02/15/2024
Researchers compared the health markers in client-owned dogs fed a raw diet to markers in dogs fed a high-quality extruded kibble.
To measure their health on the outside, they used a composite clinical health score, (CCS) of dental score + otitis score + integument (external health) score.
The raw-fed dogs scored significantly higher (as you might expect but now we have a study to prove it!).
To assess their health on the inside, they measured serum alkaline phosphatase activity, where an elevation is correlated with disease of the liver and bone, among others.
The raw-fed dogs scored significantly lower in the worrying markers than dry-fed dogs (while the dry-fed dogs were significantly higher they were still within accepted boundaries).
They also measured their globulins levels. These are antibodies. They are elevated in inflammatory conditions, infections, and some cancers. You don't want them raised.
In the dry-fed dogs, they were (again though, there were considered within accepted maximums).
In fact, in both cases, the p-value was less than 0.001 which means highly significant.
An almost complete whitewash.
Interestingly, the raw-fed dogs had more lymphocytes, raised when fighting infection, which was just about significant with a p-value of 0.05.
There were only 25 dogs in each group. The authors note more research is urgently needed to determine the impact of diet processing and nutrient content on canine health.
That was 3 years ago.
Wouldn't you think a veterinary department somewhere would have repeated this study using a lot more dogs by now?! Just in case they were recommending a product that was making the world's dogs ill?
Sadly, comparing the health of fresh and dry-fed dogs is not something the veterinary industry has any interest in doing.
Mad, eh?!
Let's recap the score for them:
3 studies showing raw meaty bones SAFELY clean teeth
2 studies show dry-fed dogs have more inflammatory markers
2 studies showing dry-fed dogs suffer more gut disease
1 study showing dry-fed dogs suffer more atopy (skin disease)
1 study showing dry-fed dogs have more histamine release in the skin layers.
1 study showing dry-fed dogs suffer more ear disease
1 study showing raw-fed dogs are healthier
1 study showing raw-fed dogs see the vets less
ZERO studies suggesting dry dog food is better for any health condition whatsoever.
Hard to get away from that last one.
Add to these awkward facts - KIBBLE poisons far more humans with Salmonella than raw dog food (the majority of them toddlers under two years of age) and the fact complete dry dog food has killed tens of thousands of dogs and cats over multiple instances in the last few decades alone (complete raw dog and cat food? Less than 10 pets) and you have to wonder...
..the veterinary industry recommends against feeding pets real food beecaaaause...
"More research is needed more research is needed"...
..says absolutely nobody with half a brain.
Forgive, but never forget.
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REF: Hiney et al. (2021). Clinical health markers in dogs fed raw meat-based or commercial extruded kibble diets. Journal of Animal Science, 99(6): 1–10
LINKED IN ARTICLE BELOW
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https://www.dogsfirst.ie/everything-about-raw-dog-food/
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