4 Myths Busted ~ The Truth about Pet Food Ingredients By Dr. Marty Becker
4 Myths Busted ~ The Truth about Pet Food Ingredients By Dr. Marty Becker
Deliciously Savvy was compensated for this post and all opinions are 100% my own. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy!
It is no secret that I love my pets and post about them regularly and that is why sharing this post was so very important to me. I was lucky to have been able to attend a YouTube Live event with Dr. Marty Becker a few weeks ago. Dr. Marty Becker is also known as America’s Veterinarian and he helped to debunk the myth of today’s pet food ingredients as well as share tips on choosing the right food and ingredients for your favorite furry family member. The two amazing pets pictured above are my furry BFF’s…Shadow and Chewey! Honestly these two amazing little guys are the main reason I so wanted to hear Dr. Becker weigh in on the commonly asked questions about your pets pet food ingredients, such as by-products and grains and if they truly are bad for your pets overall health. But first meet Dr. Marty Becker…..
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Let me tell you a little about Dr Marty Becker…. You’ve seen him on “Good Morning America” and “The Dr. Oz Show.” He’s the author of 22 books that have sold more than 7 million copies combined, including three New York Times best-sellers. Dr. Marty Becker truly is “America’s Veterinarian.”
Now back to the topic at hand…. 4 Myths Busted ~ The Truth about Pet Food Ingredients By Dr. Marty Becker
Let’s face it…. there are so many products and ingredients available out there now for our pets that most of us end up seriously confused and unsure of what is the right type of pet food to feed our pet(s) and to ensure that they live healthy and bountiful lives. You hear that by-products and grains should not be the top listed ingredients in your pets pet food ingredient list and this leaves you unsure of what you should feed them. But what really needs to happen if for Pet Food Exposed to become a thing. This way people know what they should get. There are so many high end brands out there that list chicken, beef and such as the first ingredient but those brands can end up costing you an arm and a leg and are downright outrageously priced. It seems to have gotten a bit out of control and that is why I wanted to share this post with you and the 4 Myths Busted….. The Truth About Pet Food Ingredients by Dr Marty Becker.
Myth #1 By-Products Are Bad For My Pet
Truth: By-products are often thought of as low-quality ingredients in pet foods when in fact they are commonly used in both human and animal foods. These ingredients provide valuable nutrients for pets such as protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. In the wild, cats and dogs instinctively eat the organs first because they are nutrient-dense and very tasty. Basically this results in the fact that eating by-products is more natural than you would think. Plus….by-products can also provide more essential nutrients than regular muscle meat foods, as they can be lacking in calcium and Vitamin A, BUT these nutrients are naturally provided in by-products from the bones and liver. And just so you know, many pet food manufacturers use high-quality by-products, such as beef, chicken or pork that may include hearts, livers, kidneys, lungs and spleens and they are all considered a part of sustainable food sourcing for your pets.
Myth #2 I Should Avoid Feeding My Pet Grains
Truth: Through decades of nutrition research, we’ve learned that grains produce positive outcomes in both dogs and cats. Gram for gram, grains deliver more complete nutrition then the ingredients typically used to substitute for grains, such as potatoes. Plus keep in mind, that grains are an excellent source of energy-rich carbohydrates and contain protein and antioxidants, including Vitamin E and fiber to promote digestibility. Many pet food products are formulated and produced with grains because they provide needed natural nutrients as part a a complete and healthy balanced diet.
Myth #3: I Can Feed My Pet Solely A Raw Food Diet
Truth: There are many trends and fads out there in the pet food market, such as raw diets. Some people believe that their pets should eat a raw food diet because they are under the assumption that it is more like what their pets would eat in the wild. However, raw pet foods may not provide all the nutrients a pet needs…. and the raw diets can sometimes contain dangerous bacteria that is harmful to both the pet and owner and food safety regulations are not adhered to. The FDA maintains a “zero tolerance” policy for salmonella in pet foods because it can pose risks to human health when people who are ‘at risk’ such as children, the elderly and individuals with compromised immune systems, come into direct contact with the contaminated pet food. Basically to sum it up…. raw diets may not always be the best choice. It is always important to discuss the pros and cons of a raw diet with your veterinarian, and whether a solely raw diet is appropriate for your pet and family.
