be something added to keep that fat from going rancid.
The Specialists: Preservatives in Dog Food
Preservatives are necessary in human and pet foods to keep them from spoiling too quickly on the shelf before they are bought and consumed by us or by our furry friends. Specifically in pet foods, preservatives-or antioxidants-are needed to keep the animal fats and oils from oxidizing, therefore going rancid and losing their health benefits as well as their flavor.
While preservatives are necessary, especially in kibble or dry pet food, there is a difference between naturally occurring preservatives and artificially created preservatives, also known as synthetic preservatives.
Natural preservatives are safe! They occur naturally in the world and are meant to be consumed, like citric acid, Vitamin E, and rosemary. They also provide the health benefits of natural antioxidants, such as anti-inflammatory properties.
Artificial preservatives are attractive to food producers because they are less expensive than natural preservatives, and preserve foods for longer. The downside is that many artificial preservatives have been linked to health problems, including cancer.
When you are reading your pet food label, look for these common and safe natural preservatives:
There are great pet foods available with natural preservatives, and while they may not last as long on the shelf, you can buy them in smaller bags if necessary. Also, make sure you buy your pet food from a reputable dealer who keeps their stock rotated! Canned and frozen foods are much less likely to contain preservatives at all. Canned food is airtight, which prevents oxidation, and freezing fresh food also prevents oxidation naturally.
Check your pet food label for these artificial preservatives, which with cumulative effects over time, may be dangerous to your dog or cat:
Some of these artificial preservatives are known carcinogens. Some are banned for human consumption in the United States but still allowed in our pet food. Some are banned completely in other countries but still used in the United States. Think about what you are feeding to your dogs and cats, and your children! Read food labels carefully and think about cumulative effects when your dog eats the same food every day of every week, for every month of every year of his whole life.
Make sure your pet’s food has high-quality ingredients and natural preservatives, which will lead to a longer, healthier life for your pet (and you will save on expensive vet bills down the road!). Cheaper brands pass the savings on to the consumer somehow, and not by putting the best and healthiest ingredients in their food. Your dog loves and trusts you, so make sure that you are watching out for his health when you buy his food, instead of thinking solely of the cost!