Skip to content
Previous article
Now Reading:
The mad science of processed food making

The mad science of processed food making

Why my dog will get processed food only over my dead body

I have said many times before that whenever we are unsure about nutrition, the best thing to do is go back to nature. If you think about it, commercial, heavily-processed pet food made from grain and other ingredients is far from what dogs and cats would eat in nature. They have not been designed to digest complete carbohydrates because their digestive tract is short and doesn’t have the large fore-stomach or colon of cows and horses.

The pancreas of carnivores is clearly designed to digest mainly protein. Canine and feline digestion mostly happens in the stomach and the small intestines, where the pancreas plays an important role as a protein enzyme-making machine. It gets seriously strained and overworked when we feed dogs corn and wheat. After all, I have never seen dogs and cats grazing in a corn or wheat field. It is not much different than imagining a horse or a rabbit chewing a bone.

I have no idea why some people believe that pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) happens from feeding meat that is too rich in protein. In my opinion, pancreatitis happens mainly because dogs are fed carbohydrate-rich, poor-quality food that the pancreas finds difficult to digest. It simply gets too stressed and overwhelmed by doing work that it is not designed to do. As a result, the pancreas gets inflamed and the whole problem progresses to pancreatitis or diabetes because an inflamed and damaged pancreas can lose the ability to produce insulin.  

Here is an article about the treatment of pancreatitis and supplements to help restore your dog's health.

 A curious look at medical diets

While writing this article, I decided to get a closer look at the ingredients of a few 'premium' medical diets used for gastrointestinal issues and here is what I discovered.

Canine I/D diet made by Science Diet:

Water, Turkey, Egg Product, Pork Liver, Rice, Whole Grain Corn, Rice Starch, Powdered Cellulose, Dried Beet Pulp.

Royal Canin Gastrointestinal HE

Chicken meal, brown rice, rice, chicken fat, ground corn, corn gluten meal, natural flavors, dried egg product, brewers dried yeast, dried beet pulp, fish oil, vegetable oil.

EN Gastroenteric Canine by Purina

Brewers rice, corn gluten meal, whole grain corn, chicken meal, animal fat

One doesn’t need to have a veterinary degree to see there is something wrong with this picture. Ingredients such as egg product, chicken meal, gluten meal and powdered cellulose don’t exactly evoke confidence in what is going on in pet food company's 'science laboratories.'

 Saying that raw or natural dehydrated food is too rich in protein and fat is like saying nature is wrong.

I have been recommending raw, natural diets and all-natural, whole food supplements for more than 15 years and no scientific research study can convince me that wholesome meat, bones, organs and plant material are not what nature intended our dogs to eat. Saying raw or dehydrated food is too rich in protein and fat is like saying nature is wrong. What I think happened many years ago was pet food companies put together and analyzed a few recipes and came up with their own idea of what protein, fat and carbohydrate levels should be. In my mind, they did so because they could not achieve the nutritional profile of wholesome, natural food.

I promised myself a long time ago that I would not participate in doing what does not make sense. I am sorry Mr. or Mrs. Mad Scientist, you will only feed your food to my dog over my dead body.

Thank you very much!

© Dr. Peter Dobias, DVM 

About the author

Dr. Peter Dobias, DVM is an Integrative veterinarian, nutritionist and creator of natural supplements for dogs and people. Helping you and your dog prevent disease, treat nutritional deficiencies, and enjoy happier, healthier, and longer lives together.

Most Popular

  • Flying with dogs
    In my article, I share the personal story of how I'm able to fly with my dog, Pax, thanks to overcoming challenges with sleepwalking and night terrors. This unique experience not only allowed me to travel with my service dog but also serves as a reminder that even difficult situations can have positive outcomes.
  • dog and pony
    Successful communication is essential for building healthier and more fulfilling relationships and happier lives. In this article, I'll share with you 8 communication hacks to help you avoid unnecessary drama, prioritize active listening and address conflicts effectively.
  • Dalmatian eating fruit
    Can dogs eat bananas, apples, strawberries and other fruit? What about grapes? Find out what fruits are safe, toxic, and healthy for dogs. Learn about the potential health benefits and risks of feeding fruit to your canine companion, and get tips on the ideal time to feed it.
  • Illustration of the anatomy of a heart
    As dog lovers, we all want our beloved pups to live long and healthy lives. Protecting your dog's heart from potential health issues is important, and in this blog Dr. Dobias shares some key points that you might not yet be aware of, read on to find out what you can do to keep your dog's heart safe. 

