| Whether it’s weeding through the “prescription” diets offered or just understanding the difference
between raw food and dry food, separating the fact from the fiction will go a long way in letting
your pet enjoy a happy, healthy life. Here are the top 10 food myths that we hear
and the truth behind them.
MYTH #1. The best foods are those by veterinarians
While large brands sold in veterinarian’s offices may be marketed as premium, top of the line foods, one
look at the ingredients tells a different story. These formulas, made by large conglomerate food
manufacturers, derive far more protein from grains or grain by-product sources such as corn gluten meal,
brewer’s rice, and wheat, than from healthy meat sources. These brands, and so many like them found
in grocery stores, also contain poultry by-product, which consists of the leftovers unfit for human
consumption, like feet, beaks, undeveloped eggs, and intestines; everything BUT clean meat. It’s a
cheap, low quality source of protein that is far less digestible than clean chicken meal. These ingredients
are a tell-tale sign of poor quality food and are no different than discount brands at the grocery store.
Although the formulas may contain a few specialized ingredients to position them as a special diet for
health conditions such as joint support, urinary tract health, etc., a better way to treat these conditions
is with a truly healthy food and one or more daily supplements. When looking for the best food, meat
and a named meat, like chicken or lamb, should be listed before any grains. The word “meal” appearing
after the meat, also indicates these proteins have been cooked at high temperatures for long periods.
Look for meat ingredients that that are not followed by the word “meal.” Our dogs and cats are designed
by nature to eat protein from meat sources, not grains. The high grain content of many pet foods is a
primary contributor to the growing obesity and allergy problems in pets (this does not mean that all grains
are bad for dogs and cats; see myth #7). For more information on selecting a truly premium food for
your companion, see our articles, “Quick Guide to Natural Pet Foods,”
and “What You Need to Know About Your Pet’s Food.”
MYTH #2. Dry food cleans your dog’s and cat’s teeth
This one is very common, even among some veterinarians, but it is most definitely not true. Dogs and cats
have very pointed teeth; even their molars are sharp edged, not flat. These teeth are designed to bite,
tear, and chew raw meat, so when a dog or cat eats kibble, they either swallow it whole or shatter it.
Kibble does not scrape down onto the lower parts of the teeth or near the gums, which is where
dental problems start. In fact, kibble can contribute to dental problems when the shattered bits lodge
between the teeth, promoting bacterial growth. Just like with your diet, carbohydrate food debris breaks
down into sugar, which dental bacteria feeds upon. Sugary carbohydrates in food leave bacteria in the
| mouth creating plaque and calculus. “Dental care for dogs and cats is vitally important because poor dental health
can lead to chronic disease conditions.” |
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However, kibble isn’t going to help. Healthy teeth start with a natural diet, healthy chews, and
regular brushing. Please see our article, “Dental Healthcare for Your Companion,” for detailed
information on caring for your four-legged friend’s teeth.
MYTH #3. Pets need life stage appropriate diets, like puppy, kitten,
and senior formulas
Life stage diets were created as a marketing tool: the more formulas manufacturers develop the more
shelf space they command. While it is true that puppies and kittens need more food for their size than
adults, they don’t need a specially formulated puppy or kitten diet. A high-quality, varied diet is the best
option for your young pets. For puppies this can include dry food, canned, , dehydrated, and raw food.
For kittens, kibble is not recommended to be a large portion of the diet as it can contribute to
dehydration, urinary tract issues and less than optimal health over time. Cats are obligate carnivores,
meaning they eat mostly meat and very little carbohydrates. High meat, are a good option if you’re
supplementing with kibble. #Feeding younger animals more frequent meals, like 3 times per day, is
helpful while they are in their biggest growth phase. After three or four months of age, two meals per
day is sufficient for most animals. Puppies and kittens should be kept slim, just like adult animals; keep
an eye on your little companion’s waistline and don’t let them get round. #Senior animals tend to slow
down as they age, so while their calorie requirements may shrink, their need for the healthiest food you
can provide is never greater. As animals age, they require excellent nutrition to keep their immune
system as strong as possible and their joints in good working order. Continuing to feed a high quality,
varied diet is the best thing you can do, just feed a little less of it; older dogs and cats are the most
susceptible to the many health issues hat obesity an contribute to, including diabetes, arthritis, and urinary
tract problems.
| MYTH #4. Table scraps and other “people foods” are bad for your dog and cat
Most holistically trained veterinarians encourage the practice of feeding “people food” to our pets.
