Biologically appropriate diet
By nature, the dog is a carnivore that descends from the wolf. Even though many of today's dogs do not look like their wild «cousin», they have nevertheless retained many of the wolf's characteristic traits. The dog's anatomy and digestion are adapted to a meat-based diet, and they essentially need easily digestible animal raw materials to meet their nutritional needs. The dog's first choice is raw materials such as offal and meat, rich in fat and protein, and with little or no carbohydrates. You will find these exact same raw materials in VOM’s products.
What your dog is built for
Dogs are naturally adapted to a diet consisting mainly of meat and animal ingredients – with plenty of fat and protein, and little to no carbohydrates. Their digestive system has several distinct features that show us precisely why the dog is adapted to eating just that:
The teeth are large, sharp and pointed, and designed for tearing meat and crushing bone. The jaw can only be moved up and down, and not from side to side. Herbivores (such as cows, horses, sheep) and omnivores (such as pigs and humans) have broad molars with flat chewing surfaces, and jaws that can be moved both up and down, and from side to side. This is an adaptation that allows plant matter to be ground down and utilised efficiently. However, the dog lacks this adaptation, and its teeth function mostly like a pair of scissors for tearing the meat apart. In addition, the dog lacks the enzyme amylase in the saliva. This is an enzyme that in omnivorous species will start the breakdown of starch already in the mouth. Without this mechanism, the dog is less adapted to a starch-rich diet.
The dog has a large stomach with highly acidic gastric juice, combined with a short and simple intestinal system. This makes digestion very efficient for meat and bone, but less suited for large amounts of fibre or other carbohydrates. Nor does the dog have an essential need for carbohydrates from its food, as the body can make the essential nutrient glucose itself from proteins and fat – through a process called gluconeogenesis.
Nevertheless, many of today's dog foods contain several starchy ingredients, often in a highly processed form. VOM is made with raw materials that match the dog's natural needs: rich in fat and protein, minimally processed and without unnecessary fillers.
Fat – the body's most concentrated source of energy
Fat provides more than twice as much energy compared to proteins and carbohydrates, and is therefore the most important source of energy – especially during prolonged physical activity. After absorption, the fat can be used directly as energy, converted into glucose through gluconeogenesis, or stored as fat reserves. In addition, fat is important for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K), protection of organs, insulation against the cold and the building of all the body's cells. Dogs are natural fat burners, and have a higher level of HDL (the “good” cholesterol) compared to us humans. HDL helps to transport fat from the blood vessels to the liver for breakdown and excretion, and therefore protects against accumulation in the blood vessels. With a higher level of HDL, the risk of cardiovascular disease in dogs is reduced, and it contributes to an efficient fat metabolism.
Protein – the body's building blocks that can also provide energy
Protein is used primarily as building blocks for the body, and is therefore necessary for the growth, repair and maintenance of tissue. Proteins consist of amino acids that build and repair cells, muscles, skin, hair and organs, as well as regulating the body's enzyme and hormone functions. In addition, it supports the body's immune system by building antibodies that protect the dog against disease. Certain amino acids can also be converted into glucose through gluconeogenesis. Protein is primarily the body's building material, but can also be used as an energy source if necessary.
Carbohydrates – a quick source of energy for certain tissues
Carbohydrates are a source of glucose, which provides the body with a quick supply of energy. This is particularly important for the brain, the central nervous system and the red blood cells. Muscles, on the other hand, can use both glucose and fatty acids as fuel, and are thus more flexible. As the body can produce the necessary glucose itself from proteins and fat, the dog does not have an essential dietary requirement for carbohydrates. During metabolically demanding periods such as pregnancy, lactation or intense physical activity like sprinting and racing, the body may, however, struggle to produce enough glucose on its own. In such cases, a small amount of easily digestible carbohydrates, such as rice, can be beneficial to include in the diet.
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