Critter Talk: Finding Fault with Fillers in Pet Foods (Part 1)

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Reading a pet food label is easy. Translating it into usable information is quite another. In case you never tried it, let me offer you this frank observation: Even as a veterinarian, interpreting what’s what on the back of the bag isn’t always easy.

And nowhere is this tougher than when it comes to spotting “real” ingredients versus the so-called “fillers.” Mostly, that’s because “fillers” mean different things to different people. And that’s where the confusion begins…

Ask most people and they’ll say that fillers are cheap ingredients that serve to “fill pets up.” But for many of us, a better definition of a filler might be anything that:

a) Isn’t a biologically appropriate ingredient for the species

b) Adds bulk in lieu of other, more nutritious, or higher quality options

c) Adds nutrients in lieu of other, higher quality options

d) Offers the pet food company a higher profit margin at the expense of quality (especially, when that quality makes a difference to pet health)

Granted, any of the above can be said to march in time to the beholder’s POV. To wit, what’s “biologically appropriate” for any given species (including humans) is as hotly debated as climate change. Though there are some obvious examples of biological impropriety (cats should not be eating corn-based foods, nor should dogs be eating any amount of high-fructose corn syrup), it’s not always so cut and dry.

Which is why many veterinary nutritionists will agree that so-called fillers exist in pet foods, but some will hold they’re necessary for maintaining an appropriate nutrient balance. Here’s Angell Memorial’s veterinary nutritionist, Dr. Rebecca Remillard’s approach (speaking of dogs only):

“In a sense, [a carbohydrate filler is a much needed] part of the diet. The point to consider when thinking about why carbohydrates constitute a large fraction of most pet foods [is that] on a dry matter basis (no water included), the total of all five nutrients must equal 100. So the sum of protein plus fat plus carbohydrate (starch plus fiber) plus minerals plus vitamins must equal 100. There are no other components to consider.

If all the dog’s nutrient requirements … can be met in a twenty percent protein, ten percent fat, ten percent for all vitamins and minerals, what has to comprise the remaining sixty percent?

The least harmful is carbohydrate in some various form. There are no other nutrients. If you wish to feed less carbohydrate then you’ll have to overfeed some other nutrient like protein or fat.”

I wholeheartedly agree, and I absolutely respect Dr. Remillard. Nonetheless, my problem with her take (and I would love it if she would offer her opinion here) is three-fold:

1-I’m OK with feeding dogs more protein than twenty percent, as long as they have no aggression issues. Science hasn’t yet dictated this magic number’s preeminence.

2-This excerpt would seem to suggest that all carbs are created equal. But they’re not. This we know.

3-Fillers shouldn’t always be defined as carbs. To my nit-picky, curmudgeonly way of thinking, a filler is any substitute for something better that could have been offered in its stead. (Though I’ll freely agree that “better” isn’t exactly easy to agree upon, and fillers almost always arrive in the guise of carbs.)

(All of which males me thing Dr. Remillard and I simply have a differing opinion on how a filler is defined.)

Ultimately though, it’s the issue of food price and profit margin that raises the trickiest issue. How far should pet food companies go to offer a nutritionally balanced diet? When are substitutions for high-quality meats, vegetables, and grains considered acceptable? Do these substitutions (i.e., fillers) really make a difference to pet health? Should health ever be sacrificed for profit?

Unfortunately, the answer to this last question is a resounding “yes” in our culture. Otherwise, why would places like McDonald’s and “foods” like Coca-Cola exist? But I digress … which means it’s time to step away from the keyboard and take a break. Stay tuned for part 2 later this week: how best to spot fillers in pet foods.

