In Singapore, we have the Health Promotion Board, Singapore Food Agency, and other private industry certifications that guide us on what we eat, and ensure that food sold in Singapore is safe for consumption.

However, this is not the same for our dogs, cats, and other furry friends. There is currently no regulatory body to give guidance on what is safe or not for our pets to eat. Therefore, it is important that we, as pet parents, know which are the harmful ingredients, or even life threatening products included in some pet food that we should avoid.

Here are some common harmful ingredients in pet food that you should avoid, with guides on what to look out for.

Glycerin or Glycerine

Common Names

Glycerol, Vegetable Glycerin, Coconut Glycerin.

Description

Glycerin is a chemically manufactured compound used as a sweetener in the food industry. It has 33% more calories than white sugar (in terms of relative sweetness), and 11% more calories than white sugar per gram.

It is also used as a humectant, a chemical substance that helps products to retain moisture, in cosmetics such as hair-care products, skin-care products, and soap.

Glycerin is produced through the chemical process of breaking down esters from plants, usually soy or palm, with sodium hydroxide (caustic powder) and heat. This process is called “Saponification”. The resulting products are glycerine and soap, which are then separated through another chemical process to filter out the glycerine. Depending on the quality of the filtration process (distillation), glycerine used in food may still contain traces of soap even after.

Where is it used in pet food?

Glycerin is commonly used in making pet food look more moist and appealing. They are also added as an additive to help preserve food from mold, and to make pet food taste sweet. They can be found in cat & dog dental chews, dog treats, cat treats, and canned pet food, and are often added because pet owners do not recognise glycerin as a common sugar substitute. Pet owners are more likely to buy pet food with glycerin, than pet food with sugar.

How does it affect my dog or cat?

Weight gain is a leading cause of many diseases in cats and dogs. The amount of calories derived from glycerin in dog treats and cat treats can go up to 30% of the whole treat serving itself. This is equivalent to 8 teaspoons of sugar for every 100 grams of pet food you are feeding.

Furthermore, glycerin is not classified as a carbohydrate or sugar, so it will never appear on the nutrition label for calories.

How do we avoid it?

Check your pup’s treats, canned food, and dental chews for any form of glycerin before you make your next purchase. You can avoid this chemical by choosing healthier alternatives for dental chews, such as split antler chews, and also by opting for single-ingredient or limited-ingredient dog treats & cat treats.

Salt

Common Names

Table Salt, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride.

Description

Salt is commonly used in most savoury dishes for humans. However, it is also commonly used in pet food. Salt is usually made up of the elements Sodium and Chlorine, which form through a chemical reaction to become sodium chloride. Sodium is an essential nutrient for dogs and cats. However, an adult dog weighing 15kg should consume no more than 0.1g (or 100mg) of sodium a day, recommended by the United States Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources. Some manufacturers use Potassium Chloride instead of Sodium Chloride, which is another type of salt.

Where is it used in pet food?

Salt is included in kibbles, canned pet food, pet treats all contain salt as an ingredient. Sodium is an essential nutrient for dogs and cats, however, it is good to ensure that our furrends do not exceed their maximum daily intake.

For Dogs

The recommended amount of sodium for a 15kg dog is 0.1g (or 100mg) a day.

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, the lethal amount of sodium for a 10kg dog is ~40g (or 40,000mg) a day.

For Cats

According to the Association of American Feed Control, the minimum amount of sodium for a cat is 0.2% in dry food.

In some clinical veterinary reports, as little as 1.25g of salt can be deadly to cats weighing less than 5kg.

How does it affect my dog or cat?

Consuming an excessive amount of salt causes salt toxicity. Tongue swelling, extreme thirst, diarrhoea, muscle spasms, and even death are results of consuming too much salt or sodium.

How do we avoid it?

Most major brands of kibble and pet treats include sodium content as part of their guaranteed nutritional analysis. This makes it easier to gauge the amount of sodium you are feeding your pets.

For dog & cat food that does not contain a nutritional analysis or sodium content, it is recommended to avoid these foods instead. Some home-based treat producers do not include a guaranteed nutritional analysis for their treats. You may try to avoid seafood-based treats from these producers, as seafood generally contains five times more sodium than land-based meat produce.

Sodium Nitrate or Sodium Nitrite

Common Names

Sodium Nitrate, Sodium Nitrite.

Description

Sodium Nitrite is commonly found in preservation of foods such as cured meats, bacon, jerky and luncheon meats. Consistent intake of Sodium Nitrite will increase the hardening of blood vessels in humans, and increase risk of heart disease.

Sodium Nitrite is currently approved for use in pet foods by many government agencies. However, it can be toxic in high doses by causing a blood disorder called methaemoglobin.

Where is it used in pet food?

Kibbles, canned food for pets, dog treats, cat treats. As Sodium Nitrate/Nitrite is a preservative, it is often used for processed pet foods to extend the shelf life of these products.

How does it affect my dog or cat?

For dogs 5kg and below, ingesting more than 180mg of Sodium Nitrate is lethal according to the New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority.

Also, consistent consumption of this chemical will lead to increased risk of certain types of cancers in pets.

How do we avoid it?

Always read the ingredient list on the pet food you purchase and look out for sodium nitrate or sodium nitrite. This is especially important for kibbles, as you will be feeding these regularly in your dogs or cats meals, the toxins may build-up in your furkid’s body over time.

How do we check pet food labels for harmful ingredients?

Firstly, always look out for ingredients that only include their chemical formula. The average pet parent is generally unfamiliar with chemical names and may scroll past these ingredients because they do not know what they are.

Next, check for a guaranteed nutritional analysis of the product. This usually means that the manufacturing company is transparent with its nutritional content, and that the ingredients it contains translates well to the nutritional content of the pet products.

Finally, for a healthier lifestyle, humans always opt for healthier foods, avoid processed foods, and pay a premium for organic products. This should be the same approach towards feeding our furry friends. We should avoid harmful processed foods that include unnecessary additives that make pet foods look prettier & more appealing, or taste better with harmful side effects.

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xo
Nellie