In the diet of our four-legged friends, the gut microbiota plays a vitally important role. New research on the subject offers fresh insights into canine nutrition.
In the diet of our dogs, the microbiota is an important factor to consider for a healthy diet and, above all, one that promotes wellbeing. Scientific research has identified, in this regard, new approaches and new solutions for preserving the health of the gastrointestinal tract, highlighting specific characteristics that had not previously been taken into account. One of these aspects is precisely the microbiota, which is frequently discussed in relation to both humans and animals.
"The gut microbiota refers to the complex of bacteria, viruses, protozoa and fungi that cohabit the gastrointestinal tract of both humans and our animals. They are approximately 10,000 times more numerous than all the host's cells, and modern research is highlighting how the microbiota itself is involved in determining states of wellbeing or the onset of certain diseases," explains Dr Maria Mayer, veterinary surgeon and homoeopath.
It is interesting to note, in this regard, how the latest studies no longer classify the inhabitants of our gut as "good" or "bad," but instead seek to differentiate these components according to their quantities and the effects they produce on the body.
More and more people are choosing a so-called "natural" diet for their pets as an alternative to common commercial products. Its effects on the intestinal bacterial population, particularly in the medium to long term, are not yet entirely clear, despite a healthy microbiota being the guarantee of a good general physical condition. It is precisely for this reason that new research was recently conducted into the influences of canine diet on the gut microbiota. The subject is addressed in the study coordinated by Professor Junhyung Kim of Seoul National University, published by Gut Pathogens.
The researchers compared the bacterial profile of six dogs normally fed a natural diet composed of 90 per cent meat (kangaroo, beef, goose or chicken) and 10 per cent vegetables with that of five other specimens on a commercial diet (proteins, fats, crude fibre). At the end of the study, the researchers found that dietary regimen influences the intestinal bacterial profile of dogs, increasing its richness and diversity in the case of the natural diet. Considering the most prevalent bacteria, however, it would appear that dogs fed a natural diet are at greater risk of infection from opportunistic pathogens.
Regarding the Seoul University research, we asked Dr Simone Ventura, a veterinary surgeon who has spent years studying problems related to animal nutrition and the microbiota, for clarification: "It is worth emphasising that the study cited does not provide clinical data, but only laboratory data. This does not actually allow conclusions to be drawn that are applicable to the daily reality of the canine population. From a scientific standpoint, we do not have a mapping of the ideal microbiome available to us: we only know that dysbiosis (that is, the poor intestinal balance that characterises the most delicate subjects at a gastrointestinal level) represents a loss of biodiversity in the gut flora. Through analyses, we can therefore only verify whether a gut is rich or poor in its own biodiversity."
And regarding the "vulnerability" of dogs fed a natural diet? "Clinical practice shows that in reality things are very different: the majority of patients suffering from gastrointestinal conditions are in fact fed daily on industrial foods, often of poor quality. A change of diet, in favour of more natural foods, leads in a very high percentage of cases to a noticeable improvement in general condition. It is known that commercial foods are poor in probiotic strains due to the high-temperature cooking of ingredients, and are supplemented with chemical substances such as additives or preservatives," explains Ventura. Their use, in light of these considerations, can in the long term damage the biological heritage of the gut flora, impoverishing it and interfering with its normal development over the dog's lifetime.
Studies on the microbiota of dogs and animals in general are now rich in food for thought, not only regarding our four-legged friends, but also for the health and wellbeing of humans and the environment around them. "The first 12 months of a subject's life are, in fact, vitally important for the development of a rich and varied gut flora," explains Ventura. "The constant chemical stresses, often unnecessary, to which we subject puppies and young dogs promote that endless array of conditions we observe daily in our clinics. Science tells us that what is lost during this first period of life, in terms of biodiversity of the gut flora, is unfortunately lost for good and can no longer be recovered even by supplementing the daily diet with lactic acid bacteria."
On the other hand, scientific research in the veterinary field has demonstrated through several studies that a varied diet based on natural foods, preferably raw or lightly cooked, allows even subjects suffering from dysbiosis to find a new intestinal balance. "The important thing is that the foods making up the diet contain the smallest possible quantity of chemical substances, something that can only be achieved with natural nutrition," continues Simone Ventura. "It is also fundamental that the diet includes a limited content of high glycaemic and carbohydrate-index ingredients such as cereals, potatoes and legumes, as these represent predisposing factors for both gastrointestinal tract conditions and certain metabolic conditions."
In conclusion, therefore, the inclusion of fresh foods can only benefit the dog, enriching its microbiota and helping it to respond optimally to illnesses and ailments. Care should be taken, however: this does not mean that all industrial foods should be excluded. High-quality ones can represent a useful alternative for diversifying the bacterial flora, provided they are chosen carefully, including with the help of a nutritionist. The advice of a knowledgeable veterinarian will, always and in any case, be indispensable for devising an ideal diet that maintains the long-term health and vitality of our four-legged friends.