Frequently Asked Questions
Like the idea of feeding a fresh diet, but still have a few questions? Here's a collection of the most common questions I get asked. Please feel free to email me via the contact us page if you still have more questions.
Looking back at the historical diets of dogs and their wolf ancestors, it is clear that they are carnivores. Their teeth, gut and digestive physiology strongly supports this.
Dogs have hinged, powerful jaws along with canines and triangular shaped carnassial teeth for the ripping and tearing of flesh and crushing of bone. Whilst they may snack on the occasional wild berry here and there, they’ve thrived on a diet of predominantly meat, bone, and organ for hundreds of thousands of years.
We know that dogs don’t have the typical molars needed for grinding plant material or a four-chamber stomach for the slow digestion of complex carbohydrates (starches from plants and grains). Therefore, carbohydrates offer no nutritional value to a dog’s diet because they can’t physically digest them. This is why fresh dog food, when prepared correctly, should be void of complex carbohydrates.
Dogs have a large stomach and a short digestive tract which is indicative of consuming large amounts of high protein food in a short period of time, and for fast digestion and rapid absorption of nutrients. If a dog is provided with the correct, unprocessed foods, the digestive system will be acidic (around the same pH as a car battery), which allows for the food to be correctly broken down and utilised. This low pH will also kill pathogens, allowing good bacteria to thrive, leading to a healthy and productive gut.
In contrast to this, when we feed a dog a highly processed diet, filled with carbohydrates we are putting an extra pressure on their digestive system, making it lazy and sluggish and creating a progressively more alkaline environment. This leads to poor digestion, low nutrient absorption, and an unhealthy gut, void of good gut bacteria and more prone to pathogen overgrowth.
The constant disruption and degradation of the gut lining caused by poor diet, (but also aggravated by antibiotic use, medication, over vaccinating, flea and worm treatments, and stress) often leads to ‘leaky gut syndrome’. This presents as allergies and skin issues, yeast infections, digestive issues, arthritis and joint pain, liver, kidney, pancreas and gall bladder disorders, behavioural issues, and thyroid problems. Failure to address these issues with chronic inflammation can lead to cancer, so gut health should be treated with the utmost importance.
Based on the above evidence it is clear that feeding all dogs an appropriate diet, as close to fresh as possible, filled with whole, live, nutrient dense foods, is the best defence we can give our dogs to thrive and maximise their opportunity for a long, healthy life.
The kibble industry has only been around since the second world war, when meat was expensive, and owners needed to find a cheap alternative to fresh feeding. This type of feeding was supposed to be temporary. However, big companies quickly cashed in on the huge profit margins, paying little attention to the effect this nutritionally void food was having on our dogs. Whilst our dogs have managed to survive off this cheap, convenient, low quality protein source for approximately 80 years, we know that they are far from thriving on it. Chronic degenerative diseases, auto-immune diseases, allergies, kidney, pancreatic and liver disease are all rampant within our pet populations and cancer rates continue to rise. We know that dogs are carnivores and that they are unable to digest or utilise carbohydrates. Based on these facts alone it seems unwise to even consider feeding a dry kibble diet, which will consist of at least 50% carbohydrate, very little moisture and minimal, low-quality protein. Much of the protein in commercial kibble diets is plant based. Expecting our pets to graze on this type of diet all day long, and be satisfied both physically and nutritionally, does not make sense. However, this isn’t the only reason why I discourage pet parents from feeding processed diets: Kibble food is produced by cooking often low-grade ingredients at very high pressure (around 121 degrees Celsius) for 30 minutes. The dough is then extruded (forced through a small die) and then baked again. This process destroys all the nutrition in the food, so the manufacturers try to add back some of the lost nutritional value with synthetic vitamins and minerals so their formulas comply with FEDIAF standards, and they can call their food “complete and balanced” on their label. However, studies show that these synthetic vitamins can cause more harm than good to our dogs, because the body cannot completely utilise them and instead it will process them as a foreign substance, causing more stress to the liver and kidneys. Sadly, what most pet parents are unaware of, is that in addition to substandard ingredients, there are many forms of toxins introduced into our pets’ bodies through these highly processed, cooked, kibble diets. These toxins include aflatoxins, heterocyclic amines, acrylamides, and most recently discovered in dry, cooked pet foods, PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) a chemical used as a flame retardant. Due to the clever marketing techniques and the promotion of processed foods by some veterinarians, many pet parents are lulled into a false sense of security, feeling reassured that processed is the best option for their dogs. In recent years, we have seen the emergence of what are claimed to be “high quality” kibble based diets. These more expensive, “grain free” kibbles, convince pet parents that the food contains all natural – or even organic – ingredients, so that they believe that they are purchasing a more nutritious pet food.
