{"id":11669,"date":"2023-07-18T05:51:44","date_gmt":"2023-07-18T12:51:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osfbl01.justfoodfordogs.com\/?p=11669"},"modified":"2026-05-01T07:13:02","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T14:13:02","slug":"is-kibble-harming-your-dogs-quality-of-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justfoodfordogs.com\/blog\/is-kibble-harming-your-dogs-quality-of-life","title":{"rendered":"Is Kibble Harming Your Dog\u2019s Quality of Life?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Kibble is the most common type of dog food in the world, but there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that it may not be the best choice for your furry friend. Here\u2019s what pet parents need to know about their dog\u2019s diet when it comes to fresh dog food vs kibble.<\/p>\n

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Why Kibble May Not Be Ideal<\/h2>\n

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Kibble is highly processed.<\/h3>\n

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Kibble is made from a variety of ingredients, including meat, grains, vegetables, and vitamins. However, kibble is akin to fast food<\/a>. These ingredients are often processed at high temperatures, depleting<\/a> many of the nutrients, which are then replaced by synthetic<\/a> additives. Research shows<\/a> that processed foods lead to obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Kibble contains fillers, meat byproducts, and preservatives.<\/h3>\n

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In order to make kibble cheap to produce, manufacturers add fillers and additives to the food. Fillers include things like corn, wheat, and soy, which are not natural foods for dogs. Additives include artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.<\/p>\n

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Meat byproducts are the parts of an animal that are not considered to be “meat,” aka, not fit for human consumption. These parts are from questionable protein sources and can include (sometimes diseased or antibiotic-filled) organs, bones, spleens, blood, and other tissues. This is legal and accepted under the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Kibble is difficult to digest.<\/h2>\n

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The high-heat processing that kibble undergoes can make it difficult for dogs to digest. This can lead to digestive problems such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea.<\/p>\n

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What about raw food diets?<\/h2>\n

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There are a few \u201cfad\u201d pet diets out there including vegan, grain-free<\/a>, air-dried<\/a>, freeze-dried, and raw diets. Feeding dogs raw dog food is generally not recommended, as raw meat puts both humans and dogs at risk for bacteria like salmonella and E.coli. Opt for lightly cooked meat instead, which is safer and preserves the most nutrients for your dog\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n

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Why hasn\u2019t my vet told me about the risks of kibble diets?<\/h2>\n

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It may seem odd to read about dry pet food diets being potentially dangerous. After all, you may not have been told anything like this by a veterinary nutritionist. The reality is, many vets still don\u2019t know that kibble is not the best food for dogs because Big Kibble<\/a> funds the nutrition research.<\/p>\n

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Vet school courses, lectures, and even textbooks on pet nutrition are funded or sponsored by<\/a> massive corporations. While the research and education funded by Big Kibble may be well-intentioned, it\u2019s also very effective marketing.<\/p>\n

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Science-Backed Benefits of Fresh Dog Food<\/h2>\n

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There are several reasons why fresh feeding is considered superior to dry dog food.<\/p>\n

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