We are what we eat. Dogs are what they eat. Food, or nourishment is the mainstay of a dog's growth, body functions, well being and level of activity.Dogs, Canis familiaris are carnivores. Animals living on the flesh of other animals, something dogs have done for millions of years. They are not strict carnivores in the true sense of the word such as cats of the feline family because the ancestral and wild dogs do eat plant material. This they obtain from the stomach and intestinal contents of their prey.
By studying and observing what dogs in the wild eat as well as how the dog's digestive system is constructed we can make some conclusions on what we should feed our domesticated dog.
Many of us have observed the eating habits of our North American coyote. The first parts of a carcass that the coyote eats are the liver, kidneys and the stomach and intestines including their contents. Next the flesh or "steak" and last the bones, hair, hide and/or feathers. Everything is eaten.
This diet supplies them with a complete and balanced diet.
The liver and kidneys provides fat, protein and a rich supply of essential vitamins and minerals.
The stomach and intestinal contents supply energy from the semi digested carbohydrates. These are the grasses and cereals that the herbivore prey had eaten.
Flesh contributes protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. Bones supply the minerals calcium, phosphorus and magnesium and the hair and feathers gives the dog the indigestible fiber, for bulk and regularity.
Proteins provide the amino acid building blocks for growth and repair of tissues with extra used as energy. Fats supply important cell, enzyme and hormone material and are powerful sources of energy - 2.2 times the caloric power of protein and carbohydrates. The second hand carbohydrates in the semi digested plant material provides energy, vitamins and minerals.
Today we attempt to duplicate these foods for our modern dogs so that they not only get the right nutrients but also in a form that they can utilize.
The dog's body is well adapted for this type of diet. Their teeth and jaws are built for ripping and tearing and they can vomit quite easily as a safeguard for questionable foods. They have a large liver compared to other animals which is well suited for digesting large amounts of animal proteins and fats. Compared to herbivores the dog's intestines are very short, only about three times the length of their body. Herbivores such as the sheep and cow have a large capacity digestive system especially suited for their particular type of diet utilizing bacteria and other micro-organisms for the digestion of these plant materials.
Our dogs are different. The best foods for the growing and hard working dogs consist of animal source proteins and fats, semi-processed carbohydrates and vitamins and minerals. Many of our dogs today do not have the opportunity to hunt or pick and choose what they eat. They must eat what we give, making them totally dependent on us.
This makes us responsible for our dog's growth, body functions, well being and level of activity.
How will we know if we are providing the right foods?
Our dogs will tell us.
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