Recently, the low-carbohydrate high-fat diet, known as 'LCHF', has gained significant popularity among people, and research has shown that a protein and fat-centered raw diet may be healthier for dogs compared to high-carbohydrate commercial dog food.
The 'DogRisk' research team from the University of Helsinki in Finland recently published a paper in the international journal 《The Veterinary Journal》 detailing this research. The team divided a total of 46 bulldogs into two groups, feeding one group a high-carbohydrate dry food and the other a high-fat raw meat diet for an average of 4.5 months, then comparing the health status of each group.
The results showed that the bulldog group fed the high-carbohydrate commercial food experienced increased long-term blood sugar levels and blood lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides), along with weight gain. This is similar to warning signs that can lead to obesity or metabolic syndrome in humans.
In contrast, the group consuming the raw meat diet showed a decrease in blood sugar, blood lipids, and glucagon levels, a hormone that raises blood sugar. Notably, this group exhibited significantly higher levels of ketones, indicating that fat was being used as the primary energy source, and showed positive changes in insulin resistance indicators (triglyceride-glucose index).
Dr. Sara Holm, who led the research, stated, "While the commercial diet was associated with negative changes in metabolic health, the raw diet promoted metabolic responses that are generally considered favorable." The research leader, Professor Anna Hielm-Björkman, added, "This study is a good example of 'One Health', showing that human and animal health are interconnected, and it reached the same conclusion as studies on humans that high-carbohydrate diets raise blood sugar and blood lipids, increasing diabetes risk."
However, it can be risky to hastily switch to a raw diet based solely on these research results. There are many considerations to take into account for a raw diet for dogs.
The biggest challenge is the issue of 'nutritional imbalance'. Healthy raw feeding is not just about giving meat; it requires a combination of various types of meat, bones, organs, supplements, and fresh vegetables tailored to the dog's condition. It is very difficult for an average pet owner to achieve a perfect nutritional balance without professional knowledge. This could lead to deficiencies or excesses of certain nutrients, potentially harming health.
The risk of bacterial infections and injuries cannot be ignored either. Raw meat, especially when it includes organs, is highly susceptible to contamination by pathogens such as Salmonella and E. coli. Additionally, sharp bone fragments can damage a dog's teeth or cause serious injuries to the digestive tract. The cost and effort required to source fresh ingredients and maintain hygiene can also be a significant burden.
Therefore, rather than blindly switching to a raw diet, carefully examining the ingredients of the current food may be a viable alternative. In fact, the pet food market has recently seen a variety of options being released that increase protein and fat content while reducing carbohydrate proportions.
