Common Dog Food Myths Debunked by Science

Back in the day, pet owners had no alternative but to go with mainstream beliefs and misconceptions on pet food and how it affected the health of our furry friends. 

Thankfully, we now have more than enough data to debunk some dog food myths that were long believed to be absolute.

Is raw food always healthier for dogs? Should you rack up the protein amounts in their daily meals? What do dogs like to eat in the first place? We’ll try to answer all these and venture beyond to explain why Pawy’s fresh food packages delivered to your doorstep are the best way to go.

Myth #1: You Should Only Buy Dog Food Labelled "Natural"

Among the main dog nutrition myths, we’ve frequently had the chance to hear owners trusting the health of their pets on labels that aren’t even always what they seem to be. 

For instance, you'd run into food packages with labels like "Natural", "Fresh", and "Holistic". But what do they really stand for?

The thing is that it’s pretty much a marketing twist and a glitch in pet food labelling rules imposed by the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) or the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). According to these guidelines, vague terms like "All-Natural" aren’t categorised for a specific type of food. 

Instead of believing these labels, make sure to read the entire list of ingredients, go through the guaranteed analysis to figure out which essential nutrients are used, and look for by-products, which have to be properly designated, as they signify the exact opposite of natural food.

You'll be surprised to see "Fresh Food" labels on products that are nowhere near as fresh as Pawy packages are.

Myth #2: Raw Diet is Always a Better Option

Right after debunking pet food marketing and labelling scams, we wanted to cover the ruckus around raw food. Yes, it’s closer to what dogs would be eating in the wild, but that’s the thing: doggos are a domesticated species, and their organs aren’t designed to rely on purely raw food, as is the case with other animals like wolves and bears. 

Instead, they are more prone to allergic reactions or even contamination with bacteria and parasites. Plus, when affected by serious conditions like Escherichia Coli infections, dogs can transmit the disease via their saliva. 

So, let’s go back to the main question: Is raw food safe for dogs? Well, unless you want your next playtime to be painful for both you and your pet, make sure to properly prepare slow-cooked raw ingredients the right way and avoid any risk of allergic reactions or diseases.

Myth #3: Grain-Based Foods Should Be Avoided 

While it’s true that grains can lead to allergic reactions and harm dogs that have developed food sensitivity, they’re not the worst kind of food for all pets. In fact, your dog will need a specific diet to properly heal from food-caused allergies. 

Grain-based foods aren’t the only potential cause of sensitivities. In fact, beef, dairy, wheat, and even fish can cause such reactions, so the important thing is to know how to properly dose them.

A custom meal prep plan is enough to sort out any potential of these problems developing, and in such a scenario, grains can even be good for your pet.

That’s one of the things we can help you with here at Pawy, as our expert nutritionists and veterinarians craft tailored meal plans for each dog based on possible allergic reactions. 

Myth #4: More Protein is Always Better 

Some pet owners tamper with the amount of protein they give their pets through their daily diet. In reality, it’s supposed to be exactly as one of our expert pet nutritionists here at Pawy would suggest: not too high and not too low.

Some pet owners even resort to vegetarian diets, believing that’s best for their dogs and their health. In reality, canines can’t thrive on such regimens, as they require fish and meat as sources of raw protein. 

Of course, you shouldn’t exaggerate, either. Puppies and pregnant dogs do require more daily protein intake, but it’s just in those specific situations.

Myth #5: Labels Like "Complete and Balanced" Are Always Good

If you buy pet food regularly, chances are you’ve stumbled across the terms "complete and balanced" more than once. In a nutshell, this only means that the meal was prepared truthfully to the ingredients’ list and that it contains the right amounts of nutrients as specified by labelling organisations.

As a result, "complete and balanced" packages can be used as the one and only diet item for a single meal. 

However, that doesn’t mean they’re the best option for every dog, as veterinarians recommend significant diet changes based on your pet’s overall health and needs.

Myth #6: Dogs Can’t Eat Human Food

While this is true to some extent, especially for sugar-infused food items, dogs can indeed thrive on human food. It all depends on the ingredients, and they can occasionally eat meat-based meals, as well as take in veggies, eggs, fish, and even some fruits. 

On the flip side, some human foods are a no-go, such as sweets like chocolate, garlic and onions, grapes, berries, and raisins. You should also avoid high-fat or salty food, as it could lead to digestive issues.

Final Take

Overall, there are numerous misconceptions about dog food and potential myths that turned out to be far from the truth. 

Still, fresh food is always a good choice for those who don't want to think twice about each meal. And if you wish only what’s best for your pet, you should get a custom meal prep plan or go for Pawy’s fresh, slow-cooked meals for peace of mind. 

If you’re still going to be buying dog food in stores, make sure to properly check the packaging for labels that we’ve discussed above.

You should only go with safe foods vetted by veterinarians and dog nutritionists. Our Pawy experts can help you with that, and all you need to do is get in touch with us for a free meal plan estimate. Our veterinarians and nutritionists have years of experience crafting custom meals for different types of dogs, so you can rest assured that our plans will only include what’s best for them, leaving you with nothing to worry about.