Embracing Change for Our Pets’ Health: The Power of Open-Mindedness and Social Media
Navigating the world of pet nutrition can be overwhelming, especially when you’re confronted with a wide array of opinions and advice. It’s natural to stick with what you’re familiar with, particularly when it comes to the well-being of your beloved dog. However, if there’s one truth we can’t ignore, it’s that many dry dog foods, despite being popular and often recommended, may not be the best choice for your pet’s long-term health. This is especially true for dogs with chronic conditions.
The challenge many face is that when seeking advice, particularly online, it’s easy to dismiss valuable information just because it comes from a non-traditional source like a Facebook group or online forum. Yet, the role of social media in education has evolved significantly, offering a wealth of knowledge and community support that shouldn’t be overlooked.
The Reality of Dry Dog Food
Dry dog food, or kibble, in the form we know today—small, dry, and shelf-stable pieces—didn’t become widely available until the 1950s. However, the process of creating kibble often involves high-heat extrusion, which destroys many natural nutrients, requiring the addition of synthetic vitamins and minerals. Unfortunately, these synthetic additives aren’t as easily absorbed by your dog’s body as nutrients from whole foods. Moreover, commercial dog foods often contain harmful ingredients like mycotoxins, glyphosate, and chemical preservatives, which can contribute to serious health issues over time.
Understanding the Dangers in Kibble
1. Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs): AGEs are harmful compounds formed when proteins or fats combine with sugars during high-heat processing, such as in the production of kibble. These compounds have been linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, and chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, and premature aging. Over time, feeding dogs a diet high in AGEs can contribute to a host of health issues, making kibble a less-than-ideal option for long-term nutrition.
2. High Carbohydrate Content: Most kibble is disproportionately high in carbohydrates, which dogs have no nutritional requirement for. Dogs are facultative carnivores, meaning their diet should be primarily meat-based. Diets high in carbs can lead to obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders. Additionally, the inclusion of legumes, which are often used as a filler in grain-free kibble, can lead to other health issues, due to their pro inflammatory nature and high concentration of lectins, which are anti-nutrients. Lectins can interfere with the absorption of minerals like calcium, iron, phosphorus, and zinc. They can also bind to the cells lining the digestive tract, disrupting nutrient absorption and affecting gut flora.
3. Mycotoxins: Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain molds found in grains and other food ingredients. Studies have shown that many commercial dog foods contain dangerous levels of mycotoxins, which can cause liver damage, immune suppression, and even cancer in dogs. The long-term consumption of foods contaminated with mycotoxins poses a significant risk to your pet’s health.
4. Glyphosate: This widely used herbicide is commonly found in crops like wheat, corn, soy, and potatoes—all staples in commercial dog food. Glyphosate has been shown to bind to critical minerals and trace nutrients, preventing their absorption and leading to potential malnutrition. The chronic exposure to glyphosate, even in small amounts, can have detrimental effects on your dog’s health.
The mass production of kibble - a marked decline in canine health
The rate of decline in canine health since the 1950s has been a topic of growing concern among veterinarians, researchers, and pet owners. Several factors have contributed to this decline, particularly the widespread adoption of commercial kibble diets, which became the norm during the mid-20th century. Key aspects of this decline include:
1. Rise in Chronic Diseases: Since the 1950s, there has been a significant increase in chronic diseases among dogs, including obesity, diabetes, cancer, and kidney disease. For example, obesity rates in dogs have increased dramatically, with some studies indicating that over 50% of dogs in developed countries are overweight or obese. This rise parallels the growing use of high-carbohydrate, highly processed kibble diets.
2. Impact of Diet on Lifespan: Research indicates that dogs fed a diet consisting primarily of commercial kibble may have shorter lifespans compared to those fed fresh or minimally processed diets. For example, a study published in The British Journal of Nutrition found that dogs fed a diet of table scraps and human food lived up to three years longer than those fed commercial diets exclusively.
