Whilst many make loose comparisons of the dog to the wolf, an animal the dog hasn't been related to for perhaps 100,000 years, there is a far more appropriate comparison to make and that is to the dog's brother, the dingo. The dingo was a domestic dog introduced to the Australian outback by Asian travellers somewhere between 2 - 4,000 years ago. They are still so closely related to the dog that they readily interbreed. Study after study shows the dingo is a total carnivore, eating 98% animal matter (Gill et al. 1964, Fleming 2001, Corbett 2004).
Anatomy experts agree (Feldhamer 2003, NRC 2006, Akers and Denbow 2008) that the dog is a carnivore. On the inside, many facets of the dog's anatomy convince canine nutritionists the dog is a meat-eating carnivore. Some of these features include:
Their ability to make carbs from protein and fat on a constant cycle and thus zero need of carbohydrates in their diet, the very definition of a meat eater.
Carnivores have sharp jagged teeth which are designed for grabbing, ripping and tearing meat. Carnivores do not posses the flat molars used for grinding vegetation like omnivores do.
Carnivore jaws hinge open widely, allowing them to gulp large chunks of meat and bone. Their powerful jaws and teeth are designed to crush bones. Carnivores cannot chew as they have no lateral movement in their jaws.
Your dog has a very short foregut compared to omnivores and a short smooth hindgut. This allows food to pass through quickly. Omnivores have a much longer intestines because vegetation takes a long time to break down. Dogs do not produce amylase in their saliva. Amylase is an enzyme needed to break down cellulose in plant matter. All herbivores and omnivores produce amylase in their saliva, dogs do not.
Akers, R. M. and Denbow, D. M. (2008). Anatomy and physiology of domestic animals. Oxford: Blackwell.
Corbett, L. (2004). "Dingo". Canids: Foxes, Wolves, Jackals and Dogs. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
Feldhamer, G. A. (2003). Mammology: Adaptation, diversity, and ecology, 2nd Ed. New York: McGraw-Hill. O’Reece, W. (2004). Dukes’ physiology of domestic animals (12th ed.). Ithaca, NY: Comstock Publishing.
Fleming, F., Corbett, L., Harden, R. and Thomson, P. (2001). Managing the impacts of dingoes and other wild dogs. Canberra, Australia: National Heritage Trust, Bureau of Rural Sciences.
Gill, J., Hoffmannowa, H. and Piekarz, R. (1964). Studies on digestive physiology in the wolf, dingo, and jackal. II. Digestive ability of the pancreas, duodenum and salivary glands and size of the alimentary tract and weight of internal organs. Acta Physiologica, 15(1): 137–148.
National Research Council (NRC) (2006). Nutrient requirement of dogs and cats. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.
Guest Blog: Anna Webb
When biting bugs ‘spring’ into action, we’re advised to apply an insecticide on dogs’ necks to prevent any risk of fleas, yet such topical applications don’t prevent fleas from jumping on your pooch for a quick snack.
Guest Blog: Anna Webb
Once you’ve decided to bring a puppy into your life, there’s nothing more exciting! After all, you’ve hopefully spent time choosing the right breed or mix that’s suits your accommodation, experience and lifestyle.
Designed to give puppies the best possible start in life, this exciting addition to the popular Paleo Plus range offers optimal nutrition with carefully selected, premium ingredients including reishi mushrooms!