What a dog eats affects everything about her health. You’d be able to recognize a poorly feed dog from the state of her coat, her energy levels, and so on. This is why dog owners place a lot of priority on the type of food they give their pets. However, when it comes to dog nutrition, there are so many urban myths that exist when we talk about dog food.
While the internet gives a lot of authentic tips and facts on pet food and nutrition, it also spreads a lot of dog food myths. Dog food myths are often caused by inadequate research resources and sometimes, lies from stakeholders in the pet industry. In this article, we will be looking at some typical dog food myths that every dog owner should know about.
Dog Myth 1: All Human Food is bad for dogs
While there are a lot of foods that are dangerous to dogs, there are some human foods that can be beneficial to dog health if it is added to their diet. For the most part, as long as a dog can eat a particular type of human food, that particular food is healthy for them. For instance, fruits and vegetables contain a lot of nutrients that are both beneficial for man and his best friend.
Dog Myth 2: Dogs are carnivores
One thing that is hard to believe is that some people, after all, we have seen about dog behavior and nutrition still consider dogs to be strict carnivores. This assumption is based on the fact that dogs have similar tooth structure to wolves (who are carnivorous animals). Dogs are more like bears. Not only do they have a 92% similar DNA sequence, but they are also both omnivores. Carnivores cannot digest vegetation. However, the digestive system of dogs allows them to be able to understand vegetables. Apart from this, we would suggest you to visit this site to learn about the use of cbd oil for dogs as it is highly recommended by many vets to treat various health related issues.
Dog Myth 3: Grain is bad for dogs
Some dogs can be allergic to some grain just the way some dogs can be allergic to some meat. However, there are no absolutes to this. In fact, grain is fine for most dogs. Grain has those nutrients that are absent in auxiliary ingredients that are used to make grain-free diets. Also, a growing body of research is investigating links between heart disease in dogs and grain-free diets. This myth stems from the erroneous belief that the digestive system of dogs is incapable of processing grains. This is however not true. Grains if cooked, can be digested by dogs.
Dog Myth 4: All Dogs are Lactose Intolerant
Not all dogs are lactose intolerant. It is just the way it is for humans; some dogs can’t process dairy while others can. Also, it is important to note that some dairy products are a lot easier to digest than other dairy products (even in lactose-intolerant dogs).
It all boils down to what is good for the individual dog rather than the entire canine population. For instance, Cheese could be a great treat for a dog.
Dog Myth 5: Dogs like variety in their diet
Unlike us, dogs have far less taste buds. As a result, they do not have cravings or get ‘bored’ with the same type of food. When it comes to variety in dog feeding, the only thing you should be concerned about is whether your dog has a complete and balanced diet.
So the only reason why you should be switching meals is for you to ensure that your pet gets all the nutrients and vitamins it needs to be healthy.
Dog Myth 6: Marijuana is harmful to dogs
This is not entirely true. Marijuana is made up of two major compounds; CBD and THC. CBD is not harmful at all for your pet. It has been known to help in the healing process of sick dogs. However, THC (the part of marijuana that makes you high) can cause scary reactions in your dog. Some of them include; hallucinations, vomiting, abnormal heart rhythms., lethargy, loss of balance and dilated pupils.
CBD is, however, harmless to your dog. In fact, since the legalization of Hemp through the 2018 Farm Bill, there is a huge demand for CBD oil for pets.
Dog Myth 7: Kibble cleans Dog teeth
This is not true. Dogs do not always chew their food as we do. The gulp or swallow it. Kibble probably won’t clean your dog’s teeth. Apart from using a dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste, the only other option are dental dog treats that your dog has to chew for a while.
The best way to ensure that your dog has excellent dental hygiene is to brush its teeth daily.
Dog Myth 8: Raw Eggs should not be feed to Dogs
Raw eggs are only a concern for dogs with a messed up immune system. Healthy dogs can have raw eggs. However, boiled eggs are better for your dog. Why? First, the boiling treatment does not remove the nutrients in the egg. Second, boiled eggs are easier to digest than raw eggs.
Dog Myth 9: Lamb is hypoallergenic
Lamb is not Hypoallergenic. However, it was used in hypoallergenic dog food because it was believed that it was unlikely for dogs to have developed allergies to it since it was not as popular as dog food. However, studies have shown that lamb can cause some allergic reactions to dogs, but not on a scale as grand as beef or pork. This is why manufacturers are exploring other options like duck or bison.
Dog Myth 10: All Begging Dogs are Hungry
While a hungry dog may beg, not all begging dogs are hungry. One thing that should be understood is the fact that dogs learn very quickly that they can be rewarded with scraps by begging. This doesn’t mean that your dog is hungry. Your dog might just want to have a tasty treat.