July 3, 2025, 2:21 pm | Read time: 8 minutes
If you love your pet, you want to feed it the right food to keep it healthy for a long time. However, various myths have circulated in society for decades—some of them deeply ingrained.
Whether it’s cartoons, old wives’ tales, or well-meaning advice from family members, many myths about pet nutrition persist. However, some of these so-called truths can be quite dangerous and are nothing more than pet food myths. We debunk eight of the most well-known misconceptions–and tell you what should actually be in the bowl.
1. “Rabbits Love Carrots”
The image of a nibbling rabbit with a carrot in its mouth became iconic mainly through Bugs Bunny from the “Looney Tunes.” However, the idea that carrots are good food for rabbits is probably the most well-known pet food myth. In fact, the carrot was included in the cartoons to mimic a cigarette, making the rabbit appear particularly “cool.” Since the first cartoons in 1940, this misconception has become widespread and ingrained.
However, carrots contain a lot of sugar and should not be a main component of a rabbit’s diet. Rabbits primarily need roughage like hay or fresh grasses, which should make up the bulk of their diet. Carrots should only be offered as an occasional treat–in small amounts.
Problematic aspect of this pet food myth: Too much sugar promotes obesity and dental problems. Additionally, a rabbit’s sensitive gut flora can become unbalanced.
Proper feeding: Fresh hay around the clock, supplemented with some leafy greens like arugula, endive, or celery leaves, and occasionally vegetables. Very rarely, offer fruit or sugary vegetables like carrots.
More on this topic: Are Carrots Really Healthy for Rabbits?
2. “Milk Is Good for Cats”
For a long time, hardly any commercial featured a purring cat with a bowl of milk. However, most adult cats are lactose intolerant. The result: diarrhea, bloating, and stomach pain. The origin of this misconception likely dates back to when farm cats received raw milk as their only “treat” as a small thank you for their good mouse-catching skills. Many cats somehow tolerated it back then. Today, we know that most cats become lactose intolerant after weaning.
Problematic aspect of this pet food myth: It’s not that cats don’t like milk. The fats and sugars it contains appeal to their senses, so they lap it up eagerly. However, milk can cause various symptoms in cats, most commonly vomiting or diarrhea.
The lactose in milk can also lead to digestive issues like diarrhea, bloating, and stomach pain. If symptoms persist or milk is repeatedly given, cats may experience loss of appetite, weight loss, or dehydration due to ongoing diarrhea. Many pet stores exploit this misconception by selling lactose-free cat milk or alternatives, but these should also be given in moderation.
Better feeding: Don’t feed them at all, as the animals won’t learn to find food on their own. If you want to treat your cat, offer suitable lickable pastes or chew treats.
3. “Ducks Love Bread”
In spring, feeding ducks is a popular family outing. But bread is hardly digestible for waterfowl as it contains a lot of salt and sugar, which are unsuitable for ducks. This can lead to digestive problems, liver disease, and nutritional deficiencies.
Additionally, ducks can become “bread junkies,” literally becoming dependent on it. The salt or sugar in bread may taste good, but it’s unsuitable for ducks. Moreover, leftover bread can lead to algae growth and pollute the water. If the food is left uneaten, it can attract other animals like rats and mice.
Problematic aspect of this pet food myth: Bread causes digestive problems in ducks because it swells in their stomachs and cannot be metabolized. If ducks are fed bread for an extended period, it can lead to nutritional deficiencies and gout.
Better: Don’t feed them at all, as the animals won’t learn to find food on their own. If ducks are fed bread in the same place, more waterfowl may gather, causing stress and increased pollution of the surrounding areas with droppings. By winter, when fewer or no visitors feed them, the animals could even starve.
Read more here: Do Ducks Really Love Bread?
4. „Dogs Love Bones“
The dog is descended from the wolf, so it seems logical that bones would be a natural part of their diet. Media portrayals of dogs jealously guarding their bones have also reinforced this pet food myth. However, bones can be dangerous, leading to internal injuries, intestinal blockages, or even fatal bleeding.
Problematic aspect of this pet food myth: Bones, especially poultry or hollow bones that become brittle when cooked, can break and their sharp ends can injure a dog’s organs. Pork bones are also risky.
