Preservatives used in dog food do not cause cancer or any other harm. The high fat content in most dog foods would cause rapid spoilage if preservatives were not added, and such deterioration would be harmful.

Occasionally, a dog may be allergic to a nutritional ingredient in the food such as corn, soy bean or chicken. Food allergies can be determined by the process of elimination or by tests done by your veterinarian.

The best brand of dog food depends on your dog's activity level and coat type. There are more than 300 pet food manufacturers in the United States. Read the labels and take your pick.

Author(s): McLennan, Bardi
Publication: Dog Fancy
Issue Date: April 1995