There seems to
be mutual agreement that cats and ferrets are carnivores but there is a common
misconception that dogs are omnivores. Dogs are in fact carnivores as well. Dogs, Canis lupus familiaris, are part of the order carnivora. They
have evolved from the grey wolf with only 0.2% mtDNA sequence in comparison to
a 4% mtDNA sequence difference from grey wolves to coyotes (Miles, 1998-2002). The digestion of wolves
and dogs has not changed; they both share the same enzymes for the appropriate digestion
of bones, meat, and organs (Mech and Boitani,
2003, p. 115). Domestication has not changed the basic anatomy and
physiology of a dog’s digestion (Mech and
Boitani, 2003, p. 115). Because of this, dog require little to no carbohydrates
in their diet. David Mech, an expert in wolf biology, found that wolf’s consumption
of carbohydrates ranged from 0%-1.7% and suffered no diet deficiencies when
they consumed the entire carcass of their prey which includes organs, bones,
and meat (Mech and Boitani, 2003, p. 114).
In addition,
dogs do not have the appropriate enzymes in their stomachs or saliva to break
down starches, cellulose, and carbohydrates in fruits and vegetables to absorbs
the nutrients they offer. They also lack flat molars to crush, grind, and break
down the cellulose in plant matter so the body can absorb the nutrients. This
is why people say that you need to puree or mash fruits and vegetables before
feeding them. Dog, cats, and ferrets teeth are designed for shredding, ripping,
and tearing meat and bones, they do not chew like an omnivore or herbivore
does. That is why their teeth, from their incisors and all the way to their
molars, are sharp and jagged so they can easily sink them into flesh.
Feeding a Prey
Model Raw diet, 80% meat: 10% bone: 10% organs (5% liver, 5% other), is the
best way to nourish our pets. There are many health benefits that come with feeding
whole foods that feeding kibble cannot provide. Some benefits are:
1)
The
gnawing of flesh and bone allows for the gums to be massaged, and teeth to be
flossed and cleaned to stop tartar build up and bacteria from growing.
2)
It
can eliminate diet-based allergies caused by a highly process diet.
3)
Dog,
cats, and ferrets have low drive to drink water as they get their water they
need from the meat they consume. Remember, majority of meat is made up of water
content. Kibble is almost completely void of moisture and thus leaves our
carnivores in a chronic state of dehydration that can lead to a whole host of
problems.
4)
Due
to raw meat being in its natural form, it can digest quickly and easily without
stressing the pancreas, kidneys, and liver. This allows the body to focus on
aspects that need attention to keep the body healthy and strong.
5) Smaller, less smelly stools.
The concern with
meat being high in protein is misguided as raw meat is actually not high in
protein at all; approximately 70-75% is water, 19-23% is crude
protein, and 3-2% is fat, as well as vitamins and minerals (Wenther, 2011).
Dog, cats, and ferrets, have a shortened gastrointestinal tract which allows
raw meat to pass through the body quickly as to not give time for pathogens to
sit and grow in the stomach.
You can find
great information from the sites and groups posted below that can help you
learn to feed the healthiest possible diet for your pets.
Sites:
Bibliography:
Mech, L. D., & Boitani, L.
(2003). Wolves: Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation. University of
Chicago Press.
Miles, K. (1998-2002). What is a
Wolfdog? Retrieved June 9, 2014, from Canid Genetics:
http://www2.fiu.edu/~milesk/Genetics.htm
Wenther, J. B. (2011). Basics
of Meat Science. Retrieved June 9, 2014, from Nassau Foods:
http://www.nassaufoods.com/index.php?content=basicsofmeatscience
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