Dyes, or artificial colors, are common in lower quality brands of dog food. There are several risks and concerns with dyes that you should be aware of. Most dyes and artificial colors are being used less and less frequently, especially the higher up the quality list you go.
Why does this matter? Will dyes hurt your dog? In this article, we will examine the effects dyes and artificial colors can have on dogs and how to avoid foods that contain them. We will then give you the best dye free dog foods for all life stages.
Here is the list of the most notable dye free dog foods on the market today, for all life stages. It should be noted that most of the brands on this list don’t ever use artificial colors or dyes in any of their formulas.
However, if you select a different recipe you should always check the ingredient list prior to purchase, just to be on the safe side. Always choose natural dog food brands.
Ollie's meals are cooked on low heat, to preserve the nutrients, in a kitchen to pass human standards. Each of their recipe is even safe for humans to consume!
Ollie is a company that was developed with your dog’s health and longevity in mind. It is an alternative to many of the prepackaged foods available on the market that offers preservation of nutrients via minimal processing to deliver only the freshest ingredients straight to your door. It is crafted with wholesome ingredients to provide meals that are not only highly palatable, but also good for your pup’s health.
Ollie has several recipes available for your pup to try. One of the most popular recipes is the beef dish. Their beef recipe includes organ meats for an extra amount of nutrients. It also includes peas to support skin, heart, and eye health and sweet potatoes to deliver essential minerals and fiber for digestive support.
They do a fantastic job of providing appetizing, wholesome nutrition to your furry companion without any common allergens. When ingredients are wholesome, they are already packed with flavor and do not require any additives, like artificial flavors.
What Customers Like:
The ingredients are the highest quality and taste amazing
Little waste as most dogs cannot wait to eat
Easily digested for proper nutrition absorption and energy
Common Complaints:
Can easily be overeaten, careful portioning must be administered
Storage for freshness is difficult
2. American Journey L.I.D. Lamb and Sweet Potato
First 5 ingredients: Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Peas, Sweet Potatoes
The company is quickly making a name for itself in the industry by using high quality ingredients and a limited ingredient list. This lamb recipe is not only free from color it is also potato and chemical free.
American Journey is quickly making a name for itself with high quality ingredients and a minimal ingredient list. The Lamb and Sweet Potato recipe is not only dye and color free it is also chemical and potato free. Even fussy eaters tend to gravitate towards the bowl when it’s filled with any flavor from American Journey.
What Customers Like:
Easily mixed with wet food toppers for added nutrition
Smaller kibble for most breed sizes
Added vitamins and minerals promote healthy growth
Common Complaints:
Without much starch, mixing with water can break down the kibble quickly
Some food may be left over during meal time as it can fill bellies fast
3. Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Formula
First 5 ingredients: Salmon, Ocean Fish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Peas
The company offers a myriad selection of flavors and recipes with their proteins being locally sourced from trusted farms. This recipe utilizes ocean fish and salmon from the Pacific Regions of the US, plus veggies and fruits.
Taste of the Wild offers a wide range of flavors and recipes with their proteins being source form the local regions on the name.
Wild Pacific Stream uses salmon, ocean fish and salmon meal as well as fruits and vegetables from the Pacific regions of the United States. The never use dyes or coloring in any of their recipes, much like most others on this list.
What Customers Like:
Great flavors with no artificial additives, colors or dyes
Easily digested, promoting nutrient absorption and growth
Mixes well with water or tin food for topping
Common Complaints:
Kibble can be too large for smaller breeds
Finicky eaters may not like all the flavors
4. A Pup Above Porky Porchetta
First 5 ingredients: Pork, Pork Heart, Sweet Potato, Yellow Pea, Red Lentil
A high-quality, slow-cooked dog food made with real, all-natural ingredients, packed with nutrients to provide a delicious and wholesome meal for dogs.
Indulge your pet's taste buds with the savory flavors of A Pup Above Porky's Porchetta! This delicious culinary creation combines the best of both worlds – the classic Italian porchetta and the wholesome goodness of high-quality, human-grade dog food.
Made with real, all-natural ingredients, this premium dog food is slow-cooked to perfection, resulting in a mouthwatering meal that will have your furry friend begging for more.
With a protein-rich recipe that includes pork, cranberries, and veggies, A Pup Above Porky's Porchetta is packed with nutrients to keep your pup energized and healthy.
Treat your four-legged companion to a culinary adventure with a culinary delight that's sure to have tails wagging!
