One thing that's often present in commercial dog food, like kibble, is fillers. Fillers are cheaper ingredients used to bulk up your dog food with proteins and carbs.
Dogs actually don't need a lot of carbs and the best source of protein for them are animal protein. Therefore, fillers are just a way for pet food companies to use cheaper ingredients in order to make your dog full.
Yeah, it's not a fantastic strategy for your doggo. So, what ingredients are classified as fillers? And should we avoid them?
What Are Fillers?
Fillers in dog food are ingredients added primarily to bulk up the product without adding significant nutritional value. They’re often used because they’re cheap and help keep the cost of dog food down. Common fillers include:
- Corn and cornmeal
- Soy and soybean meal
- Wheat and wheat gluten
- Rice and rice bran
- Potato
- Tapioca
These ingredients can make up a large portion of some dog foods and treats, often replacing more nutritious ingredients.
The Downsides of Fillers
- Lack of Nutritional Value
One of the biggest issues with fillers is that they offer little to no nutritional benefit to your dog. Unlike high-quality proteins, fruits, and vegetables, fillers don’t provide essential nutrients that contribute to your dog’s health.
- Empty calories: Fillers add calories without the benefits of nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and proteins, which are crucial for your dog’s health.
- Low digestibility: Some fillers can be hard for dogs to digest, leading to less efficient nutrient absorption
- Potential Allergens
Many common fillers are known allergens for dogs. Ingredients like corn, wheat, and soy can trigger allergic reactions, leading to a range of health issues.
- Symptoms: Dogs with allergies to fillers may experience itching, skin rashes, ear infections, and digestive problems.
- Long-term health effects: Chronic exposure to allergens can lead to more serious health conditions over time
- Weight Gain and Obesity
Fillers contribute to unnecessary calorie intake, which can lead to weight gain and obesity, especially if your dog is not very active. Obesity in dogs can result in various health problems, including joint issues, diabetes, and heart disease.
- Overeating: Foods high in fillers may cause dogs to eat more because they don’t feel full, leading to overeating.
- Health risks: Excess weight can put a strain on your dog’s organs and joints, significantly impacting their quality of life and lifespan
- Lower Quality Overall
Dog foods that rely heavily on fillers often indicate lower overall quality. High-quality dog foods prioritize real, whole ingredients like meat, vegetables, and grains that provide complete and balanced nutrition.
- Ingredient quality: Foods with fillers may also contain other low-quality ingredients, including artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors.
- Health benefits: Choosing higher-quality food without fillers can lead to better health outcomes for your dog, such as improved coat condition, better digestion, and increased energy levels
How to Choose Better Dog Food and Treats
To ensure your dog is getting the best nutrition possible, here are a few tips:
- Read the labels: Look for foods where real meat is the first ingredient and avoid those with a long list of fillers.
- Choose whole ingredients: Opt for foods with recognizable ingredients like chicken, beef, sweet potatoes, and blueberries.
- Consult your vet: If you’re unsure about the best diet for your dog, your veterinarian can provide recommendations based on your dog's specific health needs and lifestyle.
Final Thoughts
While fillers in dog food and treats help keep costs down, they don’t provide much in the way of nutrition and can contribute to health issues over time. By choosing higher-quality options with real, whole ingredients, you can help ensure your dog lives a healthier, happier life.
However, our motto is always feed your dog with the best food that you can afford.
Not everyone can afford a filler-free daily diet for their dog and that is completely OK. Supplementing your dog's diet with filler-free meat treats is a great way to increase nutritional protein intake without breaking the bank.
Everything at Ferguson’s is filler-free, we only use one ingredient in all of our treatos and with the exception of Eggshellent Powder, our one ingredient is always meat!