Pet Food Myth Busters: Answering Common Questions Owners Ask

Pet Food Myth Busters:
Answering Common
Questions Owners Ask
About Pet Food

Lisa M. Freeman, Many owners make decisions about pet foods based not
DVM, PhD, DACVN on fact, but on the many current myths and misconcep-
Cummings School of tions that prevail. The first step to dispelling pet food myths
Veterinary Medicine is to be aware of what your patients are eating.
Tufts University
North Grafton, Massachusetts A complete diet history for every patient at every visit is important for a number of reasons.
Knowing what a patient is eating can help to diagnose health concerns—for example, if own-
ers are feeding an unbalanced homemade or vegetarian diet; foods with potential hazards, such
as raw meat diets (or other raw products, such as rawhides, bully sticks, or freeze-dried treats);
commercial diets that are not nutritionally complete and balanced; or diets manufactured by
companies with questionable nutritional and quality control protocols. The diet history also
can help to determine whether the current diet is optimized for maintaining health or, in the
case of animals with medical conditions, for helping to manage disease.

Critical Updates on Canine & Feline Health • 2015 NAVC/WVC Proceedings 25

Providing reliable In addition to collecting information on the search. Smaller manufacturers may have less
nutrition resources animal’s current diet, which includes the pet control over ingredient or final product
and helping food, treats, table food, rawhides, dental prod- quality, perform less laboratory testing, and
owners ucts, dietary supplements, and foods used to are less likely to employ full- or part-time
understand how administer medications, it also is important to veterinary nutritionists.
to make more make a specific recommendation about the an-
objective imal’s diet. This may be as simple as saying, Is the ingredient list a good way to
decisions about “You’re feeding an excellent diet to Fluffy and determine the quality of a pet food?
what they read or are keeping her in perfect body condition. Although ingredient lists are commonly
hear can help to Keep up the good work!” Supporting sound used by lay people to determine the quality
ensure their pets nutrition decisions can help to reinforce these of pet foods, this approach has many pitfalls
are receiving behaviors and makes it less likely that the and can be subject to intentional manipula-
optimal nutrition. owner will seek out nutritional information tion by the food manufacturer. Ingredients
from other less reliable sources. Conversely, if are listed on labels in order of weight, in-
the owner is feeding a diet that is not optimal, cluding water, so ingredients with high
make a specific recommendation for a more water content (like fresh meats and vegeta-
appropriate diet (or treats, supplements, etc) bles) are listed before similar amounts of dry
and explain why you’re making this recom- ingredients, even though they may con-
mendation. Providing reliable nutrition re- tribute fewer nutrients overall.
sources and helping owners understand how
to make more objective decisions about what Pets require nutrients, not ingredients. A
they read or hear can help to ensure their pets food full of great-sounding ingredients can
are receiving optimal nutrition. In addition, it be less nutritious than one containing less
is important for the veterinary healthcare team appealing (to people) ingredients. Some
to be prepared with answers to common ques- manufacturers may add ingredients to prod-
tions and to be able to debunk myths. Some of ucts solely for marketing purposes, to in-
the common questions owners ask are below.a crease the appeal of the food to consumers.
These ingredients may have unproven ben-
COMMON MYTHS efits, be present in miniscule amounts, and
What is the best food to feed my pet? provide nothing to the food but added ex-
Despite all the marketing claims to the con- pense. More ingredients also mean increased
trary, there is no best diet for all pets. Every quality control measures (and more time
pet is unique, so the goal is to find the best and expense) are necessary to ensure that the
food for the individual pet. Expense doesn’t finished product adheres to the desired nu-
necessarily equate with quality. Some inex- trient formulation.
pensive foods have years of rigorous scien-
tific testing behind them and some very
expensive foods lack vital nutrients or are
based on unsound science. Larger compa-
nies generally have more stringent quality
control protocols, employ expert nutrition-
ists and food scientists, and strive to increase
collective nutrition knowledge through re-

aModified from Tufts University’s Cummings School of Vet-
erinary Medicine Nutrition website: http://vet.tufts.edu/nu-
trition/faq/general_pet_nutrition.html).

