Debunking Common Myths About Fresh and Raw Pet Food in Singapore

Every week, someone sends us a message on WA saying something like: "My mum says dogs are descendants of wolves and NEED raw meat" or "My vet said cooking destroys ALL the nutrients" or "Aren't grain-free diets supposed to be healthier?"

The internet has strong opinions about pet food. Most of them are wrong. 🐾

If you're a Singapore pawrent trying to work out whether fresh or raw food is right for your furkid, you've probably encountered a wall of conflicting advice: one influencer swears by raw feeding, another says cooked is the only safe choice, and your GP says kibble is "fine." The confusion is understandable. Pet food science is real but fragmented, marketing claims are everywhere, and most "common knowledge" is actually just marketing that stuck around.

This guide tackles 10 of the biggest myths we hear from customers, vets, and concerned furkids' families here in Singapore. Each one is evidence-backed. We'll cite research where it exists, explain the nuance where it doesn't, and be honest about where the science isn't settled yet.

Myth 1: "Raw feeding is natural because wolves eat raw meat"

What's actually true: Dogs and wolves are different animals. Genetically, they diverged 15,000 to 30,000 years ago. In that time, dogs evolved significant genetic differences, including multiple copies of the AMY2B gene which codes for amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starch in the mouth. Wolves have one copy. This means dogs can digest starch; wolves cannot.

Modern dogs have also undergone selective pressure for traits that make them efficient scavengers: better stomach acid, shorter transit time for food through the GI tract, and tolerances for a wider variety of foods than wolves. A dog eating like a wild wolf would be a dog that evolved differently than your furkid actually is.

Additionally, "natural" does not mean "safe." Wolves in the wild die from parasites, foodborne pathogens, and nutritional deficiencies at much higher rates than pet dogs. Nature is not a food safety standard.

The takeaway: Your dog is not a wolf. Its genome reflects 15,000+ years of cohabitation with humans and the metabolic adaptations that came with it.

Myth 2: "Cooking destroys all nutrients in pet food"

What's actually true: This is partially true and mostly overstated. Some nutrients are heat-sensitive; others are not.

Heat-sensitive nutrients include taurine (critical for cats, conditionally essential for dogs), thiamine (vitamin B1), folate (vitamin B9), and some amino acids like lysine, which can undergo Maillard browning under high heat and become biologically unavailable. A peer-reviewed study by Williams et al. (2014) measured lysine and methionine losses in commercial extruded kibble compared to gently cooked food cooked at 80°C.

Heat-stable nutrients include minerals (iron, zinc, calcium, phosphorus), fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), and proteins themselves. The structure of the protein changes under high heat, but the amino acids remain.

The key variable is temperature, not cooking itself. Extruded kibble is processed at 120-200°C. Canned food is retort-sterilised at 115-125°C. Gently cooked food (like sous vide at 80°C) is below the temperature where most heat-sensitive nutrients break down, while still being hot enough to kill pathogens.

The takeaway: Not all cooking is equal. Temperature matters far more than the fact of cooking.

Myth 3: "Fresh food diets are unbalanced or incomplete"

What's actually true: This depends entirely on the brand. A fresh food company that publishes recipes and meets AAFCO All Life Stages standards (the highest certification level) is more balanced than many kibbles on the market. A random fresh food brand that made a recipe on Instagram is probably not.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) publishes nutritional standards for complete-and-balanced pet food. "All Life Stages" certification means the formula has been tested to meet the nutritional needs of puppies, pregnant/nursing dogs, adults, and seniors, all from the same recipe.

Not all fresh food brands do AAFCO testing. Some rely on NRC (National Research Council) guidelines instead, which are less stringent on micronutrient minimums. Check the label. If it doesn't say "AAFCO All Life Stages," ask the brand why.

The takeaway: Brand matters. Check the label for AAFCO All Life Stages certification, and if it's not there, ask the company whether they've had a board-certified veterinary nutritionist formulate the recipe and why they skipped AAFCO testing.

Myth 4: "Kibble cleans your cat's teeth, so cats don't need dental care"

What's actually true: This is a marketing myth with no scientific support. Veterinary dental research consistently shows that kibble does NOT clean teeth. The myth persists because kibble makes a crunchy sound and kibble companies have marketed it for decades.

