How fresh food slows aging in dogs

Groundbreaking study shows fresh, minimally processed food promotes healthier aging in dogs

We’re always looking for ways to optimize our dogs’ health and longevity. Feeding a fresh, minimally processed dog food plays an important role in promoting health and slowing the aging process. 

Dr. Heather Huson, Associate Professor of Animal Sciences at Cornell University, recently concluded a groundbreaking year-long study. It examined the effects of feeding senior dogs fresh, human-grade food versus a standard extruded kibble diet. 

“Our goal was to generate data specific to dogs fed fresh, human-grade food with less processing…[for] a more concrete understanding of the effects of food processing on dog health and longevity,” explains Dr. Huson. 

The study involved 22 healthy, mixed-breed, geriatric Alaskan sled dogs, age- and sex-matched into two feeding groups. The researchers excluded dogs with kidney, liver or endocrine diseases. All the dogs underwent physical exams before the diet change and again at the end of the study.

“Our research evaluated metabolites,” says Dr. Huson. “[These are] compounds in the bloodstream that reflect the foods we eat and how ingredients are broken down and processed through metabolism.”

“We can then take information we already know about specific metabolites, such as how they contribute to the body’s energy use, and their association with disease or aging, to better understand the influence of food on overall health.”

Study results showed the metabolite profiles of the dogs eating the two different foods varied significantly. 

“Some of the variations, such as metabolites associated with protein and fat metabolism, reflect the ingredients in the two different foods and how dogs digest them,” says Dr. Huson. “Other metabolites, like advanced glycation end products (AGEs), directly reflect food processing variation and are formed during extreme high-heat food processing.”

“The magnitude and consistency of the metabolic impacts we observed were quick, sustained, and striking,” adds veterinarian Dr. Joseph Wakshlag, who helped with the study. 

“Fresh, minimally processed food shifted the dogs’ metabolism towards a beneficial alternative metabolic profile with markers for improved muscle and neurological health,” he continues. “[There are also] implications for improved antioxidant defense, and diminished AGE formation. 

“This is an exciting milestone for understanding canine metabolic health and nutrition.” 

Other key findings:

• Antioxidant and protective metabolites: Levels of ergothioneine, a potent antioxidant, were higher in dogs fed a fresh diet. This suggests increased antioxidant capacity and reduced oxidative stress. 

• Amino acid metabolism: Dogs who ate the fresh food demonstrated elevated branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism, with increased levels of leucine, isoleucine, and valine. 

• Fatty acid metabolism: Dogs in the fresh food group showed increased long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids, including ALA, EPA, DPA and DHA. 

“Current recommendations for human nutrition are shifting toward whole foods with less processing, as science…sheds light on the health concerns associated with highly processed foods,” says Dr. Huson. “This is a newer area of research in dog nutrition, and one we are excited to contribute to.”

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