Preservatives to Avoid in Dog (Cat) Food and Treats – Unsafe, Toxic, Carcinogenic…

Preservatives used in pet food and treats are very detrimental to your dog’s and cat's health; negatively impacting your animal's quality of life and life-span. 
 
★ 5 min read
In this article:
  1. Six Synthetic Chemical Preservatives That Harm Your Dog's and Cat's Health
  2. Uses, Adverse Side Effects and Long-Term Damage
    1. BHA 
    2. BHT
    3. Ethoxyquin
    4. Sodium Metabisulfate 
    5. Propyl Gallate
    6. TBHQ 
  3.  Legal, Systematic Cruelty and Abuse 
  4. Protect Your Pet, Learn More
    1. Health Damaging Highly Processed Pet Food and Treats
    2. Species Appropriate Fresh, Whole Foods 

1.0 Six Synthetic Chemical Preservatives That Harm Your Dog's and Cat's Health

  1. BHA
  2. BHT
  3. Ethoxyquin
  4. Sodium Metabisulfite
  5. Propyl Gallate
  6. TBHQ
If you're feeding your dog or cat food or treats that include these preservatives – I recommend that you throw the product out immediately.

The properties that make these six chemicals ‘good’ preservatives are also responsible for serious health issues in dogs and cats (other animals and humans!)

The seven preservatives noted above are chemical-based preservatives used in many dog and cat foods and treats sold in…
  • Veterinarian Offices.
  • Pet Food Stores.
  • Grocery Stores.
  • Large Retail Stores.
 

These preservatives are added to pet food and treats to:
  1. Slow down the rancidification of fats and oils such as;
    1. Fats sourced from 4D animals, learn more here.
    2. Poor quality oils and fats such as GMO canola oil, soybean oil and undisclosed vegetable oils.
    3. Used oils and fats from restaurants. 
    4. Rancid oils and fats. 
  2. Prevent unwanted odors from rancidification.
  3. Stop degrading effects on colour and flavour.
These preservatives are very popular with pet food and treat manufacturers to protect their high profit margins at the expense of your companion animal's health and well-being. '

Chemical-based preservatives are of particular importance for companies that use rancid and poor quality meats, fats and oils.
 
When the manufacturer adds chemical–based preservatives such as BHA, BHT etc.
The well-meaning, uninformed, pet owner won’t smell how rotten the ingredients are.
The loving pet owner has no idea they're exposing their loved pet to illness and an early death.
In the mid 20th century (1950’s) the life-span of companion animals was twice what it is today; before the popularization of processed foods and associated food additives.

2.0 Uses, Adverse Side Effects and Long-Term Damage

2.1 BHA (Butylated Hydoxyanisole)

BHA is used as a preservative/stabilizer in:
  • Human and Pet Food
  • Packaging preservative, and
  • As a yeast de-foaming agent during food manufacturing
 Examples of Health Issues Caused/Triggered by BHA
  • Adversely effects brain function
  • Adversely effects behaviour
  • Allergies
  • Cancer – Liver and Stomach
  • Cell abnormality
  • Increased liver weight
  • As a toxin stored in fat BHA can definitely contribute to the formation of Fatty Tumors
BHA is a bioaccumulative substance (absorbed by the body at a faster rate than it can be eliminated by the body) - as a result it contributes to ongoing toxic loading of the body.

2.2 BHT (Butylated Hydoxytoluene)

BHT is used as a preservative/stabilizer in:
  • Human and Pet Food
  • Cosmetics
  • Electronic Transformers
  • Embalming Fluid
  • Packaging
  • Jet Fuel and other engine fuels and oils
  • Petroleum products
  • Pesticides
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Rubber
  • Soaps and detergents
BHT is a bioaccumulative substance (absorbed by the body at a faster rate than it can be eliminated by the body) - as a result it contributes to ongoing toxic loading of the body.

Examples of Health Issues Caused/Triggered by BHT
  • Biochemical and/or cellular level change
  • Allergies
  • Endocrine (hormone) disruption
  • Cancer of the liver and kidneys
  • Developmental toxicity
  • Fatty Tumors
  • Thyroid issues
 

2.3 Ethoxyquin

The other preservatives discussed in this article – if present in a dog or cat food/treat WILL be listed in that food item’s ingredient list.

