Why we believe Meat is best!
Why we believe Meat is best!
Our values mean we believe dogs thrive on a high meat diet.
This is why we based our food on the diet of the Grey Wolf - mainly meat and fish (80%) with some fruit and veg (20%) and no grain. Proper meat is incredibly important to your dog because it is packed with protein, nutrients and vital amino acids.
We also never add artificial colours, flavours, preservatives, sugar or salt.
Dilated cardiomyopathy
The debate around grain-free diets, originating in the USA, has highlighted the problem of including a high proportion of vegetable protein rather than protein from meat in dog food.
Just a quick summary for those of you who have not heard of DCM. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a life threatening heart disease where dogs develop an enlarged heart with a weakening of the muscles. DCM can cause death but is very rare, affecting only 0.5% - 1.1% of the dog population [2].
The FDA began investigating this issue in July 2018 after receiving reports of DCM in breeds not typically predisposed to the genetic form of the disease. These diets often featured high levels of peas and lentils, which were present in over 90% of the reported cases, while potatoes were less commonly found and therefore less of a focus.
By November 2022, the FDA had collected 524 DCM reports, predominantly in dogs, with the majority emerging after their initial public announcement. While these reports suggest a potential association, they do not establish a causal relationship.
The diet's that were investigated were grain free diets that included a high proportion of peas, lentils, pulses and potato. High proportion means used as main ingredients or the first ten ingredients.
New Research
In 2023 The University of Guelph in Canada published results showing a high inclusion of peas and legumes made no difference to the health of the dog.
The study assessed the impact of diets containing up to 45% whole pulse ingredients, such as peas, beans, chickpeas, and lentils, on the cardiac and overall health of 28 adult Siberian Huskies.
Over 20 weeks, the dogs were divided into four groups with varying pulse levels, and their health was evaluated through echo cardiograms, cardiac biomarkers, amino acid levels, and body composition. The results showed no significant differences in cardiac function or adverse effects from the pulse-inclusive diets, indicating that pulses up to 45% inclusion are safe and do not contribute to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs without a genetic predisposition [1].
The study concludes that pulses can be a safe protein source in balanced diets, highlighting the importance of nutritional adequacy and dietary balance in maintaining canine health [1].
Twenty years on and the sales of grain-free foods have increased 5 fold but the cases of DCM remain steady [3].
Wolfworthy has always believed that most of your dogs diet should be meat. That is why we create 80/20 foods. 80% meat! Of which a large percentage is fresh.
Taurine
To hammer home the point even more, meat provides some essential amino acids that are not found in legumes, like taurine. A deficiency in taurine has long been linked to DCM and other heart conditions. This was first discovered in the 1970's when the issue of diets low in taurine, which is found in meat, was found to be responsible for heart problems in cats.
Taurine is an amino acid that is necessary for the development and function of the heart and muscle cells. It also plays an important role in eye, brain and immunity.
Amazingly most dogs have the ability to make taurine themselves from other amino acids. But some larger breeds including Great Danes, Retrievers, Dobermans and Irish Wolfhounds can struggle to make enough taurine when fed a diet low in animal protein. For dogs diagnosed with taurine deficient DCM, taurine supplementation has been found to improve the condition.
The reassuring news is that one of the best natural sources of taurine is actually organ meat and poultry meat. Which is why we include both in our food.
Our promise
We will never use alternatives to meat to create our 80/20 foods. Our 80% protein comes from meat, fish and eggs.
Dogs have evolved for centuries eating a diet consisting mainly of meat and fish. So choosing the best food you can will give your dog the greatest chance of leading a healthy, happy life.
Wolfworthy is mainly meat (including organ meat) so you can rest knowing your dog will get taurine naturally. It also has the added advantage of being incredibly tasty and satisfying. Your dog will thank you for switching!
1.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022316623355007