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Whole prey and high-protein diet: what it is and its top 3 health benefits
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Whole prey and high-protein diet: what it is and its top 3 health benefits

perroEditorial
Oct 6, 2022
11 min

One of the pet diet trends we’ve seen continuously grow in the past years – despite resistance from most pet care professionals – is raw feeding. Resistance toward the whole prey diet, which focuses on raw feeding, stems from the myriad of diseases pets and humans alike can contract due to poor preparation and sanitation of raw ingredients.  

Whether you’re considering switching to a whole prey diet or simply curious about carefully curated raw dog bowls you often see online, continue reading on to understand what the diet is about and its benefits. 

What is whole prey nutrition? 

Whole prey nutrition is an eating plan modeled after what wolves, the ancestor of all modern dogs, eat in the wild. Also known as the prey model diet, whole prey nutrition is typically high in animal-based protein and low in carbohydrate content. Whole prey nutrition uses the whole animal: organs, meat, and edible bones.  

Why organ meats?  

Wolves typically go for their prey’s organs first before consuming muscle meats. Organ meats, sometimes referred to as off-cuts or offal, are incredibly nutrient-dense and rich in flavor. Some of the most common organs fed to pets are the following: 

  • Liver 

The liver is a good source of vitamin A, copper, iron, and zinc. It’s also abundant in B vitamins. B vitamins consist of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, folate, and cobalamin. They support our pets’ bodies by helping provide energy and promote a healthy metabolism. 

  • Heart 

The heart is rich in Taurine, an amino acid essential for healthy heart function. It’s also a good source of CoQ10, an enzyme that functions as an antioxidant that can help keep your pets healthy. 

  • Tripe 

Tripe is a tissue from a ruminant’s stomach. Ruminants include grazing animals like cattle, sheep, and deer. Tripe is rich in probiotics that promote good digestion and a strong immune system. In an article published by the Whole Dog Journal, breeders and pet parents were asked about the changes they’ve noticed since they started including tripe in their pet’s diet. They reported improvements in their pet’s physical appearance and temperament. 

Benefits of a high-protein diet 

Protein plays many essential roles in the body. It regulates body functions and helps develop and repair muscles. It’s also needed for cell regeneration for healthy healing and recovery.  

Benefits of feeding dogs a high-protein diet include: 

  • Energy boost 

High-protein diets impact our pets’ energy. Protein is made up of complex molecules that take longer to digest than carbohydrates. This provides our pets with a longer-lasting energy source so they can work or play all day without getting tired.  

  • Muscle development 

Active pets benefit from protein the same way athletes do. When combined with exercise, a high-protein diet can help promote muscle growth.  

  • Healthy weight 

In a weight loss program conducted for obese pets, researchers saw that when combined with caloric restriction, a high-protein diet effectively reduces fat while maintaining lean muscle mass. 

It’s important to note that protein quality is just as important, if not more, than quantity. Quality protein comes from an animal that eats quality food and is raised without added artificial hormones and antibiotics. 

 

Finding the right whole prey, high-protein diet

Isolated from the rest of the world, New Zealand is one of the best sources of quality protein for a prey-based diet that caters to your dog’s wild nature. Now dogs can savor the flavor of New Zealand’s finest proteins with Addiction’s newest grain free high-protein range, Wild Islands pet food.  

Wild Islands is a whole prey-based diet inspired by our dogs’ natural prey in the wild. Free from grains, potato, corn, and wheat and made with ultrahigh protein levels and nutrient-dense organ meats, Wild Islands mirrors the food dogs naturally eat.  

Wild Islands is available in 4 wildly delicious flavors: Pacific Catch, Forest Meat, Highland Meats, and Island Birds. 

Pacific Catch 

Pacific Catch features New Zealand King Salmon, Mackerel and Hoki, which are naturally rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.  

  • Protein percentage: 40% 

Forest Meat Recipe 

Forest Meat Recipe features New Zealand Venison, a novel premium protein source that’s highly palatable. 

  • Protein percentage: 40% 

Highland Meats 

Highland Meats features savory New Zealand Lamb rich in amino acids and New Zealand Beef, a healthy source of iron.  

  • Protein percentage: 40% 

Island Birds 

Island Birds features premium New Zealand Duck, Turkey and Chicken, highly digestible and flavorful protein sources. 

  • Protein percentage: 40% 

Aside from the brand’s premium quality protein source, ultrahigh protein levels, and inclusion of organs meats like liver, heart and tripe, Wild Islands is also enhanced with the finest immune-boosting ingredients from New Zealand. It has Green-lipped Mussel, also known as the “miracle from the sea” for its anti-inflammatory properties, Kiwifruit rich in vitamin C, and Manuka Honey, the crème de la crème of all kinds of honey for its strong antibacterial properties. 

Get the all-new Addiction Wild Islands with an introductory offer of free dog treats, exclusively on Perromart 

A gentle reminder, always consult your vet about the best diet for your dogs.