Ash in Dog Food

[arealhuman]

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I was surprised to recently see ash listed as an ingredient in dog food. I mentioned it to a dog-owning colleague, who said it was common and as far as she was aware the ash was from cremated animal remains eek. Anyway, since I first spotted it, I've seen it in various treats and items. The items I have seen it in have been from producers that seem to care about their ingredients (i.e. not mass produced, junk filled stuff), but it can't be good, can it? Am I being paranoid?

 

[Josie]

Oh wow - cremated animal remains I just don't understand why they would need to use them?

I wonder if any of our listings know about it? or use it?

@The Pet Pantry Clevedon @Gary FBN @Hannah Patrick (Butternut Box) @Jill Reid (Kelso and Titch) @Georgia Stokes (Aarons pets)

 

[Georgia Stokes]

Hello!
I can offer a bit more insight into this!
Basically manufacturers have to list ash as an ingredient although technically it isn't one.
If you were to burn the bag of dog food/treats, the physical matter that would be left (the ash) would come from the minerals added to the dog food that don't break down when burnt so really no need to worry as your dog will need these minerals included in their diet!
If you want to be monitoring the ingredients in your pet food try to avoid any derivatives and cereals/grains as these can be caused for many skin/digestive problems in our pets! And remember that the ingredients are listed in order of quantity so meat listed first is a high percentage where as meat listed as your 3rd/4th/5th ingredient will be considerably less. Hope that helps

 

[Josie]

Thank you @Georgia Stokes of Aarons pets for your response!

 

[arealhuman]

I wonder if any of our listings know about it? or use it?

Yes they do!

Thanks @Georgia Stokes for your reply, I sort of understand it! That's down to me, not your response, I'm a bit slow

 

[Gary FBN]

Folks. Georgia is right, there is no ash added to food or treats, its not an ingredient its simply a term given to part of the analysis. We are required to provide the analysis of protein, fat, etc and the ash element is really the inorganic matter at the end, the bit that won't break down further or tell us anything more as Georgia mentions. so nearly all foods and or treats will have it. Perfectly normal.

 

[arealhuman]

Thanks @Gary FBN for that