Common Health Issues Attributed to Diet:
Diet is the foundation for health. It is no wonder that occurrences of many health issues have skyrocketed since the introduction of highly processed commercial pet foods. While claiming to have all essential nutrients (as defined by AAFCO) highly processed foods are lacking in antioxidants, microflora and other natural nutrients vital to a healthy immune system. And many contain ingredients believed to be harmful, such as preservatives and artificial or synthetic substances.
Many health issues in dogs and cats can be directly attributed to a highly processed diet. These could be prevented or moderated by feeding a diet containing high quality, biologically appropriate ingredients that are minimally processed and free from preservatives or artificial flavors, colors, or other potentially harmful substances.
The following shows the reported % of pets with common health issues that respond well to dietary change:
There are approximately 90 million dogs and 88 million cats in U.S. households. This chart shows the actual number of dogs and cats affected, based on the above statistics:
The above reflects the number of dogs and cats suffering from these issues (plus others) that could benefit from a healthier diet. While a fresh food diet can’t guarantee that a pet won’t experience any health issues, it greatly improves the likelihood it will have a longer healthier life, and that your long-term health care costs will be lower.
Examples of health issues that respond well to dietary change include: (listed in the order shown above)
- Dental Disease: Over 80% of dogs and 90% of cats over age 4 have some stage of dental disease. Kibble companies have brilliantly marketed dry food as effective for cleaning teeth, but the opposite is actually true. Digestion begins in the mouth. Fresh, more digestible food, spends less time in the mouth, is less likely to be lodged in the teeth and gums, and thus spends less time feeding the bacteria that feed plaque and tartar.
- Obesity: Over 50% of dogs and 60% of cats are considered obese. Obesity leads to a variety of health issues, including diabetes, compromised kidney function, gastrointestinal issues, joint problems, and more. This is a staggering statistic given that obesity is 100% avoidable through diet! Pet owners are spending tens of millions of dollars on dietary products for their pets, many of which are loaded with carbs and filler foods that offer no nutritional value. Most kibbles contain high levels of carbohydrates which are quickly converted to sugar in the pets system. Feeding a smaller amount of a higher quality, more nutrient dense food often costs less than the “diet” foods while actually delivering higher quality nutrition to the pet. And any higher cost of food may be offset by lower health care costs over time.
- Sensitive Stomach: Diarrhea and vomiting may be reduced by feeding natural foods that are more easily digested. Veterinarians often recommend boiled chicken and rice for dogs with upset stomachs because these are easily digested. Muscle meats are much more easily digested than meat meals (beef meal, chicken meal, etc.) or by-products. Fresh whole foods have the same soothing effect on the system while still providing essential vitamins and minerals. If long-term feeding of fresh whole food is not in the budget, select foods that have more digestible ingredients and minimal synthetic supplements.
Processed foods that are harder to digest also increase the potential for bloat. Some breeds, such as Great Danes, are at higher risk (37%) and can benefit from a more easily digested fresh food diet.
- Cancer: More than 20% of cats will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime, and cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs over 10 years. Yet many preservatives and other substances that are linked to cancer are commonly found in dry and processed foods. Many types of cancer feed off of carbohydrates, and most highly processed foods contain high levels of carbohydrate. While a preservative-free, fresh food diet cannot prevent cancer, it is known to reduce the risk. (Note that not all preservatives are listed as ingredients on pet food labels. Preservatives are often hidden in other ingredients such as animal fats. Any product that claims to contain meat but can sit on the shelf for months without spoiling must be preserved or it will spoil.)
- Urinary Tract Issues: Many urinary tract infections begin with an imbalance of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ bacteria in the digestive tract which allows the ‘bad’ bacteria to multiply unchecked. Many fresh food diets contain fresh cranberries which are known to inhibit the growth of ‘bad’ bacteria.
Formation of urinary crystals and stones can be attributed to diets high in specific minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. While these nutrients are essential in recommended amounts, excesses can lead to a variety of health issues including formation of crystals and stones. Many labels list minimum values for these nutrients which means actual levels could be significantly higher.
Fresh food diets made without ground bones are less likely to contain excess minerals that contribute urinary crystals and stones. Fresh food diets are also naturally higher in moisture which is essential to flush out bacteria and excess minerals.
- Skin Disorders or itching/scratching may be the result of imbalanced fatty acids or deficiencies in certain minerals such as zinc. Healthy skin and coat begin with a diet rich in balanced fatty acids and other nutrients.
- Allergies may be triggered by a variety of factors, including diet. Many food allergies are the result of the body’s reaction to synthetic nutrients or highly processed foods while the fresh food ingredient does not trigger the same reaction. For example, your pet may be allergic to products containing chicken meal or chicken by-products but not to freshly baked chicken The fewer known allergens in your pet’s diet, the less likely they are to have an allergic reaction. Allergens commonly found in pet food include corn, wheat, soy, and many artificial and synthetic substances. Even if there are environmental allergens, a fresh whole food diet without known allergens may help to alleviate symptoms.
- Kidney or Renal Disease: Compromised kidney function occurs when the kidneys are not able to effectively filter waste. Until recently, the common dietary recommendation was to lower the protein level to lower stress on the kidneys. However, studies show that it is actually the Phosphorus that needs to be lower. Meat meals and ground bones are high in Phosphorus, so if these are used as the primary protein source then the only way to lower the Phosphorus is to lower the overall protein. But fresh food products containing boneless muscle meat as the primary protein source can keep the protein levels at the recommended levels to maintain energy and muscle mass while lowering Phosphorus. The recent increase in kidney and renal issues may be attributed to the increase in popularity of highly processed pet foods made with ingredients high in Phosphorus and other minerals. Excesses of these minerals over time cause the kidneys to work overtime which leads to compromised kidney function.
- Ear Infections: Diets high in carbohydrates may increase the risk of yeast infections since carbs are quickly converted to sugars which feed the yeast.
- Diabetes: Obesity and excess carbohydrates are two main contributors to diabetes. Maintaining proper weight is the single biggest step you can take to give your pet a longer healthier life. Choosing foods lower in empty carbohydrates reduces the risk your pet will develop diabetes. Lower carb fresh food diets will also help your pet to reach and maintain their ideal weight. Once diagnosed with diabetes, veterinarians recommend lower carb diets to maintain the glucose level and avoid spikes. Since most kibble is considered high carb, remaining on a kibble diet requires a switch to a low carb kibble, often sold as a prescription or veterinary diet. But most fresh foods are naturally low in carbs and rich in natural nutrients. If the carb level is not listed on the label, ask the manufacturer to confirm.
“You are what you eat.” The same is true for your pet. Every bite they eat either contributes to a healthy immune system, or burdens their system with processing ‘filler foods’. They don’t have any magic ability to convert low quality processed food into healthy nutrition. Make every bite (and every penny) count!
*Sources include:
AAFCO Feeding Trials
