Nutrition for dogs and cats: the basics of health from nature and Chinese medicine

Why the right nutrition is not just fuel, but the foundation of energy, resistance and balance.

NGD Care | Stefan Veenstra, DVM

Nutrition is the basis of health, in humans and animals. More and more people are aware of healthy choices, and fortunately that attention is also growing for dogs and cats. Because just like us, animals also benefit from food that is in line with their nature and constitution.

In this blog, we combine the Western perspective on digestion and the gut microbiome with the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Two perspectives that, remarkably enough, often lead to the same conclusion.

— NGD Care · Integrative Veterinary Medicine

Nutrition in Chinese medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the stomach and spleen play a central role. They convert food into Qi (energy), Wei Qi (defense) and Xue (blood). When these organs are strong and receive the right nutrition, balance and vitality are created.

If the Spleen or stomach is weakened by too heavy, cold or highly processed food, this can lead to reduced energy, diarrhea or mucus formation. In TCM, foods have a temperature (cold, neutral, warm, hot) and a taste (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, sharp). These qualities influence how the body reacts. For example, kibble is seen as “sweet” and “hot”: stressful for the Spleen and drying for the body.

The striking thing is that this age-old classification fits in well with what we know from Western physiology:

Carnivores require different nutrition

Dogs, cats and ferrets are carnivores. Their teeth, stomach acid and intestines are completely attuned to meat. In nature, they eat complete prey with muscles, bones, organs and intestinal contents. Humans, on the other hand, are omnivores and can digest carbohydrates well.

Three body features clearly show this difference:

• The teeth: the canines and molars of dogs and cats are sharp and made to tear and cut, not to grind finely like an omnivore.
• The stomach acid: The pH in the stomach of dogs and cats is around 1 to 2, pungent enough to digest bone and protein and kill most harmful bacteria.
• The gut length: Their digestive tract is short in proportion to the body, made for rapid digestion of meat, rather than the long fermentation time required by herbivores.

The difference is also in the enzymes. Dogs and cats largely lack the enzyme amylase in their saliva, which is needed to break down starch from grains. Through thousands of years of coexistence with humans, dogs have developed slightly more copies of the amylase gene than their ancestor the wolf, but still much less than a human. Cats have virtually no such adaptability. When they are fed a lot of grains, as in most kibble, their digestion becomes more unbalanced as a result.

Chunks: practical, but burdensome

Kibble is handy, has a long shelf life and is easy to feed. But the basis is often meat meal and grains that are heated to 200 degrees Celsius during the production process. This causes oxidation and Maillard reactions: chemical reactions between proteins and sugars that break down nutrients and release substances that can trigger inflammatory reactions.

In addition, kibble does not contain any live enzymes or bacteria that contribute to a healthy intestinal flora; these are lost when heated. According to TCM, this type of food leads to internal heating, dehydration (Yin deficiency) and mucus formation, resulting in complaints such as diarrhea, itching, allergies and reduced resistance.

There are better variants, such as cold-pressed or freeze-dried kibble. These are less heavily processed, but remain flour products and therefore do not fit in optimally with the nature of a carnivore.

Fresh meat: closer to nature

Raw meat (KVV, ready-to-eat fresh meat) is much more in line with the natural diet. It contains meat, bone, and organs in the right proportions and is stored frozen, which preserves the nutrients.

In TCM, KVV is seen as more nutritious and neutral for the Spleen Qi. For young and older animals, it is wise to heat the meat briefly, au bain-marie, so that the digestion is not put under extra strain by cold.

In addition to KVV, you can alternate with bones, pieces of tripe or prey animals. This supports the teeth, reduces stress and strengthens the Spleen Qi, because the body has to make an effort to chew and digest.

Variety and vegetables

A good guideline is 80% meat and 20% vegetables. Vegetables provide fiber and prebiotics that nourish the gut microbiome. Think of pumpkin in the fall, zucchini in the summer or green leafy vegetables such as spinach and endive.

Fruit is also allowed occasionally, but in moderation and tailored to the animal species.

Do you want the full list of toxic foods and plants, and what to do in case of poisoning? Then read our blog about this: toxic food for dogs and cats →

Quantity and age

Puppies and kittens need relatively more food because they are still growing and have a higher metabolism than adult animals.

Many dogs seem to be more hungry when switching to fresh meat. This is because kibble digests more slowly and keeps the stomach full for longer, while fresh meat is digested faster. Adding vegetables can help for extra satiety, without overfeeding.

For puppies and seniors, heat meals lightly so that the Spleen Qi is not extra burdened by cold.

BARF and compose yourself

In addition to KVV, you can also opt for BARF: Bones And Raw Food. Here you put together the menu yourself with meat bones, muscle meat, organ meat, vegetables and sometimes fruit or nuts. The most important rule is variation: in a month’s time, the whole thing must be complete.

Preferably use organic meat and seasonal products. Avoid pork that has not been frozen for consumption: it may contain the Aujeszky virus, a herpes virus that is particularly prevalent in wild boars. This virus is almost always fatal for dogs and cats and there is no treatment.

Switching from kibble to fresh: how do you do it right?

A gradual transition gives the digestive system time to adjust:

• Build the switch over one to two weeks, instead of switching everything at once.
• A slightly loosening stool in the first few days is normal and usually short-lived.
• Kibble and fresh meat are often not combined in the same meal, because they digest at a different rate.

Nutrition and the gut microbiome

The gut microbiome is essential for resistance, energy, and even behavior. One-sided feeding feeds only a small proportion of bacteria, reducing diversity. Less diversity means less resilience.

By alternating animal species and vegetables, you always offer new nutrients and fiber. This supports both the intestinal flora and, according to TCM, the Spleen and the Stomach, thus ensuring balance and vitality.

Extra support during the switch

Does your animal have a sensitive digestive system, or do you want to make the transition to fresh meat go smoothly? Probiotics and prebiotics support the microbiome during the transition period.

View probiotics & prebiotics →

Conclusion

Food is more than fuel. It is energy, balance and health. For dogs and cats, this means: food that is in line with their nature as carnivores, and that, in the view of Chinese medicine, strengthens the Spleen and the Stomach instead of burdening it.

With raw, varied food, supplemented with vegetables and chewing material, you give your animal the best basis for a healthy and vital life.

Would you like personal advice on your dog or cat’s diet?

An extensive e-book about nutrition with practical menus and dosages will be published soon.

Contact us →

Scientific background

• Axelsson et al. (2013). The genomic signature of dog domestication reveals adaptation to a starch-rich diet. Nature.
• Pilla & Suchodolski (2020). The role of the canine gut microbiome and metabolome in health and gastrointestinal disease. Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
• FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines for Companion Animals.