Myth #4: The Quality Of Pet Food Solely Depends On The Type Of Ingredients In The Food
Truth: The quality and safety of pet foods are equally as important as the ingredients themselves. When it comes to determining which veterinary pet foods to purchase, pet owners should go directly to the manufacturer’s website to learn and educate themselves about the safety and quality standards as well as the best practices that are being used. This includes learning about the manufacturer’s process for conducting regular safety and quality checks, employing food scientists, pet nutritionists and other veterinary professionals that help to develop products. You also need to ensure that the manufacturer is operating its own facilities and maintaining in-house testing laboratories. As a pet owner you should also look at the manufacturing and ingredient quality standards of the brand you are researching… to make sure they meet and/or exceed FDA and AAFCO standards.
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Yes… it seems like a bit of research BUT after doing so you may find that there are many brands out there that are not expensive and fit all of your pets nutritional needs. Seriously…. focus on your pets health care as well as their food needs to ensure your pets overall health is in check. My cat Shadow loves Purina Indoor formula and would not even try anything else. He is gorgeous and extremely healthy with a shiny coat and all! Do your research and feed your pet the best without breaking the bank.
46 Comments
Terri S
This is a great posting. It was very informative. I worry about what food my cat eats, she’s super fussy and this makes me feel a little better. Thank you for sharing.
monique s
this is such good info. As a pet owner it is hard to know what to get. The rules seem to keep changing. Thanks for the latest from a doctor.
Dana Rodriguez
This is a great post. I have heard all of these before and wondered how try they were.
Ivonne Tarantino
Such great information to know; thank you for posting! With so many products on the market and the ingredients sometimes being vague or lacking detailed information I can now be a wise consumer and buy the best possible products for my furbaby!
Teresa Britton
I have gotten so much smarter over the years about what to feed my pets. This is great information. By the way, I love your tuxedo cat–I had a sweet boy with just that pattern.
angie
thanks so much for clearing the truth up about pet food Information like this can be very powerful
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Julie Mulzer
This is good to know. Thank you for the info.
Deborah W.
This is very informative. I have been feeding my dogs selective dog food that I’ve researched. I know where it’s made and what ingredients are in it. I don’t buy anything with by-products, or unspecified ingredients. There’s too much junk out there and of course, it’s cheap.
Maegan
Awesome information
Sandy Cain
You know, I always wonder about the commercials where they proudly proclaim, “No grains in our food!”. I know that all animals need a balanced diet, and unless there is a food allergy, or something like Celiac Disease, grains are an important part of that diet. Thank you!
Mary West
I think it’s really important to feed your pets a healthy, natural diet. It can prevent so many health issues!
Rebecca Kerchner-Love
Basically the pet food I was feeding my dogs was safe and I changed it because I was told it wasn’t the best food for my dog because it was cheaper dog food. Now my dogs have list weight because they don’t like the more expensive kind. Thank you for the post.
Linda Manns Linneman
This sounds like a great conference with a very knowledgeable man. I am so happy you got to attend and share this great information with us. I love my pets and want the best for them
Sarh S
OH! Thank you so much for this article!!! I’m so sick of hearing number one! We have an indoor/outdoor cat and he is an amazing hunter! He eats EVERY last piece of his catch!
Adriane
Very informative! Thanks 🙂
Valerie Lerma
very informative
K-Squared
This entailed such useful information; thank you, as for the posting – it’s sure to be shared! Animals deserve that of nutrition, their health is essential and can be based on the products on the market and the ingredients sometimes found in the items they’re fed!
I feel upon reading this I’ve become a wise consumer and hope those I’ve shared this with have learned (like I did) that of what to buy!
Ashley Chassereau Parks
This is very interesting. I still like to avoid by products if possible. I’ll have to remember some of this for when we get another pet. (Our 13 year old doggie passed in February.)
Megan Swearingen
Thanks for the information about which products to buy for our pets.
