Common feeding myths in dogs and cats
Diet is a cause of acute moist dermatitis
- Feeding a diet that is energy dense or high in protein has been blamed as a cause of acute moist dermatitis (hot spots). However, there is no evidence that a relationship exists between a diet's nutrient content and these skin lesions.
- The most common underlying causes of acute moist dermatitis appear to be flea-bite hypersensitivity and other allergic skin diseases. Improper grooming and self-trauma may also contribute.
Certain diets cause coat color to turn red in dogs
- The term "red coat" refers to a perceived change in coat color from from almost any normal base color to a red or reddish brown. A scientific connection between commercial diets and development of red coat has never been demonstrated.
- The few cases of red coat that have been investigated have been found to have an identifiable underlying cause. These included exposure to sun, staining porphyrin, the presence of old hairs that had not been shed, or a coexisting dermatological disease.
Diet causes gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV)
- Current studies indicate that development of GDV is not related to any specific component in pet food.
- Nutritional factors that can influence a dog's risk for GDV include consuming only one meal per day, having a fast rate of eating, and experiencing aerophagia while eating.
- GDV appears to be a disease with multiple risk factors including body type, gender, temperament, and environment.
High-fat pet foods cause hyperlipidemia
- Both hyperlipidemia and artherosclerosis are rare conditions in dogs and cats. When these conditions do occur, they are either of genetic origin or they develop secondary to other disease states.
- Unlike humans, dogs and cats are capable of consuming a wide range of dietary fat and still maintaining normal blood lipid levels. This is presumably because dogs and cats first evolve as carnivorous predators with a diet that normally contained a high proportion of animal fat.
Coprophagy (Stool Eating) is caused by a nutrient deficiency
- Most dogs will consume the feces of herbivorous species such as horses, cattle, deer, or rabbits. In addition, many dogs that live with cats will eat cat feces if given access to the litter box. Some dogs also consume canine feces, including their own.
- Eating feces is a manifestation of normal canid scavenging behavior and is observed both in pet dogs and in captive and wild wolves.
- Feeding a diet that is energy dense or high in protein has been blamed as a cause of acute moist dermatitis (hot spots). However, there is no evidence that a relationship exists between a diet's nutrient content and these skin lesions.
- The most common underlying causes of acute moist dermatitis appear to be flea-bite hypersensitivity and other allergic skin diseases. Improper grooming and self-trauma may also contribute.
Certain diets cause coat color to turn red in dogs
- The term "red coat" refers to a perceived change in coat color from from almost any normal base color to a red or reddish brown. A scientific connection between commercial diets and development of red coat has never been demonstrated.
- The few cases of red coat that have been investigated have been found to have an identifiable underlying cause. These included exposure to sun, staining porphyrin, the presence of old hairs that had not been shed, or a coexisting dermatological disease.
Diet causes gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV)
- Current studies indicate that development of GDV is not related to any specific component in pet food.
- Nutritional factors that can influence a dog's risk for GDV include consuming only one meal per day, having a fast rate of eating, and experiencing aerophagia while eating.
- GDV appears to be a disease with multiple risk factors including body type, gender, temperament, and environment.
High-fat pet foods cause hyperlipidemia
- Both hyperlipidemia and artherosclerosis are rare conditions in dogs and cats. When these conditions do occur, they are either of genetic origin or they develop secondary to other disease states.
- Unlike humans, dogs and cats are capable of consuming a wide range of dietary fat and still maintaining normal blood lipid levels. This is presumably because dogs and cats first evolve as carnivorous predators with a diet that normally contained a high proportion of animal fat.
Coprophagy (Stool Eating) is caused by a nutrient deficiency
- Most dogs will consume the feces of herbivorous species such as horses, cattle, deer, or rabbits. In addition, many dogs that live with cats will eat cat feces if given access to the litter box. Some dogs also consume canine feces, including their own.
- Eating feces is a manifestation of normal canid scavenging behavior and is observed both in pet dogs and in captive and wild wolves.
MORE VETERINARY ARTICLES
-
Oral Pain 1. Fractured bones or teeth. 2. Trauma. 3. Periodontitis or caries (especially cats). 4. Osteomyelitis. 5. Other causes ...
-
Diet is a cause of acute moist dermatitis - Feeding a diet that is energy dense or high in protein has been blamed as a cause of acute moist...
-
A common cause of nutritional problems in dogs and cats is overfeeding or feeding inappropriate foods. Overfeeding can lead to rapid growth ...
-
Urethral Obstruction in Dogs | Canine Urethral Obstruction In animals with anatomic urethral obstruction , the size and nature of the lesio...
-
Canine Leukemia | Leukemia in Dogs In dog leukemias constitute fewer than 10% of all hemolymphatic neoplasms and are therefore consider...
-
Dog Allergies | Allergies in Dogs Allergies in dogs are basically an immune system overreaction. The nasal cavity is an uncommon primary...
-
Dog Names Give a name to your dog The name you will choose for your dog is tied to your personality. It reflects the relationship you w...
-
Canine Coronaviral Enteritis | Coronaviral Enteritis in Dogs Coronaviral enteritis in dogs occurs when coronavirus invades and destroys ma...
-
Neoplasms originating from the larynx are uncommon in dogs and cats. More commonly, tumors originating in tissues adjacent to the larynx, su...
-
Signs and symptoms of syncope in dogs and cats . Cardiac output often becomes inadequate in animals with heart disease or heart failure , es...