Commercial vs. Traditional Food in Canine Health
Purina Research Report
Spring 2000

A study was conducted in a dog population fed with commercial overseas manufactured food and traditional homemade food to find out which was more efficacious in preventing diseases. The study was carried out for a period of one year and included three groups of dogs. Group I animals were maintained on traditional home made feed stuffs without meat, Group II with meat and Group III on commercial feed. A total of 1,229 dogs of different breeds were used. Occurrence of diseases of digestive system, urinary system, skin disorders and metabolic diseases were recorded. From the study on digestive disorders, it was observed that the percentage incidence of parasitic enteritis, bacterial enteritis, non specific anorexia, indigestion and ascites was 5.82%, 3.98%, 3.68%, 2.76% and 0.61% in dogs receiving commercial food as against Group I and II animals fed on home made food which was 8.86%, 5.77%, 4.94%, 4.53% and 1.44% and 9.33%, 6.93%, 4.54%, 4.30% and 1.19%, respectively. Similarly, results on percentage incidence of dermatological disorders such as pyoderma, dermatomycoses, atopic dermatitis, hormonal disorders, dry coat, pruritus, dandruff, infestation with ticks, fleas and sarcoptic and demodectic mite in Group III was 2.45%, 2.14%, 1.53%, 0.92%, 1.53% 1.84%, 1.84%, 3.06%, 2.14%, 1.22% and .61% as against 3.71%, 3.71%, 3.09%, 1.85%, 3.09%, 2.47%, 1.64%, 4.12%, 3.29%, 2.26% and 1.03% and 3.58%, 3.58%, 3.11%, 1.67%, 3.34%, 3.11%, 2.15%, 4.30%, 4.06%, 2.15% and 0.95% in groups II and III. The percentage incidence of renal diseases in Group III was 14.72% as compared to Group I (17.73%) and Group II (21.05%). Results of occurrence of metabolic diseases indicated that the percentage of rickets and zinc responsive dermatosis in group III was 0.92% and 0.61% which was much less as compared to 4.74% and 2.47% and 6.45% and 2.15% in Group I and Group II. The mortality pattern of pups till weaning indicated that the percentage survival of pups in Group II was higher (94.44%) as compared to Group I (86.75%) and Group II (87.92%). The results of overall incidence of disease in dogs indicated that percentage occurrence of disease in Group III was less compared to group I and II. This is probably due to the fact that commercial food is balanced and meets the requirements of the animal and the same nutrients, though available in homemade food, are not available in right proportion and form.

S. Abdul Rahaman and S. Yathiraj. Veterinary College, University of Agricultural Sciences, Hebbal, Bangalore, India. Proc. 1999 Purina Nutrition Forum, St. Louis, MO.