It’s important that all pet owners, regardless of what they feed, understand common pet food ingredients. This list will not contain everything, but it does include the most common choices made by manufacturers. Keep in mind, while some of these ingredients may not be harmful when fed occasionally, these are in foods that are fed every day for the entirety of the pet’s life.
Quick guide for choosing ferret food: Check my chart here. Shoot for descriptive animal products, quality organ meats, minimal synthetic nutrition, zero grain, filler, vegetables, and fruits. No sugar ingredients, artificial colorings or flavorings. 4D meat- Dead, dying, diseased, disabled animals ex: roadkill, euthanized animals, dead zoo animals, expired store meats, etc. Alfalfa- Dietary fiber, source of chlorophyll. Nearly all U.S. alfalfa is GMO, which goes hand in hand with glyphosate contamination. Often fed to horses. Animal fat- Also called rendered fat. This is a low quality ingredient from unidentified animals and chemically preserved. Can be sourced via 4D meat. Make sure to choose foods with named animal products. Can add to inflammation if the rest of the food is low quality. Oxidation occurs in fat and fish oil products and can become toxic overtime, making it a possible carcinogen. Animal digest- Non-descriptive product often containing animal tissues, rendered and used for flavor in the food. Sprayed over foods to cover up a bad taste (often from 4D meat sources or grain ingredients) Indicates insufficient meat protein. Aim for foods with quality meat and organs instead. Ascorbic acid- Form of vitamin C used as a preservative. Can irritate the stomach. Beef tallow-Chemically preserved form of fat. Common allergen along with possible carcinogen. Can include old restaurant grease. Foods including descriptive forms of animal fat ex: “beef fat” would be a better option, but has its downsides (see above) Beef (or chicken, lamb, etc) and bone meal- By product created from beef parts not suitable for human consumption (bone, tissues) quality cuts of the beef are removed and sold prior to creating this ingredient. Beef (or chicken, lamb, etc) by products- Non meat, cheap filler product. Can include any part of the animal aside from the meat like organs, blood, and bone. Generally sourced via slaughtered cows, but can include 4D animals. Non-rendered and clean, not meant for human consumption. Beef (or chicken, lamb, etc) meal- Rendered from beef tissues. Powdery substance created from the cooked parts of animals followed by baking the residue. Can be from chicken breasts, or carcasses of spent egg farm hens. Beet pulp- Used as a fiber source. Created from sugar beets. BHA/BHT- Chemical preservatives used in some pet foods. Banned from human use in many countries, but still allowable in the US in pet foods. Known carcinogen. Do not feed foods containing this ingredient. Blue 2- Non nutritive, artificial coloring. Known carcinogen. Bone meal- Source of calcium. Not usually bioavailable for most carnivores. Can be sourced via 4D animals. Can create digestive upset. Brewers dried yeast- Brewery waste product meant as a flavor enhancer. Can be toxic to the liver. Brewer’s rice- Non nutritive filler, sourced via breweries as a waste product. Low quality rice product. Has been linked to diabetes and intestinal stress. Brewers yeast- Flavor enhancer, provides some B-vitamins. Can be toxic to the liver and irritate or lead to allergies and arthritis. Brewers yeast extract- After the brewery process, a condensed liquid remains. This ingredient can become toxic to the liver. Can also be named, “saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation solubles.” Brown rice- Cheap filler ingredient. Can be whole, not ground. Rice ingredients can be contaminated by mycotoxins. Brown rice flour- Cheap flour filler. Not “whole” ground. Calcium chloride- Calcium source. Has been linked to heart issues and GI upset. Calcium propionate- Antifungal chemical used as a preservative that’s also a possible carcinogen. Calcium sulfate- Firming agent, used in plaster of Paris. Cane molasses- Sugar ingredient. Not healthy for carnivores, carbs lead to weight gain, hyperactivity, and serious medical conditions in ferrets. Canola oil- Cheap source of ‘canola.’ Used for energy and coat health. Fatty acids are pressed out of the seed. Canola is often contaminated with glyphosate. Cellulose- Sugar ingredient. Not healthy for carnivores. Harsh on the GI tract, can include recycled cardboard and crushed peanut hulls. Choline chloride- Supplies B-vitamin complex. Used in foods lacking appropriate quality animal and organ ingredients. Corn- Sugar ingredient. One of the worst ingredients in pet food. 88% of U.S grown corn is affected by glyphosate contamination. Corn is also most commonly contaminated with mycotoxins. Has been linked to blood sugar spikes, weight gain, and joint problems. Can agitate or cause medical conditions in ferrets. Very high on the GI index, and considered a low biological value ingredient. Corn gluten- Sugar ingredient. Poor source of protein, very allergenic. Same issues as above. Corn gluten meal-Sugar ingredient. Waste product of corn production. Non nutritive filler. Corn meal- Entire ground corn kernel. Cheap filler. Corn oil- Vegetable fat. Can be preserved with TBHQ, which contains carcinogenic properties. Corn starch-Very dangerous filler. Linked to various health issues and allergies. Corn starch modified- Filler. Contributes some protein. Corn syrup- Sugar ingredient. Inappropriate for carnivore consumption. Linked to many health problems in various species. Deboned chicken (or lamb, turkey, etc)- Contains lots of water, adds weight to kibble. Less protein. Dextrose- Sugar ingredient. Sugar feeds many health issues. Dicalcium phosphate- Commonly used as a texturizer in canned foods. Can become toxic overtime in the body. DL-alpha tocopherol acetate- Synthetic nutrition, non nutritive. DL-methionine- Provides methionine. Dried animal digest- Flavor enhancer. Sourced from unidentifiable animals. Can include 4D animals. Dried beet pulp- Sugar ingredient. Waste product, used as an inexpensive filler. Dried brewers yeast- Waste product of the beer industry. Can become toxic to major organs. Dried capsicum-Sourced from cayenne powder, and can burn the stomach. Dried cellulose- Sugar ingredient. Same as cellulose. Dried meat by product- Nondescript ingredient, can contain 4D animals. Dried plain beet pulp- Sugar ingredient. Used as a filler. Dried whey- Sugar ingredient. I don’t believe in dairy products for carnivores. Can encourage allergies and issues in ferrets specifically. Egg product- Provides cheap protein. Waste product of the egg industry. Pure eggs would be a better alternative in a pet food. Ethoxyquin- DO NOT FEED A FOOD THAT CONTAINS THIS. The most carcinogenic preservative. Ethylenediamine dihydriodide- Source of iodine. Used in glues, latex, antifreeze, floor polish remover, etc. Known to cause allergies in humans. Ferrous sulfate- Basic source of iron. Fish meal-Non descriptive. Oil is pressed out, leaving minimal benefits. Rancid fish can be used for this. Fish oil-Non descriptive. Can be of any quality. Flaxseed- Provides fatty acids and fiber. Folic acid- Blood building and DNA synthesis. Food starch- Non descriptive, cheap filler. Can be from virtually any grain. Can cause weight gain, GI upset and allergies. Fresh chicken- Adds weight to kibble. Fructose-Sugar ingredient. Glycerin- Sugar ingredient. Keeps food moist, can interfere with nutrient assimilation. Glyceryl monostearate- Used to break down fats, has been proven lethal to lab rats. Avoid! Glycine- Used as an antacid, poor quality. Ground rice- Filler linked to diabetes. Usually floor sweeping. Rice ingredients are usually contaminated with mycotoxins. Guar gum- Often found in canned foods. Cheap filler. Inositol- B-vitamin complex and helps metabolize blood fats. Iodized salt- Flavor enhancer, encourages cats to drink. Linked to kidney issues and hypertension. Iron oxide- Can be sourced from rust. L-alanine-Vitamin supplement. Has caused cancer in lab mice. L-lysine- Essential amino acid. L-lysine monohydrochloride- Poor source of the above Lysine, cheaper to use. Locust bean gum- Binder and filler. Non nutritive. Lysine- Does indicate a soy-based food, unhealthy for carnivores. If the food contains this ingredient and no soy, it should be fine. Malt extract-Sugar ingredient. Magnesium oxide- Antacid. Has caused tumors in lab rats. Manganous oxide calcium iodate-Often found in bleaching tallow. Meat and bone meal- Non descriptive, can be sourced from 4D animals. Meat and liver meal- Can be sourced from 4D animals. Often rancid trim pieces and liver from random animals. Meat by product- Non descriptive, can include 4D products. One of the cheapest sources of protein. Menadione dimethylpyrimidinol bisulfite- Vitamin K. Menhaden fish meal- Not ethically sourced. Catching large amounts of Menhaden fish would be the