The trend of returning to a more natural diet is pushing manufacturers and many dog owners to review the diet of our domestic canines. Assuming that dogs eat meat, many find it necessary to limit their diet to this single meat resource. But does this really correspond to the real needs of the dog?
Our friends the domestic doggies are indeed descendants of wolves and they are indeed carnivores. Their teeth and their jaw prove it to us, as well as their digestive system. However, should we deduce from this that dogs are strict carnivores? Let’s find out in this file.
Carnivorous diet and omnivorous diet: what is the difference?
In the animal kingdom, there are several diets, the three main ones being the herbivorous diet, the carnivorous diet and the omnivorous diet. If we can immediately dismiss the herbivorous diet to talk about our friends the dogs, the question frequently arises about the carnivorous diet and the omnivorous diet.
The carnivore diet – also known as carnivorous diet – characterizes animals that have a diet consisting mainly of flesh and/or tissue from living or dead animals.
The omnivorous diet, meanwhile, combines a carnivorous diet with a herbivorous diet. In other words, the omnivorous animal consumes both meat products and vegetable products.
Nature being well made, it is easy to distinguish the carnivore from the omnivore by observing the teeth of the animal. Indeed, carnivores have a more powerful jaw and dentition to cut the flesh. Omnivorous animals have less developed jaws and teeth, more dedicated to chewing.
The dog is a carnivore…
It is common that the question arises regarding the dog. Are our doggie friends carnivores or omnivores? Undeniably, we can say that dogs are carnivores. But how to explain this truth?
On the one hand, the domestic dog that lives in our homes today is a direct descendant of the wolf (Canis lupus). But the wolf is a carnivore. It feeds on the prey it hunts in the wild, including birds, rodents, deer, bison, fish, etc. These large predators hunt in packs and are thus able to feed on large mammals.
The movement that advocates a return to nature and a diet more respectful of nature has led many dog lovers to make a somewhat radical shortcut. Indeed, since dogs are descendants of wolves, many canine product manufacturers and doggie owners felt that they needed to be given back access to their natural, meat-based diet. If this reasoning is not devoid of a certain logic, it should not be based only on the fact that the wolf is the ancestor of the current domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris). Being a descendant does not mean that the characteristics of these animals are identical, starting with their diet. This would amount to qualifying the dog as a domesticated wolf.
But then, what can we deduce from this? We said, the dog is a carnivore. As proof, his anatomy shows us that he is “made” to eat meat. Its teeth and jaws are powerful for capturing prey and shredding flesh. Moreover, the dog is not a “chewer” or a “masticator”, because it hardly chews its food and it ingests its meals standing up, with its head bent down, like carnivores. Conversely, herbivores cut plants with their flat teeth and chew them with their heads raised.
Another anatomical sign that proves that the dog is indeed a carnivore, its digestive tract! Yes, this one is short, like carnivores. Indeed, the dog has a small intestine and a short large intestine, but also an elastic stomach, capable of ingesting meat in large quantities.
If it is therefore undeniable that the domestic dog is a carnivore, can we deduce from this that it is a strict carnivore, as tend to affirm it by the aficionados of the return to the “natural” meat diet?
… But are our doggies strict carnivores?
The dog is indeed a carnivore, but from there to affirm that it is a strict carnivore… Indeed, such an affirmation would lead to forgetting that the species has evolved.
Several tens of thousands of years ago, hunter-gatherers began to domesticate wolves in Europe. They fed these useful companions the remains of the carcasses of their prey. Subsequently, the birth and development of agriculture changed the diet of humans and, by extension, that of dogs, who ate more and more cereals. Starch then became a source of energy for canines.
Yet starch is difficult to digest. The wolves that we meet today digest it relatively badly. But our domestic dog friends have developed a greater ability to digest starch, thanks to amylase, an enzyme that their pancreas secretes to better assimilate it. The dog is even able to secrete amylase with its salivary glands, which allows its body to begin to digest and assimilate the starch as soon as it enters its mouth.
Accordingly, our friends domesticated dogs evolved. If their ancestors the wolves and the current wolves have a strict carnivorous diet, the dogs have learned in contact with man to consume cereals and their organism has adapted in such a way as to assimilate them.
Thus, it is not possible to classify the dog among the strict carnivores, a category which essentially includes felids, such as the tiger, the lion and the cat. These animals retain a dentition made of sharp teeth for cutting flesh. The grinding teeth are smaller and little used. The dog thus falls into the category of non-strict carnivores, like the bear. Its grinding teeth are more developed and its body can assimilate food other than meat.
The direct consequence of this statement is that the dog should not be fed a strict carnivorous diet. Indeed, meat should not be its only diet, otherwise it will generate deficiencies.
How to properly feed your little companion?
The dog is a carnivore, but a non-strict carnivore. Consequently, his diet must be adapted to cover his nutritional needs without the risk of deficiencies.
Being a carnivore, the dog has a great need for proteins, and proteins of animal origin. Quality kibbles for dogs contain a good amount of protein in order to meet their needs. Indeed, proteins contribute to the development of his muscles, the proper functioning of his organs and joints, the maintenance of his weight, the beauty of his epidermis and his coat and they contribute to protect him from diseases by strengthening his immune system. Proteins also help to limit the risk of overweight, because they help maintain a good balance and effectively satiate the doggie.
On the other hand, the dog’s diet should not be limited to protein. It also needs lipids, vitamins and fiber.
At each age, the dog has specific nutritional needs.
- The puppy needs a diet rich in proteins and fats to allow the proper development of its framework, its musculature, its organs and its cells.
- The adult dog needs a diet rich in quality protein and essential fatty acids to preserve its muscles and bones.
- The neutered dogexposed to a higher risk of overweight and obesity, needs more protein to better satiate it and fiber to maintain its ideal weight.
- The old dog also needs protein to keep their organs working properly and muscles supporting. Chondroprotectors help preserve joints, which become fragile over time. On the other hand, insofar as its physical activity is more limited, it is necessary to opt for a diet less rich in fats.
Anyway, it is essential to choose a quality food for your little companion, rich in animal proteins of first choice, sold at the veterinarian, in pet shops or on specialized websites. Admittedly, these products are more expensive to purchase, but they contribute to maintaining the dog’s good health. More satiating due to their premium protein content, they are consumed in smaller quantities, which makes them more durable, thus balancing expenses. In addition, insofar as they preserve the body of the doggie and cover its nutritional needs much better, they make it possible to reduce disorders and diseases, which greatly limits veterinary consultations and the expenses associated with them!