You might worry when you see ingredients like salt, cellulose, gums, or artificial flavors on a pet food label, but most of these so-called villains are actually essential for food safety, nutrition, taste, and preservation. In this episode, we sit down with food scientist Dr. Abbey Thiel to unpack how these ingredients work, why they’ve been unfairly vilified, and why we should reconsider our stance against them. From the truth behind “sawdust in kibble” to the science of palatants, we break down the myths that fuel fear-based marketing. You’ll learn what matters, what doesn’t, and how to read ingredient lists with confidence.

Helpful Links

🔗 Check out Abbey Thiel’s YouTube channel, her candy science coloring book for kids, and connect with her on LinkedIn here.

🪲 Learn more about the bugs hiding in our everyday food items! https://bsmpartners.net/insights/creepy-crawly-cuisine-when-banning-synthetics-comes-with-tradeoffs/

🎧 Hear more from Pete Stirling of Skout’s Honor and other toxicity experts about common household items that could cause trouble for your pets:

• 🕯️ Scented Suspects: Pet Safety in a Fragrant World
• ⚠️ The Dirty Truth: Pet Safety Hazards Hiding in Your Homes and Gardens
• 🍫 Your Dog Ate What?! A Pet Parent’s Guide to Hidden Hazards in the Kitchen and Medicine Cabinet

Show Notes

00:24 – Inside the Episode

01:13 – How Human Food Trends Shape Fears About Pet Food

05:05 – Cellulose Explained

11:20 – Salt’s Real Jobs: Health, Preservation, and Safety

19:51 – Palatants, Flavors, and Why Pets Need Them

23:38 – Natural vs. Artificial: The Environmental and Safety Trade-Off

29:10 – The Truth About Gums and Thickeners

37:21 – How Fear-Based Marketing Fuels Ingredient Myths

46:46 – Today’s Key Takeaways