Dangers of Kibble for Dogs and Cats

by Dr. Gerald Buchoff

“Kibble causes cancer.” I have been saying that glibly to my clients for years. This is of course a risky claim because current scientific evidence does not support such a level of certainty. But here it is if you Google whether there is evidence to this claim: “While no single, definitive scientific study proves all kibble causes cancer, significant evidence links highly processed, heat-treated dry pet foods (kibble) to increased cancer risk in dogs and cats.”

It is a simple fact that when you heat up protein to a very high temperature (300 to 400?F) for a long enough period, it produces heterocyclic amines and acrylamides which are carcinogenic (cancer causing) chemicals. This is no doubt a great contributor to the epidemic of cancer that we see in dogs (1 in 4) and cats (1 in 5) in the last few decades.

When I say kibble, I do not include freeze-dried raw foods that may look like kibble. But I would include canned foods which are also heat-treated at very high temperatures.

There are plenty of other dangers in feeding kibble to your pet that are compelling reasons to stop feeding it. From my point of view, even feeding a little of it exposes your pet to health problems:

1. Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) are also linked to cancer, inflammation, and metabolic stress in pets.

2. High levels of starchy carbohydrates that raise blood sugar, which fuels cancer cell growth and causes chronic inflammation, contributing to metabolic diseases such as diabetes and Cushing’s disease.

3. Environmental Toxins such as aflatoxins (a mold toxin often found in corn/wheat) and potential contaminants like heavy metals (lead, mercury) are more prevalent in some kibbles and are linked to cancer and organ toxicity.

4. Many kibbles have sprayed-on fats that oxidize over time and cause oxidative stress to the pet’s healthy cells.

5. While the store-bought foods available to feed pets must meet AAFCO guidelines (I consider them inadequate), they lack the healthy plant polyphenols and natural antioxidants, healthy bacteria (probiotics), food enzymes, and bioactive omega 3 fatty acids that are present in uncooked foods.

6. Kibble is dry. This robs pets of their most important nutrient, water. Even canned foods don’t supply enough water. I maintain that you should always add water to your pet’s food. The lack of water contributes to almost every disease that there is. Cats are especially vulnerable to urinary tract diseases, including kidney disease and urinary tract infections, because cats naturally depend on their food to deliver almost all of their water. If you see your cat drinking, it is probably because they are dehydrated, not just thirsty. A simple guide is that your pet should take in about 1.1 cups of water per 10 pounds of body weight per day. This includes the water that’s in the food plus what you add plus what they drink.

 I must in fairness include a quote from the Animal Cancer Foundation: “Some experts state [that] there is no definitive, direct link that proves one type of food causes cancer, noting that genetics, age, and environmental factors play a larger role. …painting all kibble as “evil” is misleading and that fear-mongering can lead to nutritional deficiencies.” (The only “larger role” I believe is from the pet’s internal environment – its microbiome – which gets contaminated by a poor diet.)

 So, instead of leaving you with only a message of doom and gloom, there are things you can do. Best would be to convert to a fully raw diet available from your pet store. I do not advocate making it at home; it is nearly impossible to come up with a well-balanced complete diet. Second best would be to feed a partially cooked diet, and supplement it with probiotics, digestive enzymes, and omega-3 fatty acid supplement like fish oil. Realizing how much more convenient it is to just feed kibble and canned foods, at the very least, add high grade supplements to each meal. We carry some and hopefully your pet shop can guide you as well. I only wish fulfillment and long healthy life for your pets.

Dr. Gerald M. Buchoff is the owner and directory of Longevity Veterinary Center, located at 265 Route 10 East in Whippany. For information and appointments call 973-606-1101 and visit LVCNJ.com. See ad, page 19.