Dogs are not pure carnivores, grain-free is not automatically better, and vegan treats can be a perfectly good reward. Those are the short answers to three of the most stubborn dog food myths. Few topics spark as much passionate debate among dog owners as the food bowl, and few are as full of half-truths from advertising, internet forums and chats at the dog park. In this article we take a close look at the three most common claims and give you simple questions you can use to judge food claims for yourself.
Are dogs pure carnivores?
No. Dogs descend from wolves, but they have evolved alongside humans for thousands of years and learned to digest starchy food along the way. Experts therefore do not class them as strict carnivores, but as carnivores with clear omnivore tendencies. High-quality animal protein plays an important role in the bowl, but vegetables, fruit and even grains are not foreign matter for a healthy dog; they provide energy, fibre and nutrients.
Our Vico is the best proof: he will sit for a piece of carrot just as quickly as for a piece of dried meat. What matters is not whether a single ingredient is animal or plant based, but whether the overall ration suits your dog's age, size and activity level. For questions about the main meal, your veterinary practice is the right place to ask.
Is grain-free automatically better?
No. Grain-free is a product characteristic, not a mark of quality. The vast majority of dogs digest properly prepared grains without any trouble. Genuine grain or gluten intolerances do exist, but they are far rarer than the marketing suggests. On top of that, grain-free products usually replace the grain with other starch sources such as potatoes, peas or chickpeas. That does not make the bowl lighter or more natural, just filled differently.
If you suspect that your dog is not tolerating a food, do not experiment with exclusion lists on your own. A proper work-up happens at the veterinary practice, usually with a supervised elimination diet. That way you find out what your dog actually reacts to, instead of cutting out whole ingredient groups as a precaution.
Are vegan treats any good?
Yes. As a reward in between meals, purely plant-based treats are perfectly fine, because treats complement the main meal rather than replace it. The same things matter for every snack: a short ingredient list, real foods and no hidden sugar. Whether the ingredients are animal or plant based is secondary for a healthy dog.
The handmade varieties from a small bakery in Lugano show how tasty that can be. The vegan mix with four varieties combines banana peanut, sweet potato coconut, beetroot and pumpkin oat in one pack, all baked on organic Swiss whole wheat flour and without any animal ingredients. The beetroot dog treats also show how little it takes: six ingredients, and the red colour comes from the organic beetroot rather than a bottle of dye. You will find more varieties in our collection of handmade dog treats from Switzerland.
A fully vegan diet is a different matter: switching the main meal is demanding and belongs, if at all, in expert hands. Get guidance from your veterinary practice or a qualified canine nutritionist so that your dog gets all the nutrients he needs.
How do you tell whether a food claim is true?
Three simple test questions expose most myths:
- Does it promise an effect? Claims such as anti-inflammatory, calming or detoxifying belong to medicines, not to food and snacks. The bigger the health promise, the more sceptical you should be.
- Does the ingredient list back up the claim? Whatever is printed in big letters on the front of the pack should appear near the top of the declaration. We show you step by step how to read an ingredient list in our article on dog treat ingredient lists.
- Is the claim supposed to apply to every dog? One-size-fits-all recipes are suspicious. A puppy, a sporting dog and a senior have different needs, and what suits one may not suit another.
And if you are unsure, or your dog shows symptoms such as itching, frequent vomiting or diarrhoea: ask at your veterinary practice before you change the bowl.
Frequently asked questions
Can I feed my dog a vegan diet?
Vegan treats are unproblematic as a complement. A completely vegan main diet, however, should only be attempted with veterinary guidance and a properly checked ration plan, so that no nutrient gaps develop.
Are grains bad for my dog?
Not for the vast majority of dogs. Properly prepared grains provide energy and fibre. Only a dog with a proven intolerance needs to avoid them, and that diagnosis belongs at the veterinary practice.
How do I recognise a food intolerance?
Possible signs include recurring itching, frequent ear infections or digestive problems. These symptoms can have many causes, though. Have them checked by a vet instead of switching food on a hunch.
