The food a pet owner gives their dog affects all aspects of that pet’s life and health, including their coat, energy level, and well-being. This makes it no surprise that loving canine owners search quite a bit to find the best possible food for their pets. However, just like wellness and health fads in the people world, there are some veterinary crazes that may not be the best option for dogs. While there is more information and help at vetnaturals.com, it’s also a good idea to get to know the most common dog food myths are. This is the best way to avoid falling for them.
1. Myth: Grain-Free Diets have More Protein
When something because a fad or trending with people, it may become a fad with their pets, as well. Animals have different nutrient requirements than humans. Humans can build some proteins from various smaller building blocks, but animals cannot.
This is the main issue when it comes to the discussion of grain-free food. Rather than using grains, they are replaced with starches, such as beans, peas, and potatoes. These aren’t as nutritious and lack the required nutrients. Currently, the FDA is investigating the link between grain-free diets and an increase in the heart condition DCM, dilated cardiomyopathy.
2. Myth: Homemade Diets Offer a Higher Level of Nutrition
While this may be true, it usually isn’t the case unless a dog is under the care of a veterinary nutritionist. Even adding in a multivitamin with various vegetables, proteins, and carbohydrates won’t provide a balanced diet.
3. Myth: Bigger Companies Make More Processed Food
Many consumers are attracted to boutique food for their pets because of the pretty packaging that they offer, the quality of ingredients, and the promise of being better than the average dog food. In some situations, this may be true, but most smaller dog food companies won’t have the data or studies to ensure their diets are ideal for long-term use. Also, most of these companies don’t have the infrastructure to implement additional safety checks to ensure a dog doesn’t get a bad batch.
4. Myth: Raw Food Is Better for a Dog’s Digestion
The benefits offered by feeding raw food to a dog won’t always surpass the risks. Most diets that are recalled are either freeze-dried or raw. There are many reasons for this, including issues related to listeria and salmonella. Not only are these bacteria a risk to the pet, but also to people who come in contact with the food.
5. Myth: Exotic Proteins Are Better than Traditional Proteins
Crocodile and kangaroo may sound like interesting and ideal protein sources to feed a dog, but there is a direct result between a chickpea and kangaroo diet and a reversible heart condition resulting from a deficiency in taurine, an amino acid. Also, exotic proteins haven’t been studied as much as more common proteins that are used in dog food today. It’s best to stick to the protein sources that are known and trusted to avoid any potential issues.
When it comes to choosing the right food for a dog, there are a lot of factors to consider. Be sure to keep the information here in mind to know what foods to use and which ones to avoid. While it may seem overwhelming at first, this list provides a good overview of what to feed a dog.
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