A 14-year study that was recently published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Association (JAVMA) reports that dogs that were fed in a manner that helped maintain their ideal body weight throughout their lives had a median lifespan of 1.8 years longer, and were considerably healthier than their littermates.
While making the connection between eating less and longevity isn’t exactly a news flash, it is more solid proof that feeding our dogs the proper amount of a nutritious brand of food will help them lead healthier and longer lives.
But with so many dog-food options available, from raw and dehydrated to grain-free and single-source protein, what is the best diet for our canine companions? According to Mike Grant, the nutritional science director for SeniorPetProducts.com, several dog nutrition myths have been debunked in recent years. Here’s the scoop:
1. A raw meat diet is best. Many people continue to believe that dogs require a diet of raw meat to be healthy. The fact is that today’s domestic dog is no longer a true carnivore. This means that a diet of raw meat alone is no longer able to meet nutrient requirements. Today’s dog does need a meat-based diet; however, small amounts of grains, like rice, oatmeal, pasta, vegetables, and fruits are a normal and a desirable part of good dog nutrition. It is also untrue that dogs can not digest cooked or processed protein. Dogs have no problem using the protein in cooked meat.
2. Raw eggs are a no-no. This issue continues to whip up some serious debate, even among experts (eggsperts?). The risk of salmonella poisoning is the primary concern that is raised, but becasue dogs have much shorter digestive tracks than humans, they and are far less susceptible to salmonella poisoning. Eggs are an excellent source of protein for dogs and the occasional addition of a raw or boiled egg to a dog’s diet can actually be quite good for them.
3. Dairy products are unhealthy. Some dogs are lactose intolerant and may not be able to digest foods that contain high levels of lactose. Cottage cheese and yogurt are both low in lactose and can be excellent sources of calcium for dogs.
4. Fat is full of empty calories. In reality, fats are highly digestible and the main source of energy for dogs. One gram of fat provides 2.4 times the energy of one gram of protein or carbohydrates. Fat is also essential for the proper absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K. Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are two examples of low-saturated fats that are essential to maintaining a dog’s good health.
5. Dogs cannot digest grains.
5. Dogs cannot digest grains.There is some truth to this myth, but here is the science: a dog’s digestive tract is less specialized for digesting grains and carbohydrates, especially in raw forms. Cooked starches and grains are much more digestible. It’s also important to choose your grains wisely as some (rice) are easier for a dog’s stomach to process than others (wheat and corn). Often times, grain that isn’t absorbed simply becomes fiber, contributing to good intestinal health.
6. Commercial dog foods are bad. While there are commercial products that vary in ingredients and overall nutrition, research has shown that the quality of commercial dog foods is more than adequate to meet proper nutritional requirements for most if not all breeds of dogs. Most vets would recommend a commercial food over trying to make your own dog food at home.
7. Diet must be tailored to breed and age. A good diet for a dog is good throughout his entire lifespan. The only thing that will change is the amount of food and the kinds of supplements your dog needs. Puppies require more food than seniors. And seniors often need an extra boost of vitamins and minerals to replace vital nutrients that they have stopped making naturally due to the aging process.
As the dog of a pet blogger, The Doone (who is a VERY picky eater) gets to chow down on A LOT of different kinds of dog food. Here are her top three favorites to date:
- Great Life (grain-and-potato-free buffalo)
- Honest Kitchen Embark (grain-free turkey; this would be her #1 pick, but it tends to give her gas, which is a bummer for me.)
- Holistic Select (anchovy, sardine and salmon)
What do you feed your dogs?