Providing proper nutrition for pets is important. Veterinarians provide nutritional assessments and guidance based on your pet’s unique needs.
However, it can be difficult to sort through all the claims made on food packaging. Read on to debunk 5 common myths about pet foods.
Foods Labeled “Primal” or “Holistic” Are Healthier
Veterinary nutritionists often hear from pet owners that “natural” or “holistic” foods are healthier. However, many of these pet food claims are simply marketing ploys. When it comes to a pet’s diet, the most important thing is not how natural or holistic a food is but whether the ingredients meet the nutritional adequacy standards established by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
A long list of fruit and vegetable ingredients on a pet food label doesn’t necessarily make the food healthier. It also doesn’t tell you how those nutrients were sourced or if they are useful to your pet. Many of these fruits and vegetables come from factory farms, where they may have spent the last part of their lives in a prison-like Confinement Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) being fed GMO grain while receiving vaccinations, dewormers, and artificial hormones.
When an ingredient in a pet food is labeled “meat meal” or “chicken byproducts,” it means that the meat used to make the food came from healthy animals that were slaughtered for human consumption or by-products of the slaughtering process such as cartilage and internal organs. Byproducts are a valuable source of protein in pet food and, unlike muscle meat, they contain all of the amino acids that pets need.
In addition, some pet foods are heavy on potatoes and other root vegetables or gourds like squash to give the food a high carbohydrate content. Carbohydrates are a source of energy and help with healthy gastrointestinal function. They are not necessary for dogs and cats because they can obtain all the carbohydrates they need from other sources in the wild. Check out the Pets Coupons Code for potential discounts and savings when choosing the right pet food for your furry friends.
Foods Labeled “All-Natural” Are Healthier
Veterinary nutrition can be confusing for many pet owners. The internet offers a wealth of tips and facts, but also plenty of misinformation. As a pet professional, it’s up to you to help cut through the clutter and make sense of it all for your clients.
“All-natural” is one of the most widely used claims on the packaging of pet food and other products. However, the term has no legal definition in the US. Anyone can put “all-natural” on their label and sell it to customers. Some foods that use this claim have stringent criteria and provide nutrient information on the package, but others are merely marketing ploys.
Some “all-natural” foods use chemical additives, like preservatives, to keep the food fresh and palatable. This can be true even if the food is otherwise healthy.
Some pet parents may think that any food with the word “all-natural” on the label is healthier than any other food. However, the Association of American Feed Control Officials defines “natural” as food with no artificial ingredients or preservatives. This is a loose definition that can include just about any ingredient, including meats and grain products.
A good rule of thumb is to read the fine print on the nutritional label. If the food is certified by AAFCO to meet a certain nutrient standard, it is likely healthy.
Some pet parents are concerned that any food with the word “all-natural” contains “byproducts,” which can include animal organs, bones, and entrails. But, the Association of American Feed Control Officials says byproducts are not considered “unnatural” and can provide a lot of valuable nutrients. In addition, using byproducts decreases land waste and helps to eliminate the release of unnecessary nitrogen into the environment.
Foods Labeled “Raw” Are Healthier
There are so many pet food options available that it can be overwhelming for pet owners to know what their pets should be eating. With new products and fad diets popping up all the time, veterinarians need to help pet owners cut through the confusion.
One of the most common myths that pet professionals debunk is the idea that foods labeled “raw” or “biologically appropriate raw” are healthier than other pet foods. These diets claim to provide a diet more akin to the wild animals that dogs and cats evolved from, focusing on raw meats, bones, and vegetables. However, multiple studies have shown that feeding pets a raw diet can lead to pathogen contamination, which poses health risks for both the pet and its human companions.
In the same vein, it is a myth that grain-free diets are more nutritious than other pet foods. In fact, according to the clinical nutrition team at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, grains are essential for pet health, bringing vitamins, minerals, fiber, and essential fatty acids. While many pet parents may think of these ingredients as fillers, they are important for a balanced diet.
Additionally, pet owners should be cautious of long ingredient lists that appear on pet foods. These ingredients often include a variety of fruits and vegetables, which can be beneficial for dogs in small quantities, but they can also deprive them of the nutrients that they need. Moreover, the use of fruit and vegetable ingredients in pet foods often adds more sugar to the food, which can be detrimental for diabetic pets. In some cases, the use of these ingredients can even lead to contaminated foods, such as the recent discovery of pentobarbital (a chemical used to euthanize animals) in canned dog foods.
Foods Labeled “High-Protein” Are Healthier
Protein is an essential nutrient for healthy pets. It helps build and repair cells, muscles, and other tissues, as well as create antibodies and hormones. But there’s more to a pet’s diet than protein. Pets need a balanced mix of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to live a happy, healthy life.
High-protein diets may be good for some dogs, especially those who burn a lot of calories through exercise. Working breeds and athletes require higher levels of protein to help them recover from exertion and build muscle quickly. High-protein foods can also be beneficial for underweight dogs because they are calorie-dense and can encourage better eating habits that contribute to healthy weight loss or weight gain.
When deciding whether or not to choose a high-protein food, it’s important to consider the quality of the protein as well as the quantity. The body can only process so much protein at one time, and excess protein will be excreted in urine. To avoid this, choose a food that uses premium sources of protein such as meats (including poultry, beef, and lamb), eggs, and dairy.
It’s also important to remember that a dog’s protein needs change with age. As they get older, protein may start to deplete faster than the body can replace it, and a high-protein diet may not be the best option for them. Talk to your veterinarian about what type of protein is best for your senior pet. They may benefit from moderately protein-rich food, or they may need a lower-protein diet to prevent kidney stress and protect their joints. Check out the PETstock Discount Code for potential discounts and savings when selecting the appropriate pet food for your senior furry companion.
Foods Labeled “Balanced” Are Healthier
Many pet owners choose diets that appear to be “balanced” by reading the ingredients on the label. While this practice is perfectly acceptable, veterinarians need to educate clients about what constitutes a balanced diet. The term “balanced” does not have a legal definition when it comes to pet food, and simply listing a variety of foods does not necessarily mean that the diet is healthy.
One example of a balanced diet is a sandwich, which includes proteins (from meat), carbohydrates, and fats. Proteins provide energy and structure, carbohydrates supply fuel, and fats contribute fatty acids and flavor to the meal. While it is true that a gluten-free diet is a balanced diet, eliminating grains would not be, as they provide vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids to the diet.
Another myth about balance is that high-protein diets are healthier for pets. While it is true that protein is a key nutrient for most animals, the body’s ability to process dietary proteins diminishes with age. A high-protein diet can also be hard on the kidneys, particularly in older dogs and cats.
Lastly, it is important to educate clients that there is no evidence that foods that are labeled “holistic” or “primal” are healthier than other foods. While there has been a recent report of dilated cardiomyopathy in atypical breeds with a grain-free diet, research has not confirmed this link, and avoiding grains does not make food more nutritious.
Additionally, raw diets are not considered a nutritionally sound option for most dogs and cats. These diets, which are often comprised of a variety of raw meats, bones, vegetables, and fruits, can expose pets to dangerous bacteria that can cause illness.
Conclusion
It’s important to be aware of the common myths surrounding pet food. By debunking these myths, we can provide our furry friends with the nutrition they need to thrive. Remember, not all pet food is created equal, so it’s important to do your research and consult with your veterinarian to ensure you are feeding your pet the best possible diet. With the right knowledge and care, we can help our pets live happy and healthy lives.
