Do you tend to buy dog food products that say “Natural” on the label?

This little dog has dog food allergies

The FDA has long refused to define the word “natural” but this may be as close as they are going to get and this is the reason for this article.

You just might be buying the same crummy dog food you’ve always bought except you think it’s better because you associate the word natural as being something that has been naturally grown without pesticides.  The FDA will not define the word “natural” except to say that “A natural flavor is defined as a substance extracted, distilled or otherwise derived from plant or animal matter, either directly from the matter itself or after it has been roasted, heated or fermented”.

Oh yummy, animal matter!  For all intents and purposes that could mean whatever is is the intestines is also “natural” but I wouldn’t want to eat it!

If you read the first sentence it is telling you that “natural” means just about anything.  What is Animal Matter?  That could mean any animal matter.   And it includes chicken feathers, chicken guts, and any part of an animal that no one wants to eat.

When a dog food product says “It’s completely natural”, the advertiser wants you to believe that it is something special.  “It’s all natural and good for your dog.”  Which basically says nothing except we’re trying to get you to believe it’s organic and healthy.

So if you see “natural” on the label remember that means nothing and it’s your cue to look at the ingredients.

Dog food companies have long used this word to describe their food so that you think it’s better than all the rest.  Out of the hundreds of dog foods out there, there are very few that are actually good for your dog.  And I’ve found at least 6 of them and I list them on my website.

Spooky’s list of dog food kibble that has been tested in his quality assurance labs (my kitchen).

My dog Spooky is the most allergic dog in the world.  He hasn’t thrown up any of these dog foods!  And that’s a good thing!