We won’t be the first to tell you that the food you provide your dog plays a significant role in shaping their behaviour. Emerging research tells us that there is a strong link between negative behaviours and poor gut health in both humans and dogs. Central to this connection is the microbiome, the community of microorganisms residing in the gut. When feeding your dog incompatible foods, it results in lower gut microbiome diversity as opposed to fresh, raw diets.
Read on as our experts at sure4pets share the importance of feeding species-appropriate diets to ensure happy guts, which ultimately leads to happy pups.
Raw meat vs kibble
For thriving health to occur, all living things must consume the foods they were designed to eat. At sure4pets, we call this the SARF™ (species-appropriate raw food) diet.
Dogs are inherently carnivorous creatures. In the wild, they thrive on a diet rich in raw meat, which includes bones, organs, and various other animal parts. Raw meat naturally contains higher levels of beneficial bacteria compared to kibble, as it is unprocessed and uncooked, whereas kibble often lacks nutrients. Research highlights that raw food consumption leads to increased microbiome diversity in pet dogs.
On top of this, raw food is entirely protein-based, with 100% natural ingredients and no fillers, and feeding a raw diet from early on benefits a dog’s gut health later in life.
Impact of kibble on the microbiome
The microbiome comprises billions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that live in the digestive system of both humans and dogs. These microorganisms are essential for maintaining a healthy ecosystem within the gut, which in turn influences your dog’s behaviour and overall well-being. This means that what you feed your dog can either support or disrupt this delicate balance, directly affecting both its physical and mental health.
Drawbacks of kibble
Kibble is produced by compiling ingredients, cooking them and shaping them into pellets to increase shelf life. Although it may seem convenient in its long life, the nature in which it is produced means that it lacks essential nutrients for your pup.
Dangerous ingredients
Many of the nutrients in kibble are lost during the high-heat process, so flavour enhancers and other synthetic nutrients are added to replace them.
Acrylamide, glyphosate and ethoxyquin are just a handful of examples of toxic preservatives found in kibble.
Low moisture
Kibble is a low-moisture product, putting dogs in a constant state of dehydration. They typically contain only 3-12% of water.
High in carbohydrates and calories and low in protein
Kibble is high in carbohydrates and fillers, often hosting around 60-80% of carbohydrates, while dogs are designed to eat meat-based diets. On top of this, it often uses meat byproducts. This contributes to increased obesity amongst dogs.
It does not clean teeth
Providing your dog with a SARF™ diet means you don’t need to worry about their teeth, as it naturally cleans them. With kibble, the starchy residue can quickly build up plaque, causing dental issues.
Essential nutrients for your dog’s well-being
- Tryptophan: Found in meat, this aids in the production of serotonin (happy hormones) and melatonin (sleepy hormones). Insufficient levels of either can lead to high energy levels that make it more difficult for dogs to relax and sleep.
- Tyrosine: Present in fish and eggs, this helps produce dopamine (pleasure hormones) and noradrenaline (necessary for managing stress and the fight-or-flight response). Both humans and dogs need tyrosine to maintain happiness and cope with stress effectively.
- Amino Acids: found in protein, dogs need this to maintain muscle, repair tissue, support immune function, help metabolism and upkeep energy levels. Processed and cooked meats contain significantly fewer amino acids, which can negatively impact your dog’s mood and behaviour.
The importance of a healthy gut
A healthy gut is directly linked to a happy brain. Conversely, an unhealthy gut can quickly lead to behavioural issues. Here are some key facts about the gut:
- 90% of serotonin production occurs in the gut by enterochromaffin (EC) cells, crucial for mood regulation.
- Antibiotics can kill EC cells in the gut, reducing serotonin levels and potentially leading to behavioural changes.
- Gut bacteria communicate with the brain via the vagus nerve, meaning the contents of your dog’s stomach directly influence its brain and behaviour.
- Poor diets rich in sugar, low in micronutrients, and containing additives can disrupt the gut microbiome, affecting behaviour negatively.
The optimal diet for canine health
Dogs and their digestive systems are best suited to a carnivorous diet. A balanced raw diet should consist of:
- 80% raw meat (including flesh, skin/ hide, blood, and fish)
- 10% organs
- 10% bone
By choosing the right foods, you aren’t just supporting your dog’s physical health but also their mental health and well-being. Check out our range of raw dog food today to get started and improve your dog’s quality of life with sure4pets today.
