WHAT'S FOR DINNER? Understanding what's in your dog's dish

By Dr. Ruben Castro

Understanding canine nutrition is critical to ensuring your dog’s health and longevity. According to the World Small Animal Veterinary Association and some research I have conducted, here are some valuable tips to keep in mind when selecting your dog’s food:

What to look for in a dog food brand

1. Do they employ a nutritionist? The appropriate qualifications to look for are for someone who holds a PhD in Animal nutrition or has a Board Certification from the American College of Veterinary Nutrition.

2. Who formulates the diet? Recipe development requires knowledge not taught in veterinary school. Formulators with MS/ PhD degrees in food science should guide ingredient selection and nutrient levels. Board-certified individuals may also be trained in or collaborate on pet food formulation.

3. What is the quality of the control process for ingredients and finished products? Diets should meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) or the European Pet Food Industry Federation nutrient profiles (FEDIAF). It’s good to know if the finished product is based on nutrient analysis or chemical analysis. Manufacturers should ensure safety with ingredient validation, final diet nutrient analysis, toxicology, bacteriology, and packaging/shelf-like screenings before, during, and after manufacturing.

4. Do they conduct research or nutrition studies? Sadly, dog food companies are not required to conduct nutritional research to produce and sell food.

What to look for on a label

1. Nutrition Adequacy Statement: Is the diet complete? Look for labels that indicate the food is “complete” and how this was determined. Foods labeled for “short-term,” “intermittent,” or “complementary” feeding should be limited to 10% of the diet or used under veterinary supervision.

2. Does the food match your dog’s needs? The AAFCO or FEDIAF organizations provide dog food manufacturers with their recommended nutrient levels for different life stages.

3. How many calories are in a serving of food per gram? Dog obesity is rising, and accurate food caloric content helps prevent overfeeding. In the US, calorie information is required on all labels.

4. Does the dog food company provide contact information to consumers? Company representatives should be accessible for questions about specific nutrients not on the label. Dog food companies should provide an average or typical analysis of all essential nutrients in their food.

5. Who makes the dog food? Dog food companies may make their own food. If this is the case, look for “Made by.” If they use a third-party manufacturer, look for “Made for” or “Distributed by.”

Dog food ingredients to avoid

Steer clear of dog foods that contain meat & bone meal and contain ingredients infected by aflatoxins. Fungi produce carcinogenic aflatoxins and are common in agricultural products such as corn, wheat, and sometimes milk and other dairy products (Madpaws, 2024).

There are countless dog food brands to consider, so the most crucial factor is to check that the first three ingredients in your dog’s food include meat, rice, oats, or peas. You can conduct your own research and make your own decisions, but now you have the information you need for your next dog food shopping trip.

Dr. Castro is a proud Catholic who is a husband, father, and educator born and raised in the RGV. He is a graduate of Northcentral University with a doctorate in Education with a specialization in Educational Leadership. He also holds a Master of Science in Sociology from the University of Texas-Pan American and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, with a minor in Psychology from the University of Texas-Pan American. Dr. Castro’s current research focuses on Education, Crime and Deviance, and Race and Ethnicity. He is also the owner of the K&B Dog Learning Cener, Inc. www.kbdoglearningcenter.com