3. Increase in Allergies and Autoimmune Disorders: The prevalence of food allergies and autoimmune disorders in dogs has also risen significantly. Many of these conditions are linked to the ingredients and processing methods used in commercial kibble, such as the inclusion of low-quality proteins, high carbohydrate content, and artificial additives.
4. Carcinogenic and Toxic Substances: The high-heat processing used in kibble production generates harmful compounds such as Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) and acrylamides, which are known to contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress, and cancer. Mycotoxins, often found in the grains used in kibble, have also been linked to liver disease and cancer in dogs.
5. Nutrient Deficiencies and Imbalances: Kibble diets, despite being fortified with synthetic vitamins and minerals, can lead to nutrient deficiencies and imbalances over time. These deficiencies contribute to the deterioration of overall health, immune function, and vitality in dogs.
Overall, the commercialization and mass production of dog food, particularly kibble, have coincided with a marked decline in canine health, as evidenced by the rise in chronic illnesses, decreased lifespan, and increased prevalence of allergies and other disorders. This decline underscores the need for a critical reassessment of the diets we provide to our pets.
Why We Advocate for Healthier Choices
In our community, we refuse to sugarcoat the truth. We believe in providing honest, research-backed advice about what’s truly best for our dogs’ health. This doesn’t mean we’re anti-kibble or that we judge those who choose it—everyone’s circumstances are different. However, it’s important to acknowledge that there are healthier alternatives available, whether that’s opting for a higher-quality kibble or transitioning to a fresh food diet.
Don’t want to feed fresh? Check out these articles below;
The Value of Social Media as a Learning Tool
As someone deeply involved in the natural canine health community, I’ve often encountered skepticism about the information shared on social media. It’s not uncommon to hear people say, “You can’t trust advice from random people online.” While it’s wise to approach online advice with caution, dismissing it outright can mean missing out on valuable insights.
Social media has revolutionized how we access and share information. Gone are the days when learning was confined to textbooks and lectures. Today, platforms like Facebook allow pet parents to connect with like-minded individuals, share experiences, and learn from one another. In the groups I help manage, we’ve seen firsthand how quickly issues with pet products can be identified, sometimes even leading to global investigations into harmful practices.
For example, a recent case involved a mystery illness affecting over 1,700 pets across multiple countries, all linked to a specific brand of dog food. This investigation, sparked by observations in social media groups, has involved collaboration with veterinarians and even self-funded lab testing, underscoring the critical role that these platforms can play in safeguarding our pets’ health.
The Importance of Being Open to Change
When you seek advice from our community, it’s essential to be open to the information and resources provided. The time and effort our team invests in reviewing posts and crafting detailed, thoughtful responses are driven by a genuine desire to help your dog thrive. It can be disheartening when this advice is ignored or, worse, when posts are deleted simply because the answers don’t align with preconceived notions.
This isn’t just about time wasted—time that could have been spent helping another dog, working on group resources, or even taking a much-needed break. It’s about missing out on an opportunity to make a positive change in your pet’s life. We’re not here to simply reinforce existing beliefs; we’re here to offer evidence-based insights that can genuinely improve your dog’s health.
By staying open-minded and willing to learn, you can make informed decisions that could significantly improve your dog’s health and quality of life. Whether you’re considering a complete dietary overhaul or just looking to make small, healthier changes, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Conclusion
Feeding our dogs a diet that supports their health and longevity requires a willingness to learn and adapt. While it can be challenging to accept that the food you’re currently feeding isn’t always the best option, the benefits of a fresh food diet or even just adding some fresh additions to your dogs bowl, are undeniable - we know this from the research that is coming out now from unbiased sources.
By making informed choices, we can help our dogs live healthier, happier lives. Remember, change is hard, but so is losing our dogs to preventable diseases. By working & learning together - and by doing everything we can within our remits, we can give our dogs the best chance at a long, healthy life.
