You are what you eat! Common pet food myths debunked

Veterinary nutrition is an incredibly complex subject, and it can be tough to know what’s best for your pet. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation about pet food circulating on the Internet. We’ll debunk five of the most common myths about pet food, so you can make more informed choices for your pet’s health.

Myth #1: Foods labeled as “primal,” “holistic,” or “all-natural” are healthier.
Fact: Anyone can put these labels on almost any bag of pet food.
Terms like “primal” and “holistic” have no legal definition when it comes to pet food, so anyone can put these labels on their bags regardless of the quality of the diet or the ingredients used to make it! While the term “natural” does have a legal definition according to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), it encompasses such a wide range of ingredients that it is virtually meaningless. Terms like these are just marketing meant to grab your attention, so don’t fall for them!

Myth #2: Reading the ingredient list is the best way to choose a pet food.
Fact: The ingredient list tells you nothing about the quality of the food.
Many pet care websites like to rank pet foods based on their ingredients, but this is notoriously unreliable. Even a trained veterinary nutritionist cannot glean much useful information from the ingredient list alone because it does not provide any information about the sourcing, quality or quantity of ingredients used.

Myth #3: Homemade diets are healthier than commercial pet food.
Fact: Homemade diets are often not nutritionally complete and balanced.
A healthy diet for your pet must be nutritionally complete and balanced. Otherwise, your pet will not get all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients they need. Unfortunately, most homemade diets are missing some essential nutrients, which can lead to health problems in the long run. If you really want to feed your pet a homemade diet, it’s best to consult a board certified veterinary nutritionist first to develop a recipe that will meet all of your pet’s needs.

Myth #4: A raw diet is more natural for pets.
Fact: There is no proven benefit to feeding raw, but there are many risks!
To date, researchers have not identified any significant benefits to feeding raw diets vs. traditional pet foods. However, raw diets do carry a significant risk of bacterial contamination. Pets eating raw diets can also shed the bacteria in their saliva, posing a significant risk of infection to their human family members. 

Myth #5: You should choose your pet food based on the bag.
Fact: Research your products and ask your veterinarian for recommendations to choose the best food for your pet.
Your veterinarian is your best resource to help you choose a diet that is best for your pet’s life stage, activity level and overall health. You can also do your own research on your pet’s diet by working through this list of pet food questions recommended by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association.

Browse our large selection of veterinarian-approved food to find the best option for your pet >>