Natural pet food: A review of natural diets and their impact on canine and feline physiology

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to clarify the definition of "natural" as it pertains to commercial pet food and to summarize the scientific findings related to natural ingredients in pet foods and natural diets on the impact of pet health and physiology. The term "natural," when used to market commercial pet foods or pet food ingredients in the United States, has been defined by the Association of American Feed Control Officials and requires, at minimum, that the pet food be preserved with natural preservatives. However, pet owners may consider natural as something different than the regulatory definition. The natural pet food trend has focused on the inclusion of whole ingredients, including meats, fruits, and vegetables; avoiding ingredients perceived as heavily processed, including refined grains, fiber sources, and byproducts; and feeding according to ancestral or instinctual nutritional philosophies. Current scientific evidence supporting nutritional benefits of natural pet food products is limited to evaluations of dietary macronutrient profiles, fractionation of ingredients, and the processing of ingredients and final product. Domestic cats select a macronutrient profile (52% of ME from protein) similar to the diet of wild cats. Dogs have evolved much differently in their ability to metabolize carbohydrates and select a diet lower in protein (30% of ME from protein) than the diet of wild wolves. The inclusion of whole food ingredients in natural pet foods as opposed to fractionated ingredients may result in higher nutrient concentrations, including phytonutrients. Additionally, the processing of commercial pet food can impact digestibility, nutrient bioavailability, and safety, which are particularly important considerations with new product formats in the natural pet food category. Future opportunities exist to better understand the effect of natural diets on health and nutrition outcomes and to better integrate sustainable practices in the production of natural pet foods.

Vegetarian versus Meat-Based Diets for Companion Animals

“…Accordingly, behavioural and physiological adaptations to a more varied diet—including plant-based foods—were necessary to allow ancestral dogs to thrive and achieve evolutionary success. Compared to carnivorous wolves, omnivorous dogs have evolved a superior ability to metabolize carbohydrates, and to subsist on a diet lower in protein [ 20 ]. Biochemical adaptations facilitating this include increased gene expression for pancreatic amylase, the ability to convert maltose to glucose, and increased intestinal glucose uptake [ 21 ].…”

“…Accordingly, the selection pressures on cats to adapt to mixed human food scraps may have been less than those that applied to dogs, and they occurred over a significantly shorter duration. Unsurprisingly, therefore, cats generally lack the genetic, biochemical and behavioural adaptations that enable dogs to thrive on an omnivorous diet, and indeed, domesticated cats select a macronutrient profile (52% of metabolisable energy (ME) from protein) similar to the diet of wild cats [ 20 ].…”

Current Trends of Rice Milling Byproducts for Agricultural Applications and Alternative Food Production Systems

“…There has been a steady increase in the use of broken rice within the United States pet food industry. Brewer's rice is a common ingredient used in pet foods and broken kernels can be substituted (Buff et al, 2014). It is a popular additive as it can help with bowel movements in pets because of its high fiber content while also satisfying hunger rapidly (De Godoy et al, 2013).…”

“…It is a popular additive as it can help with bowel movements in pets because of its high fiber content while also satisfying hunger rapidly (De Godoy et al, 2013). Nutrient analysis of brewer's rice indicates a high concentration of fiber (0.5%), phosphorus (1.55%) and potassium (1.48%); however, brown rice, which is also utilized in dog food, contains higher concentrations of all three, 1.24, 3.25, and 2.94%, respectively (Buff et al, 2014). In addition, broken rice is used for food consumption in humans.…”

Efeito do tipo de alimentação de cães saudáveis sobre análises clínicas e aspectos comportamentais

“…De acordo com Buff et al (2014), a dieta dos cães modernos tem sido formulada para atender suas exigências nutricionais, com a inclusão de alimentos de origem vegetal e animal; ou seja, por meio do antropomorfismo, o homem tem transformado o cão em um animal onívoro, deixando este de ser carnívoro não estrito. Assim, nas últimas décadas, houve uma grande evolução na alimentação dos cães.…”