Navigating Challenges Amidst Industrial Nutrition

Complete feed is designed to be a comprehensive and well-balanced diet for dogs, eliminating the need for additional supplements. The term "complete feed" implies that the product is formulated to meet all the nutritional requirements of the dog. In cases where the feed already provides complete and balanced nutrition, additional supplements may be unnecessary and potentially risky, with the risk of overdosing and imbalance.

It is important to emphasize that complete feed is crafted to be all-encompassing and, therefore, should not require supplementation. Despite this, the sales of various supplement feeds continue to rise. Oils, particularly various types of them, are especially popular, as well as preparations containing glucosamine, chondroitin, and other substances intended to support the dog's joints and muscles.

Interestingly, there are already complete feeds available on the market that include these components.

Bioavailability is a key factor to consider when evaluating commercial feed products. Many additives are marketed as "enriched," but these may contain nutrients with low bioavailability. Bioavailability refers to how efficiently the body can absorb and utilize nutrients. Examples of nutrients with low bioavailability include inorganic minerals and semi- or fully synthetic vitamins, which can be risky in case of overdose.

Even though complete feed theoretically covers the dog's nutritional needs, some nutrients may be challenging for the body to absorb. A label claiming that all essential nutrients are present does not automatically mean that these nutrients are readily available to the body. Therefore, the guaranteed analysis on the packaging does not provide a definitive indication of how the body absorbs and utilizes these nutrients.

Joint problems are common despite the use of complete feed Growth disorders are common in puppies, especially in larger breeds, but they actually occur in smaller breeds as well. The foundation for skeletal and joint growth disorders is laid during the puppy stage and continues with the dog throughout its life. Many dogs suffer, to a greater or lesser extent, from injuries caused by improper nutrition during the puppy stage, even though most dogs eat scientifically formulated feed specifically designed to counteract this type of problem. How can this happen?

The answer is quite simple: When the majority of the energy in food comes from fast carbohydrates and concentrated protein isolates, growth accelerates at an abnormally fast pace. This results in the soft tissues simply outgrowing the skeleton, leading to painful injuries. Most feed products claiming to prevent joint problems contain significant amounts of fast carbohydrates and concentrated protein isolates.

So, what good does it do to add glucosamine and chondroitin, or beta-carotene, when the feed primarily consists of substances with a high potential to cause growth disorders? As dog owners, we naturally feel sad and desperate when our beloved pets suffer, and that's why we buy oils and joint supplements like never before. The queues to veterinarians and the relatively new professions of dog physiotherapists and canine physical therapists continue to grow. It's a strange development considering that extremely expensive, scientifically formulated feeds should guarantee the opposite effect.

It's crucial to acknowledge that nutritional imbalances or deficiencies can arise regardless of the diet your dog consumes. Even the most expensive and premium complete feeds, whether dry, wet, or raw, cannot guarantee 100% assurance that the body consistently receives all the necessary nutrients for optimal function.

In raw or homemade diets, a specific ingredient—whether animal or plant-based—may be produced under unnatural conditions, disrupting the nutritional profile. A common issue with animal-based ingredients is elevated fat content, which can lead to severe nutritional imbalances and deficiencies.

When inorganic and semi- or fully synthetic nutrients are used to supplement the diet, there is a significant risk of nutritional imbalances occurring. This holds true for both commercial complete feeds and homemade diets.

Surprisingly, even scientifically formulated feeds—some sold by veterinarians—do not ensure that the dog will stay healthy, as we have observed.

So, what is the conclusion? Is supplementary feed necessary? The conclusion drawn from all this is that supplementary feed can indeed be necessary to balance the diet and counteract deficiencies, whether the diet consists of homemade food or a commercial complete feed.

It's essential to note that a feed already enriched with nutrients should not be supplemented with anything in inorganic, synthetic, or concentrated form. However, regardless of the type of diet, it is always advantageous to complement your dog's food with natural foods.

Do you want to learn more about nutrition and how you can give your dog real dog food without the hassle. Read more under the "Food" tab.

/Mirabelle Wesden