Feeding dogs one human food could help them live longer says canine nutritionist

Summary

Canine nutrition expert Cameron Wimble claims there is one common supermarket item you have probably overlooked that could be the key to your beloved pet living a longer, healthier life

Source: Surrey Live

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Q1: What are the potential benefits of feeding dogs human-grade food?

A1: Human-grade pet foods require lower daily dry matter food intake compared to kibble or fresh diets, and have been associated with benefits such as increased physical activity, stronger immunity, reduced inflammation, improved skin and coat health, and potentially a longer lifespan. However, these benefits remain largely unsubstantiated by scientific research.

Q2: How does the dietary adaptation of dogs differ from that of their wild ancestors?

A2: Domestic dogs have evolved to digest carbohydrates more efficiently than their wild ancestors, such as wolves. This adaptation occurred due to their long-standing association with humans and the need to thrive on a starch-rich diet that includes human food scraps, a trait wolves do not possess.

Q3: What is the main focus of the Test of Rapamycin in Aging Dogs (TRIAD) study?

A3: The TRIAD study is focused on testing the ability of the drug rapamycin to prolong lifespan and improve several healthspan metrics in healthy middle-aged dogs. This is being conducted as a randomized, placebo-controlled trial under the Dog Aging Project, aiming to provide insights into canine aging interventions.

Q4: What advice does canine nutritionist Cameron Wimble give regarding dog diets?

A4: Cameron Wimble advocates for a natural diet focusing on fresh food for dogs. He emphasizes the importance of essential nutrients and suggests that a fresh food diet can significantly contribute to a dog's long-term health and longevity.

Q5: What recent scientific findings exist on the impact of hypocaloric diets in obese dogs?

A5: A meta-analysis has shown that hypocaloric diets can effectively manage obesity in dogs, a condition marked by excessive body fat due to a sustained positive energy balance. The study highlights the variability in nutrient composition of commercial diets and calls for standardized guidelines for optimal macronutrient levels.

Q6: How does Cameron Wimble recommend improving canine digestion and health?

A6: Cameron Wimble suggests using an unlikely source of frozen food as beneficial for canine health, especially digestion. He highlights that certain supermarket items, when included in a dog's diet, can significantly enhance their health and potentially extend their lifespan.

Q7: What role does carbohydrate intake play in the diet of free-ranging dogs in India?

A7: Free-ranging dogs in India primarily consume a carbohydrate-rich diet as scavengers near human settlements. Despite being descendants of carnivorous wolves, these dogs have adapted to a diet with limited protein by relying on carbohydrates, although they maintain a learned preference for meat when available.

References:

Test of Rapamycin in Aging Dogs (TRIAD): study design and rationale for a prospective, parallel-group, double-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial of rapamycin in healthy middle-aged dogs from the Dog Aging Project
Impact of Hypocaloric Diets on Weight Loss and Body Composition in Obese Dogs: A Meta-Analysis
Preference for meat is not innate in dogs