Dr. Karen Becker: The Best and Worst Types of Dog Foods

by Mike Sagman
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For more help, watch Dr. Becker’s video and learn How to Choose a Good Dog Food.

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  • Shawna

    That’s actually kinda nonsense.. Adding water, or another liquid, before feeding (either right before or storing in the fridge) won’t increase the pathogen content of the food as Patty stated.

    Additionally, hydrochloric acid is dependant on water consumption with the food. Hydrochloric acid is important for at least two reasons.
    1. The acidic environment kills many pathogens that may be contaminating the food. Too little HCL and pathogens are more likely to survive and potentially cause issues.
    2. HCL activates the enzyme pepsin in the stomach which digests protein. Too little HCL leads to protein maldigestion. And protein maldigestion can weaken the immune system making it even harder to fight off a food contaminant.

  • Pattyvaughn

    The same ones that believe that dogs fed a dry diet never have teeth problems. Sheesh!

  • butchroy

    I cannot believe Marie Brancaccio said not to mix dry food with water, canned food, etc, is that crazy? That is what we do, it is how those who cannot afford alot try to give the best they can, who are these experts that warn this?

  • Pattyvaughn

    You would have to wet it and then let it sit in an environment that encourages growth of bacteria for some time before wetting dry food could possible become a problem.

  • InkedMarie

    You have a smart dog, he’s refusing to eat bad foods. I’d try canned, if I was you. More palatable than dry, IMO

  • Hound Dog Mom

    I’m not advocating the use of corn in dog food – I agree it’s a low quality ingredient that’s not species appropriate – however, not for the reasons you stated.

    You state the corn often causes allergies and is poorly digested. More dogs have allergies to beef, chicken and eggs than to corn [Jeffers JG. Results of dietary provocation in dogs with food hypersensitivity]. Highly processed corn (such as what is typically found in dog food) is actually very digestible – probably the most digestible grain. Corn gluten meal actually has a higher digestibility (87.5%) than either fresh beef (76.3%) or fresh poultry (77.3%) [Hand MS, Thatcher CD, Remillard RL, et al, eds. Small Animal Clinical Nutrition].

    The reasons I think corn should be avoided:

    1. It’s high in phytic acid – an anti-nutrient impairs the body’s ability to absorb some essential vitamins and minerals.

    2. The majority of corn produced in the US is genetically modified. Genetically modified foods is lower in key nutrients than non-GMO foods, GMO corn has been found to contain toxic substances and the consumption of GMO foods has been linked to organ failure.

    3. Corn is highly susceptible to mycotoxin contamination.

    4. Corn is highly inflammatory (very high ratio of omega 6 fatty acids to omega 3 fatty acids).

    5. The type of lectins found in corn attach to fat cells and cause them to hypertophy.

    6. Corn isn’t a complete protein (it doesn’t provide all the essential amino acids) which implies to me that it’s not a species-appropriate source of protein for dogs.

  • Hound Dog Mom

    Hi Susan –

    All the foods you mentioned are extremely low quality foods – it’s no wonder your dog refuses to eat them! Try one of the 4 or 5 star foods on this site. The less processed the food and the higher the meat content, the better the food. For example, raw would be superior to fresh cooked, fresh cooked would be superior to canned, canned would be superior to kibble, etc. I’m not sure what your budget is, but I’m confident you can find a quality 4 or 5 star food that you can afford. Less processed foods like raw and canned are also more palatable, so if you do go with a dry food you may want to try mixing in a little raw, fresh cooked or canned food to entice him to eat. Green tripe is great for getting picking dogs to eat – it can be fed raw (ideal) or canned (Tripett makes a great canned version). Good luck with your pup!

  • http://www.facebook.com/marie.brancaccio.3 Marie Brancaccio

    Kibbled Foods where made because of convience and cost , it was never meant for health and nutrition altho their are better bagged foods now at days , Dogs are natural carnoviours and their bodies need protein to be healthy exspecially their vidal organs like their kidneys , dogs on kibbled foods live in a state of dehydration , their body requires 70% of moisure for their organs and kidneys to be healthy , Educate your self and practice preventive health and feed a natural protein diet and you’ll save tons of money on medical bills later on ….

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