The fact is, even if these kibbles contain high quality ingredients with no preservatives, fillers or additives, they are still going through a cooking process which ultimately nullifies much of the nutritional value these quality ingredients would have contributed. The kibble is left with proteins that have been denatured, enzymes that are rendered inactive, and any natural, beneficial microflora (good bacteria) are no longer viable. These components are all extremely important and provide a synergistic effect for the complete digestion, absorption and assimilation of nutrients from the food.
A study conducted in Sweden by Dr Kollath showed that young animals fed a cooked, processed diet initially appeared healthy, but once they reached maturity, they began to rapidly age and develop degenerative disease symptoms. The control group that was raised on a fresh food diet did not age as fast. These dogs showed no degenerative diseases and remained healthy. Another study in Belgium used data gathered from more than 500 domestic dogs over a consecutive 5 year time period (1998-2002). The authors, Lippert and Sapy, were able to statistically show that dogs fed a fresh food diet, lived 32 months longer than the kibble fed dogs. That’s almost 3 years longer!
Providing we choose reputable DEFRA regulated brands, and effective storage and hygiene procedures are followed correctly, both dogs and humans are at far less risk of being exposed to harmful pathogens than if we were feeding kibble. This is documented by the high number of recalls of kibble food annually, compared to the low number of raw food recalls.
Here’s why:
Unlike processed food companies, DEFRA registered raw dog food companies are required to batch test their produce. These companies are subjected to a ‘zero tolerance’ policy on any pathogens which means that, providing you follow strict hygiene procedures, you can feel confident that the food is void of harmful bacteria.
It may interest you to know that a study by Thixton (2019) using FDA data showed the volume of dry food recalled in 2019 due to Salmonella contamination “positively dwarfed that of raw food”. As batch testing isn’t required for kibble-based foods, the recalls are the result of people reporting that their dogs are getting sick and/or dying from the pathogens contained in the food.
The high carbohydrate content in kibble also provides a perfect environment for disease causing moulds such as Aflatoxin (which is dangerous to both dogs and humans). The FDA reported that 180 dogs died from kibble contaminated with this mould in January 2021 alone.
It goes without saying that we need to avoid feeding our dogs food which have pathogens, however it’s important to highlight that not all bacteria are harmful.
It’s wonderful that we can be confident that DEFRA regulated raw dog food is free from pathogens, but it’s equally important that we know it hasn’t been subjected to the chemical sterilisation used in kibble manufacturing. This means that raw dog food still retains a lot of the good bacteria needed for a healthy gut.
Feeding a sterile kibble dog food will deprive the dog’s gut of immune boosting bacteria. Dogs are constantly exposed to harmful bacteria through sniffing the ground, other dogs etc, so we still need to provide good gut flora to help combat any pathogens that they may encounter along the way. We can do this confidently through feeding a reputable fresh food
diet.
Dog food companies will often label their meals as ‘complete’ and ‘balanced’. This suggests that this one food contains everything that the dog will need for life. This is simply impossible.
The key to feeding a balanced diet is feeding variety, variety, variety. If you’re sticking to the same brands and/or same proteins, the diet won’t be balanced, and it’s something that needs addressing.
By feeding a varied diet, rotating between proteins, and using whole foods to bridge any nutritional gaps, we can be confident that the fresh food diet is both complete and balanced.
It is important that regular blood work profiles are carried out by a vet, regardless of what food you are feeding. This will ensure that any deficiencies can be addressed, and any health concerns identified.
Providing we choose reputable DEFRA regulated brands, and effective storage and hygiene procedures are followed correctly, both dogs and humans are at far less risk of being exposed to harmful pathogens than if we were feeding kibble. This is documented by the high number of recalls of kibble food annually, compared to the low number of raw food recalls.
