The Impact of Processed Foods on Obligate Carnivores

Obligate carnivores have physiology to thrive on a diet predominantly composed of raw animal proteins and fats. Their unique biological makeup, from their teeth to their digestive enzymes, is adapted to break down raw meat, organs, and bones efficiently. Despite these adaptations, modern pet diets often rely on processed foods such as kibble and canned foods, which prioritize shelf life over nutritional integrity. While convenient, these processed options fall short of providing the vital nutrients that obligate carnivores require for optimal health.

Nutritional Deficiencies in Commercial Kibble

Commercial kibble often relies on inexpensive fillers such as brewer’s rice – a byproduct of beer production that lacks essential proteins and amino acids necessary for obligate carnivores. Since obligate carnivores depend on a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet, these plant-based fillers do not meet their nutritional needs and may hinder their health over time. Dogs and cats both require specific amino acids like taurine, which is naturally abundant in meat but absent in plant fillers like brewer’s rice, making it less than ideal a significant ingredient in their diets.

Grain-Free Kibble Watchout for Obligate Carnivores

Even grain-free kibble, marketed as a healthier alternative, often includes up to 50% starches and fillers, such as pea flour, white potato and tapioca starch, to bind the kibble and make it shelf-stable. These ingredients, though slightly better than grains, do not provide the essential nutrients but instead add empty calories to the diet (Laflamme et al., 2008). The high carbohydrate load of these diets can lead to health issues over time, as obligate carnivores are not physiologically adapted to metabolize large amounts of starches and fillers.

The Problem with Grains, Starches, and Fillers in Processed Foods

Highly processed foods like commercial kibble and canned options often use grains and starches to bulk up the food and keep costs low. These grains and starches serve as inexpensive calorie sources but offer little nutritional benefit for carnivorous pets. Cats and dogs have limited mechanisms to metabolize these high-starch ingredients, which can lead to digestive issues, obesity, and metabolic disorders over time. Cats, as strict obligate carnivores, are particularly susceptible to these problems, as their bodies are optimized for high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets (Laflamme et al., 2008).

Obligate Carnivores Need Proteins & Fats

Raw pet food diets like Fresh Is Best have no unnecessary plant-based fillers, instead prioritizing high-quality proteins and fats that are more easily digested and metabolized by cats and dogs. This composition helps to stabilize blood sugar levels and supports a healthier weight profile, reducing the risk of metabolic conditions associated with high-carbohydrate diets. Fresh, raw foods provide the nutrient-rich foundation that supports the health and longevity of obligate carnivores, aligning with their evolutionary needs.

The Advantages of Fresh Is Best Raw Pet Food

Unlike processed kibble, Fresh Is Best raw pet food uses minimally processed, raw, natural ingredients that retain their nutritional integrity. This ensures pets get naturally occurring vitamins and minerals as the bulk of their nutrition . Fresh Is Best meets AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards, supporting pets’ health without relying heavily on synthetic supplements.

By focusing on ingredients that align with the natural dietary needs of obligate carnivores, Fresh Is Best supports improved digestion, immune function, and overall vitality. Many pet owners who switch to a raw diet notice improvements in their pets’ coat condition, energy levels, and digestion, likely because these diets better match their biological requirements.

Processed foods may be convenient, but they fall short of meeting the nutritional requirements of obligate carnivores. Low-quality kibble and canned foods rely heavily on fillers, grains, and starches, while essential vitamins and minerals are often degraded during cooking and must be synthetically re-added in large amounts. By focusing on high-quality, minimally processed ingredients, raw pet food delivers the nutritional benefits obligate carnivores need to thrive. Transitioning to a raw diet can significantly improve pets’ overall health and align more closely with their evolutionary dietary needs.

References
Laflamme, D., Abood, S. K., Fascetti, A. J., Fleeman, L. M., Freeman, L. M., Michel, K. E., … & Willoughby, K. N. (2008). Pet food safety: dietary protein and carbohydrate requirements of dogs and cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 233(9), 1268-1273.