Nutrition

Only relatively recently, in evolutionary terms, have companion dogs become domesticated, with their closest ancestral relative being the wolf. Wolves, being hunters and scavengers, consumed various aspects of prey, including bones, organs, and muscle tissue. Over the past 15,000 years, dogs, as we know them today, evolved through constant interaction with humans. They adapted to consuming a wide range of foods, with a preference for food scraps and leftovers. Despite their ancestral carnivorous status, dogs exhibit the ability to eat more like omnivores, though a notable carnivore bias persists.

The pet food industry, which expanded in the 1930s and 1940s, revolutionized the way we feed our domesticated dogs. While commercial pet food provides convenience, the evaluation of its performance becomes crucial. It undeniably keeps dogs fat and alive, but the question arises: are they truly thriving? Reports indicate a concerning annual increase in chronic diseases among pets, with over 50% of dogs experiencing periodontal disease and more than a quarter being obese. Common chronic ailments include skin allergies, ear infections, irritable bowel syndrome, food sensitivities, diabetes, thyroid conditions, orthopedic issues, immune-mediated diseases, and cancer, among others.

Hippocrates, considered the ‘father of modern medicine,’ famously stated, “All chronic disease begins in the gut.” This assertion gains relevance as the gut, housing over 70% of the immune system, plays a pivotal role in regulating health. With an equal number of microbes in the gut as there are cells in the human body, the gut microbiota influences the immune system, digestive processes, neurotransmitter production, and intestinal barrier function. Could the food fed to pets contribute to the rising numbers of chronic illnesses? The association is gaining traction in human medicine but is sadly rarely discussed in veterinary medicine.

While acknowledging the virtuous intentions of the pet food industry, it is observed that they have taken advantage of dogs’ willingness to eat almost anything. Meeting consumer demand for convenient, inexpensive, and long shelf-life dog food has led to the inclusion of poor-quality ingredients and preservatives. It’s important to note that the term ‘pet food industry’ encompasses the entire entity, with some producers recognizing concerns and striving to offer higher quality options. The addition of low-quality, cheap ingredients often results in a higher percentage of carbohydrates (50-75%) compared to a more ancestral diet (~15%). High carbohydrate diets in humans have been associated with gut dysbiosis and implicated in various chronic diseases. While this hasn’t been extensively studied in dogs, the author believes that an unhealthy gut microbiome plays a significant role in the genesis of chronic diseases, including those with a neurological basis.

To prevent chronic disease, maintaining a healthy microbiome is crucial. While the ideal diet for dogs remains unknown and likely varies for each individual, some general guidelines include higher quality meat-based proteins, non-rancid fats and oils, lower carbohydrates, whole unprocessed foods, absence of artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives, and completeness in essential vitamins and minerals.

Given the constant changes in the pet food industry, pet owners are encouraged to visit websites like dogfoodadvisor.com for comparisons and reviews. In addition to a solid nutritional base, diet adjustments can act as therapeutic measures for treating diseases. This involves altering macronutrient ratios or adding specific supplements to the food. Examples include using a ketogenic diet for epilepsy and certain cancers, a strategy well-established in human medicine but less common in dogs due to practical inconveniences.

Many strategies used to treat diseases with diet in dogs are extrapolated from human medicine, and while not extensively studied in animals, they follow a rational and common-sense approach. The author, having no affiliations with pet food companies, recommends exploring various brands and consulting resources like dogfoodadvisor.com for informed decisions. For those interested in using diet to address neurologic diseases in pets, questions are welcomed, recognizing that the field still holds more unknowns than knowns.

If you have any questions about how diet may be used to pet your pet’s neurologic disease please feel free to ask. I won’t have a perfect answer to every question because we clearly ‘don’t know’ more than what we ‘do know’.