Does it matter what a dog wants to eat?

A reasonable thought process might be that it does not matter what a dog wants to eat regarding protein, fat and carbohydrate content. However, research involving a range of other animals suggest that this is not the case. This area of study is referred to as nutritional geometry and involves a process whereby an animal can be assessed regarding food intake parameters (such as the amount of protein, fat and carbohydrate intake) in several settings such as in a natural environment or in a laboratory.    

Research suggests that animals target a macronutrient ratio which benefits them

The conventional view regarding carnivorous animals and their diet (including wild wolves and dogs) is that they cannot select a specific macronutrient balance or ratio. Such viewpoints involve several assumptions: (1) that targeted prey varies very little in macronutrient composition, (2) consumption of energy is all that matters and (3) that simply limited prey availability means that to be selective would be detrimental to survival. 

In examining these assumptions, it is evident that regarding prey items, fat content does vary significantly in animals, with factors such as hibernation, how well-fed the animal is and level of energy expenditure, such as during migration having a influencing role. Moreover although the need for carnivores to be “non-selective” in terms of prey composition might appear to make sense, studies have shown that if specific carnivorous species do not consume a specific high fat and moderate protein diet population numbers are negatively impacted.   

A high fat diet is not universally targeted by all carnivores, with factors such as the environment and prey availability also impacting on this decision making process. Nevertheless, for many (including wolves) fat is prioritised over protein, but why?  

The answer is found when analysis of the wild setting carnivores typically exist in. In this environment they source food items that are inherently rich in protein, it is hence reasonable to describe these animals as lacking non-protein foods, more specifically, fat. Consequently, when forced to decide between fat and protein, fat with its superior energy density is viewed with greater dietary importance, and in circumstances such as starvation and exercise, this macronutrient selection is further magnified. Additionally, ramifications associated with health have also been identified if a specific macronutrient ratio cannot be reached in several studies. In essence this formed the basis of my research, that is to establish what macronutrient intake dogs target and secondly to determine if health is impacted from both feeding this ratio and from feeding outside of it.