"In this section, our veterinarians have their say – experts who have been working with healthy dog nutrition for years. They answer questions about dog health – and show the important role nutrition plays in it."
Dog Nutrition: What's Really True – and What Isn't?
When it comes to the right nutrition for dogs, many people have strong opinions: "No grains!" "Lots of meat!" "Dogs descend from wolves and need to be fed accordingly!"
The truth is: When it comes to dog nutrition, many half-truths and stubborn myths are circulating. Some have persisted for decades, even though science has long since refuted them.
In this article, we take a close look at 10 common myths. You'll get not only clear answers, but also a better understanding of what species-appropriate nutrition for dogs really means.
Myth 1: Grains in Dog Food Are Bad
You often hear that grains are indigestible for dogs and have no place in healthy dog food. So many dog owners ask themselves: is grain in dog food good or bad?
A key insight comes from the study by Erik Axelsson (Uppsala University, 2013). In this study, the complete genomes of dogs and wolves were determined and compared. 36 genomic regions were identified that changed during the domestication of dogs.
What was found: compared to wolves, dogs have significantly more copies of genes responsible for starch digestion – in particular the amylase gene. While wolves have an average of 2 copies of this gene, dogs have up to 30 copies.
Amylase is an enzyme that breaks down starch into sugar: exactly what is needed to process grains. In addition, dogs have developed genes for the enzyme maltase-glucoamylase, which also breaks down starch and does not occur in pure carnivores, but does occur in omnivores.
This means: The difference between wolves and dogs is greater than many people think. Today's dogs are no longer wolves – neither in behaviour nor in metabolism. Dogs are biologically omnivore-carnivores. Their digestive system is designed for starchy food.
Grains in dog food bring real benefits:
- Provides quickly available energy through carbohydrates and starch
- Contains dietary fibre for healthy digestion
- Brings vitamins (e.g. B vitamins) and minerals (e.g. magnesium)
Important: Only heated (gelatinised) grain is well digestible for dogs. Raw, the dog can hardly utilise the starch.
Some grain varieties contain a lot of gluten, others very little or none at all:
| Grain type | Gluten content |
|---|---|
| Gluten-containing | Wheat, barley, rye, spelt – more common triggers of intolerances. |
| Gluten-free or low-gluten | Rice, maize, millet, oats – generally better tolerated. |
What matters is not "with or without grain", but the quality and composition of the food. If your dog doesn't tolerate grain, you can use our grain-free recipes.
Myth 2: Carbohydrates – Just Cheap Fillers?
Does a dog need carbohydrates? This question comes up again and again. Many dog owners fear that carbohydrates are automatically just cheap fillers.
In fact, carbohydrates are an important part of a balanced diet: they are a valuable source of energy that also supports digestion and intestinal health.
The need for carbohydrates is individual and depends, among other things, on age, activity level and state of health. Well-tolerated sources include:
- Potatoes and sweet potatoes: well tolerated, provide energy and are also rich in potassium.
- Rice: easily digestible and often used in bland diets for gastrointestinal problems.
- Quinoa and amaranth: gluten-free pseudo-cereals, rich in protein, minerals and dietary fibre.
For dogs to digest carbohydrates optimally, the starch must always be well gelatinised. This means: rice, potatoes, pasta & co. should be cooked until soft to very soft so that they become tolerable and utilisable for the dog.
Good to know: In our recipes, carbohydrates are balanced so that they match exactly your dog's daily needs.
Myth 3: Dogs Need to Be Fed Like Wolves
Does the dog descend from the wolf? Yes. Should the dog be fed like a wolf? Not necessarily. Especially not based on the simplified assumption that a wolf feeds exclusively on raw meat.
Wolves don't just eat muscle meat either. They consume entire prey animals – including offal, bones, fat and sometimes plant components. The difference between wolves and dogs today is also much greater than many people think. Through domestication, not only behaviour but also the dog's metabolism has changed (see also the study in Myth 1).
From the wolf comparison it is often concluded that raw meat is generally the best choice. This is not correct. Dogs can be fed a balanced diet with both raw and cooked food – what matters is the overall composition.
Cooked food has advantages: it is hygienically safer and more easily digestible for many dogs. Especially carbohydrates like rice or potatoes, as well as vegetables and fruit, only become optimally usable through cooking.
Species-appropriate nutrition is based on today's dog: needs-based, balanced and individually adapted. What makes sense is not looking back at the wolf, but looking at what your dog really needs today.
Myth 4: Can Raw Feeding Prevent Gastric Torsion?
Gastric torsion in dogs is a life-threatening emergency. The stomach rotates on its own axis, completely blocking the entrance and exit. Blood supply is cut off and gases can no longer escape. Without immediate treatment, this can be fatal. Many people believe that raw feeding (BARF) protects against this – but this is not scientifically proven.
