Biologically appropriate diet
The dog is by nature a carnivore with origins traceable to the wolf. Although many dogs today do not resemble their wild 'cousin', they have nevertheless retained many of the wolf's characteristic features. The dog's anatomy and digestive system are adapted to a meat-based diet, and dogs primarily need easily digestible ingredients from animal sources to meet their nutritional needs. Dogs naturally prefer ingredients such as offal and meat, which are rich in fat and protein and contain little to no carbohydrates. These are the same ingredients you will find in VOM's products.
What your dog is made for
Dogs are naturally adapted to a diet consisting mainly of meat and other animal products – with plenty of fat and protein and little to no carbohydrates. Their digestive system has several clear characteristics that show why dogs are adapted to such a diet:
A dog's teeth are large, sharp and pointed, and are designed to tear meat and break bones. The jaw can only move up and down, but not from side to side. Herbivores (such as cows, horses and sheep) and omnivores (such as pigs and humans) have broad molars with flat chewing surfaces and jaws that can move both up and down and from side to side. This adaptation allows them to grind and utilise plant-based food efficiently. The dog, however, does not have this adaptation, and its teeth function more like scissors to tear meat apart. Furthermore, the enzyme amylase in the dog's saliva. In omnivores, this enzyme begins the breakdown of starch right in the mouth. Without this process, the dog is less adapted to a starch-rich diet.
The dog has a large stomach and very acidic stomach acid, along with a short and simple digestive system. This makes digestion very efficient when it comes to meat and bones, but less suitable for large amounts of fibre or other carbohydrates. The dog also has no essential need for carbohydrates from its diet, as the body can produce glucose itself from proteins and fats through a process called gluconeogenesis.
Despite this, much of today's dog food contains a high proportion of starchy ingredients, which have often undergone extensive processing. VOM, however, is made from ingredients that are suited to the dog's natural nutritional needs – Rich in protein and fat, minimally processed and without unnecessary fillers.
Fat – the body's most powerful source of energy
Fat provides more than twice as much energy as protein and carbohydrates and is therefore an important source of energy, especially during prolonged physical exertion. After fat has been absorbed, the body can use it directly as an energy source, convert some of it into glucose through gluconeogenesis, or store it as an energy reserve. Fat also plays an important role in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K), the protection of organs, insulation against the cold, and the structure of the body's cells. Dogs are adapted to efficiently utilise fat as an energy source and generally have a higher proportion of HDL ('good' cholesterol) than humans. HDL helps to transport cholesterol from tissues to the liver, where it is processed and excreted. This promotes efficient lipid metabolism and is among the factors associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease in dogs.
Protein – the body's building block which can also provide energy
Proteins are primarily the body's building blocks and are essential for the growth, maintenance and renewal of tissues. Proteins are composed of amino acids which the body uses, among other things, to build and repair cells, muscles, skin, coat and organs, as well as playing an important role in the function of enzymes and hormones. Proteins also support the immune system by participating in the formation of antibodies that help to protect the dog against diseases. Certain amino acids can also be converted into glucose through gluconeogenesis. Proteins are therefore primarily the body's building blocks but can also be used as an energy source when needed.
Carbohydrates – a quick source of energy for certain tissues in the body
Carbohydrates are a source of glucose, which provides the body with quick access to energy. Glucose is particularly important for the brain, the central nervous system and red blood cells. The muscles, however, can utilise both glucose and fatty acids as an energy source and are therefore more flexible. As the body can produce the glucose it needs from proteins and fat, the dog does not necessarily require carbohydrates from its diet. However, during periods when energy requirements are particularly high, for example during pregnancy, lactation, or under very intense physical exertion such as sprinting, the body may find it more difficult to produce sufficient amounts of glucose. In such circumstances, a small amount of easily digestible carbohydrates, for example rice, can be a useful addition to the diet.