The Significance of Digestibility in Dog Food

When discussing high-quality dog food, terms like healthy, nutritious, and nourishing are commonly used. However, digestibility is often overlooked.

Unlike protein, fat, and carbohydrate content, digestibility is not explicitly stated on dog food labels. Nevertheless, it plays a crucial role in determining how effectively a food can provide essential nutrients to your pet, as indicated by the label.

Understanding the concept of digestibility in dog food is essential for ensuring your pet receives optimal nutrition.

Understanding Canine Food Digestibility

According to Brandon Stapleton, DVM, and the lead veterinarian at The Farmer´s Dog, dog food digestibility refers to the quantity of nutrients in dog food that are assimilated into the bloodstream. Stapleton further explains that the term ‘bioavailable’ is closely related and denotes the percentage of a nutrient that the body can effectively utilize.

Measuring Digestibility of Dog Food

The method used to measure the digestibility of dog food involves analyzing the feces of dogs. This process calculates the percentage of digestibility by subtracting the amount of feces from the amount of food ingested, resulting in a coefficient or grade.

By determining the “total tract digestibility percentage,” it is possible to further assess the protein, fat, and caloric digestibility percentages of the specific dog food.

Understanding Canine Food Digestibility

When it comes to determining dog food digestibility, there is a straightforward scale:

Dr. Stapleton emphasizes the importance of dogs not only consuming the correct nutrients but also absorbing them effectively for utilization, rather than simply excreting them in waste. For instance, Best Dog Foodz boasts an average protein digestibility of 93% for reference.

Digestibility: Importance of Ingredients and Processing in Dog Food

Assessing the quality of pet food solely based on labels or ingredient lists can be challenging. Varieties of dry dog food that appear similar can have vastly different levels of digestibility.

Protein digestibility in dry dog food can vary widely, from 64% to 91%, based on the ingredients used and the cooking process employed.

The processing method plays a crucial role in determining the digestibility of pet food, significantly impacting its nutritional value. The conventional high-heat, high-pressure techniques used in making dry dog food can diminish its nutritional content.

The production of dry kibble involves multiple rounds of high-heat processing, such as rendering and extrusion, which may reduce digestibility. This can lead to nutrients passing through the GI tract without being effectively absorbed, eventually ending up in waste material.

Recent studies suggest that fresh, lightly cooked, human-grade food exhibits superior digestibility and bioavailability compared to processed dog food.

A telltale sign of a highly digestible diet is the quality of the dog’s waste, commonly referred to as “high-quality poop.” An easily digestible diet can result in smaller, more nutrient-dense waste, indicating more efficient nutrient absorption.

Not only does proper digestion impact your dog’s waste, but it also plays a crucial role in their overall well-being and long-term health. Opting for easily digestible food can significantly enhance your dog’s quality of life.

While some foods may meet basic nutritional requirements, choosing a diet that actively contributes to your dog’s health and vitality is essential for their overall well-being.

Importance of Digestibility in Pet Food

Dr. Stapleton emphasizes the significance of various factors contributing to a pet’s health. Among these, digestibility stands out as a pivotal component in a nutritious diet. The team at Best Dog Foodz considers digestibility a key criterion when selecting pet food options.