What Customers Like:
Convenient to prepare
Made with real, all-natural ingredients
Non-GMO veggies and fruits used
Slow-cooked for more flavor
No artificial additives
Packed with essential nutrients and minerals
Common Complaints:
A bit expensive
May not be readily available in all locations
5. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Turkey & Chicken Puppy Formula
First 5 ingredients: Turkey, Chicken Broth, Chicken, Chicken Liver, Potatoes
A great option for puppies that need a hydration in their meal. Not only is it dye and color free, it is also protein-packed, plus vegetables, minerals and vitamins to help your puppy grow healthy and strong.
Blue Buffalo comes in again on the list as a great option for puppies that need a canned food in their diet. Not only is it dye and color free, it is also packed with protein rich meats, vegetables and vitamins and minerals to help your puppy grow strong, healthy and properly.
What Customers Like:
Easily portioned, stored and served
Can mix with dry foods as a topper
Flavors are rich and all breeds seem to love them all
Common Complaints:
Some of the ingredients are larger and are often eaten around, leaving waste
Can lead to obesity with high crude fat if not portioned
6. Chicken Soup for the Soul Mature Formula
First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Turkey, Salmon, Chicken Liver
This canned meal is perfect food aimed towards mature dogs. The formula only uses the best ingredients, sourced naturally and include not only proteins and grains, buy berries, vegetables and other fruits as well.
Chicken Soup Mature wet is also perfect food aimed towards senior dogs. Their formulas only use the best ingredients, sourced naturally and include not only proteins and grains, buy vegetables, fruits and berries as well.
What Customers Like:
Easily mixed with dry food for better consistency in older mouths
Digests quickly for better vitamin absorption
Helps promote activity and health in the later years
Common Complaints:
Does contain milk, which should be watched or vet approved
Not all flavors are liked by all dogs
Are Dyes in Dog Food Bad?
In almost all instances the answer to the question “are dyes bad for my dog?” will be yes. In this case, it is always better to err on the side of caution. While not every breed, nor indeed every dog within a breed, will have adverse effects from dyes, it is highly possible.
While we won’t sit here and tell you that a bowl (or even a 25-pound bag) of food that uses dyes will harm your dog, over time, it can. There are other effects of dyes that can affect dogs without being medically relevant, too. Let’s look at what food dyes do.
Allergies
By and far, the most common side effect attributed to food dye is allergies. A lot of dogs are allergic to the compounds used to create the food coloring and as a result, will have allergic reactions. As you can imagine, this is a very dangerous side effect.
To compound the problem, some breeds (and again, individual dogs within a breed) can develop this allergy over time. So while you don’t see any effects after the first few bags of dog food, you could well get a reaction with the next one. Let’s just hope you are home if this happens.
Hyperactivity
Just like the case with children, dogs too can become hyperactive after consuming food dyes and artificial colors. The main problem here is that some dogs are naturally hyperactive and have a higher heart rate and metabolism.
When this condition presents, the dog will be more active, energetic and burn through calories. Not to mention the increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Because the metabolism is also kicked into a higher gear, the food won’t last as long in the system, making the dog hungry, eating more and repeating the cycle.
In extreme and severe cases, the hyperactivity can cause heart complications as well, especially in smaller breeds that have a faster heart rate naturally.
Fur Discoloration
One of the non-medical conditions that often occurs is the discoloration of the dogs’ fur. While the dyes will rub off on almost every dog, light-colored fur is the most susceptible. This is especially true around the muzzle, face and front paws of the dog which gets the dye while eating.
In some cases, depending on the breed, the fur color and the amount ingested, discoloration can become noticeable in the body and legs as well.
Tumors
While it hasn’t been scientifically established in canines, the threat of tumor growth from dyes is known in humans. It only makes sense that the threat is real for our furry friends as well. Even if it isn’t proven, yet, why take the risk?
Tumors in dogs are more difficult to diagnose before they become a problem (mainly because they can’t tell if something hurts or is wrong, like a child or adult can). However, if the risk is there, it should be avoided if possible.
What to Look for on the Label
When you examine the ingredient list, all dyes and artificial coloring must be listed. This makes it easier to identify if you know what to look for. This list of natural and artificial dyes and colorings is far too broad in size and scope for an article of this nature. Instead, we will focus on the most harmful and notable ones to look out for:
If you see any of these on the list, you will know that the food has dyes included. If there is a natural dye, such as caramel, or annatto, it will also be listed. In these cases, the term “natural” dye will also be presented, usually in parenthesis.
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An individual with a profound affection for animals, who was brought up in an environment surrounded by dogs, cats, and chickens. A self-taught enthusiast in the realm of pet care. At present, the proud caretaker of two rescued felines and two lovely mixed-breed canines.
