Nutritional Myths you may have Heard about

There are many nutritional myths that we are led to believe through pet food advertising. Here are the most common myths we hear each day and the truth behind them.

MYTH: CORN IS JUST A FILLER

FACT: Corn is a superb source of nutrients such as

  • Essential fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
  • Beta-carotene, vitamin E, lutein nature’s antioxidants
  • Highly digestible carbohydrates for energy
  • Quality proteins for muscle and tissue growth

MYTH: CORN CAUSES FOOD ALLERGIES IN PETS

FACT: Studies show that corn causes no more food allergies than any other grain

 

MYTH: CORN IS DIFFICULT TO DIGEST
FACT: Most grains, including corn, are poorly digested before they are cooked. Once cooked, however, they become highly digestible

 

MYTH: PET FOODS CONTAIN INGREDIENTS LISTED AS “BY-PRODUCTS” ARE INFERIOR
FACT: By-products are common ingredients in both human and pet food

  • A by-product is simply “something produced in the making of something else”
  • When processing soybeans, for example, the by-product vitamin E is produced
  • Vegetable oils, chicken fat, liver, beet pulp are all examples of by-products

 

MYTH: AN “ALL LIFE STAGES” DIET IS NUTRITIOUS FOR ALL LIFE SATGES

FACT:  All life stage diets have to be suitable for puppies or kittens, which mean some of the nutrients, may be at levels that are excessive for adult and older pets!

Puppies and kittens need more protein, vitamins and minerals than adults to ensure proper growth. For adult dogs and cats, excess intake of certain nutrients may make some conditions worse. For example, excessive phosphorus intake worsens kidney disease, a condition that often goes undetected in its early stages.

 

MYTH: A HOLISTIC FOOD IS HEALTHIER FOR MY PET

FACT:  There is no regulation defining what the word holistic means with regards to pet food. Any pet food can label itself as holistic without following any specific regulations.