🐾 What’s Really in Store-Bought Dog Food?

🐾 What’s Really in Store-Bought Dog Food?

And Why It Might Be Hurting Your Pup More Than Helping

It’s no secret that many commercial dog food brands are more focused on profits than pups. While flashy packaging and buzzwords like "natural" or "premium" catch your eye, the ingredients list often tells a very different (and alarming) story.If you’ve ever stood in the dog food aisle staring at dozens of shiny bags labeled "natural," "complete," or "premium," you’re not alone. It’s confusing, overwhelming, and honestly — a little sketchy. Behind the clever marketing and colorful kibble lies a darker truth: a lot of commercial dog food is packed with low-quality, questionable ingredients that could be making your dog sick over time.

🚫 Let’s Talk About What’s Hiding in That Kibble:

🧪 By-products. Fillers. Chemical preservatives.
These are just a few of the ingredients hiding behind those big-brand bags. Some formulas are packed with corn, soy, and meat meals of unknown origin — ingredients that have been linked to allergies, digestive issues, obesity, and even long-term diseases in dogs.

By-products – Translation? Leftover animal parts (think feet, heads, beaks, tails — yikes).
Meat meals – Sounds fancy, but these are often rendered scraps from unidentified animals.
Corn, soy, and wheat fillers – Cheap ingredients that offer little nutritional value and commonly trigger allergies.
BHA, BHT & Ethoxyquin – Artificial preservatives that have been linked to cancer in animals.
Artificial colors & flavors – Why does your dog’s food look like Lucky Charms? (Spoiler: It shouldn’t.)

📉 Over time, these ingredients have been associated with:

• Skin allergies and itching

• Chronic ear infections

• Weight gain and sluggishness

• Digestive issues

• Increased risk of serious illness

🐶 Studies have raised red flags about:

• Synthetic preservatives like BHA, BHT & ethoxyquin (linked to cancer in animals)

• Excessive carbohydrates fueling weight gain & blood sugar spikes

• Undisclosed sourcing and low-quality meat meals

And don’t even get us started on artificial colors. (Why does dog kibble need to look like a bowl of Skittles?!)

I  have been making food for Finn for most of his life.  It's easy and quick and I believe you can do it as well.  I found an insta pot on sale and purchased it.  I use it to make Finn's food.  I start by Sautéing the organic protein in organic coconut oil.  Proteins cn be lamb, beef, turkey, chicken, and seafood. I like to add chicken hearts or livers to the proteins when available.  I then add chopped organic carrots, sweet potato.  Organic Brown rice or oatmeal. Fruits such as blueberry, apples, strawberry, Bananas, raspberry,  and greens such as brocolli, kale, spinach, collard greens, brussel sprouts.  You get my point?  I lock the instapot and change the setting to pressure cook for 20 minutes.  Viola!  You just need to add their vitamins and mix.  I add Vitamins and Omega 3 oil that I get from a holistic vet out in california. 

Finn gets alot of compliements on his fur, it's the coconut oil.  He also get compliment on his weight.  His vet says he's in tip top weight.  His stool looks good, no digestive issues and always energetic. 

🌿 The Rise of the Clean Bowl Movement

Just like us, our pups thrive on whole, clean, human-grade ingredients. That’s why more pet parents are ditching the mystery meat and switching to organic, small-batch foods and treats made with real stuff — the kind of stuff you can pronounce.

🥕 Ingredients like:

• Organic pumpkin

• Oats

• Apples

• Peanut butter (no xylitol, ever!)

• Coconut oil

• Fresh fruits & veggies

These aren’t just “treats,” they’re functional snacks that support digestion, boost energy, and show your pup some real love from the inside out.

💚 Why We Bake the Way We Do

At PAWsitively Organic Dog Bakery, we believe every dog deserves better than bottom-shelf kibble.

That’s why we handcraft all our treats, pupcakes, muffins, and doggy cookies with:

• Organic, human-grade ingredients

• No corn, soy, fillers, or preservatives

• Nothing artificial, ever

• Ingredients even you could eat (if you're feelin’ brave)

We bake in small batches, with love and a little tail-wagging magic, because your dog isn’t “just a pet” — they’re family.

🎁 Ready to Make the Switch?

Check out our best-selling treats like:

• 🥜 Peanut Butter Apple Donuts

• 🎃 Pumpkin Muffins

• 🥕🍎Finn's Fruit & Veggie Sticks

• 🎂 Finn’s Birthday Cake

• 🦴Peanut Butter Bones 

👉 Shop Organic Treats Now

Because feeding your dog should never feel like a gamble. It should feel like love.