If we compare the appearance of a pug and a wolf, it can be difficult to understand that today's domestic dogs once developed from wolves. And it's actually not just the dog's anatomy that now differs from the wolf's - also the dog's physiology differs from their old ancestors. In this article, we will go into depth about the dog's nutritional needs and digestion based on the latest research, and at the bottom you will find a reference list to scientific journals, nutrition databases and articles.

The dog is a very adaptable animal - it has many physiological systems and functions in its body that allow it to absorb the nutrients it needs from various sources, both animal- and plant-based. This makes the dog an omnivore. Since the first wolves made closer acquaintances with humans, many anatomical and physiological changes have taken place, which today separates our domestic dogs from the wolf.

Anatomically, the change can not be missed: short and long snouts, short and long legs, short and long fur, and variations in adult weight of 2 kg to 80 kg - but also physiologically, research has shown that the dog has adapted in several ways, both in their behavior and their ability to absorb nutrients from different foods. Within the canine family (Canidae), the great variety is evident - there is everything from traditional carnivores like our European wolves, to the aardwolf and the bat-eared fox that feeds on insects, and the South American maned wolf that lives on over 50% fruit and beyond that rodents and insects.

Being flexible about your food is a great advantage as a species, as the dog can adapt his diet to what is available during periods when certain foods can be more difficult to obtain. There are several examples of the physiological functions that allow dogs to absorb nutrients from both plant and animal sources, and here are some of them:

There are several theories about how the wolf was domesticated and began its evolutionary transformation into a dog, but the possibility of protection for humans and safer access to food for the wolf is one of them. One step in the transformation, and also an important point in what actually separates the dog and the wolf, is the increased ability of the dog to use carbohydrates as an energy source. Erik Axelsson, researcher in genetics at Uppsala University, has published several studies and looked at how dogs' and wolves' DNA differs, and one of the important genes that mark the transformation is involved in dogs' digestion. Erik has discovered an increased number of copies of a gene responsible for the break-down of starch in dogs compared to wolves. This gene is coding for an enzyme called amylase, which is necessary for the digestion of carbohydrates. Genes that affect the transport and uptake of glucose in the small intestine also show that the entire gastrointestinal system has been adapted to a more carbohydrate-rich diet, compared with the wolf's protein-based diet. This means that dogs are well adapted to using carbohydrates as an energy source, and this change in the digestive system is considered an important event in the transformation from dog to wolf.

When the dog's digestive system changed and the dog lived in symbiosis with humans, it also became part of the growing agricultural society. Growing fruits, vegetables, grains and other crops ensured human survival and, by extension, also the dog's, thanks to the dog's increased ability to break down starch and carbohydrates. The smallest component of carbohydrates is glucose, which is the energy source for the body's cells. Especially the dog's brain and the red blood cells are dependent on constant supply of glucose for their function. Carbohydrates and starch have therefore continued to be an important source of energy in dog ​​food. The foods that provide carbohydrates can be vegetables, legumes and grains.

Cereals are often a subject of discussion but contribute with, in addition to energy, nutrients such as thiamine, niacin and essential fatty acids. The grains that are often used are, for example, corn, rice, wheat, barley or oats. The cereals are prepared by cooking, or extrusion as the process is called in the production of dry food, which makes them easy to digest and absorbable for the dog's digestive system. A 1994 study compared the digestibility of different carbohydrate sources in dogs, which showed that the dog could break down more than 98% of the starch and absorb as energy, regardless of whether the carbohydrate source was corn, rice, oats or barley.

In addition to energy, carbohydrate sources also contribute to dietary fiber. Fiber can be both insoluble and soluble, and contributes to a healthy gastrointestinal tract, especially to the health of the colon. Fiber promotes gut motility, nourishes the good intestinal bacteria, and contributes with a feeling of satiety.

In the list below you can see the carbohydrate and fiber sources we at petgood have chosen to use in our feed. We use oats and corn as they are energy-rich grains that the dog can easily absorb and convert into energy, and they also contribute with protein, fiber, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. We have chosen to exclude wheat so that the food is naturally gluten-free to also suit dogs with allergies or sensitivity to wheat and gluten. The ingredients are prepared by extrusion, which makes the food easily accessible and easily digested by the dog's gastrointestinal system.

Oats: Source of energy-giving carbohydrates and soluble fiber, also a protein-rich grain. Naturally gluten-free and thus beneficial for dogs with known or suspected gluten sensitivity.

Corn: Digestible carbohydrate source that provides energy and contributes with essential fatty acids, vitamin E, protein and natural antioxidants.

Peas: Source of both protein and starch that promote energy levels. Also contains vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, potassium and magnesium.

Potatoes: Valuable source of complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber, which contributes to energy and gastrointestinal health. Also contributes with vitamin C.

Inulin: Source of FOS, fructooligosaccharides, a prebiotic agent that supports the growth of beneficial gastrointestinal bacteria, thus contributing to optimal intestinal health.

Beetroot: An important source of insoluble dietary fiber that promotes colon health.

Yucca schidigera: Helps reduce faecal odor via plant saponins that stabilise large intestinal fermentation and aid in reducing ammonia production.

Proteins are made up of smaller components called amino acids. These are involved in almost every function of the body, for example building muscles and transporting hormones. All animal species have amino acids that are essential, which means that they need to obtain these amino acids through their diet. Dogs have 10 essential amino acids. Traditional sources of protein in dog food are, for example, pork, chicken, beef or fish. It is important to remember that protein is found in many foods, including plant based ones, which is why all the ingredients together contribute to the amino acid profile and protein content of the feed.

