Growing up, I didn't know anyone who fed their dogs fresh food—not even as a mix-in or topper. We never put much thought into choosing from the rows of dried food lining the grocery store shelves. Kibble was the default choice, the only game in town when it came to feeding our pets—or so we thought. We never questioned its nutritional content or quality; after all, it was marketed as "complete and balanced," boasting claims of being protein-rich, nutritionally complete, and promoting overall health. We took those statements at face value, never stopping to consider why we fed our beloved family members something we wouldn’t eat ourselves—or even to glance at the ingredient list.
That changed about six years ago when we started paying closer attention to what our dog, Frank, was eating. We began mixing in fresh proteins and canned vegetables, and the results were immediate—his coat became noticeably softer, and he had a new bounce in his step. A light bulb went off, and we never looked back. While studying for a Canine Nutrition course, I delved deeper into the world of kibble, learning about its ingredients and the industry standards for commercial dog food. What I discovered was eye-opening.
Ingredients in Kibble
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Protein: Most kibble relies on protein in the form of meat meals. Meat meal is a dried end product of rendering—a process that removes moisture from meat to ensure shelf stability. The quality of these meals varies greatly. Higher-quality meals come from clearly identified meat sources, while low-grade meals may contain anonymous ingredients like slaughterhouse waste, spoiled supermarket meats, and even diseased or dying livestock.
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Grains and Vegetables: Common ingredients include wheat, corn, oats, and rice, which provide the starch needed to bind kibble pellets. Grain-free kibble substitutes these with starchy vegetables like legumes and potatoes.
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Vitamins and Additives: Kibble is highly processed and baked at high temperatures, leading to significant nutrient loss. To compensate, synthetic vitamins and minerals are added, along with tocopherols (preservatives) to extend shelf life.
Processing
Kibble production involves mixing dry and wet ingredients into a dough, which is then shaped and heated at high temperatures to remove moisture. After cooling, the kibble pellets are sprayed with fats and flavor enhancers to improve palatability.
Quality Standards in Pet Food
Unfortunately, the standards for commercial pet food are alarmingly low. Legally, the following ingredients can be included:
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Slaughterhouse waste (organs, heads, hooves, beaks, feet)
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Bread and cereal rejects (cobs, stalks, mill sweepings)
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Dying, diseased, and disabled farm animals
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Roadkill (deer, skunks, raccoons)
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Contaminated grain middlings
It’s often said that "high-quality" kibble is more similar than different when compared to the lowest-quality kibble. A quick look at the ingredient lists supports that claim.
Our experience with Frank changed our perspective on pet nutrition forever. Once we started questioning what went into his food, we couldn't ignore the truth: fresh, whole foods made an undeniable difference in his health and happiness. And while kibble may be convenient, it’s worth considering what’s really in that bag—and whether our pets deserve better.