Busting Pet Myths: Pet Food Filler Ingredients

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Welcome to another episode of Debarking Pet Myths, our monthly series that tackles common myths, misconceptions and old wives’ tales about dogs, cats and their nutrition.

Ask Google “What is pet food?” and you will receive over 47 million results in less than a second. On the first page of results, article titles run the gamut from neutral and educational to negative and misleading – “Myths and Truths About ‘Fillers’ in Pet Food”, “Your Pet Food is it full of fillers?” and “9 Pet Food Filler Ingredients You Should Avoid.”

With so much content devoted to pet food, it’s no wonder dog and cat owners care about the ingredients used to make their pet food!

What’s particularly fascinating about all the interest in filler ingredients is how filling is defined and which ingredients are called fillers. Unfortunately, some of the ingredients currently condemned as fillers are actually useful because they are a source of essential fatty acids or essential amino acids. Also, contrary to what you may read on various websites, there is no official definition of filling when it comes to pet food.

How do the AAFCO and FDA define the term?

None of the organizations that provide ingredient and nutrition advice have a definition of filler ingredient. And both organizations provide definitions for a large number of terms.

From additive For must, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) defines many animal feed and pet food terms. (Dare we say thousands?) The organization also works with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state governments to define the ingredients used to make pet food and other animal foods. However, nowhere in the AAFCO Official publication can you find a definition for filling listed in the official terms section of the feed. You also won’t find it used to describe an ingredient in the official names and definitions of the pet food ingredient list.

But don’t think the AAFCO and FDA allow pet food companies to use any ingredient they choose in a pet food or food. Even ingredients used in human food may not be acceptable for use in pet food.

So why do some groups insist that certain pet foods be made with fillers? It’s a good question, and for which we don’t have a good answer.

But we can tell you this: At Diamond Pet Foods, every ingredient used in our dog and cat food serves a purpose.

Pets need nutrients, which are obtained from ingredients

Dogs and cats need amino acids, fatty acids, minerals and vitamins. Although not a requirement on its own, pets also need carbohydrates for energy and fiber. All of these nutrients are provided by the ingredients used in the manufacture of pet food.

Nutrients and ingredients are important when it comes to pet food. No single ingredient can provide all the nutrients in the right proportion for your dog or cat. But each ingredient contributes a unique set of nutrients to the food so the combination of ingredients provides complete and balanced nutrition. That’s why you’ll see animal and plant-derived protein ingredients used in many pet foods or ingredients such as dried chicory root and tomato pomace, which provide fiber to help regulate consistency. stool and feed the beneficial bacteria in the colon.

How can you be sure that a food meets your animal’s needs?

If you’re concerned about what food you should feed your dog or cat, talking to your veterinarian is a great first step. Your veterinarian can assess your pet’s nutritional needs based on age, physical condition, activity level and health status (if applicable), then recommend an appropriate food, including how much to eat. to feed. You can also call a Diamond Pet Foods Product Specialist at 1-800-442-0402 for a recommendation.

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