Concerned

by Danny Seymore
(Heber Springs,Arkansas)

I have been feeding a premium brand dog food.I recently read an article about two bad ingredients.They were sodium selenite and sodium nitrate.Why would they use these in dog food?I have almost lost faith in commercial kibble.Now I find out that proctor and gamble have bought out Natura(evo,california natural,innova.Does anybody care about the pets or is it all about money?Most vets recommend bad dog food for some reason.You have recommended Orijen which I believe is a top food so I thank you for being honest.Anyway what about the two ingredients?

Hi Danny
Sorry for my late response. I am working long hours now its summer as my place during the summer is very popular vacation place.
More inhabitants means more dogs and more diseases.
But, now I am ready for answering your question.

About the two ingredients.
Sodium Selenite first.I don,t know that much about it. Selene is an important mineral.Selenite is used as a supplement of Selene and
it has some antioxidant properties as well.
If given in too high doses it can be very toxic.

Sodium Nitrate is the bad preservative from the seventies. Claimed then as being cause of cancer.
This has been questioned. It is used in many meat products as a preservative.

I haven't investigated these two ingredients that much.
My guess is they are added because of need of Selene in dog food, and using Sodium Selenite you get some preservative action as well.
This is very use full, from the "money" perspective. "Bye one get two actions" - type of principle.

Sodium Nitrate as well is probably very cheep. I am not that convinced that it is as dangerous as thought before.
I am not sure. Something to look closer in to at a later time.

Important to make a informed choice - as long this is possible.

Lot of different factors do decide about find good quality dog food. The company spirit and their "mission" is very important, maybe one of the most important factors.

Which preservatives is quite use full as a quality check.

Are they using natural or more artificial ones.
The more natural is more exspensive than the others and telling me that quality is very important for the dog food producer.

Reading about "dangerous ingredients" - it is very important to keep in mind we are driven by feelings.
Talking to our fears is very effective. I find it important to be sensed and think about what you are reading.
Not that its not true, just make your own judgement as well, and based on several sources.
Not just one.

I don't know what article you have read, but if you like mail the link or mail it as a attachment.
I would really like to see it.


All the best

Per Schonbeck