equivalent of grinding up the world’s bees for use in products according to the author of “The Most Important Fish in the Sea.” Menhaden fish are vital to the ecosystem. Mixed tocopherols- Good source of vitamin E oils. Molasses-Sugar ingredient. Awful for pets. Monosodium phosphate- Emulsifying agent. Natural and artificial flavors- Artificial flavorings are linked to illness and can be carcinogenic. Partially hydrogenated soybean oil- Soybean is not a healthy food for pets. This ingredient can cause GI upset. Peas/pea protein/pea starch- Awful for carnivores, has been linked to the blocking of taurine absorption in dogs, causing Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Peas have also been linked to bladder stones in ferrets and cats. Avoid completely. Peanut hulls- Inexpensive fiber. Petrolatum- Laxative. Petroleum is a known carcinogen. Phosphoric acid- Source of phosphorus. Sequestering agent for rendered animal fat. Indicator of poor quality animal fat in a pet food. Poultry by product meal- Non descriptive. Can include 4D animals. Powdered cellulose- Sugar ingredient. Used as an inexpensive fiber and filler. Propionic acid-Mold inhibitor. Potentially harmful to pets. Propylene glycol- Sugar ingredient. Used in some antifreezes and a possible carcinogen. Propyl gallate and citric acid- Chemical preservative linked to GI upset. Rice bran- Sugar ingredient. Rice bran is most often contaminated with glyphosate. Rice flour- Sugar ingredient. Cheap filler. Causes bowel distress. Rice gluten- Sugar ingredient. Rice hulls- Cheap filler. Red 2G- Known carcinogen. Red 3- Known carcinogen. Red 40- Known carcinogen. Salmon- Commercially farmed salmon (can be in the form of “Salmon”, “Salmon meal”, “Salmon oil”) is known to add fat-soluble toxins to the diet. The cancer rate for consuming farmed fish can be up to 3 times that of wild caught fish. Aim for sustainable, wild-caught salmon. Salt or sea salt- Flavor enhancer and provides sodium chloride. Can cause kidney and heart issues and hypertension. Also called “sodium chloride.” Sodium bisulfate- Disinfectant. Sodium carbonate- Helps to neutralize rancid fats, like lye. Sodium hexametaphosphate- Inexpensive source of phosphorus, also used as a texturizer. Can become deadly to dogs. Sodium nitrite- Possible carcinogen. Sodium phosphate- Indigestible source of phosphorus. Sodium tripolyphosphate- Preservative. Sorbic acid- Mold and yeast inhibitor. Sorbitol- Sugar ingredient. Used as a binder. Soybean hulls- Inexpensive filler. Hard on the GI tract. Soybean mill run- Floor sweepings, source of protein. Soy flour-Soy is often contaminated with glyphosate. Provides protein. Linked to bloat and death in dogs. Starch- Sugar ingredient. Cheap carb filler. Sugar beet fiber- Not sustainable. Possible harm to human health during sugar beet and beet fiber production. More info here. Taurine- Necessary for cats and ferrets. Provided in heart meat and quality animal meats/organs. Synthetic taurine is added to foods that lack them. Tetra sodium pyrophosphate- Emulsifier. Very toxic and can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Used in rust stain removers. Thiamine hydrochloride- Cheapest form of Thiamine. Titanium dioxide- White pigment. Possible carcinogen. Tomato pomace- Can cause GI upset due to acidity. Potential for pesticide residue. Non nutritive. Vegetable oil-Non descriptive. Contains saturated fats. Wheat bran- Wheat ingredients can be contaminated with mycotoxins. Wheat flour- Indigestible filler. Wheat gluten- Cheap source of protein and filler. Non nutritive. Wheat middlings-Floor sweepings. Wheat mill run- Floor sweepings. Wheat starch-Sugar ingredient. Yeast culture- Flavoring, provides some protein. Possible toxicity to the liver. Yellow 5- Salicylate that can become deadly to cats in prolonged feeding. Yellow 6- Possible carcinogen. Sources http://myclubcanine.com/chicken-chicken-meal-chicken-by-product-chicken-fat-what-is-the-difference-and-what-are-some-of-these-ingredients-in-my-dogs-food/ https://www.dogingtonpost.com/a-guide-to-understanding-dog-food-ingredients/ https://blog.homesalive.ca/bad-dog-food-ingredients-to-avoid https://www.gsdstormy.com/post/what-s-in-the-bag-purina-proplan-sport-ingredient-4 https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/corn-and-your-dog-secrets-food-companies-dont-want-you-to-know-about/ http://www.petfoodratings.org/nutrition/ingredient-analysis-of-dr-lisa-newman/
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