- Dry food is made up of 60–80% carbohydrates, with little animal protein
- The dry kibble gets swallowed instead of chewed, which promotes tartar
- The lack of moisture strains the stomach, kidneys and digestion
- Synthetic nutrients replace the natural ones destroyed during production
- Sugar is disguised as grape sweetener, apple extract or caramel
- Even grain-free dry food doesn't solve the moisture problem
Why dry food exists
In the postwar years, fresh meat was unaffordable for many people. Dogs were fed cheap grain and vegetables. To make the food keep, the moisture was removed. The resulting pieces were dry, light and could be stored for a long time. The pet food industry spotted the market.
In industrial production, the raw ingredients are heated to high temperatures, which destroys most of the natural nutrients. These are then added back in as synthetic substances. Preservatives extend the shelf life. Added sugar is listed as grape sweetener, apple extract or caramel.
The composition of dry food
Most types are made up of 60–80% carbohydrates. Animal protein is present only in small amounts. Instead, soy is often used as a plant-based protein source, which a dog's body can barely process. Often the food doesn't even contain high-quality grain, but rather hulls, husks and chaff that are left over as waste from flour production.
A dog's teeth (42 teeth with a scissor bite, fangs, no grinding molars) and short digestive tract are primarily built for meat. Dry food has almost no smell, because the ingredients aren't in dissolved form. The dog produces too little saliva while eating, and the dry kibble often reaches the stomach unchewed.
9 risks for health and digestion
1. Plaque and tartar
Dogs are gulpers. The small kibbles aren't chewed but swallowed straight down. Because the teeth aren't washed enough with saliva, food residue gets stuck between them. The sugar in the dry food feeds bacteria. With regular feeding, hard, brown tartar builds up.
2. Stomach irritation and digestive problems
The hard, dry kibble can cause irritation in dogs with a sensitive stomach lining. Increased stomach acid production makes the problem worse. The stomach doesn't hold enough moisture to dissolve the nutrients out of the food. Vomiting is the result.
3. Gas buildup and risk of stomach torsion
The high share of low-quality carbohydrates leads to more gas in the digestive tract. Over the course of the night, the gases collect in the stomach. The risk of stomach torsion rises.
4. Intestinal inflammation and allergies
Low-quality food components make the intestinal lining more permeable. Larger molecules pass through the gut barrier into the bloodstream. The immune system reacts more strongly, and gluten promotes the formation of immunoglobulin E. A food intolerance turns into a food allergy with flatulence and chronic diarrhea.
5. Imbalance of the gut flora
The bacterial flora in the gut gets thrown out of balance. Food components can no longer be broken down properly. The dog draws too little energy from the food and is less able to perform.
6. Diabetes from too much sugar
The high intake of carbohydrates and sugar causes blood sugar to spike sharply after a meal. Increased insulin release leads to insulin resistance over time. Diabetes mellitus develops.
7. Obesity and joint problems
Constantly getting too much, poor-quality energy leads to weight gain. The joints get overloaded. Arthrosis (chronic joint wear) develops. Fat deposits in the liver impair its detox function.
8. Cardiovascular disease
Fat deposits on the walls of the blood vessels raise blood pressure. The risk of cardiovascular disease rises.
9. Kidney damage
The low moisture content strains the kidneys. Metabolic waste products are no longer filtered out of the urine well enough and settle in organs and vessels. Chronic kidney weakness (renal insufficiency) can develop. The water content of a prey animal is 70–80%. That amount of fluid can't be replaced by drinking water alone.
Is grain-free dry food better?
Dry food stays dry food. The problem of missing moisture exists with grain-free food too. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn or rice in larger amounts can't replace high-quality animal protein.
Corn contains too little of the essential amino acid phenylalanine, which can impair the formation of messenger substances like dopamine and serotonin in the brain. A high share of pea protein can lead to fertility problems.
Why owners choose dry food anyway
Dry food keeps for a long time, has little smell, is easy to portion and inexpensive. The stool smells less and the feeding spot is easier to clean. These advantages benefit the owner, not the dog.
The cost advantage doesn't really hold up: more frequent illness from poor nutrition means more vet visits. In the long run, high-quality food can be cheaper than treating the diseases that follow.
Were you paying attention?
Question 1 of 3How high is the carbohydrate content in many types of dry food?
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