Woody’s Pet Food Deli

Pet Food Myth

Woody and Fred’s Responses

Commercial dry pet food is better for my pet.

Woody: “Woof! We pets didn’t evolve on dry food.  Did you humans?  Dry food became popular after WWII when meat became more expensive and people looked for convenience.  If dry food is great, then why don’t you humans eat dry food too? Does spraying your food with animal fat to make it palatable sound really appetizing? Woof!”

Commercial dry pet food will make my pet live longer.

Fred:  “Howl! No study has ever proven this. In fact there are no studies comparing commercial food and real food.  Howl! The Pottenger’s cats study is perhaps the closest study comparing the effects of natural vs processed diets. The TV commercial where the pet food manufacturer claims to add 1.8 years to your dog’s life when fed their food was actually a study on obesity. Both test groups were fed the same dog food, but one group was overfed by 25%! Talk about creative marketing! Howl!”

Commercial pet food “complete and balanced” guarantee ensures optimal nutrition for my pet.

Woody: “Woof! Human nutrition is much more researched than pet nutrition yet pet food companies claim their pet foods are optimal!  What ‘complete and balanced’ really means is that the pet food meets the minimum nutrients required set by the self-serving industry trade organization (AAFCO). Woof!”

Real meat will make my pet eat other live animals.

Fred: “Howl! Foul! I don’t look at my human parents like they’re lamb chops!  Most meat protein-deprived pets are more prone to being violent to their fellow animals because they are starving for protein. Howl!”

Real meat will make my pet beg at the table.

Woody: “Woof! It’s all about training us pets. If you feed us at the table, then we’ll beg at the table.”

Pet food variety is bad for my pet.

Fred: “Howl! Like all mammals, we need a variety of foods to meet our nutrient needs. Pet food companies want you to stick to one type of food because it’s to their best interest. And when you do, your pet’s stomach gets weak and won’t be able to handle any other kind of food. Now you’re stuck with their food. Foul! Howl!”

Commercial dry food is best for your pets’ teeth.

Woody: “Woof! Then why don’t you humans just eat hard cookies and not brush your teeth! The raw food movement which started in Australia came about because of all the dental problems vets were seeing in dogs on a dry food diet! Woof!”