What Happens If You Feed Your Dog Only 'Human Food'

Early studies show that some types of human food can be included in a dog's diet. Scientists are investigating whether switching to a natural 'ancestral diet' means that a pet will become healthier, and what will happen if it is fed only human food. Research has proven that the belief that human food is harmful to dogs is largely based on marketing rather than science. Some products, such as chocolate, spices, and certain fruits, should indeed be avoided, but proteins and vegetables are quite suitable for animals. Surveys show that many pet owners still believe that table scraps are dangerous for dogs, while dry food contains the necessary nutrients. After the scandal involving several dry foods, the trend began to change, and new grain-free foods appeared on the market. In a new study, nutritionist Kelly Swanson from the University of Illinois and colleagues examined three different diets: dry food, grain-free food, and an 'ancestral diet.' For four weeks, the scientists fed a dozen beagles a specific diet and found that on the standard dry food diet, the dogs had to eat much more to maintain their body weight. As a result, they defecated three times more than during the 'ancestral diet.' The grain-free diet showed that the animals defecated 1.5 to 1.7 times more. The study results indicate that the nutrients in human food are more easily digested by dogs. Moreover, the scientists found that the 'ancestral' and grain-free diets seem to modify the animals' gut bacteria in ways that dry food cannot. According to Swanson, the unique microbial profiles found in the dogs' feces are related to the processing of the diet. Earlier studies have also shown that a diet of raw or cooked meat can alter the pets' microbiome.