You wouldn’t make a casserole out of sawdust and sugar and call it dinner, right?
So why do so many pet food brands get away with feeding your dog or cat a mix of mystery meat, cornflakes, and chemical preservatives, and still label it “premium”? Because most people don’t read past the front of the bag.
That’s where the real problem lies.
Those shiny labels and trendy health claims mean nothing if the first five ingredients tell a completely different story. And trust me, they almost always do.
If you’ve ever looked at your pet’s food and thought, “This can’t be that bad…” OR if you read a bag of treats or kibble and was slightly curious about what you are ACTUALLY feeding your pet…
This blog is for you
Why the First 5 Ingredients Matter
Pet food ingredients are listed by weight before cooking. So those top five make up the bulk of what your pet is eating every single day. If those ingredients are full of fillers, by-products, or vague terms, your pet’s body is working harder than it should just to process it.
That’s not food. That’s inflammation in a bowl.
1. Named Animal Protein (Always First)
Look for real, named meat: chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, salmon.
Avoid catch-all phrases like “meat meal” or “animal by-products.” If you see whole meat or a named meat meal first? Great. That means your pet is actually getting protein that their body knows what to do with.
If the first ingredient is corn? Step away.
2. Carbs and Grains (Know the Role They Play)
Ingredients like rice, barley, oats, corn, wheat, or peas often show up next.
They’re cheap fillers, and while not all carbs are bad, they shouldn’t outweigh the meat content.
Dogs and cats are biologically designed to eat animal-based diets. When carbs creep into the first or second spot, that balance is lost, and you’ll start seeing signs in digestion, energy, and skin.
3. By-Products = Bottom of the Barrel
“Chicken by-product meal” sounds fancy, but it’s usually the leftovers: feet, necks, organs, sometimes even feathers.
Not inherently toxic, but not exactly nourishing either.
Transparency matters. If the label reads like a mystery, it probably is.
4. Fats – Some Help, Some Harm
Healthy fats like chicken fat or salmon oil support coat health, brain function, and nutrient absorption. But generic terms like “animal fat” or “vegetable oil”? That’s where things get murky. These fats are often low-grade and pro-inflammatory.
5. Chemical Preservatives and Sneaky Additives
If you see BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, DO NOT BUY!
These are synthetic preservatives banned or heavily restricted in human food for a reason. Look for natural preservatives instead: mixed tocopherols, rosemary extract, and vitamin C. And beware of sugar in disguise, terms like molasses, dextrose, and beet pulp often sneak into the list to improve flavor but can wreak havoc on your pet’s metabolism.
Final Word: Flip the Bag Over
Next time you buy pet food, skip the front and go straight to the ingredient list.
Read the first five. Out loud, if you have to. If you can’t pronounce it or don’t know what it actually is, your pet shouldn’t be eating it.
Need help decoding your pet’s current food or switching to something safer?
Book a holistic consultation today.
We’ll help you build a bowl that actually fuels your pet’s body, without the fluff, fillers, or mystery meat.