COMMON PET FOOD MYTHS ©
The Corn Myth:©
Myth: Corn is just a filler
Fact: Corn is NOT a filler. It is an excellent 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 and Quality proteins for muscle and tissue growth.
Myth: Corn is poorly digested.
Fact: Cooked corn is actually highly digestible. The protein in corn is more digestible than that of rice, wheat, barley or sorghum.*
Myth: Corn causes food allergies in pets.
Fact: Corn is a very rare allergen in dogs and unreported in cats. In fact Beef, dairy, wheat, lamb, chicken, chicken egg and soy together comprise of 93% of the food allergies in dogs.** Studies show that corn causes no more food allergies than any other grain.
*Murray SM, Fahey GC, Merchen RN, et al. Evaluation of selected high-starch flours as ingredients in canine diets,Journal of Animal Science 1999;77;2180-2186
**Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, 4th Edition
© 2011 Hill's Pet Nutrition Canada, inc
The By-Product Myth: ©
Definition: By-Product-"Something produced in the making of something else."
Did you know that Vitamin E, JELLO and Beef bouillion are all by-products. Vitamin E is a by-product produced when processing Soybeans. Vitamin E is commonly used as a natural preservative in pet food.
Myth: Pet Foods that contain ingredients listed as "by-products" are inferior
Fact: Many by-products are excellent sources of nutrients for pets. With extremely rare exceptions, all pet foods contain by-products. Common by-products in pet foods are: Animal fats, Animal proteins, Pork and Beef liver, Beet pulp and Tomato pomace.
By-product meal includes the highly nutritious organ meats, such as liver, kidney and heart, that are highly palatable and beneficial to pets***
***Science Diet Mythbusting, Issue #2, '09 FOCUS.
© 2011 Hill's Pet Nutrition Canada, inc
The Truth About Meat First ©
Myth: "Meat-first" foods are better.
Fact: Healthy pets need nutrients and a complete balance of amino acids from both meat and non-meat sources. Meat is not the only source of protein available, either. Other ingredients, like corn can provide it as well.
Myth: Grain-free pet foods are better
Fact: There is no nutritional foundation to support a grain-free diet, and foods that have grains are just as digestible as grain-free foods. The term "grain-free" is misleading, as all grain-free foods contain carbohydrates from other sources, such as the sweet potato, which actually has more carbohydrates than corn.
Myth: More protein is better
Fact: Animals cannot store protein. Excess protein forces the kidney to work harder when they have to convert it into waste, which is excreted in urine.
Myth: Dogs are carnivores and need mostly meat.
Fact: Dogs are omnivores and need a balanced diet of proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins from a variety of sources including meats, vegetables and grains. This aids in controlling excess nutrients that may be a risk for long-term health.
© 2011 Hill's Pet Nutrition Canada, inc
The Whole Chicken Myth £
Myth: Whole Chicken is better than Chicken Meal
Fact: Chicken meal actually contains more chicken nutrient than whole chicken because it contains less water.
85% Water 6% Water
1KG =150gms Chicken Nutrient 1KG = 940gms Chicken Nutrient
£ Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Myths and Misuse of Pet Food Labels