26 Pet Food Myth Busters

My friend says that grains dients, the quality of by-products can vary, so it
are bad for dogs. Is this correct? is important to select manufacturers that have
Whole grains, rather than being fillers, con- stringent internal quality control standards.
tribute valuable nutrients including protein,
vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and I’ve heard that raw diets prevent There is
fiber to foods while helping to keep the fat substantial
and calories lower than if animal products and/or solve a lot of health problems evidence that
were used in their place. Even refined grains raw foods may
such as white rice can have beneficial health in pets. Is this true? be associated
implications depending on the type of food with nutritional
and the pet. Dogs and cats can efficiently di- Despite anecdotal reports from pet owners and deficiencies,
gest and use nutrients from grains. Allergies even some veterinarians, there is currently no bacterial and
to grains (and even to animal proteins such evidence that raw foods offer any benefits over parasitic
as chicken, beef, and dairy) are actually very cooked ones. There is substantial evidence, infections, and
uncommon in dogs and cats. however, that raw foods may be associated other health
with nutritional deficiencies, bacterial and par- concerns in pets.
It is becoming more common in the satu- asitic infections, and other health concerns in These foods also
rated pet food market for manufacturers to pets. These foods also pose potential risk to pose potential risk
perpetuate myths to sell products and in- people—especially those that are immuno- to people.
crease market share. Grain-free foods are compromised, such as young children, the eld-
often an example of this strategy. Many such erly, and patients receiving immune-modifying
products merely substitute highly refined drugs or who have cancer.
starches such as those from potatoes or tapi-
oca in place of grains. These ingredients Pets that eat contaminated raw foods have
often provide fewer nutrients and less fiber been demonstrated to shed viable pathologic
than whole grains while costing more. organisms in their feces, and it is likely that
areas that they frequent also are contaminated.
I read online that by-products can As numerous recalls and some pathogen sur-
include hair, hooves, and floor veys in the last few years have proven, all raw
sweepings. Is this true? meat, regardless of source, should be consid-
By-products are commonly vilified, often by ered to be contaminated until proven other-
pet food manufacturers that are trying to carve wise.
out market share for themselves. By-products
(mainly organ meats and entrails) often pro- In addition to food safety concerns, nearly
vide more nutrients than muscle meats on a all home-prepared raw diets and many com-
per-weight basis and are important compo- mercially available raw products are deficient
nents and even delicacies of human diets in in essential nutrients. It is also common for
other countries. The term by-product indicates commercial raw products to be very high in
that the ingredient is a leftover from animal car- fat, which may not be tolerated by some ani-
casses once the desirable (for Americans) mus- mals. Check the list of recommended websites
cle meat has been removed. The Association of at the end of this article for information about
American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) raw meat diets.
definitions of mammalian by-products specif-
ically exclude hair, hooves, horn, hide trim- Are home-cooked foods healthier for
mings, manure, and intestinal contents as well
as anything that is not specifically part of the my pet than commercial products?
carcass (eg, floor sweepings). As with all ingre-
High-quality commercial pet foods have
been tested over decades to provide adequate
nutrition for the dog or cat. With the ex-
ception of some pets with multiple or severe
health concerns, there is a commercial food
that is appropriate for every pet, and nutri-

