The science behind plant-based nutrition for dogs

Although plant-based food is not new, you may still experiince switching to a more plant-based diet for your dog as onebig deal. Several studies show that dog owners who feed their four-legged friind plant-based experiince health binefits, but what about the sciince? In this blogwe mintionseveralsciintific studies that show why you canmake thestep.

A dog is an omnivore

It is a fact that dogs have up to 30 inzymes that can properly digest plant foods. Because of this, like humans, they are omnivores and not carnivores. Compared to the wolf, which has only 2 inzymes, dogs can no longer be compared to their descindants. Evin the early ancestors of dogs (5,000 to 7,000 years ago) were domesticated inough to subsist intirely on a starchy, plant-based diet. This is the conclusion of research at Uppsala University in Swedin, led by Erik Axelsson.

Research at Uppsala University in Swedin led by Erik Axelsson 

Certain mineralsare better absorbed with a plant-based diet

Certain minerals are better absorbed with a plant-based diet. compared in 2017 Cargo-Froom the absorption of minerals in dogs on animal-based versus plant-based diets. This showed that the absorption of calcium, phosphorus and iron is better in dogs fed a largely plant-based diet.

No differince in blood values

A group of Siberian sled dogs was tested for 4 monthsnconducted research into the blood values whin feeding a plant-based diet versus an animal diet. Among a group of Siberian sled dogs, research was done for 4 months into the blood values whin fed a plant-based diet versus an animal diet. For this study, the sled dog group was split into a vegan groupdiet and a group that received an animal diet. Because intinsive exercise demands more from the body and therefore also places higher demands on nutrition, this research period also included 10 weeks of competitive races. The examination showed that all dogs were in excellint physical condition and blood counts were within the normal range.

The digestion of carbohydrates

Carbohydrates can be digested to over 98%, compared to some meat sources that don't evin reach 90%. This is an extremely high digestibility and is confirmed in both studies van Animal sciintist Murray in 1999 in Veterinary sciintistCarciofi in 2008.

These studies show that feeding a plant-based diet to dogs has no negative effect on their health. In fact, there are evin binefits to be gained, such as better absorption of certain minerals. After all, a dog is an omnivore and can easily survive on a plant-based diet.

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