Better feeding: Raw, meaty beef marrow bones can be offered in moderation, under supervision, and only to healthy dogs. Alternatively, provide chew snacks specifically made for dogs–safe and nutritious. They don’t have to be bone-shaped; focus on good ingredients instead.
5. “Mice Love Cheese”
Cheese and mice–another classic image from cartoons, especially in “Tom & Jerry,” where the mouse is often lured out of its hole with a piece of cheese. In the Disney series “Chip ‘n’ Dale,” the mouse Samson seems hypnotized by the mere aroma of cheese. However, cheese is not suitable for mice and can even be toxic due to its high fat and protein content. Despite this, the myth persists that you can lure a mouse into a trap with a piece of cheese.
Problematic aspect of this pet food myth: Like many other animals on this list, mice are more likely to experience digestive issues from cheese. It’s not suitable for them and can be harmful. If you want to catch an unwanted mouse, consider using a live trap with insects or nuts to gently relocate the animal outside.
Better: Grains, fruits, seeds, and plant-based foods. In the wild, mice eat these, which are more suitable for their diet.
6. “Hard Bread Is Good for Rabbits’ Teeth”
As stale as the bread is this pet food myth. Many owners give their rabbits hard bread, a practice that dates back to grandma’s time and is doubly problematic.
Problematic aspect of this pet food myth: Hard bread doesn’t effectively wear down teeth–fiber-rich grasses do a much better job. Bread contains grains and starch, which rabbits don’t tolerate well and can severely disrupt their sensitive gut flora.
Better: Chew, chew, chew. Rabbits feed on fibrous grasses, and the constant chewing helps them naturally wear down their growing teeth and keep them healthy. Additionally, branches from unsprayed fruit trees (such as apple or pear) can be provided–also good for dental health and appropriate for their species.
7. “Dogs Love Bones”
Raw feeding (“BARF”) or meat-heavy diets are booming, often with the argument that dogs are pure carnivores. But: Dogs have long ceased to be wolves and have adapted to a mixed diet over millennia.
Problematic aspect of this pet food myth: Meat alone doesn’t provide all the necessary nutrients–it lacks calcium, iodine, vitamin A, or fiber.
- This can lead to severe deficiencies, growth disorders, or organ problems–especially in young dogs.
Better: Raw, meaty beef marrow bones can be offered in moderation, under supervision, and only to healthy dogs. Alternatively, provide specially made dog chews that are safe and nutritious. They don’t have to be bone-shaped; focus on good ingredients instead.
6. “Wild Animals Need Milk”
A dangerous misconception that costs many young animals their lives. When seemingly helpless wild animals are found in the fall or spring, many people instinctively reach for milk. However, in this case, too, milk is not suitable. Most wild animals are lactose intolerant after weaning, and milk can cause digestive issues.
Better: Contact wildlife rescue services–they have special rearing milk, experts, and advice. Because not every animal needs help!
6. “Hard Bread Is Good for Rabbit Teeth”
As stale as the bread is this pet food myth. Many owners give their rabbits old, hard bread thinking, “It will grind down their teeth.” In reality, this is a myth from grandma’s time that is doubly problematic.
Problematic aspect of this pet food myth: As mentioned, bread contains grains and starch, which rabbits don’t tolerate well–it can severely disrupt their sensitive gut flora. Additionally, hard bread doesn’t effectively wear down their teeth–fiber-rich hay and vegetables are much better for this purpose.
Better: Chew, chew, chew. Rabbits feed on fibrous grasses, and the constant chewing helps them naturally wear down their growing teeth and keep them healthy. Additionally, branches from unsprayed fruit trees (such as apple or pear) can be provided–also good for dental health and appropriate for their species.
Are cats allowed to eat cheese? A veterinarian clarifies
This is why carrots are unhealthy for rabbits
Why You Shouldn’t Feed Bread to Ducks
Conclusion
Many feeding myths persist due to a lack of knowledge about the proper nutrition for certain animals or the desire to sustainably use food that people no longer want to eat. It’s crucial to debunk common myths and provide animals with what they truly need. Incorrect feeding can lead to illness–and sometimes even be fatal.