Canned dog food lack recommended nutrients, said Consumer Council

Consumer Council found 80 percent of canned dog foods have failed the internationally recommended levels of nutrients. 

The watchdog tested 20 models of canned or boxed wet dog food, with prices ranging from HK$7 to $47.5 per can or box.

Fifteen models are “complete pet food” meaning they are supposed to contain all the essential nutrients needed by a dog. While five are “complementary pet food”. 

More than 80 percent of the pet food tested, 16 items, recorded problems in the amount of micronutrients such as mineral content, which failed to comply with the recommended concentrations in pet food laid out by three pet food organizations from the US and Europe.

Three models of complimentary pet foods’ mineral contents - such calcium, iron, copper, manganese, zinc, and iodine contents - were relatively low.
They are “Applaws Natural Dog Food - Chicken Breast with Ham and Vegetables”, “FOREST Chicken Recipe in Jelly (Complementary food for Dogs & Cats)” and “KAKATO Premium Pet Food - Simmered Chicken with Fish Maw & Goji Berries”

Consumers are advised to feed complimentary dog food with "complete pet food" to provide a complete balanced nutrition for their dogs.

Two models of complete dog foods failed to meet the nutritional concentrations recommended by international organizations for four to five types of mineral.

They are “LILY'S KITCHEN Lamb Hotpot with potatoes, squash and carrots” and a model from “TOPVALU Best Price” for adult dogs.

“The Council reminds consumers that the tested pet food models were generally found to contain insufficient or excessive levels of copper and zinc. If their diet contains an excessive amount of copper or zinc, it may affect absorption of the other minerals,” citing the watchdog's press statement.

“If dogs fail to obtain a sufficient amount of zinc, it may cause hair loss and affect their skin condition. On the contrary, copper deficiency may cause anemia in the long run,” the Council added.

Furthermore, three models of complete pet food had a relatively low concentration of amino acids. The deficiency of essential amino acids may result in diseases and even impact cardiac health in the long run.