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What To Look For In A Good Dog Food: Ingredients To Look For In Kibble

Being a responsible, loving pet owner means taking care of your pet. One of the best ways to nurture your pet inside out and out is by giving them dog food that will support optimal health. 

However, it can be difficult to decipher what key ingredients your dog’s kibble must have been. If you have questions about the right kibble for your dog—and let’s be real, who doesn’t?—we are here to help you. 

At Kabo, we are passionate about giving you the resources that you need to support your pet. That’s why we create food that will help your dog live the happy, healthy life that they deserve. One taste of Kabo’s uniquely formulated dog food and your canine companion will know the difference. 

Today, we will answer all of your questions about the ingredients your dog’s kibble needs. To begin, we will share what you should look for when you are deciding on dog food. After that, we will discuss the components that a kibble should have to support your pet. 

Once you have a basic understanding of what your dog’s kibble needs to have, we’ll share more about individual ingredients. Continue reading to learn more about how the food you give your dog can impact their health and what these foods are that you must include in their diet.


What To Look For In Dog Food

When purchasing dog food, the first thing you should look for is a kibble that you would be proud to give your pet. This means that you should be aware of its origin, its components, and what it contains. 

Often, dog food will have a label that contains lengthy, confusing ingredient names. This means that you’re not wholly aware of what you are feeding your pet. 

Instead of settling on dog food that you’re not exactly sure how to support your pet, you can opt for food that will support your pup in many ways. You should also look for several key things in dog food. If you notice these, consider them a “green flag.” 

Made In A Safe Place

First, you want to have an understanding of where your dog’s food is coming from. 

An additional 9,000 became ill. Sadly, this could be attributed to the fact that there were chemical additives present in the food: cyanuric acid and melamine. This causes dangerous crystals in the pet's kidneys.

While not all pet food imported from overseas is dangerous, many pet owners have diligently avoided providing their pets with anything made out of their country since the scare. 

Therefore, giving your dog food that was created in Canada should provide you with peace of mind. Kabo is happy to share that our dog kibble (and other food!) is crafted right here in Canada with local ingredients. 

Made To Meet Quality Standards

In addition to this, you should ensure that your dog’s food meets AAFCO standards. The AAFCO, or Association of American Feed Control Officials, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to regulating the sale and distribution of animal food. This organization sets standards for pet food brands. 

If a dog food brand wants to claim that they are making balanced and complete food, the claim must be supported by either a nutrient content analysis or AAFCO-compliant feeding trials. This ensures the quality of the food. 

Kabo is proud to offer your pet food that was formulated to meet the AAFCO’s standards. This means that you can rest assured your pet is getting the highest quality of food for them.

Made With No Animal By-Products

Next, you should look for pet food that has difficult-to-digest animal by-products or meat and bone meal. Because this is a highly controversial topic for dog food shoppers, it’s best to simply avoid these by-products and purchase food that does not have them in the formula. 

Let’s discuss what exactly an animal by-product is so you have a more thorough understanding of why it should be avoided. Some are left when an animal gets slaughtered and after the skeletal muscle meat that humans consume has been removed. 

Animal by-products refer to the parts of an animal that aren’t part of the dressed carcass. 

In other words, these leftovers, which will be included in your dog’s meal. You want to give your pet the best, and by avoiding foods created with animal by-products, you are doing so. 


Made With No Artificial Colors Or Flavors

It is always wise to avoid using artificial colors or flavors in your dog’s food when possible. This is because it’s possible that bright colors could have a harmful effect on pets

While this hasn’t been thoroughly researched for dogs yet, it’s best to steer clear until science proves these are safe. It’s possible that dyes could lead to problems including hyperactivity, allergies, or even potentially tumors. 

Because dyes have no benefit to your pet and could potentially even have adverse effects, you should avoid feeding your pet any food with artificial colors in it. 

In addition, you shouldn’t give your pet food that has artificial flavoring. If there were flavors added into your pet’s food, this means it was not palatable on its own. This should be avoided. 

What Are Ingredients In Kibble That Support My Dog’s Health?

It’s important to know what to avoid in your dog’s food, of course, but it’s also equally essential to know which ingredients you should look for when picking a kibble for your furry friend. If you are unsure of what you should give your pup, following this ingredient list could be helpful.

Of course, this is non-exhaustive, and there are plenty of other helpful ingredients that could be included in kibble. 

However, these are a few of the best that we’re always sure to incorporate in Kabo’s healthy, delicious dog food. Continue reading to learn more about these foods and how they can positively impact your pet’s health. 

Sweet Potato

One popular choice for supportive, healthy dog food is sweet potato. The sweet potato is referred to as a superfood. This is because it is rich in minerals and vitamins necessary for your dog’s health. Continue reading to learn more about some of the ways that sweet potatoes can positively impact your pet’s health.

First, sweet potatoes are an excellent source of dietary fiber. Think of including sweet potato in your dog’s kibble as an excellent way to provide them with the fiber they need to maintain a properly-functioning digestive system. 

In addition, sweet potato could prove helpful for a dog that is struggling with diarrhea or constipation. Dogs that are obese could also benefit from a diet high in fiber, as fiber will lengthen the feeling of being full that your dog will get after a meal. 

Sweet potato is also packed with antioxidants, which work to safeguard your pet against free radicals that could potentially damage cells. In addition to this, sweet potatoes contain several different essential vitamins. 

Vitamin C, which bolsters your pet’s immune system, as well as Vitamin C for cell function support, and Vitamin B6, which helps with healthy red blood cell function, and immune system. 

Lastly, several minerals in sweet potatoes are helpful for pets. This includes calcium, which helps pets with down growth; potassium, which assists with properly functioning kidneys and iron, which helps dogs with red blood cells and hemoglobin formation. 


Turmeric

There are over 6,000 studies to credit the use of turmeric. It’s beneficial for humans, and it’s also helpful for our furry friends. Here’s why turmeric is an excellent addition to your dog’s diet. 

Think of a compound that turmeric contains called curcumin as the spice’s active ingredient. As it turns out, curcumin has several properties that make it potentially helpful for your pet.


Dried Rosemary

When was the last time you considered giving your pet food with rosemary in it? If you haven’t yet, Kabo is here to introduce you to this product that your dog will love to eat and could support their health. 

There are several reasons why rosemary is an excellent addition to your pup’s diet. Not only does it have antioxidants that could work to prevent your dog from developing several diseases and help safeguard your dog from potentially damaging free radicals. 

It is also supportive of digestive health due to its antimicrobial properties. Lastly, rosemary could boost your pet’s mood and memory. 


Kabo’s Dog Kibble Includes These Ingredients and Beyond To Support Your Pet’s Health

At Kabo, we know that what your pet’s food includes is just as important as what it does not. That’s why we are passionate about creating fresh food for your pet to enjoy that is just as healthy as it is tasty. Kabo’s kibble is sure to get your dog’s tail wagging! 

Visit Kabo’s recipes page to learn more about these ingredients and others that Kabo includes bringing your dog the best dog food they could get their paws on. 

Kabo scores points with both pets and owners because it’s safe for your pet, and it’s delicious. We encourage you to learn more about how Kabo’s kibble can fit into your dog’s dietary plan! 

If you join Kabo, you can expect to get fresh, pre-portioned meals for your pet delivered right to your doorstep. It really is that simple to give your pet food that they love. Plus, it’s easy, and there’s no work involved for you!

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February 20, 2024
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5 minutes
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