Critical Updates on Canine & Feline Health • 2015 NAVC/WVC Proceedings 27

With the tional deficiency diseases are rare in pets that is important to reduce calories after surgery to
exception of are fed good quality commercial products. reduce the risk for obesity.
some pets with While home-cooked foods allow more con-
multiple or trol of ingredients and customization to the HELPING OWNERS TO
severe health specific pet, most home-cooked food recipes MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS
concerns, there are not formulated by a qualified veterinary ABOUT PET FOOD
is a commercial nutritionist and are vague and deficient in An owner’s decision about what to feed his
food that is multiple essential nutrients, making them or her pet has become a more complicated
appropriate for much less nutritious than commercial foods. question than it once was. There is no single
every pet, and “best” food for all pets because optimal
nutritional Even when the recipe is nutritionally bal- diet(s) depends on many factors, such as life
deficiency anced, there is no evidence that the average stage, body condition, exercise (or lack
diseases are animal receives better nutrition from a home- thereof ), environment, and health status.
rare in pets cooked food than a commercial food. For the Often owners base their decisions on mar-
that are fed vast majority of pet owners, commercial pet keting messages rather than objective nutri-
good quality foods offer the best nutrition with the most tional data. Although there are limitations,
commercial convenience and affordability. the information provided on a pet food label
products. can provide helpful guidance for making ob-
What is the best diet for a growing jective selections of appropriate foods. The
puppy or kitten? two most useful pieces of information on a
Growing kittens should be fed a kitten food pet food label are the nutritional adequacy
or an “all life stages” formula until 1 year of statement and the manufacturer.
age. Growing small- and medium-breed
puppies need a puppy or “all life stages” for- Nutritional Adequacy
mula until 1 year of age. Large- and giant- The AAFCO adequacy statement must be
breed puppies (adult size >50 lb) need a included on all pet food labels in the United
food specifically designed for large-breed States. This statement confirms three im-
puppies until 12 to 18 months of age. It is portant facts:
ideal if the product has passed AAFCO feed-
ing trials rather than merely being “formulated 1. Whether the diet is complete and bal-
to meet” the nutrient profiles for growth. anced. All over-the-counter foods should
Throughout growth, it is important to keep a be complete and balanced. If the state-
puppy or kitten lean to reduce risks for health ment reads “for intermittent or supple-
problems and to optimize its life span. Spaying mental use only,” it is not complete and
or neutering reduces calorie requirements, so it balanced. The product may be acceptable
as a veterinary therapeutic food to be used
for a specific purpose––eg, in a case of se-
vere kidney disease––but should be avoided
for everyday feeding.

2. If the food is complete and balanced, for
which life stage is it intended? AAFCO pro-
vides nutrient profiles and feeding trial re-
quirements for growth, reproduction, and
adult maintenance but not for senior/geri-
atric status. A food that is formulated to
meet the AAFCO profiles for all life

28 Pet Food Myth Busters

stages must meet the minimum nutrient and qualifications? Appropriate qualifica- If a manufacturer
levels for both growth and adult mainte- tions are either a PhD in animal nutrition cannot/will not
nance. or board certification by the American provide any of
3. How did the company determine that the College of Veterinary Nutrition or the this information,
food is complete and balanced? Labels European College of Veterinary Compar- one should be
may include one of two statements re- ative Nutrition. Who formulates their cautious about
garding nutritional adequacy: foods and what are his/her credentials? using that brand.
3. Where are their ingredients produced and
• “[Product name] is formulated to meet their food manufactured?
the nutritional levels established by the 4. What specific quality control measures do
AAFCO Dog (Cat) Food Nutrient Pro- they use to assure the consistency and
files for [life stage(s)].” This determina- quality of ingredients and the end prod-
tion is based either on the recipe or on uct? Examples include certification of a
analytic testing of the finished product manufacturer’s procedures (eg, by Haz-
(preferably the latter). ard Analysis and Critical Control Points,
Global Food Safety Initiative, or Ameri-
• “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO can Feeding Industry Association); test-
procedures substantiate [product name] ing ingredients and end products for
provides complete and balanced nutri- nutrient content, pathogens, and aflatox-
tion for [life stage(s)].” Feeding trial ins; materials risk assessments; and sup-
evaluation of food is the basis of this plier audits.
statement. While feeding trials help to 5. Can they (and will they) provide infor-
test for the food’s nutritional adequacy, mation on levels for any requested nutri-
they do not guarantee that the food pro- ent (protein, phosphorus, sodium, etc)
vides adequate nutrition under all con- for the dog or cat food in question? An
ditions. average/typical analysis is preferable as a
guaranteed analysis provides only the
In addition, I recommend that foods also be minimums or maximums and not an
selected based on the important criteria exact number. These values should ideally
below to help to ensure that the food is be given on an energy basis (ie, grams per
made by a reputable and knowledgeable 100 or 1,000 kilocalories) rather than on
company with strict quality control meas- an “as fed” or “dry matter” basis. The lat-
ures: ter two do not account for the variable
energy density of different foods.
THE MANUFACTURER 6. What is the caloric value per gram, can,
The manufacturer’s name and contact in- or cup of the food?
formation should be provided. The manu- 7. What kind of product research has been
facturer should then be contacted for conducted? Are the results published in
answers to the following questions: peer-reviewed journals?

1. If the product is tested using AAFCO nu- If a manufacturer cannot/will not provide
trient profiles rather than feeding trials, any of this information, one should be cau-
does it do so by formulation or by analy- tious about using that brand.
sis of the finished product? The latter is
preferable.

