The implications of what we feed our dogs
Our dogs share our homes and our lives. Intimate and much loved members of the family, they are completely dependent on us for their wellbeing - from a safe home environment to exercise, their health and diet. They are our responsibility.
Naturally we do the best for them to ensure they are well cared for and live long, happy and healthy lives.
Lippert and Sapy conducted a study* with ‘Animals without Frontiers’ to investigate the numerous influences on a dog’s life expectancy. This incorporated not only the animal’s natural characteristics (such as breed, type, size, weight) but those that we impose upon them in the home, including diet.
After following 522 dogs over a period of five years, their evidence concluded that diet was the most profound and dramatic determination in life expectancy. A dog fed on homemade food with fresh, quality ingredients, when compared to an industrially produced canned food, lived more than 32 months (nearly 3 years) longer.
If we think about it, it’s obvious why: we (humans) are told by health experts, dieticians and the government to incorporate fresh, healthy food into our diets and avoid highly processed foods. Fresh food really does matter, and has a significant impact on our health.
Why should it be different for our dogs? It isn’t.
How would you feel if you had to eat processed food, full of man-made additives, morning, noon and night, day-in day-out?
We agree with Lippert and Sopy: the life expectancy of our dogs is directly related to the quality of their food. This is of the greatest importance. So there it is - a natural diet full of fresh nutrition is a guarantee of better health, wellbeing and a longer life expectancy.
* Lippert, G and Sapy, B. Relations between the domestic dogs’ well-being and life expectancy statistical essay for the Prince Laurent Foundation Prize, 2003
