Here's What Your Puppy Should Be Eating For A Future Of Better Health

Puppyhood is such a critical time in dogs' lives, not only for training purposes but also for setting the stage for long-term health. Specifically, what puppies consume at an early age can predict the development of certain health conditions. That's why starting with a high-quality and nutritionally balanced diet, like Instinct Raw, should be at the top of your puppy priority list. A raw food diet offers a variety of unique benefits for puppies' long-term health—and we've got the research to prove it! But first, let's dive into the basics.

Instinct's responsibly sourced ingredients are carefully selected to support the nutritional needs of a growing pup. That includes natural DHA from salmon oil and cod for trainability and cognitive development, cage-free chicken for healthy muscle and bone growth, and more. But aside from superior nutritional value, what makes Instinct stand out is their dedication to safe and quality raw ingredients. Research shows that feeding puppies a raw diet—as opposed to kibble—can support better health down the road.

Just like our own gut microbiome plays a vital role in overall health, the canine microbiome has proved to do the same. According to a theory1 researchers call the "Old Friends" hypothesis, our pup's immune system benefits from early-life exposure to dietary and environmental microbiota. The microbes found in raw food help to stimulate and educate2 our dogs' immune systems, fostering a healthier microbiome and protecting against illness. Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are just a couple of the conditions that have been shown to be affected by dogs' early life diet.

As a pet parent, it's truly painful to see our four-legged friends suffer—especially when you know what that suffering feels like. Pets experience some of the same environmental allergy symptoms as humans, such as itchy or flaky skin, but canine atopic dermatitis (or canine environmental allergies) can also show up as excessive paw chewing, ear infections, and hot spots. And like with human allergies, there is no cure other than symptom management. However, research published in 20202 found that feeding 1- to 2-month-old puppies a raw diet was associated with a decreased chance of developing allergies in adulthood. In contrast, puppies fed kibble in the first 1 to 2 months of age were 182% more likely2 to suffer from CAD.

Similarly, inflammatory bowel disease is a condition both humans and dogs experience. In dogs, IBD manifests as recurring chronic vomiting, diarrhea, and/or weight loss and has been associated with early life diet. A recent paper1 published in 2021 covered a study that examined the link between early life factors, like diet, and IBD reported later in life. What they found was that 1- to 6-month-old puppies on a raw diet showed a significantly lower risk of developing IBD, compared to puppies fed a kibble diet at the same age.

Research groups are actively investigating other canine health conditions that may be affected by diet. While official results have yet to be published, they are working to understand how a raw diet can positively affect the following issues: hip dysplasia/mobility issues, cancer, and chronic ear infections.

Taking one worry off your plate by putting Instinct Raw on theirs will set your pup up for success and overall well-being down the line. And they'll be sure to thank you for it, tails wagging and mouths watering!