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Food For Thought™ Technical Bulletin No. 58R
Innovative Research in Dog and Cat Nutrition™ |
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What is chicken by-product meal?
Chicken by-product meal is an excellent source of protein since it naturally contains each of the amino acids essential to carnivorous animals, such as dogs and cats. Our products contain only refined chicken by-product meal, which is the highest quality available. The refining process removes the poor quality proteins and excess ash often found in typical chicken meal and chicken by-product meal. This makes the protein more digestible. Because internal organs are a rich source of nutrients, the chicken by-product meal contains internal organs which add to the nutritional value of the food.
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Is corn difficult for animals to digest?
Whole corn, such as corn from the cob, might be difficult to digest. However, we use only high-quality corn that is finely ground to break up the outside covering of each kernel, then cooked at high temperatures. This process makes the corn meal in our foods highly digestible and an excellent carbohydrate source.
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Do your foods contain wheat?
Wheat flour is a high-quality carbohydrate source that is used in our biscuits for nutrition and as a bonding agent to prevent breakage. Wheat is also one carbohydrate used in our European dog foods as an energy source.
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What is ethoxyquin?
Ethoxyquin is an antioxidant that stabilizes fat and protects the nutrient value of the food, including the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Ethoxyquin has been proven to be safe and effective and is used in Eukanuba Veterinary Diets™ to protect the delicate fatty acids.
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How are your products preserved?
All of our dog and cat foods use a special preservative system of mixed tocopherols (vitamin E), rosemary, and citric acid.
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Are your diets low in sodium?
Sodium is an essential mineral for life and is not considered harmful, nor does it have a negative effect on blood pressure in normal, healthy dogs. Most of our products contain approximately 0.5% sodium. The sodium is balanced in proper proportions with the other vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
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Do your foods contain soy?
Our products do not contain soy. They contain very high quality animal-based protein sources. Soy protein isolate, a high-quality soy-derived protein source, is used in some Eukanuba Veterinary Diets™.
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Is there sugar in your food?
Sugar is not added to any of our food. The beet pulp included in the formulas is an excellent, moderately fermentable source of fiber, not a source of sugar. Beet pulp is the material which remains after sugar is extracted from sugar beets, not red beets.
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Do your dog foods have too much protein?
No. Some people believe that protein in dog foods beyond a certain level can cause kidney damage. No scientific research conducted to date indicates that protein is in any way involved in the development of kidney disease. Dogs eat primarily to meet energy requirements. For this reason, the nutrients in our foods are balanced with metabolizable energy levels that ensure that a dog's nutritional needs are met simultaneously with their energy needs. This helps prevent an excess or deficiency in nutrients. If a dog is overfed, it may gain weight, but will not suffer from kidney problems.
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Does fat in the diet cause high cholesterol?
High quality fat sources are an essential part of a dog's diet. Although dogs can have high cholesterol, it is not caused by too much fat in the diet. Dogs do not get hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis), as humans do. High cholesterol levels in dogs can be a result of liver or other internal problems. Fat provides energy for body processes, assists in maintaining an excellent skin and hair coat, helps in transporting fat soluble vitamins, and is important for palatability.
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What type of fat do you use in your products?
Depending on the formula, the food will contain either poultry fat and fish oil. These fats are easily digested and are very high quality fat sources. The type of fat included is determined by specific formula and the nutrients required to maintain proper protein and fat balances.
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What is the OmegaCOAT™ System?
OmegaCOAT™ is a unique system that is incorporated into all Eukanuba and Eukanuba Veterinary Diets products and provides a careful balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Eukanuba with OmegaCOAT¨ helps rejuvenate dry skin and promotes the healing process.
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My dog has red stains around his mouth and eyes. Are there any dyes in your foods?
There are no artificial colors or dyes in our foods. This color change around the eyes is due to a reaction of sunlight with a compound in the tears and saliva called porphyrin. Porphyrin turns red when light hits it; the color change can be blocked by certain antibiotics, reducing or eliminating the stains. Discuss this with your veterinarian.
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