Nutrition
Proper nutrition plays a major role in your pet’s health, and we can work with you to ensure he/she is receiving the best diet possible. Based on an assessment of your pet’s current and past diet along and in-depth medical history analysis, our practitioners can recommendations with regard to commercial and/or home-cooked diets, treats, and supplements (as necessary). We can also assist in determining proper feeding strategies specific to your pet’s individual needs (such as nutritional plans for pets with existing medical conditions), and are available to answer any questions your have before, during and after the process.
MAY 2018
NUTRITION MYTHS
TRUE OR FALSE: 10 NUTRITION MYTHS DEBUNKED
1) By-products are inferior quality ingredients and should be avoided at all costs: FALSE
The definition of a by-product is “a secondary product produced in addition to the principal
product”. For example, “meat” is the clean, fresh striated muscle from a mammal, and a “meat
by-product” is the non-rendered, clean parts other than meat. It is important to note that
by-products do NOT include hair, horns, hooves, teeth, or feces.
By-products are a source of essential nutrients for our pets and patients. The nutrient composition
of the by- product is going to be dependent on what type of organ it is. For example, many
microminerals are stored in the liver naturally, thus, mammal liver is an excellent source of
microminerals such as copper, manganese, zinc, etc. Interestingly, many clients will avoid the word
“by-products” on pet food labels, but still feed things like pig ears, tracheas, pizzles, etc. (all
of which are considered by-products).
While by-products may not be appealing to most of the Western civilization, some are considered a
delicacy by many people throughout the world, across many cultures and geographic locations.
Additionally, dogs and wild canids will eat the by-products first! It is not the individual
ingredient itself but the combination of ingredients that determines the diet’s nutrient profile.
Furthermore, it is ultimately the nutrient profile that determines a diet’s suitability for a pet
or patient.
2) Corn, and other grains, are fillers that reduce the quality of a diet: FALSE
The term “filler” instills the belief that the ingredient is a) lacking in nutritive quality and b)
reducing the nutritive quality of the diet overall. Corn, and other grains, do not fit the above
definition of filler. Corn itself provides the following:
• Essential fatty acids for skin and coat health
• Essential amino acids, specifically methionine and cystine (which are precursors to several
antioxidants)
• Fiber, which promotes gastrointestinal health by maintaining symbiotic microbes
• Vitamins and minerals, which support all metabolic functions
The more processed the grain, typically the higher digestibility. For example, grinding corn into a
meal increases the digestibility by 15%.
3) Raw diets are better for pets’ overall health: FALSE
The FDA does not endorse, nor does it recommend feeding a raw diet to a pet OR human, stating that
“[it is not] consistent with the goal of protecting the public from significant health risks
particularly when such products are brought into the home and/or used to feed domestic pets”. This
is especially true of pets AND humans that are immunocompromised (juveniles, elderly, pregnant,
sick), as microbial contamination can lead to fatal consequences.
Additionally, the FDA states there is no statistically significant evidence showing that raw diets
are superior to commercial diets. If the diet is not complete nor balanced, it can lead to serious
deleterious consequences.
Claims that a raw diet improves coat quality, dental health, and stool quality are anecdotal at
best. Each experience is going to be unique to the pet and owner and is dependent on the type of
diet itself. Additionally, non- commercial raw diets can contribute and even greater risk than
microbial contamination. If the diet contains pieces of bones, hooves, or horns, the pet has a
significantly higher risk of fracture dentition, gastrointestinal obstruction, and or GI
perforation.
MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD HANDOUT: NUTRITION MYTHS
MAY 2018
While cooking the diet can degrade certain vitamins (at prolonged, high temperatures), good
commercial diet manufacturers take this into consideration during formulation, ensuring that the
final product contains the nutrients it is supposed to.
4) Cat food should not be fed to dogs long-term: IT DEPENDS
In general, a healthy dog should have no problem eating a complete and balanced commercial cat
food. While it is true that dogs and cats have differences in their essential nutrients, cats have
more specific nutrient requirements than dogs.
Additionally, many canine diets (especially the ancestral diets) contain nutrient levels on par
with adult feline diets. If a dog has a medical problem that needs targeted nutrition, then it is
likely that neither an over-the-counter feline NOR canine diet would be appropriate.
It is important to note, that feline levels of protein will not cause hepatic or renal dysfunction
in a healthy dog. If these organs are functioning at their optimal capacity, it is well within
their ability to handle the slight increase in work load. On a final note, please remember, a dog
food should NEVER be fed to a cat; the only caveat is if it is labelled for both species (such as
Purina CN, Royal Canin Recovery, or Hill’s a/d).
5) Commercial diets use road kill and long-dead zoo animals: FALSE
There are laws, rules, and regulations that determine what quality of ingredient can be included in
commercial pet food.
