Recurring diarrhoea, stomach noises, inconsistent appetite, weight loss - chronic digestive complaints are among the most frequently diagnosed conditions in veterinary practice. Large-scale research from the University of Helsinki involving more than 7,000 dogs shows that diet in the first eighteen months of life was significantly associated with the likelihood of developing those complaints later.
Wolfork - aligned with the researched NPMD pattern
Unprocessed · Raw bones and fish included · No extrusion
What are chronic digestive complaints in dogs?
Chronic enteropathy (CE) is an umbrella term for long-term digestive complaints lasting more than three weeks: recurring diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach noises, reduced appetite, abdominal pain, or weight loss. The causes are varied, ranging from diet-related inflammation to disruption of the gut flora and genetic predisposition.
In the DogRisk population, 18-22% of owners reported CE-related symptoms in their dog. The authors emphasise that this is not necessarily representative of the general dog population. On average, complaints began as early as 1.4 years of age, suggesting that early factors play a role.
Dogs and humans share many of the same chronic bowel diseases. CE in dogs shows strong similarities to IBD in humans, both in terms of symptoms and contributing factors. Dogs are therefore considered a valuable model for comparative nutritional research.
The study: 7,050 dogs, two life phases
DogRisk - University of Helsinki
Vuori et al. (2023) analysed data from the DogRisk food frequency questionnaire to investigate whether early diet was associated with CE later in life. This was a large cross-sectional study with longitudinal data: 7,050 dogs for the puppy phase (2-6 months) and 5,928 dogs for the adolescent phase (6-18 months). The study is observational and based on owner-reported data.
Two dietary styles were compared: an NPMD (non-processed meat-based diet - raw meat, fish, eggs, organs, bones, vegetables, berries) versus a UPCD (ultra-processed carbohydrate-based diet - kibble). Macronutrient ratio NPMD: approximately 45% protein, 50% fat, 0-10% carbohydrates. UPCD: 16-38% protein, 6-18% fat, 40-60% carbohydrates.
The key findings: dietary style was significantly associated
In both the puppy phase and the adolescent phase, an NPMD was associated with a significantly lower CE risk; a UPCD with a significantly higher risk. The associations were strongest in the puppy phase and remained statistically significant after additional correction for breed predisposition.
Home-cooked food, containing partly the same ingredients as NPMD but heated, was not significantly associated with less CE. The authors suggest as a hypothesis that the degree of processing may be relevant, but this was not directly investigated in the study.
Specific food items: observed associations
In addition to dietary style, individual food items were also analysed for their association with CE. These are observed associations, not proven protective or harmful effects.
Background: possible mechanisms according to the authors
The authors describe a number of possible mechanisms, explicitly referring to earlier literature - these mechanisms were not directly investigated in the study itself.
They refer to earlier research showing that thermal processing of proteins and carbohydrates produces Maillard reaction products and advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which have been linked in other studies to inflammatory processes in the gut. They also mention additives such as emulsifiers in kibble as a possible factor. The absence of a significant effect of home-cooked food could point to a role of processing, but this remains a hypothesis put forward by the authors.
For raw bones and cartilage, the authors suggest that glucosamine and glycosaminoglycans, present in cartilage, may play a role in gut barrier function. This too concerns background literature, not a finding from this study.
Vuori et al., 2023 |
Scientific Reports, 13:1830 - Cross-sectional epidemiological study with longitudinal data. n=7,050 (puppy phase) / n=5,928 (adolescent phase). 1,016/699 CE cases. DogRisk FFQ, University of Helsinki. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27866-z |
Scientifically honest
This is an observational study based on owner-reported data, not a controlled experiment. The study shows associations, not causal relationships. CE diagnoses were not veterinarily verified in all cases. The quantity of food items was not measured, only frequency. The observed associations for specific items are based on the same observational design. Prospective intervention studies are needed before preventive or causal conclusions can be drawn.
Wolfork and the researched dietary pattern
Wolfork fits within the researched NPMD pattern that was associated with a lower CE risk: unprocessed, high in animal proteins and fats, low in carbohydrates, with fish and raw ingredients. This does not mean that Wolfork prevents CE - the study does not prove causality and individual outcomes can vary greatly. Whether the observed associations translate to individual dogs cannot be determined on the basis of this study. That is precisely why the authors recommend prospective follow-up research.
What this means in practice
This is the largest study to date on early diet and gut health in dogs - more than 7,000 dogs, two life phases, specific food items. An NPMD was significantly associated with less CE; a UPCD with more. Specific items such as raw bones, berries, and table scraps were associated with less CE; rawhides with more. Home-cooked food was not significantly associated - processing as an explanation remains a hypothesis. Wolfork fits within the researched NPMD pattern. Prospective intervention studies are needed before causal conclusions can be drawn.
Raw food - aligned with the researched NPMD pattern
No extrusion · Raw ingredients · Delivered chilled to your door
Source
Vuori, K.A., Hemida, M., Moore, R., Salin, S., Rosendahl, S., Anturaniemi, J. & Hielm-Björkman, A. (2023). The effect of puppyhood and adolescent diet on the incidence of chronic enteropathy in dogs later in life. Scientific Reports, 13:1830. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27866-z