A common objection to a plant-based dog diet is that dogs are sometimes classified as ‘carnivores’ (meat-eaters), like their ancestors wolves. It might be surprising to find out that the order Carnivore also includes some well-known omnivores such as raccoons and skunks, as well as the giant panda, which is a strict herbivore. From nutritional standpoint, this classification is misleading and inappropriate, and does not reflect evolutionary and physiological evidence about dogs. Modern dogs are now more appropriately classified as ‘omnivores’, that is, mammals that can receive their nutrients from both plant-based and meat-based diets. Although a dog’s ancestor is a meat-eating wolf, his digestive system changed over the past 10,000-36,000 years, due to adaption to domestication by humans. From...
Omega-3 Fatty Acids are a great addition to a dog's food, as this nutrient is beneficial for proper brain function, central nervous system and vision. Flax seeds are one of the best sources of Omega-3's. The seeds have to be fresh ground to get the benefit of Omega-3's. Although frequently added to pet foods, Omega-3 Fatty Acids are destroyed by heat and oxidation and have almost no beneficial effect after extrusion. Cooked flax or pre-ground flax will not offer the advantages of Omega-3 either. The best way to get Omega 3 Fatty Acids in high concentrations is to grind whole flax seed immediately before using and adding it to your dog's food. Add 1 tsp. of freshly ground flax seed...
According to present research, all of the essential nutrients for dogs (proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins, etc.) can be obtained from nonanimal sources.13 Since no single ingredient contains all essential nutrients in sufficient quantities or proportions, plant-based products must be carefully designed to ensure a well-balanced and nutritionally complete diet.13 In this blog post, we will take a look at some common ingredients in plant-based dog food and examine how they meet nutritional requirements of dogs. Plants are an excellent source of essential nutrients According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), dogs require at least 20% protein content in their food. This protein requirement is easily fulfilled by addition of high-protein plants as main ingredients in dog...
This blog post addresses nutritional and health concerns related to feeding raw meat diets to companion animals, by examining relevant peer-reviewed research. Scientific evidence is overwhelming – raw diets are unhealthy and dangerous, from nutritional, health and sanitary perspectives. Raw meat-based diets are defined as those that include uncooked animal ingredients and that are fed to dogs or cats living in home environments. These ingredients can include skeletal muscles, internal organs and bones from mammals, fish, or poultry, as well as unpasteurized milk and uncooked eggs1. Raw meat diets have gained popularity in the recent years among dog and cat guardians. Since they contain meat flesh, they are sometimes perceived as more ‘natural’ and nutritious. In fact, many vegetarians and...
