Came across this in my continuing research on foods to use.

Ethoxyquin is used as a preservative in the protein component of foods, especially fish and fish meal. It has not nutrition component. There is a years long debate as to whether it is causing major, life shortening illness in dogs. No study has researched the effect of long term exposure to this.

The problem is the labeling. If the dog food manufacturer adds the Ethoxyquin, then it must be listed. However, if the supplier of the protein adds it, then it does NOT have to be listed!

So the only way to know if it is in the food seems to be . . . if the company comes right out and SAYS their brand is ethoxyquin free.

Last September or so, I switched to Taste of the Wild kibble. Their foods contain this chemical. So I will be switching again.

There ARE quite a few companies that do not use it and do not buy from suppliers that use it. Here are foods which are E-free:
Orijen, Wellness, Solid Gold, Canidae, Nature's Variety, California Natural, Innova, Natural Balance, Fromm, Flint River Ranch, Pinnacle, Eagle Pack, Chicken Soup, Innova, California Natural, and Wysong and a few others.

Here is the link to one article on ethoxyquin. This one is rather short, and concise, which is why I choose to use this link:
http://www.wellpet.org/nutrition/ethoxyquin2.htm


This is a good page to bookmark for future use. Covers ingredients to avoid (& there are many):

The Dog Food Project - Ingredients to avoid
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index....badingredients