Tooth cleaning happens through mechanical friction at the gum line and with the tooth surface. Kibble crumbles and sits on the tooth surface without applying that friction. Studies in cats fed exclusively kibble show no lower rates of dental disease than cats fed canned or fresh food.

Actual dental health comes from:
- ✅ Regular brushing (gold standard)
- ✅ Dental chews (if veterinary-approved)
- ✅ Professional cleaning under anaesthesia (when needed)
- ✅ A diet that doesn't promote inflammation (which all AAFCO-complete diets, kibble included, support)

The takeaway: Don't rely on kibble for dental health. If your cat or dog's teeth matter to you (and they should), brush them and work with your vet.

Myth 5: "Grain-free pet food is healthier"

What's actually true: This is complicated and the science is still moving.

Grain-free diets became popular after the FDA began investigating a potential link between grain-free pet food and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM, a heart condition) in dogs. As of 2026, the FDA has not concluded that grain-free itself causes DCM. What they have found is that some grain-free formulas had taurine deficiency, which can contribute to DCM. That is a formulation problem, not a grain-free problem.

The current veterinary consensus is that DCM risk comes from specific ingredient profiles in some grain-free foods, not from the absence of grain. A well-formulated grain-free diet with adequate taurine is safe. A poorly-formulated grain-free diet is the same risk as a poorly-formulated diet with grain.

For cats, this is less relevant: cats are obligate carnivores and have very low carbohydrate needs. Grain-free is closer to their evolutionary diet, but a grain-inclusive diet with adequate taurine and high animal protein is equally healthy.

The takeaway: Check the taurine content and the real meat protein percentage on the label, not whether it contains grain. Formulation matters; the presence or absence of grain alone does not.

Myth 6: "Cats need carbohydrates to be healthy"

What's actually true: Cats have minimal carbohydrate requirements. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they depend on nutrients found only in animal tissue, particularly taurine and arachidonic acid.

Cats have very low carbohydrase activity in their saliva and digestive tract, meaning they cannot digest plant matter efficiently. A study by Verbrugghe & Hesta (2011) showed that cats have essentially zero carbohydrate requirement. Their bodies can synthesise glucose from amino acids when needed.

Many commercial kibbles are 30-50% carbohydrate because grains and plant-based fillers are cheap. This is a cost optimisation, not a nutritional requirement. Cats fed high-carb diets show higher rates of obesity and diabetes in epidemiological studies.

An ideal cat diet is 40-50% protein, 30-40% fat, and minimal carbohydrate (under 10% dry matter). Raw, gently cooked, and high-protein kibbles can all meet this profile.

The takeaway: Your cat does not need carbs. A high-protein, animal-based diet (fresh, raw, or kibble) is optimal. If your brand boasts "no grains," that is not a special feature for cats. It is the baseline.

Myth 7: "Bigger, more famous pet food brands are always safer"

What's actually true: Brand size correlates with resources for quality control, but not always with actual quality. A large kibble manufacturer has more investment in nutrient testing and process validation than a small fresh food startup. But a large brand can also cut corners at scale in ways that affect safety.

The most telling benchmark is proof, not size. Ask any brand for:
- ✅ AAFCO All Life Stages certification (not just "complete and balanced")
- ✅ Feeding trial data (if they claim AAFCO, they should have it)
- ✅ A board-certified veterinary nutritionist on staff
- ✅ Third-party pathogen testing results (for safety-sensitive diets like raw or gently cooked)
- ✅ Public ingredient sourcing (where does the meat come from?)

A small fresh food brand that publishes all of this is safer than a mega-brand that hides behind vague claims.

The takeaway: Check for proof, not brand size. A transparent small brand beats an opaque large one.

Myth 8: "AAFCO 'complete and balanced' statements are all equally rigorous"

What's actually true: There are two paths to AAFCO certification, and they are not equivalent.

1. Feeding trial (highest standard): The brand formulates a diet and feeds it to real animals under controlled conditions for a set period. Nutrition levels are measured before and after. This is expensive and rigorous.

