As a pet pawrent, you want the very best for your cat or dog. But with so much advice circulating online, on social media and among friends, it’s easy to fall for common myths about pet nutrition.
At C&D Foods and its affiliates, we believe nutritional choices should be guided by science, not hearsay. With more than 50 years of experience and manufacturing sites and laboratory facilities across Europe, we develop wet and dry foods tailored specifically to cats and dogs at every life stage.
Our in-house scientists and veterinary professionals ensure every recipe is carefully formulated, nutritionally balanced and designed to support long-term health.
In this article, our pet nutrition experts bust some of the common myths about pet food and explain what really matters for your pet’s wellbeing.
Pet food myth #1: ‘Cats and dogs can eat the same food’
In fact, cats and dogs have very different nutritional needs.
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they must eat animal-based proteins to get nutrients like taurine, which are essential for their heart, eyes, and overall health.
Dogs, on the other hand, are carnivores too, but they are opportunistic carnivores. This means that while their diet is primarily meat-based, they can digest and use nutrients from other foods in certain conditions. For example, dogs do not need taurine from meat because their bodies can make it from other amino acids.
Feeding the same food to both cats and dogs can lead to nutritional imbalances over time.
Pet food myth #2: ‘Leftovers from your plate are fine for dogs’
It’s tempting to share scraps from your own meal, but human food is often unsuitable for dogs. Ingredients such as onions, garlic, chocolate and certain artificial sweeteners can be harmful. Even foods that aren’t toxic are frequently high in salt or fat.
It’s fine to offer your dog the odd piece of chicken (bone free of course), or boiled potato from your leftovers, but their main diet should be complete and balanced food formulated specifically for dogs. This provides the correct nutritional profile without unnecessary extras, helping to maintain your canine companion’s healthy weight and overall wellbeing.
Pet food myth #3: ‘Tinned fish is better for your cat than cat food’
Cats may love the taste of tinned fish, and it’s fine for them to enjoy it as a treat, but fish alone is not nutritionally complete. It does not provide all essential vitamins and minerals, and it’s also important to watch out for any added salt, oils, or other additives that can be found in some tinned fish products.
Fish should never replace a fully balanced cat food designed to support heart health, vision, coat condition and overall vitality.
Pet food myth #4: ‘Wet food is always best’
Wet food is often praised for supporting hydration and palatability, and offers easy portion control, but dry food has benefits too. With a longer cupboard life once opened, dry food offers convenience, and can remain in the bowl all day for pets that prefer to graze rather than gobble. Due to its texture, dry food can help support dental health too.
The key isn’t choosing between wet or dry pet food, but ensuring the food is complete, balanced and appropriate for your pet’s species and life stage. Many pets thrive on a combination of both wet and dry food, which can be mixed together in a single meal to add variety to the bowl.
Pet food myth #5: ‘Puppy and kitten food is just a sales gimmick’
Puppies and kittens grow rapidly, and their nutritional requirements differ significantly from those of adult pets. They need higher levels of energy, protein and specific minerals to support developing bones, muscles and immune systems.
Feeding adult pet food to a growing puppy or kitten may compromise healthy development. Life-stage-specific nutrition ensures young pets receive exactly what they need during this critical period in their physical and brain development.
The bottom line
Science guides everything we do at C&D Foods and its affiliates. From laboratory testing to veterinary oversight, every recipe is developed to meet high nutritional standards and deliver balanced, species-appropriate nutrition. With manufacturing sites across Europe and pet foods on shelf from Ireland in the west to Romania in the east and everywhere in between, we provide consistent, high-quality pet food that’s been trusted by pet owners for more than 50 years.
Feeding pets isn’t about trends or assumptions. It’s about supporting long-term health, vitality and wellbeing – which is what we pack into every can, alutray and bag!
