We were all sold a lie. That there is no sugar in our dog food is a lie that was omitted from our pet food bags. And the cost is our dog’s health.
But you already suspected. Right? Otherwise, you wouldn’t be on this page.
However, you need to know how sugar gets into your pet’s food. Keep reading, and you will find out how much unhealthy food you’ve been serving your dog.
Pet food manufacturers have succeeded in concealing the amount in their products. Pedigree, Kibble’s and bits, and Purina Beneful, these are some of the big brands in the US. They, all don’t tell us about the hidden sugar in dog food.
Some shocking revelation:
Rodney Habib and Dr. Karen Becker in a YouTube video, the Unknown Sugar in Pet Food, reveal some mystery. “Can you believe that Pedigree contains 51% sugar?” Over half of the bag. Kibble’s and bits follow suit with a bag containing 45%.
Where Does the Hidden Sugar in Dog Food Come From?
Here is what you don’t know:
Many pet food manufacturers fail to reveal the number of carbohydrates used in making their products because of one reason— that is where the hidden sugar is. After consumption, the carbohydrates and starch break down into sugar.
In fact, the FDA labeling guidelines specify that compulsory inclusion of the protein, fat, fiber, and moisture content is mandatory in pet food. But say nothing of carbohydrates.
Is Sugar Harmful For Tibetan Dogs (And Other Pets)
Have you ever wondered how your dog gets diagnosed with diabetes, obesity, or yeast infection even though you feed it “healthy” foods? (at least that’s what you think). The carbohydrate in the dog food breaks down to sugar. That is how your dog gets sick.
Sugar itself is not always bad, but when it is in a large quantity in our dog food, it becomes harmful to your Mastiff.
Apart from exposing your pets to the risk of obesity or diabetes, it plays a role in yeast infection, cancer, and gastrointestinal problems.
What about grain-free dog food diets for Mastiffs?
Just like clinical veterinary nutritionists at Tufts University explain, the grain-free diet was one of the booming sectors in the pet food market in 2016. Many people till now think they are a better choice and healthier than other types of dog food. So, they mostly feed their dogs grain-free pet food.
Sadly, grain-free pet food manufacturers are not transparent with pet parents. Of, course they are aware that we know that carbohydrate is unhealthy for dogs, especially when it is in excess. That is why they don’t tell us about the hidden ones.
One thing is for sure; kibble must have some amount of starch in it before it can successfully pass through the extrusion process. Starch is what holds kibble together. Whether kibble is grain-free or not, it definitely contains starch.
Hidden Sugars In Dog Foods
According to Canine Nutritionist Narelle Cooke, while explaining the hidden sugar in commercial pet food, she mentions that:
“Just because a kibble claims to be grain-free in no way means that it doesn’t contain high levels of carbohydrate— they often contain even more.”
Still not convinced? Let’s find out what Dr. Karen Becker has to say.
Dr. Karen explains that surprisingly enough, the sugar content in grain-free products is higher than the normal ones. For example, Natural Balance grain-free diet contains 54% sugar, and Fromm Pork and Peas dog have a total of 35% sugar content.
How is that even possible? Grain-free products are supposed be healthier, right? Thought so too. Yet, they are the ones that will kill your pooches slowly (or faster).
But wait, there’s more. You won’t believe what you are about to read.
Vet Approved Food For Your Tibetan Mastiff?
To make matters worse, some veterinary diets contain even more. The sugar content in Hills Prescription Allergy Diet is 56%. Then again, their Prescription Diet for animals with gastrointestinal problems contains 58% sugar. Devasting right?
So why are the grain-free diets looting our pockets? Are we really paying them to kill our dogs? And you’d be right to demand transparency.
But since pet food companies fail to reveal the starch or carbohydrate in their products, we will find out ourselves.
Calculate The Carbohydrate In Dog Food
Although excluded from the label, Rodney Habib and Dr. Karen calculated the carbohydrate content.
Let me guess: you are wondering: how did they calculate the carb content?
Let’s dive into that now.
Rodney explains that since the label panel excludes the carbohydrates content, a smart way to come up with it is to subtract the summation of the protein, fat, moisture, and ash in the food from a hundred.
That was how they summed the total sugar content in Pedigree, Kibble’s n bits, the grain-free pet food, etc.
Think about it:
The carbohydrate content is excluded in the label panel. However, the other nutrients are provided in percentages. A simple math like that will reveal the percentage of carbohydrates in the food.
Potatoes and Rice To Your Tibetan Mastiff?
According to the NHS UK, some starchy foods and carbohydrates are potatoes, cereal products, rice, grains, etc. These are all ingredients found in pet foods for your Tibetan Mastiff.
If you check your grain-free pet food label, the ingredients used instead of corn and rice are peas, lentils, chicken peas, and potato.
From a chart drawn by Rodney Habib, there is 810 g per kg of starch in a bag of pet food containing rice, 726g per kg for corn, 650g per kg for potato, 435g per kg for chickpeas, 410g per kg for peas, 400g per kg for oats and 385g per Kg for lentils.
Most importantly, you need to check the label panel on your pet food to know what you are feeding your dog. The carbohydrate content you will come up with will surprise you.
Are you frustrated to know that you were deceived into believing your pet food is absolutely healthy? You are right to feel that way.
● What happens if Mastiff Dogs eat sugar?
Sugar, when in excess, can cause obesity. Moreover, feeding a dog with a low insulin level with excess sugar can lead to chronic diabetes and aggravate a yeast infection in your pet.
In essence, avoid feeding your dog excessive amounts of carbohydrates and starches because, at the end of the day, they both convert to sugar.
● Can I give my dog Sugar Water?
Sugar water has some benefits. It is helpful to help your dog regain its appetite. Besides, it helps puppies with hypoglycemia regulate their blood sugar level.
However, it is unnecessary to give your dog sugar water if it doesn’t have low blood sugar or loss of appetite.
● Does Sugar give Tibetan Dogs Diarrhea?
The gastrointestinal tract of a dog is short and designed to get food in and out quickly. the digestive is resilient to many bacteria.
However, excess sugar can cause an imbalance of bacteria in the guts of animals— that can lead to diarrhea.
To be on a safe side, cut down your pet’s sugar and carb intake.
Surprisingly enough, grain-free dog food and veterinary prescribed pet food cost more than the ones we easily suspect to contain starch.
For example, Pedigree pet food costs $5.99, while Medical costs $36. And the worst part? The same company makes them. That is a smart way to extort pet parents don’t you think?
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