Many thanks to Dr. Patty Khuly and our friends at Fully Vetted

About Post Author

Professor Mike

Professor Mike is a left-leaning, dog loving, political junkie. He has written dozens of articles for Substack, Medium, Simily, and Tribel. Professor Mike has been published at Smerconish.com, among others. He is a strong proponent of the environment, and a passionate protector of animals. In addition he is a fierce anti-Trumper. Take a moment and share his work.
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2 years ago

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13 years ago

Because dogs are “easy pukers” (have no difficulty barfing- and indeed do so for their young) they can also be indiscriminate omnivores. Scavengers can’t afford to be picky- the hunting isn’t always good you know. If they eat something that doesn’t “sit right”, back up it comes. (People think rats are gross, but they are actually very picky eaters as they are unable to vomit.)

A cat is a carnivore in the wild. Other than the possibility of the cat eating the stomach contents of a prey animal, there is hardly anything other than meat in the diet. I have a cat (Krell’s cat actually) that recently ate a bunch of ant larvae I had uncovered when moving a rock. It was like watching a video of a honey badger ignoring the bees going after him as he brushed away the ants crawling on his face. I have seen him eat a slug, bugs, squirrels- not too picky as long as it is protein.

This high protein diet coupled with the shortness of the alimentary canal make a cat’s crap pretty high in “almost” food value waste. Which is why it smells so very very bad, and why dogs eat it with such relish.

Angel
13 years ago

Thank you for all of the information, you have done your research which is very helpful. I have converted to IAMS for the two dogs and three cats and they are all healthy and happy. They have great coats and they all seem to enjoy the taste. Although my dogs will eat anything so I can’t judge too much on their taste. They have developed a strong affinity for bread and chips, not by my choice mind you.:-)

The cats on the other hand are very picky and they like the IAMS food and all are doing well. Now I just need to find something that will help my long hair cat with hairballs. None of the hairball food works and he hates the paste.

Thanks again for the info!

13 years ago

Dogs and cats will eat pretty much anything…especially dogs. Let’s face it they lick their own balls so their taste buds aren’t exactly an issue..;-)

Some will be ‘fussy’, most won’t.

What we have to do is make sure that whatever feed we’re giving them is really beneficial.

Small print people. Read the small print. If you’re uncertain talk to your Vet. They know and they care – let’s face it, they’d rather have your pet alive than dead….it’s worth more $!!! – and, mainly, they love animals.

Reply to  fourdinners
13 years ago

I have two female dogs and they like to lick “themselves” as much as males do.

13 years ago

Personally, My daughter Tonya got me to switch to Flint River Ranch food for Rascal and the kitties. It has no fillers and is human grade food, not that I am going to fight Rascal for it. He really likes it when he can’t get corn on the cob, hot dogs, peanut butter, or sweet potatoes. 🙂

13 years ago

Thanks Mike… my friends have been reading your animal medicine posts…. !

13 years ago

I have several cats and I feed them nothing but canned food; and none of that sh*t from supermarkets either. There are several brands of canned food where the first 6 or 7 ingredients are actually meat, poultry or fish (assuming the label is telling the truth). I give them sardines or tuna once a day; other than that it’s nothing but canned food.

I’ve found a few brands of dry food where the first 3 ingredients are meat, but there’s still just too much junk.

This was an interesting post. I’m always researching this and trying to adjust and tweak what I give our cats. They’re our children.

13 years ago

We have a new food that we will be recommending that was designed by a veterianarin. It is a great adition to our kennel and client information packs. I will be posting more info on GatorlandK9’s website and Facebook pages. We will have a new website this weekend , so make sure and check out the new look of GatorlandK9.

13 years ago

Thanks for the “book”. I am interested in your input. I feed my dogs Innova from Natura which my vet and the dogs love, but is damn expensive.

13 years ago

Me too. I tried Iams years ago. It smells like fish oil to me and made his coat smell like fish oil. Phew.

I’ve always heard that it isn’t a good idea to feed too high a protein diet until the bones have finished developing. Opinion?

Reply to  Professor Mike
13 years ago

Thanks Mike. I appreciate this. I’ve heard the same kind of argument about buying these puppy foods. I’m afraid I’m so poor that I’m lucky just to be able to buy buy food for either of us!

13 years ago

What would you recommend as acceptable dry dog food brands?

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