2. Nutrient profile analysis (lower standard): A lab test checks whether the formula theoretically meets AAFCO standards. No animals are fed. This is cheaper but does not catch formulation errors that only show up in real digestion.

A label claiming "AAFCO All Life Stages" with feeding trial data is the gold standard. Many premium brands use this. A label claiming "meets AAFCO standards" (without mentioning a feeding trial) may be nutrient-profile only.

Ask the brand which route they took. If they won't say, that's a red flag.

The takeaway: "AAFCO complete and balanced" needs a follow-up question: feeding trial or profile analysis? Feeding trial is higher assurance.

Myth 9: "Fresh cooked food has bacteria risks like raw does"

What's actually true: No. Gently cooked food kills pathogens; raw does not.

Gently cooked food (sous vide at 80°C) is held at a temperature long enough to achieve a 5+ log reduction in pathogenic bacteria (salmonella, listeria, campylobacter, E. coli). That is the microbiological definition of a "ready-to-eat" food: safe to feed without additional processing.

Raw food is, by definition, not heated. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has formally cautioned against raw feeding due to consistent pathogen recovery in commercial raw products. The CDC also warns that raw pet food poses cross-contamination risk in homes with children or immunocompromised people.

In Singapore's 80% humidity and 30°C+ temperatures, thawed raw food deteriorates faster than in cooler climates. A thawed raw pack stays safe for 24 hours max; a thawed gently cooked pack stays safe for 2-3 days.

The takeaway: Gently cooked is fully cooked, pathogen-free food. Raw is not. If you choose raw, accept the pathogen risk and handle it accordingly (separate prep area, careful thawing, no cross-contamination with human food prep).

Myth 10: "Fresh pet food is just a fad"

What's actually true: It depends on what you mean by "fad."

Fresh pet food has grown 15-20% annually as a category in developed markets over the last decade. Pet parents are willing to pay premiums for perceived quality and transparency. That trajectory suggests staying power, not a fad.

What is true: some specific fresh brands will fail (as some kibble brands do). The category itself is maturing, not fading. If it were a fad, major pet retailers wouldn't be adding fresh-food sections, and vets wouldn't recommend it.

The real question is not "will fresh food stay around?" but "which brands will survive?" The answer is: brands that are transparent, AAFCO-certified, operate reliable cold-chain logistics, and build customer trust.

The takeaway: Fresh feeding is a category trend with legs, not a fad. Evaluate individual brands on merit, not category.

How to evaluate any pet food claim (a 3-question test)

When you see a bold claim about pet food, ask these three questions:

1. Is there a citation? If the brand claims "gently cooked preserves more taurine than kibble," can they cite a peer-reviewed study or their own third-party testing? Anecdote is not data.

2. Who did the testing? If the claim comes from the brand's own lab, that is better than no test, but worse than a third-party independent test. If it comes from a vet, what is the vet's credential? (Board-certified veterinary nutritionist > general vet > no vet > Instagram influencer.)

3. Is the opposite claim popular in the industry? If most fresh food brands claim "cooking destroys taurine" but one says "sous vide preserves it," check both claims. The consensus claim is often right, but not always.

A transparent brand will answer all three without evasion.

Singapore context: what makes fresh feeding work here

Three factors specific to feeding fresh in Singapore:

Cold-chain logistics are non-negotiable. Whatever fresh brand you choose, confirm they ship frozen door-to-door under controlled temperature (NinjaVan Cold Chain or equivalent). "Chilled" delivery in 30°C ambient is not the same as frozen. Frozen is safe; chilled can accumulate bacteria faster than you'd expect.

Thawed shelf life is shorter than in cooler climates. A thawed pack of gently cooked food stays safe in your fridge for 2 to 3 days in SG conditions. Don't refreeze. Don't leave on the counter to come up to room temp for more than 30 minutes. Store in the coldest part of the fridge, not on the door.

Never microwave or pan-heat fresh food. This is the most common transition mistake we see from customers switching from kibble. Reheating drives the food back into the Maillard-reaction temperature zone (120°C+), which undoes the nutrient preservation you paid extra for. If your furkid prefers warm food, leave the sealed pack on the counter or in a warm water bath for 10-15 minutes. Never microwave.

