There are a lot of different dry foods for dogs out there. And all of those different brands can be a bit overwhelming. All of us only want what is best for our canines, but how to know which brand of dog food is the most reliable one? We decided to review different types of dog food that are widely available and put them to the test. Today we will go over the ingredients and characteristics of Inukshuk Dog Food. So let’s start, shall we?
Ingredient list of Inukshuk Dog Food
At first, the ingredients of the Inukshuk dog food don’t seem too bad at all. The first few ingredients are: Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat, Herring Meal, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Ground Whole Grain Wheat, Wheat Shorts, Dried Beet Pulp, Dried Brewer’s Yeast. But we also know that a lot of hidden ingredients that are a bit more bellow on the list can make a difference. So that’s why we will go over the most important ingredients and what they really mean and do in our dog’s diet. If you want to read the full ingredient list, you can do so on the official Inukshuk dog food website.
Full Ingredient Analysis
Like we already said, chicken meal is first ingredient of this dog food. Fresh chicken contains roughly 300 percent more protein than chicken meal, which is classified as a meat concentrate. So it’s not real chicken, like we know it. But it’s not too bad either.
Chicken fat is the second component. This food is made from rendering chicken, which is a similar procedure to preparing soup in which the fat is skimmed from the liquid’s surface.
Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid needed for life, is abundant in chicken fat. Chicken fat is a good ingredient, despite the fact that it doesn’t sound very delicious.
Fish meal, another high-protein meat concentrate, is the third ingredient.
Fish meal is primarily made from commercial fish operations’ “clean, dried, crushed tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuts.”
Grains — good or bad?
Corn is the fourth ingredient on the list. Corn is a low-cost and divisive cereal crop. Aside from its high calorie content, this grain has very little nutritional value for dogs.
As a result, corn is not a desirable ingredient in any dog food.
Wheat is the next ingredient. Wheat is a cereal grain with the same problems as corn (previously discussed).
Brown rice is the sixth element, a complex carbohydrate that (after cooked) is rather easy to digest. Rice, on the other hand, has just a minor nutritional value for dogs aside from its natural energy content.
Wheat shorts, fine wheat bran particles, wheat germ, wheat flour, and other processing debris from the “tail of the mill” make up the seventh ingredient.
They are, like wheat middlings, are a cheap by-product of cereal grain processing.
Wheat middlings are actually milling dust and floor sweepings, and are more commonly found in low-quality pet diets.
Filler food — harmless or potentially toxic?
Beet pulp is the eighth component. Beet pulp, a high-fiber byproduct of sugar beet processing, is a contentious component.
Some people dismiss beet pulp as a cheap filler, while others tout its gut health and blood sugar-lowering properties.
We’re merely bringing this up to draw your attention to the debate; we believe that beet pulp in modest proportions is perfectly suitable in most dog diets.
Yeast — why we approve of it
Brewers yeast, which can be a contentious element, is the ninth ingredient. This component is rich in minerals and other healthful nutrients, despite being a by-product of the beer-making process.
Fleas are said to be repelled by yeast, and the immune system is said to be supported.
Those who oppose the use of yeast say that it may cause allergies. This could be true, but only if your dog is allergic to the yeast in question (as with all allergies).
Furthermore, a loud minority believes that yeast can raise the risk of bloat, a potentially fatal illness. However, we haven’t been able to find any scientific evidence to back up this assertion.
Yeast can still be considered a nutritional supplement unless your dog has a specific allergy to it.
What’s more, brewers yeast includes roughly 48 percent protein, which must be taken into account when determining the real meat composition of this dog food.
The 1% that does make a difference
The list continues to include a variety of other stuff after this.
However, other than nutritional supplements, components this far down the list are unlikely to have an impact on this product’s overall grade.
With the exception of six noteworthy exceptions…
Then there’s herring oil, which is naturally high in omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA. The bio-availability of these two high-quality fats to dogs and humans is the highest.
Herring oil should be deemed a praiseworthy addition depending on its freshness and purity.
Inulin, a starch-like substance made up of repeating units of carbs present in various roots and tubers, is also abundant in chicory root.
Inulin is a natural source of soluble dietary fiber that also serves as a prebiotic, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract of dogs.
In addition, taurine can be found in this cuisine. Taurine is an amino acid that is linked to the proper functioning of the heart muscle. Although taurine is not considered an essential nutrient in dogs, some have been shown to be low in this important component.
Minerals and fatty acids
Then there’s the fact that flaxseed is one of the best plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Flax seeds are high in soluble fiber if they’ve been ground into a meal first.
Flaxseed, on the other hand, comprises roughly 19 percent protein, which must be taken into account when determining the real meat composition of this dog food.
Chelated minerals, or minerals chemically linked to protein, are also included in this offering. As a result, they’re a lot easier to take in. Minerals that have been chelated are typically present in higher-quality dog diets.
Finally, selenium yeast is included in this recipe. This natural yeast supplement is considered a safer anti-cancer alternative to the more often used inorganic form of selenium (sodium selenite).
While you’re here, read more about dog nutrition: