Why dog nutrition is so full of myths

The European pet food market exceeds €20 billion a year. That creates a huge commercial incentive for misinformation: brands demonise grain to sell grain-free, raw food companies promise impossible health transformations, and social media accounts cite "studies" that don't exist. Here is what veterinary nutritionists actually say.

Myth 1: "Grain is toxic for dogs"

Dogs are not wolves. They have co-evolved with humans for over 15,000 years, developing significantly higher amylase expression than wolves — the enzyme that digests starch. Dogs are well-equipped to handle grain in their diet.

The FDA's 2018–2019 investigation into a possible link between grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) raised legitimate concern. It did not establish causation. Current evidence points more toward certain legumes (peas, lentils) as primary ingredients affecting taurine availability, not grain per se.

The reality: healthy dogs without diagnosed grain intolerance have no evidence-based reason to eat grain-free. A complete, balanced diet with grain is perfectly appropriate for most dogs.

Myth 2: "Raw/BARF is always superior to kibble"

Raw feeding has passionate advocates, but clinical evidence does not automatically place it above high-quality commercial food. The real risks:

The reality: a properly formulated raw diet under veterinary supervision can work well. The problem is most home-prepared raw diets lack that supervision.

Myth 3: "High protein damages the kidneys"

This myth is borrowed from human medicine, where protein restriction is recommended for patients with chronic kidney disease. In healthy dogs, evidence does not support this. Healthy kidneys handle high dietary protein without damage. Protein restriction in dogs is appropriate when kidney disease is already present — as treatment, not prevention.

Myth 4: "By-products are worthless waste"

Liver, kidney, heart and lung are legally classified as "by-products" but are among the most nutritionally dense meat sources available. Chicken liver is a by-product that outperforms lean muscle meat in multiple nutritional categories. The regulatory classification says nothing about quality.

Myth 5: "Senior dogs need less protein"

Current research points in the opposite direction: older dogs actually need more high-quality protein, not less, to maintain muscle mass against age-related loss (sarcopenia). Restricting protein in healthy senior dogs is not evidence-based.

Myth 6: "Never change your dog's food"

Dogs can and should tolerate some variety in protein sources. A gradual transition over 7–10 days (incrementally mixing in the new food) is enough for nearly all dogs. Feeding a single protein source indefinitely can paradoxically increase the risk of developing a sensitivity to that specific protein.

How to make smart decisions about your dog's food