Frequently asked questions

Is raw feeding safe in Singapore?
Raw is less safe than gently cooked in SG conditions, but not impossible. Pathogen risk exists with raw regardless of climate, but our ambient temperature makes thawed raw deteriorate faster. If you choose raw: separate prep area, thaw in the fridge (never counter), use within 24 hours, handle with the same care you'd use for raw chicken for human consumption.

Can I mix fresh food with kibble?
Yes. Mixed feeding is common and works. The typical pattern is 70% gently cooked + 30% kibble, which gives you most of the nutritional uplift at lower cost. Feed the same total daily calories you would otherwise.

My vet says all commercial pet food is marketing. Should I feed home-cooked instead?
Home-cooked can work, but balancing micronutrients (taurine, calcium, zinc, vitamin E) without a board-certified veterinary nutritionist is the leading cause of nutritional deficiency in DIY diets. If you go home-cooked: work with a vet nutritionist to formulate the recipe, and have bloodwork done annually. We publish our recipes openly so you can see what balanced looks like, even if you feed elsewhere.

What is the difference between AAFCO All Life Stages and Adult Maintenance?
All Life Stages is formulated and tested to meet the needs of puppies (higher protein/calcium), adults, pregnant/nursing animals, and seniors, all from the same recipe. Adult Maintenance is only tested for adults. If you have a puppy or senior, check for All Life Stages on the label.

How much does it cost to feed fresh food long-term?
A 15kg dog on gently cooked food in SG runs roughly SGD 300 to 450 per month at full retail. Discounts (10-40%) apply for subscriptions and multi-pet households. A quality kibble for the same dog runs SGD 80 to 150 per month. So fresh is roughly 3 to 5 times the per-gram cost of mid-tier kibble. Whether that cost is worth it depends on your dog's response and your budget.

My cat has never had anything but kibble. Will switching to fresh cause digestive upset?
Possibly, yes. A sudden food change usually causes loose stool for 2-3 days, sometimes worse. Transition gradually over 5 days: mix 25% new food with 75% old on days 1-2, then 50/50 on day 3, then 75/25 on day 4, then 100% new on day 5. Watch the stool; if it's watery rather than just soft, hold at the current ratio one more day before progressing.

Are fresh trial packs worth trying?
If you've never fed fresh food before, a trial pack is the fastest way to see how your furkid responds before committing to a subscription. Our cat and dog trial packs include multiple proteins, so you can also check for individual protein sensitivities. If you're not seeing a response after 3-4 weeks, fresh probably isn't the right fit for your pet.

The bottom line

Pet food marketing is loud, conflicting, and often wrong. The good news is that the science is solid: your furkid needs a diet that is AAFCO-tested, transparent on ingredients, and handled safely from kitchen to bowl. Whether that diet is kibble, gently cooked, or raw depends on your situation.

For most Singapore households with a healthy adult cat or dog, gently cooked food gives you the safety of cooked food, the nutrient retention of minimally-processed food, and transparency you can verify. If you want to try it, our free trial packs for cats and dogs are an easy first step.

And if you want to see exactly how the food is made and what goes into every meal, we publish all our recipes openly. You can take them to your vet, your kitchen, or another brand for comparison. Radical transparency works better when nothing is hidden.

Whatever diet you choose, the most important rule is the same as it's always been: keep it consistent, keep it balanced, and watch your pet. Stool, energy, coat, teeth. Your furkid tells you what's working.

❤️ The Bon Pet team

Frequently asked questions

Is raw food really more natural for my dog?

Not really. Dogs diverged from wolves 15,000+ years ago and evolved multiple copies of the AMY2B gene to digest starch. Your furkid is genetically built to handle cooked food and a varied diet, not a wolf's raw kill.

Does cooking destroy all the nutrients in pet food?

No, temperature matters more than cooking itself. High-heat kibble (120-200°C) damages heat-sensitive nutrients like taurine and lysine, but gently cooked food at around 80°C preserves them while still killing pathogens.

How do I know if a fresh food brand is nutritionally complete?

Check for AAFCO All Life Stages certification on the label. If it is not there, ask the brand whether a board-certified veterinary nutritionist formulated the recipe and why they skipped AAFCO testing.