Pet Food Myths

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There are many pet food diets to choose from. Labels can be confusing, wording misleading, and prices daunting.  Don’t let the commercials and hype around different brands of pet food mislead you. Just because a product is more expensive does not always mean it is a better quality. Ask your veterinarian for a diet recommendation today.

MYTH: Corn is just filler.

A filler is an ingredient providing no nutritional purpose. Corn is NOT a filler. Corn is a nutritionally superior grain compared with others used in pet food. It contains nutrients not found in other grains and includes:

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  • Essential fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
  • Beta-carotene, vitamin E and lutein – nature’s antioxidants
  • Highly digestible carbohydrates for energy
  • Quality proteins for muscle and tissue growth

You’ll be interested to know that protein in corn is more digestible than rice, wheat, barley or sorghum.

MYTH: By-products are low-quality ingredients.

A by-product is something produced when making something else. For example, a by-product of soybean processing is vitamin E. Other food by-products include vegetable oils, beef bouillon and gelatin.

MYTH: I want an all natural pet food.

All natural means that all the ingredients came from nature at one time without chemical alteration.  Coal, oil, feathers, and hemlock would all qualify.

MYTH: Raw foods help pets live longer.

Feeding raw meat, eggs and bones pose dangers for your pet because of excessive levels of nutrients like protein, calcium and phosphorus. These foods also increase the risk of broken teeth, gastrointestinal issues and exposure to bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella.

MYTH: Dogs are carnivores (meat eaters).

Dogs are actually omnivores (eat both plants & animals).  They need both plant and animal material as a normal diet.

MYTH: Holistic pet diets are better for my pet.

There is no legal definition of holistic under the laws devoted to pet foods.  Any manufacturers can make a claim of “holistic” in literature and brochures regardless of ingredients chosen.