🐶 What ingredients should you avoid in dog food?

Let’s be honest — your dog will probably eat just about anything.
Socks? Sure. Grass? Absolutely. That one mystery thing at the park? You bet. 😅

But when it comes to what’s in their food bowl, not all ingredients are created equal and some are better left off the menu entirely. Here are a few ingredients your pup’s tummy (and tail) would be happier without!

🚫 1. BHA, BHT, and Ethoxyquin

These may sound like secret ingredients from a science lab… because they kinda are.
They’re chemical preservatives used to extend shelf life  but they’ve also been linked to health concerns in long-term use. Your dog deserves real freshness, not fake longevity. Those super cheap bags of dog food often use BHA, BHT, or Ethoxyquin to make the food last forever (like… really forever).These are usually mass-produced and skip natural preservation in favor of cost-cutting.

🐶 Translation: Cheaper food now, maybe a vet bill later.

🚫 2. Artificial Colors and Flavors

Artificial dyes and flavors are added to appeal to humans — not dogs — and can sometimes cause allergies or hyperactivity. Your pup would much rather have something that smells delicious than something that looks like cereal.When it comes to food, scent is everything to them. A dog’s nose is 1,200x more powerful than ours! Forget how it looks — if it smells good, it’s going in the mouth. 😂That’s why choosing treats and food with real, fresh ingredients makes a big difference. 

🚫 3. Meat By-Products (aka the mystery meat)

"Meat by-products" might sound fancy… until you realize it often means stuff like beaks, bones, and other leftover bits that wouldn’t pass the sniff test. 🫣
Always look for real meat listed by name — like turkey, chicken, or salmon — as the first ingredient.

🚫 4. Corn, Wheat, and Soy (as fillers)

While not all grains are bad, these common fillers are used in cheap dog foods to bulk things up without offering much nutritional value. Plus, some pups have sensitive tummies that don't love these ingredients. If you’ve ever dealt with itchy paws or constant belly rumbles… this might be the culprit!

🐾 So What Should You Feed Them?

Glad you asked!
Look for food that’s:

✅ Made with real, named meats — for example: Turkey, Chicken Breast, Salmon, and Duck

✅ Uses natural preservatives — for example: Vitamin E and Green Tea Extract

✅ Packed with whole food ingredients — for example: Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin, Blueberries & Cranberries, and Spinach & Kale

Your pup’s tail wags, shiny coat, and happy zoomies will thank you. 💚