Dog Food Ingredients: What good are all those odd ingredients in my dog food?
I have discussed some of the major portions of a dog food formula such as the difference between “meat”, “meat meal” and “meat by-product. I have also touched on grains. But, what about all those oddball dog food ingredients you see on labels? Have you ever wondered why they are there? I am going to go over a few common ingredients and explain their sources and uses, so you can make a more informed decision about the food you choose for your dog.
Dried Beet Pulp
Beet Pulp is a by-product left over from the processing of sugar beets. It is fed to animals of all types because it is a great source of highly digestible energy dense fiber, but low in non-structural carbohydrates that convert to sugar and fat. Since the sugar beets were processed to remove the sugar, the pulp then becomes a source of fiber to maintain the health of the digestive tract and improves the ability to absorb the nutrients it is fed with. It provides some indigestible bulk to help move waste out of the system and contains no toxins and therefore, not harmful in any way. Beet pulp is a documented safe fiber that will not affect coat color in animals. It is also documented not to be the cause of bloat as many people believe. Every pet food from cat to dog to horse contains some level of beet pulp.
Flaxseed Meal
Flaxseed Meal is a convenient way of obtaining many of the nutritional benefits of flaxseed, including dietary fiber, lignans, magnesium and zinc. They are also an excellent source of the beneficial polyunsaturated fat, Omega-3, which has been used since biblical times. Flaxseed is a natural source for the above items with no toxins or by-products.
Dried Egg Product
Over 76 billion eggs are consumed a year. Over 30% of that is in the form of Egg Product, which is eggs removed from their shells. Liquid, frozen and dried egg product is widely used by the food service industry and as ingredients in other foods such as mayonnaise and ice cream. Egg product may be filtered to separate the parts or all mixed together and is pasteurized and stabilized. They are not a new invention. The commercial processing of eggs began in 1880. Eggs are used as a source of protein, many vitamins and minerals and are a near perfect food. In most cases, they are used in a low cholesterol form.
Yeast, often seen as Selenium Yeast Culture, Yeast Culture or Brewers Dried Yeast
Yeast is a living microscopic organism, which converts sugar or starch into alcohol and carbon dioxide, which is why beer brewers, wine makers and bread bakers use it. Brewers yeasts is non-leavening, it doesn’t cause bread to rise, and can be eaten as a food supplement for its healthful properties. It is beneficial to the digestive system to help replenish Vitamin B. It also helps promote digestion by helping the beneficial bacteria in the digestive system do their jobs. A yeast culture is simply yeast on a carrier. Selenium yeast culture is a yeast culture with embedded selenium. Selenium is needed in the diets of most animals as a micronutrient, as most of this country is deficient in this needed nutrient. Selenium is toxic when overfed and is highly regulated by the FDA as to the amounts used. You will see little difference in selenium guarantees on dog food labels. Good feeds put in the maximum amount in a highly digestible form such as selenium yeast culture.