Choosing the right pet food is a stressful and confusing decision. The aisles are filled with brightly colored bags and premium brands. They all make bold claims about your pet’s health. However, many of these claims are just marketing hype. According to veterinarians, some of the most expensive and popular trends in pet food offer little to no real health benefit for your animal. They are, in many cases, a complete waste of your money.
1. Grain-Free Diets (for most pets)
The “grain-free” trend is one of the biggest marketing successes in pet food history. It is based on the unproven idea that grains are bad for dogs and cats. For the vast majority of pets, this is simply not true. Most dogs and cats digest grains perfectly well. A true grain allergy is very rare. You are paying a premium price for a product that your pet does not need
2. “Exotic” Protein Diets
You can now find pet foods made from a variety of exotic proteins, like kangaroo, alligator, or duck. These are often much more expensive than standard chicken or beef formulas. Veterinarians say these are not inherently healthier. In fact, they recommend that you “save” these novel proteins. If your pet ever develops a real food allergy, you will need a new protein source that their body has never seen before.
3. “Boutique” Brand Diets
“Boutique” brands are small companies that often do not do their own manufacturing. They are known for their great marketing and their high prices. However, many of these small companies do not have the resources to conduct the rigorous, AAFCO-compliant feeding trials. Vets often prefer the “big three” brands (Purina, Hill’s, and Royal Canin) because they have decades of scientific research and testing behind their formulas.
4. Gourmet, Human-Grade “Toppers”
The pet food aisle is now full of expensive “toppers.” These are small pouches of gourmet gravy, shredded meats, or vegetables. They are designed to be added to your pet’s regular kibble. While this might make your pet enjoy their meal more, it is a waste of money. It is the pet-food equivalent of covering a balanced, nutritious meal with a small amount of expensive junk food. It can also unbalance the diet.
5. “Ancestral” or “Wild” Diets
Many brands market their food as an “ancestral” diet. They claim it mimics what a wolf or a wild cat would eat. This is a pure marketing gimmick. Your domesticated dog is not a wolf. Their digestive system has evolved over thousands of years to live with humans. A scientifically formulated diet from a reputable company is a much safer and more nutritious choice than a bag of expensive, “wild-inspired” kibble.
6. CBD-Infused Pet Foods
The CBD trend has now moved into the pet food space. You can find a variety of treats and foods that contain CBD. These products claim to help with everything from anxiety to joint pain. However, the veterinary CBD market is almost completely unregulated. There is no consensus on a safe or effective dose. You are paying a huge premium for an unproven and unregulated ingredient.
7. Vegan or Vegetarian Diets (for cats)
A vegetarian or vegan diet can be a healthy choice for a human. It can also be a safe choice for a dog if it is carefully formulated. For a cat, however, it is a different story. Cats are “obligate carnivores.” This means that they must obtain their essential nutrients, such as taurine, from meat. A vegan diet for a cat is a very dangerous and very unnatural choice that can lead to severe health problems.
The Vet-Approved Approach
The best pet food is not always the one with the fanciest ingredients or the highest price tag. It is the one that is backed by the most scientific research and quality control. Most veterinarians will tell you to ignore the marketing hype on the front of the bag. They will advise you instead to choose a food from a long-standing, reputable company. You should also look for the AAFCO statement. This confirms the food is a complete and balanced meal for your pet.
What kind of food do you feed your pet? Have you ever been confused by the marketing claims on a bag of pet food? Let us know your thoughts!
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