As any veterinarian in Markham will tell you, zoologically, dogs are carnivores (meat-eaters). So are black bears. Their teeth look like those of meat eaters like polar bears. Interestingly this doesn’t mean that black bears and dogs actually live on meat alone.
Like black bears, dogs eat all kinds of things. They are physiologically omnivores (everything-eaters). I have in my yard some apple trees and I trim them always to stay low enough that I don’t need a ladder to pick the fruit. Yes, other people might need a stool to get to the top branches, but for me, it’s not so difficult. However my dog likes my apples too and he always gets them in the fall before they are ripe enough to pick. For him anything 3 feet above the ground is a good snack. I rest my case.
Some pet food designers created a new niche with the carnivore’s diet myth and developed diets that are too rich in protein and unbalanced.
Some foods have 70% protein – definitely a major burden for the kidneys which will create some medical work for us when these pets get older. The excess protein needs to be metabolized and excreted. Veterinary nutrition textbooks recommend between 15-30% protein in a dog’s diet.
Cats however, are truly carnivores, but they still need carbohydrates in their diet. In the wild, cats eat the contents of the stomachs of their prey which contains grains and grasses. To prove this point, I know a few house cats that love tomatoes and veggies. The recommended protein level in a cat diet is between 30-45%.
Dr. Ernst Marsig
Compassionate Advanced Health Care for a Long and Happy Life of ALL Your Pets.
For further reading you may read: http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=labelinfo101
Disclaimer: No part of this website constitutes medical advice. Readers are advised to consult with their veterinarian.
