Many pets survive on kibble and canned food but that in no way makes it an ideal diet for them. It just means that kibble can sometimes meet the minimal requirements to keep a pet alive. While the calories keep them going, there are so often all kinds of maladies that come up along the way.
First off, let’s talk teeth. It is estimated that 85% of kibble fed dogs and cats have periodontal disease by the age of three. (Penman, S. and P. Emily. 1991. Scaling, Polishing and Dental Home Care. Waltham International Focus. 1(3): 2-8. In Lonsdale, T. 2001. Raw Meaty Bones. pg 110) So what does that mean exactly? It means that by the young age of three, teeth are covered in hardened residue (plaque) that changes the PH balance of the mouth making the teeth susceptible to even more plaque. It also means there is an immense amount of the unfriendly kind of bacteria invading the mouth and getting under the gum line which provokes chronic and ongoing inflammation. This can affect the whole body and last a lifetime. This is clearly an indication that kibble does not support dental health as many believe.
Bad breath is a sign of a systemic problem usually starting with what’s in their bowl. Processed food creates an alkaline stomach environment more susceptible to bacteria that they then regurgitate into their mouth furthering opportunity for periodontal disease. Not to mention they lack the enzyme, amylase, in their saliva to break down carb residue on their teeth. Kibble is bound together to hold it’s form with carbs. That carbohydrate residue is there to stay.
Much of what we have come to consider normal is actually not. Dogs and cats shouldn’t be obese, or diabetic and should not have to suffer with the oh-so-common leaky gut syndrome. Itchy skin and yeasty ears should not be the norm for any animal. All of these things come back to a processed diet.
According to The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, an Estimated 59% of cats and 54% of dogs in the United States are Overweight or Obese. Clearly something is wrong with the way we are feeding our carnivore companions. Dog Food Advisor claims, today’s average dry dog foods contain somewhere between 46 and 74 percent carbohydrates.
Dogs and cats can produce energy from fats and protein and have no need for carbs, and certainly not in excess. This is an immensely high glycemic load for anyone, but especially a carnivore.
It is very demanding on the pancreas to produce insulin to control constant spikes in blood sugar. Many animals, especially cats, end up diabetic and needing insulin shots. This is clearly a dietary issue. No wild cat has ever presented with diabetes.
Now for one of the most common culprits, yeast. Yeast feeds on sugars (or carbs) too. Excessive carbs in dry food provide a plethora of opportunity for yeast to overpopulate and cause yeast infected guts, skin and ears. We have seen these chronic yeast issues clear up in countless animals that have made the switch to less processed foods.