Researchers compared how two different types of dog food affect the way a dog’s body uses energy. One group of 46 Staffordshire Bull Terriers ate traditional kibble (dry dog food with grains), while another group ate raw meat-based diets with very little carbohydrates. After about 4.5 months, scientists tested their blood to measure things like blood sugar, cholesterol, and other markers of how their bodies were working. The results showed that the two diets affected dogs’ bodies differently—kibble-fed dogs had higher cholesterol and weight gain, while raw-fed dogs had better blood sugar control. However, scientists say more research is needed to understand which diet is truly better for dogs’ long-term health.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether feeding dogs raw meat-based food (like their wolf ancestors ate) affects their body’s energy use differently than feeding them traditional kibble with grains and carbohydrates
  • Who participated: 46 pet dogs of the same breed (Staffordshire Bull Terriers) that belonged to regular families. Half ate kibble for about 4.5 months, and half ate raw meat-based diets
  • Key finding: Dogs eating raw meat-based diets showed better blood sugar control and lower cholesterol levels, while dogs eating kibble gained more weight and had higher cholesterol. However, neither diet changed how well their bodies handled insulin
  • What it means for you: If you have a dog, this suggests that raw meat diets may help with weight management and blood sugar control compared to kibble. However, this is just one study with a small number of dogs, so talk to your veterinarian before making major diet changes. Raw diets also require careful handling to prevent food poisoning

The Research Details

This was a diet intervention study, which means researchers asked dog owners to feed their pets one of two specific diets and then measured what happened. The 46 dogs were divided into two groups—one group ate traditional kibble (dry dog food), and the other group ate raw meat-based diets with very few carbohydrates. The study lasted about 4.5 months on average.

Before the study started and after it ended, the researchers took blood samples from all the dogs while they were fasting (hadn’t eaten for a while). They tested the blood for 13 different markers that show how the dog’s body uses energy and processes food. These markers included blood sugar levels, cholesterol types, and special proteins that indicate how the body is handling energy.

The researchers compared the results in two ways: they looked at how the two diet groups differed from each other at the end of the study, and they also looked at how each group changed from the beginning to the end of the study.

This research approach matters because it mimics real life—these were actual pet dogs eating food at home, not laboratory dogs in controlled conditions. By measuring blood markers before and after the diet change, researchers could see how each diet actually affected the dogs’ bodies. This type of study helps answer practical questions that dog owners care about: ‘Is this diet better for my dog?’

This study has some strengths: it measured many different blood markers, used the same breed of dog (reducing variation), and followed dogs for several months. However, there are limitations to consider: the sample size is relatively small (46 dogs), the study only looked at one breed, and it didn’t track the dogs long-term to see if these changes continued or affected their overall health and lifespan. The study also doesn’t tell us whether these blood changes actually mean the dogs will be healthier or live longer

What the Results Show

Dogs eating kibble showed several changes: their HbA1c (a measure of long-term blood sugar) increased, their total cholesterol went up, they gained weight, and they produced more ketones (a sign their body was burning fat differently). Dogs eating raw meat-based diets showed different changes: their blood sugar went down, their cholesterol decreased, and they also produced more ketones, but they didn’t gain weight.

When comparing the two groups at the end of the study, the differences were clear: kibble-fed dogs had significantly higher triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood), total cholesterol, and all types of cholesterol particles. Raw-fed dogs had lower blood sugar hormones and better markers for how their bodies were handling energy overall.

Interestingly, neither diet changed how well the dogs’ bodies responded to insulin (the hormone that controls blood sugar). This suggests that both diets maintained normal insulin function, even though they affected other markers differently.

The raw meat-based diet appeared to put dogs’ bodies into a state similar to ketosis—where the body burns fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. This is why both groups showed increased ketone production, but the raw-fed dogs didn’t gain weight while the kibble-fed dogs did.

One important finding was that the kibble diet increased HbA1c, which is a marker of long-term blood sugar control. This suggests that kibble diets may affect how dogs’ bodies manage blood sugar over time. The raw meat-based diet decreased glucagon (a hormone that raises blood sugar), which could explain why raw-fed dogs had better blood sugar control. The raw-fed dogs also had a better TyG index (a marker that predicts how well the body handles blood sugar and fat), suggesting their metabolic health markers were more favorable

This research fits with existing ideas about dog nutrition. Dogs are descended from wolves, which are carnivores (meat-eaters), so some people have questioned whether high-carbohydrate kibble diets are ideal for dogs. This study provides some evidence that raw meat-based diets may affect metabolism differently than kibble. However, previous research has also shown that well-formulated kibble diets can be perfectly healthy for dogs, and some studies have raised safety concerns about raw diets. This single study doesn’t settle the debate—it just adds one piece of information

This study has several important limitations. First, it only included one breed of dog (Staffordshire Bull Terriers), so the results may not apply to other breeds. Second, the study only lasted about 4.5 months, so we don’t know if these changes continue, get better, or get worse over years. Third, the study didn’t measure whether these blood changes actually made the dogs healthier or affected their lifespan. Fourth, the study didn’t control for other factors like exercise level or treats the dogs might have eaten. Finally, 46 dogs is a relatively small sample size, so the results might not apply to all dogs

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, a raw meat-based diet may help with weight management and blood sugar control in dogs compared to kibble (moderate confidence level). However, before switching your dog’s diet, consult with your veterinarian because: (1) this is just one study, (2) raw diets require careful handling to prevent bacterial contamination, (3) raw diets must be properly balanced to ensure your dog gets all necessary nutrients, and (4) some dogs may have health conditions that make one diet better than another. If you do switch diets, do it gradually over 7-10 days to avoid digestive upset

This research may be most relevant for dog owners whose dogs are overweight, have high cholesterol, or have blood sugar problems. It may be less relevant for dogs that are already healthy and maintaining a good weight on their current diet. Dogs with certain health conditions, very young puppies, or pregnant dogs should only change diets under veterinary supervision. This research is not applicable to cats or other pets

Based on this study, changes in blood markers appeared within about 4.5 months. However, you might notice practical changes like weight loss or increased energy sooner—possibly within 2-4 weeks. It could take several months to see the full effects on blood markers like cholesterol. Long-term health benefits (like improved lifespan or disease prevention) would take years to measure and weren’t studied here

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your dog’s weight weekly and body condition score (how you feel their ribs and spine) every two weeks. If switching to a raw diet, also note energy levels, coat quality, and digestive health. Take photos monthly to visually track changes
  • If considering a diet change based on this research, start by discussing it with your veterinarian. If approved, gradually transition your dog’s food over 7-10 days, mixing increasing amounts of the new food with decreasing amounts of the old food. Use the app to set reminders for the transition schedule and to log any digestive changes
  • Set monthly reminders to weigh your dog and assess body condition. Every 3 months, note any changes in energy, coat quality, or digestive health. If your dog has any health conditions, schedule veterinary check-ups every 6 months to monitor blood work and ensure the diet is working well. Use the app to track these appointments and results

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional veterinary advice. Before making any changes to your dog’s diet, consult with your veterinarian, especially if your dog has existing health conditions, is very young, is pregnant, or is nursing. Raw meat-based diets require careful handling to prevent bacterial contamination and must be nutritionally balanced. This single study does not provide definitive proof that raw diets are better for all dogs—more research is needed. Individual dogs may respond differently to diet changes based on their age, breed, health status, and other factors.