10 Dog Food Myths Every Pet Owner Should Know

It is very common for dog owners to worry about what they are feeding their dogs. This situation is not helped by the amount of conflicting information online and in print media. It seems that everyone has an opinion on what is best to feed a dog and they do not agree! Here we look at 10 myths about dog food and provide you with the science behind the facts.

Before dogs were domesticated, they were predators and scavengers. They had a carnivorous diet but ate what they could get hold of. Once dogs started to live with humans, they lived off the scraps of human food that we allowed them to have. By the 1800s people were beginning to think more carefully about what they fed dogs so that they could get the best performance out of them. In the mid-1800s the first food made specifically for dogs was introduced. It was made from wheat meals, vegetables, and meat. By the end World War II, commercial dog food was widely available.

Owners have a lot of choice when it comes to what they want to feed their dogs. Dog diets can be broadly categorized as dry, wet (cans or pouches), semi-dried, dehydrated, freeze-dried, or raw. There are also specific formulations for the type of dog that you have including pups, seniors, nursing mothers, large breeds, and dogs with allergies. This is because different dogs have their own nutritional needs.

Whilst choice is a great thing, there is also the potential for it to lead to confusion. So, here we bust 10 myths about dog food so that you can make the best choices for your pooch.

Meat Is Preferable to Meat Meal

When it comes to protein content, meat meal is superior to meat. This is because meat meals have had the water and fat removed. Chicken meal therefore has a higher percentage of protein than chicken meat.

High Protein Diets Damage Kidneys

This myth stems from the fact that dogs with kidney failure have previously been advised to avoid high-protein diets. This is now debated. However, it has never been the case that protein actually causes kidney damage in dogs. It is perfectly okay to feed your dog a moderate level of high quality protein.

Dogs Should Not Eat Pork

The origins of this myth are hard to pin down but may be related to fat content, the poor diet of pigs, or the scarcity of pig meat – none of which are true! In fact, pork contains less fat than beef and is highly digestible by dogs.

Lamb Is Good for Dogs With Allergies

Not if they are allergic to lamb! This myth arose because lamb was historically not used in dog food and so it was a novel protein for dogs. They had not developed an allergy to it. However, lamb is now found in many dog foods and can trigger allergies in some cases.

Grain Is Bad for Dogs

It used to be claimed that grain-free diets are always better for dogs but that is a myth. Some dogs are allergic to grains but many are not. Also, a potential link between grain-free diets and heart disease in some dogs is being investigated.

Dogs Don’t Like a Varied Diet

All dogs have different tastes and some dogs will eat anything! If your dog has been raised on a varied diet they will continue to love it. Dogs who have only ever eaten one type of food may be initially reluctant to try something else. All diet changes in dogs should be carried out gradually.

Raw Eggs Make Your Dog’s Coat Shiny

There is nothing wrong with feeding your dog eggs – they contain plenty of protein, fat, and vitamins which are all needed for a healthy coat. Cooking may destroy some vitamins but also destroys harmful bacteria. Overall, there is no evidence that raw egg actually makes your dog’s coat more shiny.

Raw Food Is Best for Dogs

This may be the case for some dogs but not for all. There is no single ‘best’ raw diet and they can present a risk to some vulnerable dogs and owners because of the bacteria they contain. They also take more time and effort to do correctly.

Dogs Must Eat Meat

Dogs can actually digest a range of foods including fruit and vegetables. Whilst meat is an excellent source of protein for dogs, they can also get it from other sources. It is possible to feed dogs a vegetarian diet if you know what you are doing.

Homemade Dog Food Is Healthier

That depends on whether the person making it knows what they are doing! Homemade diets are great if you understand that there are numerous essential nutrients for dogs and you know how to incorporate them all, in the right amounts, into the meals that you are preparing.