Some people think that if their pet is healthy, they can feed them anything. In the wild, dogs and cats would eat prey with bones and fur, which are both nutritious. They also ate plants to ensure they got all their nutritional needs met. However, our pets don’t have this luxury in captivity because we control what they eat. So it is up to us to make sure that we’re giving them food with all the proper nutrients in it, without any of those harmful ingredients! Here’s a list of some ingredients you should avoid feeding your pet!
MSG
This additive is a flavoring, and it’s one of the most dangerous additives in food. It can cause flushing, numbness throughout the body, headaches, muscle tightness and spasms, nausea, and heart palpitations! These symptoms are often referred to as MSG Symptom Complex. MSG has also caused obesity in pets, which is why you should avoid it.
BHA And BHT
These preservatives preserve fat and oil in foods, which is why they’re in things like butter and meats. However, both of them cause tumors and cancerous tumors! They can also cause liver damage and create oxidation stress within your pet. Inclusive feeding studies show that pets often have higher levels of these chemicals in their blood, linked to hyperactivity and aggression!
Gluten
Gluten is the protein found in certain grains, like wheat. It’s often a binding agent or filler to improve the consistency and texture of foods. You can also find it in some supplements. However, quite a few dogs have allergies to gluten, which causes them to break out with hives! Other symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and sudden weight loss. Allergies can develop at any point in your pet’s life, so this is something you should avoid if possible.
Propylene Glycol
This is often listed as an ingredient in wet foods because it helps retain water, but it may sound familiar to you if you’ve ever looked at the car radiator fluid section of your local auto store! It’s in coolant and antifreeze, which sounds dangerous for our pets to ingest! Unfortunately, this ingredient is not regulated, so you never know how much they’re eating.
Corn Syrup
You can find this ingredient in pet food because it’s a binding agent, but it also makes foods tastier. It’s also another cheap filler that gets added to reduce the number of expensive nutrients in the food. The problem with corn syrup is that it contains high levels of fructose which can lead to obesity, diabetes, and pancreatitis. It is best to avoid any pet food with this ingredient.
