Not all pet food is created equal — and some of it contains ingredients that would turn your stomach if you knew where they came from.
In the world of cheap, mass-produced dog food, there’s a term the industry rarely shares with customers: the 4 D’s. It stands for Dead, Dying, Diseased, or Disabled animals — and yes, shockingly, these are still being used in some pet foods today.
Animals that die on farms, suffer from illness, or are rejected from human consumption don’t just disappear, they are euthanised — and collected by large rendering plants. Alongside this comes: slaughterhouse waste unfit for sale, supermarket-expired meat (sometimes still in plastic or foam trays) as well as unidentified animal parts from various sources.
These are all rendered — cooked at extremely high temperatures — and turned into vague ingredients like meat meal, animal fat, or poultry by-product meal. Rendering is designed to kill bacteria and reduce moisture, but it comes at a cost.
-Heat-sensitive vitamins like A, B, and E are destroyed
-Proteins become harder to digest
-Healthy fats oxidize, becoming potentially harmful
-Toxins and drug residues, including euthanasia chemicals, may remain
What you’re left with is a low-grade, dry protein powder that’s cheap to make, but far less nutritious — and potentially harmful — for your dog.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about a little meat waste — it’s about a lack of transparency and putting profits over pets.
Feeding dogs food made from 4 D meats can lead to:
-Chronic digestive problems
-Skin allergies and inflammation
-Weak immune function
-Toxic buildup and unexplained illness over time
And worst of all — it breaks the trust between pet parents and the brands they rely on.
The good news is that you don’t have to fall for it. As a pet owner, be aware. Look for named animal proteins (chicken, beef, lamb) on pet food labelling. Avoid vague terms like meat meal, animal fat, or by-products. Choose human-grade, gently cooked meals or support transparent brands that proudly list ingredients you recognize and trust.
At DoggyBag we don’t hide behind industry loopholes. You wont find any by-products or vague meals. No 4 D’s — ever!
Just real, whole foods made from human-grade meats and fresh ingredients, cooked gently and frozen to lock in nutrition.
Because your dog deserves better — and you deserve the truth.
Paws Out!
Sara Lo