If you’ve been wondering about GMO ingredients in dog food, you’ve come to the right place. 

When you better understand what GMO ingredients are and what the research shows about their safety, you can make more informed decisions about how to feed your canine companions.

What Are GMOs?

GMOs, or "genetically modified organisms," are any living organism thats genetic makeup has been altered in a lab through genetic engineering. When something is genetically modified, its genes are changed in such a way that is impossible to achieve through cross-breeding or other conventional methods.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), some of the top reasons GMOs are developed include lowering costs, increasing yields, and enhancing nutritional benefits. For example, many crops are genetically modified to be more resistant to common plant diseases, viruses, and insects. This results in bigger crop yields — which can increase supply, boost sustainability, and drive down food costs overall.

Are Genetically Modified Foods Bad for Dogs?

The idea of organisms being genetically altered in labs may sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but the reality is that GMO use is widespread in the United States (and has been for a long time).

More than likely, you've heard concerns about GMO ingredients and their potential risk to humans and animals. Some worry that consuming food made from genetically modified ingredients may have negative health consequences, ranging from an increase in food allergies to the disruption and mutation of DNA. 

In our 2021 Impact Report, we dive deeper into the current research on GMO ingredients and their potential impact on animals. In one study, hogs that were fed a genetically modified diet had considerably more stomach inflammation than a group fed a strict non-GMO diet.

GMO ingredients can also have a negative impact on the environment and food supply chain, affecting biodiversity and potentially contributing to the overuse of some herbicides. 

According to the Non-GMO Project, GMO crops now make up more than 90% of cropland in the United States. Unfortunately, as more and more crops are genetically modified to suit consumers' "needs," this throws off the natural biodiversity that the ecosystem needs not just to thrive — but for long-term, basic survival.

Common Genetically Modified Ingredients

Today, many of the ingredients found in food made in the United States have been genetically modified in some way. Some of the most common GMO ingredients found in today's dog food brands include:

• Corn
• Soy
• Canola Oil

Looking to avoid GMO ingredients in dog food? At The Honest Kitchen, we never use GMO ingredients — and our human grade pet food is always free of corn, wheat, and soy.

Why You Should Consider Human Grade Dog Food

With so much uncertainty about what GMO ingredients can do to our pets, it’s worthwhile to look into GMO-free dog food. As you explore your options, however, choosing the best dog food goes beyond eliminating GMO ingredients. 

To truly nourish your dog's wellness while treating them to the flavors they love, we recommend looking for a human grade dog food that uses only the highest quality ingredients.

Human grade dog food is made only with ingredients deemed fit for human consumption. This means that your dog's food is made to the same production, processing, and packing standards as the food you buy for yourself.

Why is this beneficial to your dog? 

For starters, reliable human grade dog food companies like The Honest Kitchen contain high-quality natural ingredients — and no harmful additives.

Our human grade dog food recipes are also loaded with the same kinds of foods that you'd like to eat for yourself:

• Sweet potato
• Brown rice
• Blueberries (a great source of antioxidants)
• Free range chicken
• Flaxseed (rich in both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids)
• Lentils
• Chickpeas
• Venison
• Superfoods
• Whole grains
• Ancient grains

Likewise, human grade dog food doesn't contain artificial preservatives that aren't fit for human consumption:

• Ethoxyquin
• Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)
• Propylene Glycol

Unfortunately, these artificial preservatives are commonly found in feed grade dog food, and some research suggests that they can increase the risk of cancer and organ damage.

Try The Honest Kitchen Today

As a pet parent, you likely closely scrutinize the pet food you buy to ensure your canine companion is getting the best of the best. 

In addition to avoiding GMO ingredients, human grade dog food options can help you rest assured that your dog’s food is made to the exact same standards as the food you’d buy for yourself.

At The Honest Kitchen, we take great pride in our human grade pet food for all life stages that never contains by-products, artificial colors, artificial flavors, or artificial preservatives. 

Our recipes are made in the USA and contain only the highest quality, thoughtfully sourced ingredients for our pet food recipes: no corn, soy, wheat, GMO ingredients, or fillers here. In fact, in 2021 alone, we purchased more than 15 million pounds of non-GMO produce!  

We offer food for dogs of all sizes and lifestyles, including small-breed and large-breed recipes to suit your pup's needs. Shop our selection of dry dog food, wet dog food, dehydrated dog food, dog treats, toppers, and more to see The Honest Difference for yourself!