I’m so close to being done with this year’s April blogging from A to Z challenge! I have to admit it’s been kind of a relief that finding dog food ingredients that start with what are usually some of the more challenging letters, like X, hasn’t been so hard.
This post is part of our 2023 April blogging from A to Z Challenge! Join us this month as we go through the alphabet, A to Z, learning more about some of the ingredients that are commonly (or not so commonly, in some cases) found in our dog’s food!
Post Contents:
What is Xanthan Gum?
Xanthan gum is created by fermenting the bacteria Xanthomonas campestris. This process creates a sticky, gummy substance that is then pasteurized, filtered, and dried. The final product is a white powder that is relatively neutral in smell and taste.
Why is Xanthan gum Added to Dog Food?
Xanthan gum is commonly found in wet or canned dog foods. It is a thickening agent that is used to maintain the texture of wet dog foods.
Cons of Feeding Xanthan Gum to Dogs:
In large doses, xanthan gum can cause GI upset in dogs. However, it is usually used in dog foods in small amounts. Some concerned owners point out that feeding xanthan gum hasn’t been heavily tested in dogs. However, it is an ingredient in quite a few commercial dog foods and doesn’t seem to cause any ill effects.
Xanthan gum is sometimes confused with xylitol, which is deadly for dogs.
Benefits of Xanthan Gum for Dogs:
Xanthan gum is added to dog food in very small amounts. It’s thought that it does contain some dietary fiber. It may have additional benefits such as helping to control blood sugar. However, any benefits potentially gained from consuming xanthan gum in dog food would likely be minimal thanks to the small amounts of the product that are used. Xanthan gum is used strictly as a thickening agent.
So What’s the Verdict on Xanthan Gum? Is it Safe as a Dog Food Ingredient?
Xanthan gum, especially in the small amounts it is present in dog foods, seems to be dog safe. Dogs would likely never be exposed to the amounts of xanthan gum that it would take to induce negative symptoms such as GI upset. Xanthan gum is a pretty neutral dog food ingredient. It doesn’t do any harm, but doesn’t add a lot to dog foods either. Its use as a thickening agent is more to make dog food look more appealing to humans than it is for the dogs. As I’m sure many dog owners can attest, most dogs don’t care too much about how their food looks.
Comment below! Have you ever noticed xanthan gum as an ingredient in your dog’s food?
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