We've Changed How We Think About Our Own Food. Isn't It Time We Reconsidered What We're Feeding Our Dogs?
Over the past several decades, we've learned a great deal about the relationship between nutrition and human health. We've become more conscious of whole foods, ingredient quality, and the potential downsides of relying too heavily on ultra-processed products. Yet when it comes to our dogs, many of us are still feeding the same highly processed diets that have dominated the pet food industry for generations.
Fortunately, that's beginning to change.
A growing body of research is exploring how fresh, minimally processed diets affect canine digestion, nutrient absorption, and gut health. One University of Illinois study found that dogs eating certain fresh and human-grade diets digested approximately 93–94% of the protein in their food, compared with 83% for the kibble tested. Other research has found differences in stool output and gut bacteria depending on the type of diet fed.
The research is still evolving, and there's much we don't know about the long-term benefits of fresh feeding. But one thing seems increasingly difficult to argue: what we feed our dogs matters.
When Diet Is Dismissed
I recently spoke with a prospective customer whose senior dog has been experiencing increasingly troublesome digestive issues. She was understandably frustrated and looking for answers. What struck me most was that she'd been told by her veterinarian that what she fed her dog didn't matter.
Wait...diet doesn't MATTER??
Imagine visiting your own doctor with chronic digestive problems and being told that your diet was irrelevant. We'd probably question that advice, wouldn't we?
I'm certainly not a veterinarian, and I have tremendous respect for the professionals who dedicate their lives to caring for our animals. I also recognize that diet isn't the cause—or the solution—to every health problem. But nutrition is a fundamental part of health, and dismissing its potential role altogether, particularly in a dog struggling with gastrointestinal issues, seems like a missed opportunity.
And I'll go a step further: If your veterinarian tells you that diet has no bearing on your dog's health, I think it's perfectly reasonable to seek a second opinion. Our dogs deserve care that considers the whole picture, including what goes into their bowls every single day.
That's one reason I'm so grateful for our relationship with Mountain Paws Veterinary Clinic in Carbondale. I appreciate their thoughtful, multidimensional approach to animal health, their willingness to explore the role of nutrition, and, perhaps most importantly, their curiosity. Good medicine doesn't mean having every answer. It means continuing to ask questions as new research emerges.
I've heard from so many Frank's Fresh customers who have seen meaningful improvements in their dogs' digestion, energy, and overall well-being after making dietary changes. Those experiences aren't substitutes for clinical research, but they're certainly part of what motivates me to keep learning, questioning, and doing this work.
A Little Pat on the Back
So, to everyone who's made the effort to rethink what goes into their dog's bowl: give yourself a little credit.
Whether you're feeding a complete fresh diet or incorporating fresh ingredients into your dog's existing food, you're taking an active interest in their nutrition. You're asking questions, paying attention, and making thoughtful decisions about their care.
We may not have all the answers yet, but I believe our dogs benefit when we remain curious, open-minded, and willing to challenge the status quo.
Because good nutrition shouldn't be an afterthought. It should be part of the conversation.