What's really in dog snacks?
The Truth Behind the Terms on Dog Snack Packaging
Have you ever wanted to know what's really in the snacks you give your four-legged friend? In our modern pet lifestyle, dog snacks are an essential part of our four-leggers diet plan. But how do we assess the quality of these snacks? A look at the packaging is supposed to give us information about the ingredients. But what do terms like "Fresh Animal like chicken", "Fresh Meat", "Protein", "Poultry Meat Meal" and "Poultry Meal" really mean? Are these labels actually hiding health-promoting ingredients?
This is where it gets complicated. Because often the terms on the packaging are misleading and convey a false picture.
"Fresh meat" is not always as fresh as you think!
Take "Fresh Meat" for example. This is meat that is fresh before preservation, but is later dried and preserved. If a package states that it contains 40% fresh chicken meat, this refers to the meat before the drying process. The end product, however, could contain a significantly lower proportion of the originally fresh meat.
"Poultry Meat Meal," "Poultry Meal," and the Difference Between Them
Also, the terms "Poultry Meat Meal" and "Poultry Meal" can cause confusion. Poultry meat meal is actually what we imagine it to be – it contains the meat of the poultry. Poultry meal, on the other hand, can contain material from the whole bird, including bones and feathers, which have less nutritional value than pure muscle meat.
"Protein" can be more than you think
The term "protein" on the packaging can encompass a whole range of ingredients that we do not normally consider particularly nutritious or healthy for our pets. While many are thinking of natural meat, it can also include components like feathers, claws, beaks, and hooves that have little to no nutritional value. In extreme cases, this means that theoretically no meat needs to be included at all.
But what exactly does "Fresh Animal" mean?
The term “Fresh Animal like e.g. chicken, beef or game” leaves a lot of room in manufacturing. It can mean that the whole animal was processed, including fur, viscera, and muscle meat. But it can also mean that not much meat, but mainly feathers, bones, and other byproducts are included.
The moral of the story?
Educate yourself! The core problem here is the ambiguity of these terms and their potential deception. Know the meanings of the terms, read the packages carefully, and don't be fooled by seemingly positive but in reality misleading terms. Only in this way can you ensure that you make an informed decision that puts the welfare of your pet first. Because when it comes to the health of our best friend, every detail counts. The correct interpretation of the terms mentioned on the pet food packaging is crucial to make an informed decision about our pets' diet. It's important not to be fooled by terms that sound positive at first glance but actually obscure the true quality of the pet food. By taking the time to understand the ingredients and their labels, we can ensure that we only choose the best for our four-legged friends. Because when it comes to the health of our best friend, every detail counts.
Always remember: Showing love for your pet also means conscientiously and responsibly taking care of its nutritional needs!