Without a doubt, neither road kill NOR long-dead zoo animals are appropriate for animal
consumption, thus, it is illegal for these to be in a pet diet. It is unfortunate that recent
recalls have reduced the confidence in commercial pet food; however, the majority of major pet food
companies follow these regulations and provide appropriate quality products that are safe for pet
consumption.
6) Grain should not be used in commercial pet foods: FALSE
As mentioned above, grains (like corn) provide essential nutrients that contribute to the overall
nutrient profile of the diet.
Many grains have highly digestible sources of protein. It is true that certain grains (those
containing gluten) should be avoided in HUMAN celiac disease, the grain free trend is the result of
the anthropomorphism and marketing. While it is true that some pets may have a true grain allergy,
this is incredibly rare. Furthermore, there is no evidence that to support the claims that grains
lead to health problems (excluding a true allergy).
It is important to keep in mind that grain free is not the same as carbohydrate free.
Carbohydrates/ starch is essential for heling the kibble keeps its shape, thus if grains are not
used, expensive substitutes (tapioca, cassava potato starch) will be used in their place.
Ultimately, these starchy carbohydrates contribute less nutrients to the diet, leading to more
additives to meet required vitamin and mineral levels.
7) Flax Seed is a great source of Omega-3 Fatty acids: KIND OF
Typically, omega-3s are taken for their anti-inflammatory benefits. It is important to note that
the anti-inflammatory effects are derived from the biologically active omega-3s eicosapentaenoic
acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Flax seed is a good source of the parent omega-3 fatty
acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Approximately 10% of ALA is converted to EPA and DHA in dogs and
basically none is converted in the cat! While ALA is an essential fatty acid, if the pet is on a
complete and balanced diet, they would be receiving an appropriate amount without additional
supplementation. If the goal is to reduce inflammation, it is recommended to find an appropriate
source of EPA and DHA, such as cold marine fish oil (salmon, menhaden, etc.).
For those thinking that we can just increase the dose of flax seed tenfold, DON’T DO IT! Not only
will the increased fat level cause significant GI issues (diarrhea/ steatorrhea, vomiting, pain,
etc.), fat is over twice as calorically dense as protein and carbohydrates. The entire nutrient
proportions would be completely off balance due to the dramatic increase in fat calories.
8) Human Grade and Holistic diets are superior: FALSE
This labelling scheme is just that, a scheme; it exists purely for marketing purposes. There is no
sanctioned AAFCO definition regarding human grade or holistic, thus, they cannot be used to
accurately describe pet food.
MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD HANDOUT: NUTRITION MYTHS
MAY 2018
9) Over-the-counter reduced-calorie diets are equivalent to prescription weight loss diets: FALSE
It is very rare for an OTC diet to be formulated appropriately for active weight loss. In order to
achieve successful weight loss, the patient must have a slight calorie deficit so that the body
relies on its endogenous lipid stores for energy. Unfortunately, if we reduce the caloric intake of
an OTC diet, we are also reducing the essential nutrient intake as well. Therapeutic weight loss
diets are formulated with augmented essential nutrient levels; thus, we can safely restrict
calories while meeting all other essential nutrient requirements. While there may be situations
where an OTC diet is used based on client requests, it is recommended to advocate the use of a
prescription diet designed for weight loss in all patients with a body condition of 7/9 and above.
10) Organic diets are superior to others: NOT NECESSARILY
The labelling and certification process is regulated by the USDA:
• 100 %
o All ingredients are CERTIFIED organic
o Any processing aids are organic
o The certifying agent must be on the product label information panel
o All ingredients must be identified as organic of via an asterisk or other mark
o Will likely have the USDA seal
• Organic (95% minimum)
o All ingredients are CERTIFIED organic, except where specified on the National List
o Non-organic ingredients allowed per the National List may be used (up to 5%)
o Excludes salt and water
o The certifying agent must be on the product label information panel
o All ingredients must be identified as organic of via an asterisk or other mark
• Made with Organic (70% minimum)
o 70% of ingredients are CERTIFIED organic, except where specified on the National List
o Excludes salt and water
o The certifying agent must be on the product label information panel
o All ingredients must be identified as organic of via an asterisk or other mark
Organic refers to the growing or raising process of an ingredient; it does NOT describe the quality
of the ingredients OR the final product. Organically grown plants and animals are EXPENSIVE
ingredients. There is no scientific data that proves that organic ingredients are better for people
or pets.
This handout was created for the Medical Advisory Board by Dr. Lindsey Bullen, DACVN.
Dr. Bullen received her veterinary degree from North Carolina State University's College of
Veterinary Medicine. She then stayed an additional 4 years to complete a small animal rotating
internship, a small animal clinical nutrition residency, and a clinical nutrition post- doc. She
now works at Veterinary Specialty Hospital of the Carolinas (VSH) as a Nutrition Specialist for VSH