Rethinking Kibble: How to Nourish Your Dog Naturally

Rethinking Kibble: How to Nourish Your Dog Naturally

Your dog is more than a pet—they’re family. And just like you’ve started questioning what goes into your kids’ food, it’s time to ask the same about what goes into your dog’s bowl.

Because here’s the truth most pet owners never hear: the vast majority of kibble is ultra-processed junk, and it’s making our dogs sick.

Itchy skin, ear infections, smelly breath, constant shedding, bad poops, low energy—it’s not just “normal dog stuff.” It’s the result of feeding them food that their body was never designed to handle.

Just like with humans, the answer isn’t another medication—it’s getting back to nature.

A Brief History of Dogs and Their Diet

Long before they became our snuggly couch companions, dogs were wild carnivores.

All modern dogs descend from the gray wolf, domesticated by humans over 15,000 years ago. Those early dogs didn’t eat from shiny bowls—they lived off scraps from human hunts: bones, organs, fatty cuts of meat, and whatever else they could scavenge.

As dogs integrated into human life, we began selectively breeding them for traits we liked—whether it was herding, guarding, hunting, or just being adorably small. That’s how we ended up with everything from Mastiffs to Maltipoos.

But here’s what never changed: their biology.

• All dogs, regardless of breed, still have the same fundamental digestive system as their wolf ancestors.

• They still thrive on a diet of meat, fat, bones, and organs—not heat-extruded pellets made from corn and soy.

Modern breeding may have shaped their looks and personalities, but it didn’t rewrite their nutritional code.

Your Dog Is a Carnivore, Not a Grainivore

It’s easy to forget when they’re curled up on the couch, but your dog is a carnivore at heart.

• Their teeth are designed for tearing flesh—not grinding grains.

• Their short, highly acidic digestive tract is built to break down raw meat and bones quickly.

• They lack the enzymes needed to efficiently process grains, legumes, and synthetic additives.

Dogs are facultative carnivores, meaning they can eat some non-meat items—but they’re biologically geared to thrive on a meat-based diet. Feeding them kibble is like feeding cereal to a wolf.

What’s Really in Kibble?

Kibble might seem like an easy, complete solution. But turn the bag around and look at the ingredients—it’s a minefield of cheap fillers and synthetic additives.

What’s actually in most kibble:

• Grains and starches: corn, wheat, rice, soy, lentils—used to bulk up calories cheaply. Dogs have zero dietary need for carbohydrates.

• Rendered meat meals and by-products: low-quality, overcooked leftovers from industrial meat processing—nutrient-poor and often inflammatory.

• Vegetable oils: like canola, sunflower, and soybean oil—rancid, highly processed, and linked to skin issues and chronic inflammation.

• Synthetic vitamins and minerals: added back in because the real nutrients are destroyed during high-heat processing.

• Chemical preservatives and flavor enhancers: like BHA, BHT, and “natural flavors,” used to extend shelf life—not health.

Bottom line:

Humans shouldn’t eat kibble. Dogs shouldn’t eat kibble.
If it doesn’t look like what it used to be—if it doesn’t resemble something a dog would hunt, scavenge, or chew in nature—don’t feed it.

Signs Your Dog Might Not Be as Healthy as You Think

Most dog owners are so used to seeing these symptoms, they assume they’re normal. They’re not. They’re your dog’s way of telling you something’s off.

Red flags to watch for:

• Constant itching and scratching—especially ears, paws, or belly

• Dull, greasy coat or excessive shedding

• Frequent or loose stools, gas, or anal gland problems

• Bad breath, yellow teeth, or heavy tartar

• Low energy or lethargy despite “resting all day”

• Overweight or bloated despite regular feeding

• Recurrent ear infections or skin flare-ups

These are all signs of inflammation, poor digestion, or immune dysfunction—often caused or worsened by processed food.

Regenerative + Holistic Health for Dogs

Just like humans, dogs thrive on real food—and just like with humans, where that food comes from matters.

If you’re already feeding regeneratively raised, pastured meats to your family, that’s the gold standard for your dog too. But let’s be real—that’s not always practical or affordable, especially if you’ve got a big dog or more than one mouth to feed.

The good news? Any step away from kibble is a step in the right direction.
Even conventional raw meat and organ blends are a massive upgrade over grain-filled, synthetic-laced kibble.

We use a local distributor here in the Ottawa area, but there are many raw food suppliers across the country, and lots of pet stores now carry frozen raw blends. It’s more accessible than most people think.

In our home, those raw blends form the base of the diet, and we add variety by giving our dog animal-based leftovers from our own meals—things like cooked meat, eggs, or scraps of fat. If it’s something we’d eat and it’s species-appropriate, our dog gets to enjoy it too. It’s a simple, affordable, full-circle approach that works.

Start where you are. Use what you can afford. The goal is to feed your dog something their body actually recognizes as food.

Feeding Tips for a Healthier Dog

Ready to ditch the kibble? Here’s how to do it right:

Transition options:

• Gradual: Mix small amounts of fresh food into kibble, increasing over 1–2 weeks.

• Cold turkey: Often fine for younger, healthy dogs—just monitor digestion and energy.

What to feed instead:

• Raw or gently cooked muscle meats (beef, lamb, venison, etc.)

• Small portions of organs (liver, kidney, heart)

• Raw meaty bones (like chicken necks or lamb ribs—always supervise)

• Natural animal fat (tallow, suet, skin-on cuts)

• Optional: a few cooked, low-toxin veggies like squash or zucchini if tolerated

Also:

• If you’re on a well, great—clean, mineral-rich water is ideal.

• If you’re using city tap water, don’t stress—but if you can swing a basic filter, it’s a bonus.

• The big focus should stay on the food—don’t let water perfection slow you down.

Real Food, Real Results

You’ll notice the difference—fast.

• Shinier, softer coat

• Less scratching, licking, and shedding

• Cleaner teeth and fresher breath

• Firmer, smaller poops

• More energy and better mood

• Fewer trips to the vet

• And yes—your dog will smell better, too

Like your kids, your dog will thrive when they eat the food their body was built for.

Want More

If this content resonates with you, you’re in the right place. At Hoof & Beak, we believe in raising healthy families—kids, adults, and animals alike—through real food, natural living, and holistic health.

For more tips on living a regenerative, nutrient-dense lifestyle, check out the rest of our blog or explore our website. We’ve got resources for feeding your kids, strengthening your body, and reconnecting with nature—because it’s all connected.