Natural dog food is made with recognizable ingredients and is free of chemical preservatives. Despite the name, natural dog food may not be as good as it seems. Manufacturers may label their food “natural” if it contains animal products, plant products, or mined ingredients. It can also have chemically produced flavors.
Natural Dog Food is Free of Chemical Preservatives
The simplest way to avoid synthetic preservatives in dog food is to give your dog a natural, meat-based diet. Many commercial pet food brands add artificial preservatives to their recipes. These chemicals are added during manufacturing to prevent spoilage, discoloration, and contamination. Instead, look for preserved food using natural methods like freezing, fermentation, pickling, and curing. Natural preservatives are also better for your dog’s health than those added by manufacturers.
It is Made with Recognizable Ingredients
To make dog food natural, it must use selective, recognizable ingredients from the earth. These ingredients should be free of additives, preservatives, or artificial colors. The ingredients may also include minimally processed grains, glutens, and by-products. Natural dog foods should not contain meat or poultry by-products.
It is Not a Chemically Synthesized Product
Natural dog food does not contain chemically synthesized ingredients, but some natural dog foods contain synthetic nutrients. These nutrients are needed to meet the nutritional requirements of canines and other pets. Therefore, natural dog foods will have a disclaimer on the label listing synthetic ingredients.
It May Not Be as High-Quality as it Appears
A dog food label can be misleading. While it may say “made with natural flavors,” it may be made with chemical additives. It may also contain beef tallow or chicken lard. These are by-products of rendering and do not provide much nutritional value.
It Isn’t as Expensive as it Appears
Natural dog food doesn’t have to cost a fortune. This is especially true of food prepared with natural ingredients. Although the price of such food may be higher, it’s not necessarily harmful to your dog. An excellent example of a good natural dog food is Fromm. This brand has many formulas specifically designed for different dog breeds. Its founders are independent pet store owners who made the food to address customer complaints. Their foods don’t contain ingredients sourced from China, a common problem in many dog food products.
It Isn’t as Nutritious as it Appears
Natural dog food is produced using only natural ingredients. However, more is needed to guarantee it is highly nutritious. Some natural products contain trace amounts of synthetic chemicals and may have added vitamins and minerals. It is wise to be aware that natural ingredients can come from animal, mined, or plant sources and may not necessarily be in their most natural state.