Ethoxyquin is different than the other preservatives as you will NOT SEE ethoxyquin listed on the ingredients;

The reason for this exclusion from the ingredient list is that ethoxyquin is not added directly to the food or treat;
  • It is instead added to one of the ingredients in the food or treat product – specifically ethoxyquin is the preservative that is added to fish meal.
  • While not all companies use fish meal that contains ethoxyquin, many do use it.
Ethoxyquin is a deadly pesticide.
Ethoxyquin is an anti-oxidant used as a food preservative and a pesticide (called ‘Stop-Scald’). It is listed and identified as a hazardous chemical by OHSA. It has a rating of 3 on a scale of 1 to 6; with 6 indicating super-toxicity and requiring less than 7 drops to cause death. The containers that Ethoxyquin is stored and shipped in are marked with the word/symbol ‘POISON’. The US Department of Agriculture lists and controls Ethoxyquin as a pesticide.
Examples of Health Issues Caused/Triggered by Ethoxyquin
  • Allergic reactions
  • Behaviour problems
  • Bladder cancer, it has also been shown to cause
  • Cancer of the kidneys
  • Deformity in puppies
  • Infertility
  • Organ failure
  • Significantly increases the chance of stomach tumors
  • Skin problems
Ethoxyquin is a bioaccumulative substance (absorbed by the body at a faster rate than it can be eliminated by the body) - as a result it contributes to ongoing toxic loading of the body.

Learn more about ethoxyquin use and dangers.

2.4 Sodium Metabisulfite

Is used as a preservative in:
  • Human and Pet Food
  • Wine
  • Bleaching agent used in textile, pulp and paper manufacturing
  • Also used in chemical, film (movie and photographs), pharmaceutical industries and water/sewage treatment
Examples of Health Issues Caused/Triggered by Sodium Metabisulfite
  • Inhaled:
    • Coughing, shortness of breath
    • Allergic, asthma-like reaction
  • Ingested:
    • Abdominal pains
    • Diarrhea
    • Circulatory disturbance
    • Central nervous system depression
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting  
  • Sodium metabisulfite causes extreme allergic reactions in some sulfite-sensitive individuals (human, canine, feline) resulting in:
    • Bronchi-constriction
    • Shortness of breath
    • Wheezing, coughing
    • GI disturbances
    • Rapid swelling of the skin
    • Flushing, tingling sensation
    • Shock

2.5 Propyl Gallate

Commonly used in combination with BHA and BHT in the following products:
  • Human and Pet Food
  • Adhesives
  • Hair products
  • Lubricants
  • Gum and candy, etc
Examples of Health Issues Caused/Triggered by Propyl Gallate
  • Endocrine (hormone) disruption
  • Cancer 
  • Thyroid tumors
  • Brain tumors
  • Pancreatic tumors
  • Adrenal tumors
  • Prostate inflammation

2.6 TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone)

TBHQ  is sometimes combined with BHT, but may also be used alone as a preservative in the following products;
  • Human and Pet food
  • Cosmetics
  • Skin care products
  • Lacquers, Resins and Varnish
  • Explosives
Examples of Health Issues Caused/Triggered by TBHQ
  • Asthma
  • Cancer (stomach cancer)
  • Cellular level change causing DNA damage
  • Collapse
  • Delirium
  • Dermatitis
  • Endocrine disruption
  • Hyperactivity
  • Nausea
  • Rhinitis
  • Restlessness
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Vomiting

3.0 Legal, Systematic Cruelty and Abuse

I must admit that I find it strange - we have laws to protect our companion animals from cruelty and abuse perpetrated by an individual, but we allow and pay pet food manufactures to slowly kill our pet companions. 

An illogical situation if it were not for the human condition of greed - which then explains the reason for such extreme lack of ethics and morals as exhibited by the pet food industry. 

Man'kind' is not.
 
 

4.0 Protect Your Pet, Learn More

4.1 Health Damaging Effects of Highly Processed Pet Food and Treats 

Lean more about the health damaging effects of highly processed foods (dry, canned, wet pet food) and treats on your companion animal's short term and long term health.

4.2  Species Appropriate Whole Foods

For a detailed guide to species appropriate fresh and whole foods for your dog's and cat's diet and treats:
 
Holistic Diet, Nutrition, Wellness Services Tailored to Your Individual Dog and Cat

For information about my holistic diet, nutrition and wellness services, visit my holistic wellness services page.

Maintain good health | Address acute and chronic health issues | Pre and post surgery support and recovery

My holistic wellness services are available worldwide via video consultation.

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📱FaceTime | Facebook | Skype | WhatsApp

To set-up your holistic wellness consultation get in-touch via email, go to my contact me page.
 
Holistic Behavioral Services for Your Dog

For information about my holistic behavioral services, visit my holistic behavioral services page.

For dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds.

My behavioral services are available worldwide via video consultation.

🌎 USA | Canada | UK | Europe | Australia | New Zealand | Asia | South and Central America | Africa | UAE

📱FaceTime | Facebook | MS Teams | WhatsApp

To set-up your holistic behavioral session get in-touch via email, go to my contact me page.
 
Affiliations to Companies  
✓ None. 
✓ I don't sell food, supplements, or other products.
✓ I'm not aligned with any companies. 
 
Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld.

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