Healthy leftovers are an excellent supplement to your companion’s regular fare. “There are only two
rules with people food for pets: 1) It must be healthy for them: meat, steamed and finely chopped
veggies & fruits, baked sweet potato, rice, oatmeal; no junk food; and 2) If you give them some of what you are eating, remember to feed less of their own food so that they don’t put on extra pounds.” It’s important to note that not all healthy foods for us are healthy for our pets: onions, grapes and raisins can all be toxic to dogs and cats. If you’re not positive it’s safe, don’t feed it.
MYTH #5. Your dog and cat should only eat food labeled as “complete and balanced.”
Pet food companies have a pretty big interest in perpetuating this myth. Is every meal you eat complete
and balanced? Even the most health-conscious among us don’t worry about meeting the proper balance
of nutrients at every meal. We know that over the course of the day or week our diet will be fairly
complete, so we don’t have to worry about eating exactly what the food pyramid recommends on a daily
basis. Many of us take vitamins and supplements to fill in any gaps because even eating a very healthy
diet of whole foods may not provide all the vitamins and minerals our body needs to stay healthy. Variety
is the key to a healthy diet for dogs and cats as well. Adding canned, raw or cooked meats, people food,
fresh vegetables or other non-formulated foods to your companion’s meals will boost the overall nutrition
of the diet as long as it is not overdone. Providing a daily multi-vitamin adds extra insurance. One
caveat here: meat is higher in phosphorus and lower in calcium, so when adding more than 15 – 20%
extra meat to your companion’s diet on a regular basis, keep the calcium and phosphorus ratio balanced
over time by including raw bones or adding a calcium supplement. ***Pack10 Natural & Organic Pet
foods uses natural egg shell calcium in their meals & treats.
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MYTH #6. Feeding raw food is dangerous due to the risk of Salmonella and E. Coli
The digestive tracts of dogs and cats are very different than those of humans. The human digestive tract
is approximately 25 to 28 feet long with a stomach acidity between 1.5 and 2.5, whereas dogs and cats
have a much shorter digestive system at an average of 10 to 13 feet for dogs (shorter for cats) with an
acidity of less than 1. This means that raw food moves through your pet’s system in less than half the
time it would through a human’s system, and the high acidity kills most bacteria. Even if the food was
contaminated, it is likely that the microbes would not enter the animal’s bloodstream. Commercially
prepared raw food manufacturers take measures to control against the presence of unwanted organisms
such as salmonella and e. coli, so if you’re concerned about contamination, frozen raw diets are a good
option. If you eat meat, then you are aware of the precautions to take when handling raw meat. The
same precautions apply to raw pet food: wash bowls, utensils and your hands after feeding and handling
the meat. Keep the meat frozen until two to four days before feeding, and thaw in the refrigerator.
Don’t leave the food down for your pet for more than 30-40 minutes, and throw any leftovers away after
this time. If you use common sense, feeding raw food is no more difficult or dangerous than any other pet
food, and the health benefits are unparalleled. For more information see “All About Raw Food” in
our article archives.
MYTH #7. High protein diets are hard on your pet’s kidneys, especially
as they age. This myth is a result of the poor quality food manufacturers. The truth is that
high plant protein diets are hard on your pet’s organs; high animal protein diets aren’t only
healthy for your aging pets, but essential. Poor quality, mass produced pet foods are packed with
protein from soy and corn. Unfortunately, your dog and cat are unable to properly digest and
assimilate these sources of protein. It lets the food manufacturer boost the protein content of
the food without actually offering your pet any substantial protein they can use. High plant protein
diets can put added strain on your pets because their bodies aren’t designed to process those
ingredients. As they try to assimilate protein from these sources, their organs need to start
working overtime.
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“Animal protein is hugely important to our pets throughout their entire lives. High quality protein from actual
meat sources contains important amino acids that your pets need to thrive.” |
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Fish has been proven to cause urinary inflammatory disease in cats and can be deadly (particularly in male cats), by inflaming and blocking the urethra. Pack10 does not use fish by-product in any K-9 or Feline meals/treats.
