Processed Dog Food – What’s Really In It?

Many dog owners rely on processed food because it is practical, easy to portion, and has a long shelf life. But what is really in dry, wet, or semi-moist food? Why do many types of food contain a high proportion of grains, and is that even healthy for dogs?

In this article, we clarify the most common myths and problems surrounding processed food and show what you should look out for if you want to provide your dog with species-appropriate nutrition.

1. Is a dog a predator or an omnivore?

It is often said that dogs are omnivores and can therefore easily digest large quantities of grain. But this is only partly true.

🐺 Ancestry from wolves
Dogs are genetically descended from wolves, and although domestication has given them a higher tolerance for carbohydrates, they are still primarily carnivores.

🦷 Dentition of a carnivore
A dog's dentition is designed for tearing and crushing meat and bones. Unlike herbivores, the molars, the dog has sharp canine teeth and carnassial teeth.

🧪 Digestive system of a carnivore
- A dog's saliva contains no carbohydrate-splitting enzymes as in humans.
- A dog's stomach acid has an extremely low pH value to efficiently digest meat and bones.
- The digestion of plant carbohydrates is significantly less efficient than that of animal proteins and fats.

👉 Conclusion: Dogs can digest small amounts of plant-based food, but are predominantly carnivores and need high-quality animal protein.

2. Why are grains in processed food problematic?

Many types of processed food contain between 50-90% grain – but why?

✅ Cost-effective filler
Grain is an inexpensive ingredient that bulks up the food and reduces production costs.

❌ Poor bioavailability of nutrients
Plant proteins from wheat, corn or soy have an unfavorable amino acid composition and are less efficiently utilized in the dog's digestive tract than animal proteins.

❌ Increased burden on the organism
A high grain content can lead to nutrients not being absorbed properly. This creates an unnecessary burden on the dog's digestion and metabolism.

❌ Grains can trigger allergies and intolerances.
Many dogs are sensitive to gluten-containing grains such as wheat or to artificial additives in processed food. Symptoms such as itching, digestive problems or inflammation can be the result.

3. What additives are contained in processed food?

Many manufacturers add artificial preservatives, colorings, and flavor enhancers to make the food last longer and be more attractive. However, some of these substances are controversial and are suspected of being harmful to health.

4. What would be a better feeding concept?

A species-appropriate diet should be based on a dog's natural diet. This means a high proportion of high-quality animal protein, healthy fats, and little to no grain content.

5. Conclusion – What should you look out for?

When buying dog food, you should pay attention to the list of ingredients. A high meat content, no artificial additives, and as little grain as possible are important criteria for a healthy dog diet.

Additional section: Why are so many feeding scales misleading?

There are numerous feeding scales for dogs on the internet. However, many of them are outdated or based on general assumptions. It is important that a dog's individual needs are taken into account - such as activity level, age, and health status. This is the only way to ensure a truly suitable diet.