Nutrition for dogs and cats
Why a raw and natural diet for my dog?
A few thousand years ago, Hippocrates, considered the father of medicine, made the following statement:
"Let food be thy medicine"
Nowadays, more and more studies demonstrate the importance of diet on canine health.
Are our dogs and cats healthy?
At the same time, we can observe a multitude of health problems in our pets. In dogs and cats, skin issues, allergies, joint issues, digestive problems, and cancer are ubiquitous. Many will claim that these issues have a genetic origin, that they’re due to inbreeding and genetic defects, but not everything can be attributed to genetics. In most health issues, there are genetic factors, but also environmental factors such as diet, which should not be underestimated. In light of these facts, for the well-being of our faithful companions, it’s important to take a critical look at the food we give them.
The million-dollar question:
Are dogs and cats omnivores or carnivores?
Although dogs have evolved differently from their cousins, the wolves, in various characteristics such as appearance and behaviour, their digestive systems remain remarkably similar and exhibit all the hallmarks of a carnivore. For example, dogs have sharp back teeth, unlike the flat molars of omnivores, prominent canines, a chewing motion that remains vertical rather than lateral like omnivores, an absence or very low presence of amylase in their saliva (amylase is the enzyme that aids in the digestion of starch in grains in omnivores), a stomach with highly acidic contents (which provides excellent protection against bacteria), and a short intestine that doesn't allow for optimal digestion of plant matter. All these factors confirm that dogs and cats are indeed carnivores. A digestive system doesn't lie!
Dogs and cats are carnivores!
By definition, a carnivore's diet must consist primarily of animal-based foods. Indeed, its digestive system is designed to optimize the use of nutrients such as protein and fat found in these foods. A dog's digestive system is designed to efficiently transform these nutrients into energy, tissues, enzymes, antibodies, and so on. Unlike animal-based foods, plant-based foods contain a low proportion of protein and fat, in favour of a significant amount of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are practically nonexistent in animal-based foods.
In light of these observations, it's important to take a critical look at our dogs' and cats' diets. What does their food consist of? Meat, offal, and bones, or grains and cereals? Animal or plant-based? Reading the ingredient list on the container of food you feed your pet is a key element in this process. What are the first 5 ingredients in the food you give them? Animal or plant-based?
Cat and dog nutrition science is complex. Now that you know dogs and cats have a carnivorous digestive system and that their diet should consist primarily of animal-based foods, let's take a look at the quality of the animal proteins and fats we give them. This isn't easy; the ingredient list is difficult to interpret. Meats, animal meal, meat by-products; the quality varies depending on the ingredients used. For example, a mixture of chicken feathers, beaks, and feet has a very high protein content, but its use by the animal will be very limited due to its low digestibility. Depending on the classification system used, animal-based foods can contain meat from slaughterhouses as well as food from rendering plants. In some cases, low-quality animal-based foods may contain animals that were sick, injured during slaughter, euthanized, or died before slaughter… A serious analysis of the origin and understanding of the ingredients you serve your dog is therefore also a key element in the process of moving towards a healthier and more natural diet.
Finally, although it has advantages such as ease of storage, transport and handling, the manufacture of kibble requires a cooking process that destroys and denatures several nutrients, such as protein, fats and vitamins.
Kibble? A few challenges...
The digestive system of dogs and cats is designed to digest raw animal protein more efficiently than cooked protein, such as that found in kibble, which is often composed of vegetable proteins. From this principle stems the raw food diet for dogs and cats, often called BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food). Aware of the health issues that have plagued dogs since the introduction of kibble, veterinarians Ian Billinghurst and Tom Lonsdale are the principal founders of this feeding philosophy. Essentially, this diet consists of fresh foods, in a specific proportion of meat, bones, offal, and vegetables, to provide a balanced and as natural a diet as possible for the dog. Meat provides protein and fat, bones supply minerals, collagen, and promote healthy digestion, offal is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, and vegetables, in small quantities, provide fibre, minerals, and vitamins. Bones also help maintain clean teeth free from tartar buildup.
The benefits of a well-balanced raw natural diet
- Beautiful skin and coat
- Good body condition and well-developed musculature
- Little to no unpleasant odor
- Firm stools in limited quantities
- Clean ears, eyes, and teeth
- Good overall health
Furthermore, it goes without saying that the quality and proportions of the ingredients in this type of food are also of great importance. Inedible meats, or ingredients in excessive or insufficient quantities, can also cause health problems and deficiencies in your pet. It’s important to carefully choose the food or mix you give your dog.
In conclusion, a healthy diet that closely resembles their carnivorous nature is essential for the health and immunity of your dog and cat.Good energy levels, a shiny coat, the absence of ear infections or itching, good muscle tone, a healthy weight, clean teeth, fresh breath, and a strong immune system are all benefits you'll observe in a well-fed animal. Finally, by providing your dog with a healthy and balanced diet, you'll also get the added bonus of firm stools in smaller quantities; what more could you ask for?!