Abstract
BackgroundTo date, very few studies have compared the effects of different types of feeding practices on canine physiology, such as feeding exclusively dry, raw, or homemade foods.ObjectivesWe aimed to report the changes in hematologic, serum biochemical, plasma folate, B12, and whole blood iron levels in dogs fed two different diets.MethodsA pilot study was developed to compare the effects of a heat‐processed high carbohydrate (HPHC) and nonprocessed high‐fat (NPHF) diet. A total of 33 client‐owned Staffordshire Bull Terriers were used; 18 had canine atopic dermatitis, seven were healthy, and eight were grouped as “borderline” dogs since they did not fulfill at least six of Favrot's criteria. The comparisons were made between the diet groups at the end visit of the diet intervention, as well as within the diet groups during the study.ResultsSignificant differences between and within the diet groups were observed, although the majority of outcomes remained within the RIs. The median time of diet intervention was 140 days. Red blood cell counts, mean cell hemoglobin concentrations, and platelet counts were significantly higher, and mean cell hemoglobin, mean cell volume, alkaline phosphatase, inorganic phosphorus, and cholesterol were significantly lower in the dogs fed the NPHF diet compared with those fed the HPHC diet after the diet trial was completed. In addition, folate, B12, and iron decreased significantly in the NPHF diet group.ConclusionsThis pilot study indicated that diet had an impact on blood values, although most remained within RIs, pointing out the need for further studies.
Highlights
Following an increased interest in species-specific feeding, many owners feed their dogs with raw and more “natural” foods
The mean whole blood iron concentration in the nonprocessed high-fat diet (NPHF) diet group was significantly lower at the final visit (9.7 mmol/L, SD ± 0.9) compared with the baseline visit (10.6 mmol/L, SD ± 1.0; P = .026) after the diet intervention
This study shows that different diets induced different types of changes in the hematologic and biochemical variables of dogs, as well as in blood iron, B12, and folate measurements
Summary
Following an increased interest in species-specific feeding, many owners feed their dogs with raw and more “natural” foods. Dogs share some selected genes with humans that are related to digestion and metabolism.[2] Recent studies have shown that the amylase gene (AMY2B) was one of the target genes of selection during dog domestication,[3,4] and an increase in copy number variation would suggest an adaptation to a starch-richer diet. Using a raw food diet as a more natural approach for improving canine health has encountered resistance by some veterinary nutritionists,[10,11] and encouragement from others.[12,13,14] Studies comparing the overall health effects, or even partial physiologic effects of heat-processed and nonheat-processed dry food in dogs are scarce. | 259 common in Staffordshire Bull Terriers in Finland,[17] another part of the study looked at the effects of diet on CAD
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