What research can we draw on to back up claims that raw and natural feeding is the best choice when feeding our dogs and cats?
The rundown
More research is required to determine the exact optimal amounts of protein required in our pets’ diets
Pet diets should be carefully considered to ensure they are nutritionally balanced
An understanding of food processing and the subsequent negative effects on nutrition should influence the choices we make when deciding what to feed our pets
What does the research say?
Although many people, including veterinarians, claim there's no scientific backing for raw feeding, the reality is that there's little specific research backing any optimal diet for our pets, even the optimal amount of protein for dogs is still unknown. Some standards used in the measuring of ‘adequate’ or ‘balanced’ nutrients in pet food come from the production of feed standards for other animal species, likes pigs, within the context of farming or agricultural practices.
When observing natural dietary habits in animals, our dogs naturally prefer fat and protein. Given the option, our dogs would not select carbohydrates as a significant portion of their diet. You might be curious about what your dog would naturally eat in the wild? Both in labs, and open spaces - dogs choose small prey, consisting mainly of protein and fat, with carbohydrates representing less than 10% of their choice.
A nutritionally balanced role
There exists an imbalance of omega fatty acids in our human diets and out pets’ diets, especially in Western and Latin American cultures. Ideally, the intake ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 should be 1 to 1 or even 4 to 1. However, the current average consumption is 15 to 1, and in industrially produced dog food, it is allowed to be as high as 30 to 1.
The presence and careful balance of elements like minerals, specifically zinc, and omega fatty acids play an important role in the quality of our pets’ skin and fur, and are vitally important for maintaining the integrity of cells and their functions within their bodies.
Are you wondering whether the claims about balanced omega 3 and 6 fatty acids on dry extruded pet food (kibble) packaging are true? Well, the Omega-3 Index test is an option for dog owners to measure the impact their pet food has on their dogs’ health. From a study, marine longer chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids resulted in a significantly increased Omega-3 Index, with dietary krill meal providing the highest improvement.
Effects of cooking food at high temperature
Human and pet nutrition is affected by ultra-processed food that can lead to chronic diseases. Keep in mind that humans are the only animals who cook their food, which should highlight the importance of a more natural approach when we think of feeding our pets. An understanding of food processing and the subsequent effects on nutrition should influence the choices we make when deciding what to feed our pets.
Let’s focus on the relationship between the immune system and the processing of food, specifically the Maillard reaction. The Maillard reaction is a chemical process where sugars and proteins react at high temperatures. A common example is the browning of meat in a frying pan or the brown colour seen in foods like cookies and toast - these are all due to the Maillard reaction.
The more cooking, the more immunogenic (able to produce an immune response) the food becomes. Maillard Reaction Products (MRPs) can be beneficial or harmful, depending on the cooking degree.
Humans are regularly exposed to relatively high doses of one such MRP - the carcinogen acrylamide - through the normal consumption of cooked food like fries, cookies, bread, black olives, and coffee.
Cooking proteins at high temperatures alter their composition, which may negatively interact with the immune system
High temperatures can fuse proteins, creating compounds not found in nature. These may be recognized as foreign by the immune system, causing inflammatory responses
Due to highly processed diets, dogs and cats consume significantly more MRPs than humans, with dogs consuming 122 times more and cats 38 times more.
MRPs are virtually zero in fresh, raw, or minimally processed diets, providing an advantage for these food types.
The potential negative effects of MRPs on pets, especially dogs, should be a consideration of diet and cooking methods to minimise these risks.
Are you considering switching your furby from a processed to a natural diet? Often, it's the answer to unresolved health issues like skin and digestion problems. But it's a delicate balance. A natural diet can be a blessing, but only if you get the nutrients right
The Raw Down
Sources: dr christian vergara | journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition | veterinary sciences | animal feed science and technology
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