Dog Health

  • Husky lying on blanket with heart toy
    Dogs have our hearts and that is why we need to protect their heart. Dog’s as they age often face muscle problems and spinal misalignment and you might be surprised to know how that can hurt their heart. Learn how to protect your dog’s spine and by extension their heart.
  • The secret ingredient for a perfect No. 2
    Dogs and humans have evolved side-by-side but they are still quite different when it comes to their digestive tracts and dietary habits. We have studied their original environments such as the soils of the African savanna and consulted with top experts in the field of probiotics and microbiology to come up with a combination that reflects healthy bacterial flora of canines.
  • Man being pointed at
    Criticism can hurt a brand, but constructive feedback can help it grow. In this blog Dr. Dobias talks about the differences between these approaches, and how to handle the power of influence and opinion with care. 
  • Broccoli with vitamins and minerals
    Are you worried that your and your dog's diet is missing something? Maybe you're worried about toxin levels in food, the environment, or flea and tick products. Let's face it; we can't remove ourselves entirely from our toxin-filled world, but we can do things to reduce our exposure to harmful substances. 

Human health

  • Dr. Dobias with Pax
    How do you navigate the seas of life? How do you deal with disappointment? Whatever life throws at us, we can always rely on our dogs to bring joy into our days. In this blog I share my thoughts on the support our dogs provide during the difficult moments in life. 
  • Why 1 in 4 Americans suffer from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
    Learn more about the alarming prevalence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) affecting 1 in 4 Americans. Discover its main risk factors, diagnosis methods, and treatment options to better manage or prevent this silent yet severe condition. 
  • A new perspective on brain health, memory loss, Alzheimer's Disease, and dementia in people and dogs
    The Science of DHA and the Brain: Omega-3 fatty acids, primarily DHA, are the unsung heroes of brain health. They play crucial roles in brain physiology and biological activities, with exciting links between Omega-3 levels and cognitive function. Higher DHA levels have been shown to preserve the integrity of the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB), your brain's security system
  • Dr. Dobias and Pax
    It appears that most of the world is ready for change, but whenever I think about the solutions to any of the problems that plague our world, I can’t prevent myself from thinking that we humans are acting like little toddlers who have broken a toy and do not know how to fix it. Despite my generally optimistic attitude, I have had a hard time staying positive at times because I know how complex this all is. Read here for some tools that make me feel good about the world, which I would like to share with you.

News, stories and good life

  • Dr. Peter Dobias with his dog Pax on his lap
    Do you have trouble staying positive during difficult times? These days we are surrounded by a lot of negative messaging, and it's easy to let that get you down. Here are some of my tips for remaining positive, and don't forget to share your tips with me!
  • Man raising fist on a mountain
    Most of us have been exposed to panic-inducing information about the virus spread, however, I have noticed the general absence of one piece of information, how to make your immune system stronger and body more resilient. (It will definitely not happen by stockpiling toilet paper!) I have always loved immunology and the current situation has prompted me to put together two simple lists on how to increase your dog’s and your own immunity.
  • Man with dog wearing a collar
    Does your dog have ear problems, nasal or oral tumors, reverse sneezing or an  itchy head or hair loss on their head? Learn how you can address some of these problems and save thousands in vet care costs.
  • Terrier eating raw food
    Now there is no need to guess if there is something missing in your dogs diet.  The HairQ Test is a highly accurate test for mineral deficiencies, toxins and heavy metals in dogs to finely tune your dog’s diet and supplement schedule.

By clicking "Continue" or continuing to use our site, you acknowledge that you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. We also use cookies to provide you with the best possible experience on our website. You can find out more about the cookies we use and learn how to manage them here. Feel free to check out our policies anytime for more information.

Continue

Cart

Close

Your cart is currently empty.

Start Shopping
Close