Here’s why:
Unlike processed food companies, DEFRA registered raw dog food companies are required to batch test their produce. These companies are subjected to a ‘zero tolerance’ policy on any pathogens which means that, providing you follow strict hygiene procedures, you can feel confident that the food is void of harmful bacteria.
It may interest you to know that a study by Thixton (2019) using FDA data showed the volume of dry food recalled in 2019 due to Salmonella contamination “positively dwarfed that of raw food”. As batch testing isn’t required for kibble-based foods, the recalls are the result of people reporting that their dogs are getting sick and/or dying from the pathogens contained in the food.
The high carbohydrate content in kibble also provides a perfect environment for disease causing moulds such as Aflatoxin (which is dangerous to both dogs and humans). The FDA reported that 180 dogs died from kibble contaminated with this mould in January 2021 alone.
It goes without saying that we need to avoid feeding our dogs food which have pathogens, however it’s important to highlight that not all bacteria are harmful.
It’s wonderful that we can be confident that DEFRA regulated raw dog food is free from pathogens, but it’s equally important that we know it hasn’t been subjected to the chemical sterilisation used in kibble manufacturing. This means that raw dog food still retains a lot of the good bacteria needed for a healthy gut.
Feeding a sterile kibble dog food will deprive the dog’s gut of immune boosting bacteria. Dogs are constantly exposed to harmful bacteria through sniffing the ground, other dogs etc, so we still need to provide good gut flora to help combat any pathogens that they may encounter along the way. We can do this confidently through feeding a reputable fresh food
diet.
Dog food companies will often label their meals as ‘complete’ and ‘balanced’. This suggests that this one food contains everything that the dog will need for life. This is simply untrue.
The key to feeding a balanced diet is feeding variety, variety, variety. If you’re sticking to the same brands and/or same proteins, the diet won’t be balanced, and it’s something that needs addressing.
By feeding a varied diet, rotating between proteins, and using whole foods to bridge any nutritional gaps, we can be confident that the fresh food diet is both complete and balanced.
It is important that regular blood work profiles are carried out by a vet, regardless of what food you are feeding your dog. This will ensure that any deficiencies can be addressed, and any health concerns identified.
I can guarantee that your dog will be suffering from at least one side effect of eating a nutritionally poor diet. Whether this manifests in poor aural health, joint issues, repeat infections, skin problems, runny poos, behavioural issues etc., there will always be a symptom of feeding a low-quality diet.
As much as we feel a close bond to our dogs, they can’t always tell us how they’re feeling. The best way we can ensure that our friends are feeling their best is to feed a balanced and varied diet, full of high-quality ingredients.
If you feel your dog is ‘ok’ on his current diet, imagine how amazing he’ll feel when you feed him a species appropriate diet.
Based on the fact dogs are carnivores and they’re anatomically built to digest and thrive on raw meat, bone, offal and fat, I will always recommend raw feeding over cooked. As soon as you expose meat to heat you begin to destroy the vitamins, amino acids and enzymes contained within it that are vital for the dogs health.
However, lightly cooked food is still going to be a far, far, far better choice than any highly processed dog food. We will still see a difference in your dog’s health and longevity when you switch to a fresher food diet.
No, not all fresh food is made equal!
It’s wonderful that more and more pet parents are starting to realise that kibble isn’t the best option for their dogs. However, as with most things that become popular, there will always be some unscrupulous companies trying to cash in on it.
While I encourage every owner to avoid kibble at all costs, it’s also important to realise that some fresh, both cooked and raw, commercial companies are putting less than desirable ingredients in their food. Therefore, it is important to do as much research as possible, and work with a certified nutritionist to ensure that you are feeding the best possible food to your dog.
It doesn’t have to be! Different brands use different ingredients and grinder plates, so the smell and appearance can vary. Some of the finer minces have a consistency of pate, with no smell at all.
I work closely with my clients to ensure that the brands I suggest are suited to both dog and pet parent alike. I’ve worked with lots of pet parents who are very squeamish, but they cope very well with feeding a raw diet to our dogs.
If you’re concerned about your dog’s nutrition and want to feed a good quality diet, the chances are that you’re probably already paying a premium for one of the “high end” processed foods. In which case, feeding a fresh food diet is going to be comparative in cost.
And of course, by feeding a fresh diet we can expect a happy and healthier dog, with lower veterinary costs as a result.