Darcy Koch
A lot of information I didn’t know. The main was is by-products in cat food. I was always told to stay away. It was one of the first things I checked for. I never did give my cat grains. Probably most important is to go to the website and read about the company. It is especially important to check on their quality standards. Funny how there are so many misconceptions about cat food.
Darcy Novak
Very interesting. Thank you for sharing. I have 2 cats and I always want to make sure that they are eating the right food.
barbara parker
Well I’m just glad my daughter is a vet-tech. She picks up the food. She never buys from China and is always up to date on recalls. She said, like people food, read the very first ingredient listed.
gloria patterson
Great information! If I had my dog I would be looking into getting the best for her. But to old to walk her and my building is no pets. But family took her and she is happy
Cindy S.
Lots of great info here. So hard to separate fact from fiction these days. We all want to help our pets be healthy. Thanks for the valuable information.
Amber Ludwig
Very interesting!! I had always thought that bi-products were bad for animals and humans!!
Kathy Ross
This is a really good post! I now know a lot more than I did before reading this. I always thought certain things you mentioned were actually not really good for my dog, when they are good. Yes, it takes a lot to determine what kind of food to feed my dog, but he’s worth it!
Jo-Ann Brightman
I am glad to have all this information. We all want our pets to have a good healthy diet and it is good to have the correct information.
Esperanza Gailliard
Great information and we always have to look after our pets. Taking care of them just like family.
Cynthia C
I’m not really convinced. Grains are not a natural part of the diet of dogs and cats. I will continue to feed my cat a grain free product.
Kathy Ross
It’s always been confusing as to what dog food to get because of all the brands and each one says it’s better than the others.
Gabrielly
Great post. I have heard all of these before.
Kathy Ross
I try to buy the best dog food I can for my dog.
VICKI RAINS
Thanks for the information. I try to give my dog good food.
Shannon K Waters-Mitchell
I’ve always worried about what to feed my dog. My dog is a very picky eater and has a sensitive stomach too. I buy the expensive stuff but my dog is little and doesn’t eat very much, so I feel it’s okay to buy the expensive stuff, if I like the ingredients. There is a new list out of the worst dog foods to feed your dog. There was a kind of dog food just a few years ago (the cheaper brand) that was in a law suit over hurting dogs & cats kidneys and the dogs & cats were dying from that, according to some Vets, so I thoroughly read ingredient lists on what I buy my dog and make sure that they are made in the USA.
Kathy Ross
I’ve tried a lot of foods for my dog and some of the cheaper brands were about as good the more expensive ones.
Sarah Phillips
Thanks for posting this! I’m always wondering about the dry cat food we give our cat! He’s very sensitive to different food types, so we have to watch what we give him. But this has encouraged me to examine the ingredient lists a little closer now!
Kathy Ross
I’ve always tried to give our dog grain-free because he seems to have allergies.
mcushing7
No definitely…. if your dog has a grain allergy then yes… stay grain free. There are a lot of people out there that think that grains are bad overall…. and that is only the case if your dog has an allergy and with regular vet visits… you would know that. If your pet is fine with grains… it can be extremely beneficial. 🙂
Kathy Ross
Thanks for the reply! Yes, he itches very badly when he eats food with grains. Some don’t bother him tho as much as others.
Kathy Ross
I never knew that by-products had nutrients for pets.
Tiffany
good article
Kathy Ross
It’s nice to know that raw pet foods may not provide all the nutrients a pet needs.
Kathy Ross
This is a great post. I wish there weren’t so many dogs foods. It would take a long time to check out each one.
Deborah Cochran
I was always nervous about feeding our cat the wrong food when we first adopted her. This article was very helpful in understanding the effects on cats by poorly chosen food.
Christy Peeples DuBois
I am so glad I read this post. I never new this about by products. I guess I thought they were not healthy in any way and basically just provided more pounds as I. A filler and who knew what they contained. I’m relieved to learn this is far from the truth.
Kathy Ross
Until I read this I always thought you had to buy the more expensive dog foods for them to be good for your dog. Now I know different. Thanks!