The recommended amount of protein for dogs determined by research is at least 22% for growing dogs and 18% for adult dogs and the minimum level of all essential amino acids must also be met. Research has not been able to show any health benefits with an excess of protein, and it is not stored in the dog's body.

Three factors are important when it comes to protein in your dog's diet:

Several research studies have been conducted that look at protein quality in insects. We have collected five of them on our research page, and here will highlight two more that concern digestibility and amino acid content.

In a study by Freel et al (2021), dogs were divided into groups and fed diets containing different levels of Black Soldier Fly larvae. Dogs fed with a poultry diet acted as control group. During the study, the dogs' condition was evaluated through blood tests, stool evaluations and veterinary examinations. The study concluded that for the groups fed the Black Soldier Fly larvae diets the digestibility of fat and protein was high (89-97%); and factors such as the dogs' weight, stool quality and blood parameters were maintained within normal values.

A study from 2014 looked at the amino acid content and amount of protein in 5 different insect species, including black soldier fly, and found that all insect species exceeded the recommended minimum levels of amino acids and protein for dogs.

In petgoods feed, we have chosen to work with black soldier fly as the only animal protein source, but also other plant-based ingredients contribute with protein to the feed. Because black soldier fly is a new source of protein, it may be suitable for dogs with food allergies. You can read more about the benefits of a single, and unusual, animal protein source in combination with food allergy in this article.

When we have developed our insect-based dog food, we have done so with research and science as a basis. The recipes are compiled by our own veterinary team, together with nutritionists and producers with long experience of dog food. The nutritional profile is based on FEDIAF's recommendations. FEDIAF is an industry organization that, based on the latest research, set recommendations for nutritional needs in dogs, cats and other pets. Insects are our only animal protein source, which contributes with a complete amino acid profile, and otherwise our recipe contains well-selected plant-based ingredients, to provide a healthy and complete nutritious diet for the dog.

Our adult feed's nutritional analysis looks like this: Crude protein 25.0%, crude fat 13.0%, water 8.0%, crude ash 6.1% crude fiber 4.3%, omega 6 1.9%, calcium 0.7%, phosphorus 0.6%, omega 3 0.4%.

Something the attentive can ask themselves is where the carbohydrates went in the analysis. In accordance with current practice for dog food, carbohydrates are not included in the analysis reported by the product. The carbohydrate value is calculated with a value called NFE, and is 40% in our feed. And the feed does not contain ash - crude ash is the term used for the total amount of minerals contained in a feed.

Do dogs need carbohydrates?

Yes and no. A dog will survive without carbohydrates, but they contribute with many health benefits to the dog's diet. The smallest component of carbohydrates is glucose, which is the energy source for the body's cells. Especially the dog's brain and the red blood cells are dependent on glucose for their function. If the dog's diet does not contain carbohydrates, it will instead convert amino acids to glucose to get energy. If the protein's amino acids need to be used for glucose, there will be less 'over' to be used for other important functions, such as muscle growth. In other words, it is beneficial for the dog to get the energy and glucose it needs via carbohydrates in the diet, even if a dog would not starve to death if carbohydrates were completely removed from its diet.

In addition to energy, carbohydrate sources also contribute with more health benefits and nutrients, such as fatty acids, minerals and vitamins. They also contain fibers that are good for intestinal motility, the health of the good intestinal bacteria and give the dog a feeling of satiety. From an ethical and climate perspective, carbohydrates are also a more suitable alternative as an energy source than fat and protein.

What are good carbohydrate sources for dogs?

The type of carbohydrate source the dog gets its energy from matters less, as long as it is digestible. Many different carbohydrate sources are used today in dog food, and these are often combined to also contribute with nutrients such as fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.

How come you use grain in the feed?

We use oats and corn as a carbohydrate source in our feed as they are energy-rich grains that the dog can easily absorb and convert into energy, and they also contribute with protein, fiber, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. We have chosen to exclude wheat so that the food is naturally gluten-free to also suit dogs with allergies or sensitivity to wheat and gluten.

Do dogs not need animal protein from traditional meat sources to be healthy?
No, the dog does not need protein from a particular source. The important thing is that the protein contains all the dog's essential amino acids, comes in sufficient quantity and is digestible for the dog's digestive system to be able to absorb it.

What is a good protein level?
Total protein level is recommended around at least 18% for adult dogs and 22% for puppies. An excessive protein level does not add any health benefits to the dog and the excess is not stored in the dog's body. Our adult food contains 25% protein and our puppy food 26%. Both foods have a complete amino acid profile that contains all the dog's essential amino acids, as well as a high digestibility, which means that the dog's digestive system can easily absorb it.

Is insect protein sufficient?

Yes, black soldier fly larvae contain all the dog's essential amino acids and have a high digestibility, between 89-97%, as has been established in research studies.

How is the feed composed?

We have put together our unique recipes together with veterinarians and nutritionists, based on recommendations from FEDIAF.

Does the food also work for large / active dog breeds such as rottweilers?

Yes, the food's nutritional profile is composed to meet and where it is beneficial to exceed the need for energy, protein, carbohydrates, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals that all dogs have.

Why do you not offer a completely vegetarian or vegan food?

We have chosen to work with insects as a protein source as it is a high quality protein, digestible and contains all the dog's essential amino acids. It is also a sustainable and climate-smart source of protein. It is theoretically possible for a dog to thrive on a well-composed plant-based food, but it places higher demands on the composition.

Why do you offer a dry feed?

The process of manufacturing dry feed means that nutrients are preserved and the digestibility of the ingredients is higher. In the manufacturing process, a dry food also becomes naturally free of harmful bacteria, and has a long shelf life. It is also very convenient to store and serve to the dog.

The references are listed according to the order they are referred to in the article.