More important risk factors are:
- Large amounts of food at once
- Eating hastily (gulping)
- Vigorous physical activity immediately after eating
- Genetics: especially large breeds with a deep chest have a higher risk
Another point is digestibility. When meat is heated, the so-called Maillard reaction occurs. Proteins are "broken down", which improves digestibility for many dogs.
Directly to the BARF recipes in the RecipeWorld
Myth 5: A High Meat Content Means Good Food
The more meat, the higher quality the food – many people are convinced of this. But this is not correct. The dog is an omni-carnivore. That means it is not a pure meat eater. It needs protein, but this does not necessarily have to come exclusively from meat. Fish, eggs, dairy products and legumes also provide valuable protein.
What really matters:
- the right amount of protein
- the balance of all nutrients
- individual adaptation (puppy vs. senior, athlete vs. couch potato)
What matters is the nutrient balance, not the pure amount of meat. That's why you'll find diverse alternatives with us that are adapted exactly to your dog's needs:
Myth 6: Dry Food Cleans Dogs' Teeth
That would be nice and very practical, but unfortunately it's a myth. The hoped-for abrasion effect is minimal: dogs are gulpers and barely chew. Dry food for dogs is therefore often simply swallowed quickly without mechanically cleaning the teeth.
In addition, carbohydrate-rich residues in the mouth can even promote plaque formation. Real dental care is only provided by special dental food varieties, suitable chew articles or manual dental care (tooth brushing).
Myth 7: Dogs Should Only Eat Once a Day
Many dog owners ask themselves: "How often should I feed my dog per day?" There is no blanket answer to this, but the "once a day" model is outdated for most dogs.
Adult dogs should generally be fed twice daily to protect the stomach and keep blood sugar levels stable. Puppies need 3 to 4 meals, and seniors and small dogs also benefit from several small portions spread throughout the day.
Several meals provide:
- stable energy through even blood sugar levels
- better digestion
- less stress for the stomach
Myth 8: The Smaller the Stool, the Better the Food
A small pile or just one bowel movement per day is often seen as a sign of high-quality food. This is also not quite right.
A healthy dog generally defecates one to three times daily. This can vary depending on breed, size, diet and individual metabolism. The amount per bowel movement depends, among other things, on the fibre and water content of the meals.
Dietary fibre and fibres play an important role in intestinal health. Since these are usually more abundantly contained in home-cooked menus than in heavily processed ready-made food, the stool volume here can naturally be somewhat higher. The amount of stool alone says very little – much more important are consistency and colour.
Are you unsure about your dog's output? Then you'll find all the answers here:
To the blog article "What should dog stool look like?"
Myth 9: A Dog's Stomach Kills All Germs
There's a grain of truth in that, but only a grain. The dog's stomach is considerably more acidic than the human stomach, which provides effective protection against many germs – but this mechanism doesn't work one hundred percent of the time.
Salmonella, listeria and other acid-resistant bacteria can pass through the dog's stomach without being killed. Even if such germs don't necessarily harm the dog, they can be a problem for us humans.
Dogs can pick up pathogens through raw meat or raw fish, appear completely healthy themselves and still spread the germs in the household via saliva, fur, faeces or bowls. This is particularly dangerous for risk groups such as small children, elderly people, pregnant women and immunocompromised persons.
That's why: always pay attention to good hygiene when feeding, especially with raw meat and fish. Hands, bowls, surfaces and kitchen utensils should be thoroughly cleaned after contact to prevent germs from spreading in the home.
Myth 10: Dogs Instinctively Know What's Good for Them
Wouldn't that be nice. But unfortunately no. Who doesn't know the dog that shovels piles of snow and then has a stomach ache, or the four-legged friend who just swipes the chocolates off the table?
Most dogs would eat things that are intolerable or even highly toxic to them without any concern – for example chocolate, grapes or the roast in onion sauce.
Because dogs simply don't instinctively know what is harming their health, we as owners need to keep a close eye on them. So that you can see at a glance what has no place in the bowl, we've created an overview for you.
To the blog article "What is toxic to dogs?" (incl. download graphic)
Conclusion: The Best Dog Nutrition Is Individual
When it comes to dog nutrition, there are no simple black-and-white answers. Every animal has its own needs, which can change over the course of its life.
A balanced diet consists of fresh ingredients, meets nutritional needs and is individually adapted to your dog's requirements – whether with grain, BARF or cooked meals.
Would you like to explore the topic of nutrition further? Then take a look at our expert article:
To the blog article "Healthy dog nutrition: long live your dog!"
