Raw meat vs. kibble: How diet reshapes a dog’s metabolic health
A recent study at the University of Delaware has revealed significant differences in energy metabolism when dogs are fed either a high-carbohydrate kibble diet or a low-carbohydrate raw meat-based diet. The findings, published in the study 'The effect of a kibble diet versus a raw meat-based diet on energy metabolism biomarkers in dogs', suggest that these two feeding strategies have distinct impacts on dogs' health.
The study, conducted by researchers at the Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, involved 46 Staffordshire Bull Terriers. These dogs were fed either kibble or a raw food diet for a median of 4.5 months. The results showed that the raw food diet promoted metabolic responses generally considered favorable. Dogs on this diet showed decreased blood glucose, blood lipids, and glucagon levels.
However, the kibble diet was associated with changes linked to adverse metabolic health. Dogs on this diet experienced increased long-term blood sugar, blood lipids, and bodyweight. Both groups had increased ketone bodies, but levels were significantly higher in the raw food group. The raw food group also showed a decrease in the triglyceride-glucose index, a marker of insulin resistance.
The study highlights the potential of using dogs as models for human metabolic research, given the similarities in their digestive systems and metabolic processes. More research is needed to understand the long-term health implications of these two feeding strategies. However, the initial findings suggest that a raw food diet may have beneficial effects on dogs' metabolic health, while a high-carbohydrate kibble diet may have adverse effects.
