What are artificial colors and dyes in pet foods?
Coloring agents are often added to pet foods to modify the appearance of highly processed foods, providing an artificial “rich and meaty” look in an attempt to make the food appear more appealing to pet owners. Even pet brands that market themselves as healthy and holistic are guilty of using artificial colors, including Purina Beneful. Many of the artificial coloring agents used in dog foods have been associated with potential problems. FD&C Red No. 40 is a possible carcinogen but is still widely used to keep meat looking fresh. Blue No. 2 is thought to increase dogs’ sensitivity to viruses. Another color that is commonly used but that has not been fully tested is Yellow No. 5. Both Red No. 2 and Violet No. 1 were banned by the FDA in the mid-seventies as possible carcinogens but prior to that were widely used in pet foods. It’s important to remember that artificial food colors or dyes used in pet foods are not for the benefit of dogs or cats — they’re simply added to satisfy the pet
