Wild canids like wolves, coyotes, and jackals offer a blueprint for understanding the optimal diet for our domestic dogs. Despite centuries of domestication, domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) share nearly identical biological traits with these wild relatives, can produce offspring with them, and share almost all of their DNA, revealing much about their nutritional needs. By examining the natural diets of these wild animals, we learn how best to feed our dogs and what foods to avoid to support their health and vitality.

Biological Similarities: Teeth, Digestive Tract, and Stomach Acidity

Domestic dogs have retained many physical traits of their wild ancestors, particularly in terms of dietary adaptation. One of the most telling features is their teeth. Both wild canids and domestic dogs have 42 teeth, including sharp canine teeth designed for tearing flesh and carnassial teeth for crushing bones. They lack the flat molars that herbivores possess, which are essential for grinding plant material. This dental structure indicates that dogs, like wolves, coyotes, and jackals, are optimized for a diet rich in animal protein.

In addition to their teeth, dogs share a short digestive tract with wild canids, suited for rapidly processing animal-based proteins and fats. Unlike herbivores, which have long intestines and multiple stomach chambers for fermenting plant matter, dogs’ short intestines quickly absorb nutrients from meat. Furthermore, the highly acidic stomach (pH of about 1 to 2) in both dogs and wild canids effectively breaks down raw meat and bones while neutralizing harmful bacteria (National Research Council, 2006). These biological features emphasize that dogs are designed to digest animal products rather than high-carbohydrate foods like grains and potatoes.

Natural Diet of Wild Canids

Wild wolves, coyotes, and jackals primarily consume animal-based diets, with minimal carbohydrate intake. Wolves, the closest relatives of domestic dogs, have a diet consisting of 49-54% protein, 44-51% fat, and less than 1% carbohydrates (Mech & Boitani, 2003). Coyotes, being more omnivorous, consume about 50-60% protein, 20-30% fat, and 10-20% carbohydrates (Gese et al., 1996). Similarly, jackals have a diet estimated at 50-55% protein, 25-30% fat, and 15-20% carbohydrates (Mukherjee et al., 2004). These dietary patterns show that wild canids rely heavily on protein and fat for their nutritional needs, with carbohydrates playing a minor role.

Why Domestic Dogs Should Avoid Carbohydrate-Heavy Diets

Given their biological makeup, domestic dogs are optimized for a diet rich in protein and fat, with minimal carbohydrates. However, many commercial dog foods, especially kibble, are formulated with large amounts of cheap, high-glycemic carbohydrates like corn, potatoes, and rice. These ingredients are not only biologically inappropriate for dogs but are often included simply because they are inexpensive fillers that help bind the kibble into pellets (Freeman et al., 2013).

Dogs do not have the dentition to chew corn kernels or potatoes, nor the digestive system to process high levels of carbohydrates. The analogy is simple: dog owners don’t typically offer their dogs an ear of corn or a potato to chew on as a snack; they offer bones. This is because bones align with what dogs are naturally adapted to consume. Feeding a diet rich in high-glycemic carbohydrates can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels, potentially increasing the risk of health issues like obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disorders.

Why Lincoln Naturals is the Optimal Choice for Your Dog

Lincoln Naturals freeze-dried dog food is formulated to closely mirror the natural diet of wild canids, providing an excellent choice for owners who want their dog’s biological processes to function at their peak. Lincoln Naturals features high-quality protein sources like chicken, chicken liver, salmon, and eggs, which provide the essential amino acids dogs need for muscle maintenance, immune support, and overall health. The healthy fats in the food, sourced from ingredients like chicken and salmon, offer a concentrated energy source that supports skin and coat health, as well as vital organ function.

Notably, Lincoln Naturals maintains a single-digit carbohydrate content, a stark contrast to most commercial kibbles. Importantly, all of the carbohydrates in Lincoln Naturals are low-glycemic and sourced from ingredients that a dog might encounter in the wild, such as broccoli, carrots, berries, and mushrooms. These ingredients provide dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals without causing the harmful blood sugar spikes associated with high-glycemic fillers found in many kibbles.

By feeding your dog Lincoln Naturals, you align with what their biology dictates: a minimally processed diet high in protein and fat with low, high-quality carbohydrates. This approach not only reflects what we observe in the wild diets of wolves, coyotes, and jackals but also supports the overall health and longevity of your canine companion.

References

• Mech, L. D., & Boitani, L. (2003). Wolves: Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation. University of Chicago Press.
• Gese, E. M., Ruff, R. L., & Crabtree, R. L. (1996). Foraging ecology of coyotes (Canis latrans): The influence of extrinsic factors and a dominance hierarchy. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 74(5), 769-783.
• Mukherjee, S., Goyal, S. P., & Chellam, R. (2004). Refined techniques for the analysis of Asiatic lion scats and its implications to diet analysis. Current Science, 87(5), 845-849.
• National Research Council. (2006). Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. The National Academies Press.
• Freeman, L. M., Chandler, M. L., Hamper, B. A., & Weeth, L. P. (2013). Current knowledge about the risks and benefits of raw meat–based diets for dogs and cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 243(11), 1549-1558.