High meat content in dog food

You’ve probably heard the saying, «You are what you eat.« Sure, it’s a bit overused, but there’s a reason it sticks around—it’s true. The food we consume plays a massive role in how we feel, our overall health, our ability to focus, and even how productive we can be. And guess what? The same principle holds true for our furry friends. When dogs are given a balanced, nutritious diet, they’re less prone to illness, full of energy, agile, and rocking sleek, shiny coats without any unpleasant smells. But let’s dig deeper—what exactly sets healthy dog food apart from the rest? One major factor is a high meat content. Why is that so important? What does «high» actually mean in this context? And what should you keep in mind when choosing the best diet for your pup? Let’s break it all down so you can make the smartest choices for your dog’s well-being.

From wolf to dog

Dogs are descended from wolves and are known to eat mainly prey, i.e. meat, entrails and bones. So the dog should also be fed as much meat as possible. Right? This wolf analogy is often used to explain or justify dogs’ (high) meat requirements, for example in comparison to a dog’s vegetarian diet. And it almost provokes a “Yes, but…”

Of course, it cannot be denied that the wolf is the ancestor of our domestic dogs. But it is also a fact that dogs have adapted to humans during domestication. Doesn’t this also apply to nutrition? A study by Axelsson et al. (2013) were able to demonstrate that dogs produce the enzyme amylase, which is produced in the salivary glands and is used to digest plant starches or carbohydrates, to a greater extent than wolves. However, it is a mistake to deduce from this that the dog can or should be fed a large percentage of food components of plant origin. Subsequent studies have shown that the ability to digest starch varies greatly between different breeds. Nordic breeds appear to have lower amylase activity and are therefore apparently less capable of digesting grain than other dog breeds. Even within the same breed, the ability to digest starch varies. Whether and to what extent a dog can tolerate grain seems to be a very individual matter.

In principle it is not a problem if the dog food also contains plant-based foods, as long as the dog tolerates it and is fit, agile and healthy. However, the majority of the food ration should consist of meat and offal. The dog’s organism is still specialized in digestion and utilization. Meat and offal provide our four-legged friends with a variety of nutrients that they need for a healthy life and whose needs they can only meet to a limited extent in other ways.

Why do dogs need meat?

Meat and offal provide the dog, among other things:

• proteins (proteins)necessary to maintain and regenerate body tissues, such as muscles. Strictly speaking, the dog does not need the proteins themselves, but rather the amino acids (building blocks of proteins) contained in them, such as arginine, lysine, methionine, etc., which are responsible for several bodily functions. Some of these amino acids are essential, meaning that they cannot be produced by the body itself but must be obtained through food. In theory (!), dogs could obtain these amino acids exclusively from plant-based foods, but it is proven that the amino acids contained in meat are the best for dogs to digest and therefore ideal for use.

• Sliceswhich serve as a source of energy for the four-legged friend. Some fatty acids are essential and must be supplied with food. Meat is an ideal source of the fats that dogs need.

• Vitaminswhich are particularly contained in offal such as liver, kidneys and spleen. It is therefore important that a complete feed contains not only muscle meat, but also offal. An exception is made for dogs that are not allowed to eat offal for disease-related reasons because it has a high purine content. This is the case, for example, of leishmaniasis.

• minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, zinc and iodine, which are found in muscles, offal and bones and are necessary for various functions of the body.

High meat content as a quality criterion?

A high meat content has now become a quality criterion for dog food. Without paying attention to the exact composition of the complete food, many dog ​​owners only put foods with at least 80% meat (muscle and offal) in their pet’s bowl. Even in the case of vomiting, a meat content of between 70 and 80% is usually recommended. However, other real or self-styled nutrition experts argue that such a high meat content provides too much protein, which is to the detriment of organs such as the liver or kidneys. Many dog ​​owners are therefore extremely insecure. How much meat does a dog really need? Can there be «too much» or should only a sum that is too small be rejected?

Healthy dogs benefit from a high meat content, between 70 and 80 percent, in their food. Older dogs, whose metabolism naturally slows, need less protein. Here the meat content may be lower. Dogs suffering from liver or kidney disease should also be fed a lower meat content. Special dietary foods are usually used here, e.g. B. contain lower protein content.

Important: The meat content should therefore be individually adapted to the needs of the dog.

Conclusion

Despite the changes and developments that occurred during domestication, the organism of healthy dogs is still specialized for the digestion and utilization of meat, offal and other animal components. A high meat content in dog food is generally recommended. For example, vegetables, fruits, superfoods and small amounts of grains can be added, as long as the dog tolerates them. Only in special cases, for example in the case of illnesses, in the interests of the dog’s health is it appropriate to reduce the meat content. However, this should always be done in consultation with a veterinarian. Our colleagues on site will be happy to advise you on feeding your dog, both conventional food and BARF. Do you need a BARF plan? We will create it for you free of charge and tailored to your dog’s needs directly on site at our adventure markets at Kölle Zoo.