If you can’t pronounce it, it doesn’t belong in your food. This mantra has become more common in recent years, with households seeking out “clean label” products with no artificial ingredients or preservatives. But what about the furry members of your family? What you may not know is that all pet food sold today is actually classified as animal feed which is held to a different regulatory standard than human food. This means that traditional pet foods can contain questionable ingredients that are not legally required to be disclosed on the label. Here are five of the most surprising:
- 4D meat
Did you know the FDA doesn’t require pet food manufacturers to disclose whether or not their product contains meat from dead, dying, diseased, or disabled animals? “4D meat” is completely permissible in your pet’s food because pet food is considered “feed,” not food. Learn more about “food vs. feed” here.
- Digest
Traditional pet food goes through so much processing before it reaches your pet’s bowl, you might wonder why your pet still eats it. Traditional pet food manufacturers spray their product with “feed digest,” or chemically-altered animal tissues, around the outside of the food to make it palatable for your pet.
- Ethoxyquin
This ingredient is linked to a wide range of health problems such as liver damage, leukemia, cancer, blindness, and hair loss, just to name a few. Despite being banned in the European Union, ethoxyquin can easily be found in the U.S. in rubber, pesticides and, shockingly, as an ingredient in your pet food.
- BHA/BHT
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are two similar chemicals that are used in cosmetics, rubber, and petroleum products. Amazingly, they are both permitted for use in pet food, despite its status as a known carcinogen in humans and lab animals.
- Propylene glycol
Commonly used to preserve moisture and texture in pet food, propylene glycol is also found in polymers, anti-freeze, and the “juice” used with electronic cigarettes. This ingredient is already prohibited in cat food due to its effects on feline red blood cells, and studies show that it can harm the brain, liver, and kidneys when used over a long period of time.
If you’re surprised that you might be feeding your pet these ingredients, there is a solution. Humankind is a grain-free 100% Human Quality food for dogs. Because of its 100% Human Quality label, Humankind is held to the same standard as the food you eat, which means it cannot have 4D meat, digest or BHA/BHT. In addition, it doesn’t have Propylene glycol, GMO-ingredients, artificial preservatives, meals of any kind, nitrates or artificial colors or flavors. Humankind it is manufactured in a facility that is held to the same FDA standards as human grade food, so pet lovers can finally feel confident they are feeding their pets the very best. Learn more about Humankind 100% Human Quality food for dogs here.
