The 8 Reasons to Stop Granules!

Hey, you’re probably reading this article because you’re looking for the best for your dog or kitten! How many times have you changed different types of commercial foods because your pet has no appetite? You must have tried different types of granules, looking for the most suitable ones – “grain-free”, “gluten-free”, cold-pressed, hypoallergenic, for sensitive stomachs or problematic fur. Or maybe the key is precisely in the different method of eating? In this article, you will find out whether granules are really the right solution to your problem.

Imagine that the food you eat every day comes from a large sack stored in the pantry or garage. It doesn’t sound very healthy and tasty, right? We can compare the kibble with the familiar junk foods or “Junk Food”. They are devoid of nutrients, vitamins and minerals and are high in calories, salts, sugars and fats. What can this lead to? With excessive consumption of unhealthy foods, the risk of obesity and other chronic diseases increases. Unfortunately, this also happens to your pet. Many studies in recent years have proven that adolescent animals that consume processed food appear to be seemingly healthy initially. However, with the accumulation of low-quality ingredients and toxins in the body of our pets, many health problems also develop. Therefore, after reaching a certain age, they begin to age rapidly and develop symptoms of degenerative diseases.

This is shown by recent studies, according to which animals fed with pellets live 32 months less (about 3 years) than those fed raw, natural, complete food.

Often, granulated food leads to:

🦴 Tartar buildup

🦴 Food allergies

🦴 Weak immune system

🦴 Diarrhea and gastritis

🦴 Cancers

🦴 Cardiovascular diseases

🦴 Overweight

🦴 Dehydration

Problems with granules:

1. Risk of mold

Cereals such as corn, wheat, rice, nuts and legumes are often contaminated with mold as a result of poor growing conditions or improper storage. These molds grow easily and produce a very strong carcinogen. They can

anemia, liver or kidney failure, cancer or premature death. Even if the kibble you buy is “grain-free”, it still contains carbohydrates, so there is a chance that mold will contaminate it during storage, especially if it is exposed to a humid environment.

2. Highly Processed Ingredients

Most likely, you have tried expensive “gluten-free” kibble, believing that you are giving your four-legged friend the best food with natural and organic ingredients. Even if it does not contain preservatives and additives, it still goes through a cooking process. As a result, it loses much of its nutritional value, changes its molecular composition and enzymes, and becomes “dead” food. The granules are usually prepared at a temperature between 230 and 350 degrees. And when starch and proteins are heated, chemical compounds are formed that are carcinogenic and contribute to the development of cancer.

3. Carbohydrates and starch

The kibble contains grains and other high-starch carbohydrates, such as high-glycemic, genetically modified corn, wheat, rice, and potatoes. Even grain-free kibble contains starchy carbohydrates, such as legumes, peas, and lentils. This causes metabolic stress spikes in insulin and cortisol throughout the day. The high carbohydrate content also leads to obesity. Dogs and cats have different anatomical structures and are not designed to eat cereals. They cannot properly digest the amount of non-natural carbohydrates found in processed food. Proof of this are the large and soft stools. Food is not digested, but only passes through the body and loads it.

4. Low humidity

The granules cause chronic dehydration, which mostly puts a strain on the kidneys and heart. A disturbed water balance can cause many health problems in the long run. If your dog is dehydrated, you will notice:

🦴 Loss of appetite

🦴 Reduced energy levels

🦴 Lethargy

🦴 Choking

🦴 Sunken, dry eyes

🦴 Dry nose and gums

🦴 Loss of skin elasticity

5. Increased risk of bacteria

There is a risk of bacteria and mycotoxins in dry pet food. It is also a great breeding ground for mites, which is becoming an increasingly pressing and unsolvable problem. Various microorganisms and pests increase the risk of health problems and allergies.

6. Rancid fat

As soon as you open the bag of granules, the fats in the food begin to go rancid. Long-term consumption of rancid fats can destroy vitamins, leading to imbalances and nutritional deficiencies. Even more worrying is that many health problems are due to rancid fats – malnutrition, hair loss, diarrhea, kidney and liver diseases, and reproductive problems.

7. Added dyes and chemicals

What many dog owners don’t know is that, in addition to their biologically inappropriate ingredients, commercial dog foods are also full of toxins. The granules contain added dyes, preservatives, stabilizers and chemicals. They have a negative and adverse effect on any organism. Numerous studies confirm that synthetic dyes and chemicals are a major cause of many allergic reactions, food intoxications, and serious health problems such as mutations, cancer, and decreased hemoglobin concentration.

8. Synthetic vitamins and minerals

Manufacturers try to restore some of the lost value of food by adding synthetic vitamins and minerals. However, studies have shown that these synthetic vitamins can actually do more harm than good to our pets. Their body cannot fully absorb them and processes them as a foreign substance. This puts additional strain on the liver and kidneys.

One of the most telling studies was conducted by Dr. Anna Hielm-Bjorkman at the University of Helsinki. In it, they measured the levels of homocysteine (an amino acid whose high levels cause cardiovascular and neurological diseases) in dogs fed kibble and those eating raw menus.

You can see part of the study here:

We found out what are the harms of granules, and what are the advantages in your opinion?

Maybe the lower price or the easier way of storage?

DON’T forget! The price corresponds to the quality and what you get. And the damage to your best friend is huge and very expensive in the long run. At the cost of our convenience, we make our dogs sick. We make decisions for our pets and stand responsibly behind them! What is the alternative to granules then?

Let’s get back to nature!

Since dogs were domesticated 15,000 years ago. They were fed in a natural way – fresh meat, bones, organs, whole prey, fruits and vegetables. Modern dogs have an identical jaw and digestive system as their predecessors, the wolves. Therefore, your friend needs a high-protein food suitable for his biological appearance and physiology.

Have you heard of the BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) feeding method?

This is a natural, balanced raw diet that contains:

🦴 70% meat (protein)

🦴 10% organs (vitamins)

🦴 10% edible bones (calcium)

🦴 10% fruits and vegetables (fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals)

🦴 oils and seeds (essential fatty acids)

The BARF method will provide your pet with all the necessary nutrients to be healthy, active, energetic, develop well and live longer and more fully. Raw food has many benefits, and you will notice some of them from the first days:

🦴 Promotes the functioning of the digestive system

🦴 Promotes the urinary system and balances the intestinal flora

🦴 Regulates weight

🦴 Provides dental care and better oral hygiene

🦴 Supports the formation of healthy tendons, bones and dense muscle mass

🦴 Nourishes coat and skin

🦴 Reduces infections, inflammation and strengthens the immune system

🦴 Improves reproductive health

🦴 Supports higher energy levels

🦴 Increases appetite

🦴 Provides extra hydration

We at Divus produce balanced raw menus and use high quality raw materials from proven Bulgarian farms. Our recipes are extremely complete and we carefully select every ingredient we add.

Check out our full range of raw menus:

All experts choose BARF,

and the champions feed on Divus!

Georgi Apostolov – Gope

Kennel “von Goppy” and international judge

“With Divus, I prepare my dogs for competitions and they are always in excellent physical shape, have strong muscles and endurance.”

Dr. Yoan Slavchev

National Veterinary Clinic

“Raw food is the dog’s natural food. And Divus’ menus contain high-quality raw materials, meat better than that in butcher shops. Uncompromising quality!”

Iveta Pirovska

Kennel for Spitz and Pomeranians “Orchide in Blossom”

“Divus’ food makes the coat shiny and healthy.