2. Do they employ a full-time qualified nu-
tritionist? What is this nutritionist’s name

Critical Updates on Canine & Feline Health • 2015 NAVC/WVC Proceedings 29

RECOMMENDED WEBSITES

Nutrition Guidelines Commercial Pet Food • Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
• World Small Animal Veterinary Association • Association of American Feed Control Regulatory and safety issues of dietary
supplements, adverse event reporting
Nutritional Assessment Guidelines Officials: Information on regulations, – fda.gov/food/dietarysupplements/
– wsava.org/educational/ labeling, and other important facts about default.htm
pet food
global-nutrition-committee – petfood.aafco.org/ • Mayo Clinic Drugs and Supplements
• American Animal Hospital Association • FAQs about pet foods Information: Fact sheets on human
– vet.tufts.edu/nutrition/faq supplements and herbs
Nutritional Assessment Guidelines • Federal Drug Administration (FDA) Pet – mayoclinic.com/health/
– aahanet.org/Library/NutritionalAsmt.aspx Food site: Information, links, food safety drug-information/DrugHerbIndex
issues, recalls, pet food labels, reporting
Tools for the Veterinary Health Care Team portal • National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of
• World Small Animal Veterinary Association – fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/Products/ Dietary Supplements: Evaluating
supplements, fact sheets, safety notices,
Nutrition Toolkit AnimalFoodFeeds/PetFood/default.htm internet health info
– wsava.org/nutrition-toolkit • Pet Food Institute: Information on – ods.od.nih.gov
• Pet Nutrition Alliance
– petnutritionalliance.org/ ingredient definitions, nutrition myths, • United States Department of Agriculture
labeling regulations (USDA) Food and Nutrition Information
Pet Nutrition – General Information – petfoodreport.com Center: General supplement and nutrition
for Pet Owners information, links to a variety of dietary
• National Research Council Home-Cooked Pet Food supplement websites
• Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine – fnic.nal.usda.gov/dietary-supplements
downloadable booklets: Your Dog’s
Nutritional Needs and Your Cat’s at Tufts University Nutrition Service • United States Pharmacopeia Dietary
Nutritional Needs Frequently Asked Questions Supplement Verification Program:
– dels.nas.edu/global/banr/petdoor – vet.tufts.edu/nutrition/faq Independent testing of dietary
• World Small Animal Veterinary Association • American College of Veterinary Nutrition: supplements (human supplements only)
Nutrition Toolkit (The Savvy Dog Owner’s Listing of board-certified veterinary – usp.org/dietary-supplements/overview
Guide to Nutrition on the Internet, The nutritionists who will formulate nutritionally
Savvy Cat Owner’s Guide to Nutrition on balanced homemade food recipes for Raw Meat Diets
the Internet, and Selecting the Best Food veterinarians and/or pet owners • Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
for Your Pet) – acvn.org
– wsava.org/nutrition-toolkit • BalanceIT: Commercial website that at Tufts University Raw Diet Fact Sheet
offers semi-customized balanced home- – vet.tufts.edu/nutrition/faq
Pet Nutrition – General Information cooked food recipes for pet owners with • Freeman et al. Current knowledge about
for Veterinarians (Nutrition Myths) healthy pets. Veterinarians can customize the risks and benefits of raw meat–based
• Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine preformulated recipes for animals with diets for dogs and cats. JAVMA 2013; 243:
medical conditions. 1549-1558 (free access).
at Tufts University Nutrition Service – balanceit.com – avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs/
Frequently Asked Questions
– vet.tufts.edu/nutrition/faq Dietary Supplements 10.2460/javma.243.11.1549
• Nestlé Purina Nutrition Myths • Consumerlab: Site (with a small
– purinaveterinarydiets.com/ Other
subscription fee for use) that • Ohio State Indoor Pet Initiative: Nutrition
healthandnutrition/myths/default.aspx independently evaluates dietary
• P&G Deciphering Fact from Fiction supplements (primarily for human and other tips for optimizing the indoor
supplements but some pet supplements pet’s environment
(co-written by Dr. Freeman) are included) – indoorpet.osu.edu/
– iamsvetformula.com/loadFactFrom – consumerlab.com • USDA Nutrient Database: Full nutrient
profiles on thousands of human foods
Fiction.do – nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search

30 Pet Food Myth Busters