Myth Busters

Myth Busters *

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 is poorly digested.

FACT: Cooked corn is highly digestible. The protein in corn is more digestible than that of rice, wheat, barley or sorghum.

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. By-products are common ingredients in both human and pet foods. Vitamin E, gelatin, chicken stock and beef bouillon are all by-products. Lamb meal is also a by-product, as it is a secondary product derived from lamb production for human use.

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 has more carbohydrates than corn.

MYTH: More protein is better.
FACT: Animals cannot store protein. Excess protein forces the kidneys 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.

* The Simple Truth about Pet Nutrition, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., 2009