Is that fake news?

Looking at some of the myths and misconceptions in canine nutrition

There is so much misinformation in the world generally, but some fields do seem rifer with it than others, and one of those is the field of canine nutrition. While it is now possible to research any area of our pet's health online, one of the problems is that it is not always apparent which pieces of information are credible and which are not. Not all misinformation is harmful, but even in these more innocuous situations, it is best to know the truth.

Here we look at some of the most common myths and misconceptions in the canine nutrition world and see how much truth they actually contain.

MYTH #1: SHARING LEFTOVERS IS KIND

It is often difficult to resist 'puppy dog' eyes staring up at us as we eat our food, and it can be tempting to give dogs extras from our plate, but we are not kind by handing human food to our dogs – and in some cases, we may, in fact, be causing harm. Firstly, obesity is a very real problem in our dogs, and giving them rich food from our plates certainly does not help keep your dog lean and healthy. And, even if your dog is a slender character, a lot of the food we give to him from our plates has little to no nutritional value to him, so it really is 'wasted calories' that could be 'spent' on something with health benefits for your pooch. Of course, though, the major risk with feeding dogs from our plate is the chance that we mistakenly feed them something toxic or poisonous. Whilst most of us know the foods to avoid with our dogs, it is easy to make mistakes or forget that something contains a toxic sweetener, so generally speaking, we advise against feeding dogs human food.

MYTH #2: DOGS NEED MILK

Many dogs will happily lap up a bowl of milk if it is given to them, but feeding milk to our dogs is not necessary. Yes, it is an excellent source of calcium, but after eight weeks of age, dogs produce much less of the enzyme lactase needed to digest the lactose in milk. This can, in some cases, make the dog lactose intolerant and feeding these dogs with milk could cause a stomach upset and diarrhoea. The good news is that cheese and yoghurt are also good sources of calcium but are relatively low in lactose and can be readily tolerated by most dogs! Just watch out for any artificial sweeteners, particularly in yoghurt, as these can be toxic for our dogs.

MYTH #3: FROZEN DOG FOOD IS NOT AS GOOD AS FRESH

There are some excellent fresh dog foods on the market, which can be ordered online and delivered to your home frozen. Some people think that frozen doesn't mean fresh, but as these foods are frozen as soon as they are prepared, all the nutrients are retained. This also means that manufacturers do not have to include lots of additives to prolong the shelf life of the food. Basically, frozen may even be the best option!

MYTH #4: RAW FEEDING IS BY FAR THE BEST WAY TO FEED YOUR DOG

Proponents of raw feeding say it is more nutritious and has superior health benefits compared to other forms of feeding, but those against it have concerns over the risk of microbial contamination and whether it is nutritionally balanced. Many raw food companies produce food according to strict guidelines, and much research has shown that raw food is nutritionally balanced and meets the needs of dogs when formulated properly. However, there has yet to be a study proving that one feeding method is better than another.

MYTH #5: DOGS CAN EXIST ON MEAT ALONE

There is a belief among some dog owners that dogs can survive on a meat-only diet. Whilst meat and poultry are excellent sources of high-quality protein, they do not on their own provide enough essential vitamins and minerals to keep your dog in optimum health. In 2013 a study published in Nature showed that dogs had much higher levels of amylase, the enzyme needed to digest starch (carbohydrate), than, for example, wolves. Compared to obligate carnivores like cats, it was also seen that dogs have lower requirements for protein and can use vitamins A and D from plants just like humans can. When these facts are considered together, it suggests that dogs are more accurately classified as omnivores than carnivores.

MYTH #6: HOME-COOKED FOOD IS BETTER FOR DOGS THAN COMMERCIALLY PREPARED FOOD

There is no evidence to support the belief that homeprepared diets are healthier than commercial diets. In fact, a home-cooked diet that is not nutritionally balanced may cause harm to health. Good quality commercial feeds have to ensure they meet requirements for all nutrients, whereas studies have shown that home-cooked diets are often deficient in one or two nutrients. Nutritional deficiencies only become apparent over time, and once signs of clinical deficiency appear they are difficult to reverse. This is not to say that we shouldn't cook our dog's food at home, just that we need to be careful and plan wisely to ensure all needs are met.

MYTH #7: AVOID DOG FOOD WHICH CONTAINS BY-PRODUCTS

The term by-product refers to any leftovers once muscle meat has been removed, and therefore, not all products referred to as by-products are of poor nutritional quality. Organ meats can be excellent additions to the diet as they are often richer in nutrients than muscle meats. Reassuringly, in legal terms, the term 'by-product' excludes undesirable items such as hair and feathers. Still, we should take care to use only those manufacturers who state exactly what they mean by by-products.

TOP TIP

If preparing your dog's food at home, look for recipes that advise on exact amounts of ingredients with added vitamins and minerals. Avoid those not containing vitamin and mineral supplements, and beware of those that interchange different ingredients. For example, if a recipe states you can use 100g of beef, chicken or lamb, you need to think carefully about whether you use this recipe or not. There is a huge difference in the nutritional composition of each of these meats, so depending on which you choose, the overall nutritional composition of the finished meal will be vastly different.

NOTE

We would advise against feeding home-cooked diets for growing puppies. A commercially prepared diet formulated to support their growth needs is preferable as this is the most nutritionally demanding time in the dog's life.

MYTH #8: EATING POO IS CAUSED BY NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES

Contrary to popular belief, dogs are not attempting to redress a nutritional imbalance by eating poo. It would seem that it's not because their diet is lacking in any way – it is simply that they are inherent scavengers, and this can form part of their scavenging behaviour. Gross!

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding canine nutrition, and sometimes the sheer volume of information out there can feel overwhelming. We hope this article clarifies the more common issues, but if you still have queries, write to lizzie@dqmagazine.co.za and we'll do the fact-finding and put the answer in the next edition!