What dog food are not recommended by vets in Canada?

Feeding your dog the right dog food is one of the most important things you can do as a pet owner. With so many options on the shelf, it can be difficult to choose the best one for your dog. You might think a big name or fancy packaging means it's healthy but that’s not always true.

Many dog food sold in Canada contain ingredients that are not recommended by vets. Although these are permitted by law, they can compromise your dog's health over a period of time.

Let’s find out what to avoid and what to choose instead to help your dog live a longer, healthier life.

1. White Flour

White flour is a common filler in many dry dog foods. It doesn’t have much nutrition because all the healthy parts of the grain are removed during processing. This makes it a cheap ingredient, but not a good one.

When dogs eat white flour, their blood sugar goes up quickly and then crashes. This can make them feel hungry again soon after eating. Over time, it can lead to weight gain, obesity, and even diabetes.

What to choose instead:

Look for dog foods that use whole grains like brown rice, oats, or quinoa. These grains are healthier and give your dog more energy and fiber. You can also go grain-free and use options like sweet potatoes or lentils instead.

2. Meat Meal or "Mystery Meat

Meat is a great part of a dog’s diet. But not all meat is equal. If you see ingredients like “meat meal,” “animal by-products,” or just “meat,” it usually means the meat came from a low-quality source.

These kinds of ingredients often come from leftover parts of animals that people don’t eat. Sometimes the meat isn’t even from a single animal type. It might be mixed from cows, pigs, chickens, or other animals. The worst part is that it can come from animals that weren’t healthy or properly cleaned before being processed.

This kind of meat might contain fewer nutrients and could even be unsafe over time.

What to choose instead:

Look for foods that list the exact type of meat, like “chicken,” “turkey,” “beef,” or “salmon.” Even better, look for terms like “deboned chicken” or “lamb meal.” These are better-quality ingredients and give your dog more protein they can actually use.

3. Artificial Colours and Dyes

Some dog foods use artificial colours to make the food look better. These colours are made from chemicals and don’t add any health benefits. In fact, they can cause problems.

Studies have shown that food dyes may lead to hyperactivity and other health issues. And remember, dogs don’t care what their food looks like. They care about the smell and taste.

So these colours aren’t for your dog’s benefit. They’re used to make the food look more appealing to people buying it.

What to choose instead:

Choose dog food that doesn’t use any artificial colours. Natural-looking kibble is just as tasty (if not more) and far healthier.

4. Gluten and Wheat Gluten

Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. While not all dogs are sensitive to gluten, many have trouble digesting it. It’s not a natural part of a dog’s diet and can lead to allergies or stomach problems.

Wheat gluten is often added to kibble to help hold it together. But again, this is mostly for convenience and not for your dog’s benefit.

If your dog has itchy skin, ear infections, or frequent stomach upsets, gluten might be part of the problem.

What to choose instead:

Look for grain-free dog foods, or those made with whole, gluten-free grains like oats or brown rice. Some dogs also do well with foods made from sweet potatoes or peas.

What Else Should You Avoid?

Some other ingredients to stay away from include:

• BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin - They are chemical preservatives. They can help extend shelf life but may have negative consequences on your dog's health over time.

• Corn syrup -  A sweetener that adds sugar and may cause obesity or diabetes.

• Animal by-products - These are feet, beaks, and other organs. If it's from a low-quality source, it's not the type of meat you want your dog eating daily.

Always take a few minutes to read the label before buying. If the ingredients sound confusing or include lots of chemical names, it's probably not the best choice.

What Should You Look For?

Here’s a simple checklist for choosing healthy dog food:

• Real, named meats (like chicken, beef, salmon)

• Whole grains or grain-free vegetables (like brown rice, oats, sweet potato)

• No artificial colours or dyes

• No chemical preservatives

• Clear, simple ingredient list

If you can pronounce it and recognize it, it’s usually a better choice.

Final Thoughts

Your dog relies on you to choose food that helps them live a happy, healthy life. With a little knowledge and label reading you can avoid poor-quality dog food and find something truly good for your dog.

Not all brands are created equal, and not every popular product is healthy. Don’t just listen to the advertisements instead read what’s inside the bag.

And if you’re looking for a trusted place to find grain-free, high-quality dog food made with real ingredients, check out Pets Gone Wild. We care about your pets as much as you do.