Persistent Myths About Pet Nutrition That Vets Frequently Correct

Unlike cats, who are obligate carnivores with limited ability to process plant matter, dogs evolved alongside humans over thousands of years and developed multiple copies of the gene responsible for starch digestion (AMY2B). Veterinary nutritionists note that properly cooked grains and other carbohydrates can serve as efficient energy sources and contribute fiber that supports gut health. This doesn't mean carbohydrates are essential in every formulation, but the idea that they're harmful or unnatural for dogs isn't supported by current evidence.

The appeal of knowing exactly what's in your pet's food is understandable. However, studies evaluating owner-prepared pet diet recipes — including those sourced from books and websites — have found that the majority fail to meet established minimum nutrient requirements. Common gaps include calcium, zinc, vitamins D and E, and essential fatty acids. Commercial diets that carry an AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) nutritional adequacy statement have been tested or formulated to meet specific life-stage requirements. If a homemade diet is important to you, work with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to develop a complete, balanced recipe.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) opened an investigation in 2018 after receiving reports of DCM — a serious heart condition — in dogs eating grain-free diets, particularly those high in legumes and potatoes. The precise mechanism is not yet fully understood, and research is ongoing. Grain-free formulas are not appropriate for all dogs and should not be assumed to be safer or nutritionally superior. Unless your veterinarian has identified a specific reason to avoid grains, a grain-inclusive diet meeting AAFCO standards is generally considered appropriate. For a more detailed look at this topic, see grain-free vs. grain-inclusive pet diets.

This myth swings too far in the other direction. While certain foods — including grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener found in many products), macadamia nuts, and chocolate — are genuinely toxic to dogs and cats and should never be offered, many whole foods are safe. Plain cooked chicken, carrots, blueberries, and plain pumpkin are among the items veterinarians frequently mention as appropriate occasional additions. The concern with table scraps is more often about portion size, caloric excess, seasoning, and displacement of nutritionally balanced meals than toxicity across the board. When in doubt, verify a specific food with your veterinarian before offering it.

Organizations including the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) advise against raw protein diets due to the risk of pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli — which can affect both pets and the humans handling the food. Studies testing commercial raw pet foods have consistently found contamination rates that exceed those in processed diets. The concept of a 'more natural' diet also misapplies evolutionary reasoning: the animals domesticated pets descend from lived shorter lives with higher pathogen exposure. Naturalness alone is not a reliable indicator of nutritional appropriateness or safety.