5 Myths About Pet Kibbles, Debunked
Some of us hear the word kibble and shudder with fear for our dogs’ health. Basically, kibbles are stereotyped as cheap, unhealthy, and less nutritional “fast food” for our fur kids. But are they as bad as we think? Let’s find out.
Myth #1: Wet food is always better than kibble
Instead of assuming that one type of food is always better than the other, we need to look at the ingredients in the food. While the cooking process for kibble can be more damaging to the nutrients as compared to wet food, kibbles made out of high-quality premium ingredients can be a lot better for your pet’s health as compared to wet foods that are made from poor quality ingredients, lots of fillers, preservatives, and additives. Of course, there are premium wet foods out there as well, and choosing food for your pet requires plenty of research and understanding instead of assumptions.
Myth #2: Grain products are bad for dogs and cats
Some of us avoid buying kibbles that list grains in their ingredients list at all cost. But contrary to popular belief, not all grain products are unhealthy for your fur kids.
In fact, many grain-based ingredients are actually quite nutritious and can serve as a healthy addition to their diet. Corn, for example, has been shown to benefit your pet’s health and serves as a source of non-animal protein. So really, you just need to ensure that the main bulk of your pet’s diet is not made of grains, not avoid grains completely.
Myth #3: Kibble is always cheaper
While it is true that there are many affordable options out there for kibble, you can also easily find premium kibble made with quality ingredients and processes which costs more than wet or frozen foods.
These include oven-baked kibble, kibble targeted at specific health issues, and so on. Likewise, there are plenty of economical wet foods available for sale, just as there are expensive ones.
Myth #4: Kibble keeps my pet’s mouth clean
Many people choose kibble for their pets because they have been told that it will keep their teeth clean. While crunching on the pellets can be slightly abrasive on your pet’s teeth, which in turn helps to remove a little plaque, it is not enough to really clean their mouth properly. Ultimately, the only way to fresh breath and good oral hygiene would be regular teeth-brushing sessions and dental check-ups, regardless of how much wet or dry food your furkid eats.
Myth #5: Your pet should eat the same kibble their entire life
Many pet owners are afraid of switching up their pet’s diet as they worry that it might upset their pet’s stomach. While it is understandable to be concerned, if switching up your pet’s diet causes it to have an upset digestive system, it probably means that your pet’s digestive health is already not in a good condition to begin with, or that you’ve changed the diet too much, too fast.
Just like humans, if a pet’s gut is healthy, it should be able to rotate foods and ingredients when introduced gradually over a period of time. Changing up their diet ensures that they receive a wide variety of nutrition, minerals, and vitamins, and doing so can also help to prevent allergies from developing.
If you’re worried about upsetting your pet’s stomach, simply go slow when switching up its diet and consider adding probiotics to aid its digestion.
