The Topline Results
Our results are so good that we want our RAW data reviewed and published in a scientific journal, and that takes time.
While we wait for the deep-dive results… do you want to hear the initial findings??
High adherence
84% of those who joined the study completed the full 35 days, which suggests very high acceptance of the diet.
Gut improvement
In just 35 days the microbiome improved in a way that usually requires probiotics.
Long term growth & joint health support
Chondroitin breakdown increased significantly, which is essential for preparing long term joint health.
Long term preparation for better gut & brain health
A significant increase in short chain fatty acids, which are essential for gut health and brain function.
The Gut Microbiome Improved
In just 35 days, the gut microbiome improved in a way that is difficult to achieve with diet alone and usually requires probiotic support.
What does this mean?
The types of bacteria and the number of bacteria (richness) increased significantly, particularly those able to process proteins, which are vital for growth and cell maintenance. This means the gut microbiome is flourishing and has improved potential to process nutrients that contribute to your dog’s long-term growth, health, joint, and brain function. What makes this so impressive is that richness is really hard to change without using probiotics to add new bacteria to the microbiome. Raw feeding has enabled this change without any extra support.
This increase in gut microbiome richness was significant for dogs of all ages but was particularly significant in senior dogs. It’s hard to change a senior dog’s microbiome as they become fixed with age and usually require extra support to alter, but this study shows that feeding a raw diet can significantly improve their gut microbiome.
Richness in Age Group 0-2
Richness in Age Group 3-7
Richness in Age Group 7+
Pets (and Their Owners) Loved Raw Feeding
84% of those who joined the study completed the full 35 days—a high adherence rate, which suggests a very high acceptance of the diet.
What does this mean?
Typically, in studies like this, lots of participants drop out of the trial—particularly in nutrition trials. But, in this study, a huge 84% stuck to the diet. This means the sample size is high for this type of investigation, making the results more reliable.
If you’re thinking of switching to raw feeding, this high adherence is a great indicator that dogs like the food and accept the diet change—so yours will love it too!
Raw Feeding Supports Long-Term Growth and Joint Health
Chondroitin breakdown improved significantly, which is essential for preparing long-term joint health.
What does this mean?
Chondroitin is a vital molecule associated with joint health. It keeps cartilage healthy by absorbing water and may block damaging enzymes.
After feeding a raw diet, rich in bone material, the organisms responsible for breaking down chondroitin into its usable parts increased in the gut. This means dogs fed a raw diet have greater potential to use the chondroitin found in their diet to support their long-term joint health.
Raw Feeding Prepares Dogs For Better Gut and Brain Health
There was a significant increase in short-chain fatty acids production, which is essential for gut health and brain function and is usually difficult to supplement.
What does this mean?
Dogs (and humans) can’t make short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) themselves; they rely on their gut microbiome to produce them, and they’re difficult to supplement. SCFAs maintain gut health, and are also vital to brain function. Butyrate, in particular, is one of the few molecules that can pass directly from the blood to the brain. It maintains brain cell health and is important in the release of serotonin, a mood-enhancing hormone, plus it benefits your dog’s learning ability.
The dogs fed raw dog food in this study had a significant increase in the organisms responsible for SCFA production, in particular butyrate. This means there are more gut microbes to turn food into SCFAs, preparing the dog for better long-term gut and brain health.
What Does This All Mean For My Dog?
If you’re considering a move to raw food for your dog, this is your sign to go with your gut and make the switch.
Never before has such a large raw feeding study been done, with such gut-wrenchingly exciting results!
We can now say that raw feeding will positively alter your dog’s gut microbiome, for a healthier gut that can provide more nutrients to your dog. This happy population of gut microbes will work away to prepare your dog for better gut health, brain health, and joint health, even in older dogs who are harder to support.
What Next?
We were so blown away by the initial results, we have decided to take a deeper dive into the data. Be the first to discover further insights by signing up to our newsletter.