Lard is the rendered fat of swine. (AAFCO, 2003) Natura.com states that “Industrially-produced lard is rendered from a mixture of high- and low-quality fat sources from throughout the pig. It is typically hydrogenated (which produces trans fats as a by-product) and often treated with bleaching and deodorizing agents, emulsifiers and antioxidants, such as BHT. Such treatment makes lard shelf stable.” It is for these reasons that lard should not be in pet food.