The ketogenic diet has been around since the 1920s, but it seems to be gaining popularity as more celebrities and social media influencers hop on the bandwagon. For those who don’t know, a keto diet boasts a high ratio of fat over protein and carbohydrates in an attempt to convert the fat, rather than the carbs, into ketones since carbs turn to sugars during digestion. In humans, the weight loss is dramatic when done right. But what about pets?
Rather than using it for weight loss, the keto diet has been a successful tool in treating dogs with epilepsy. In a 2017 publishing of the British Journal of Medicine, 21 dogs with epilepsy were given a ketogenic diet; seven dogs had 50% less seizures and three experienced no seizures at all. It’s also been experimented with as a cancer treatment in dogs. In fact, one Austin, TX-based organization that rescues dogs with cancer claims to heal the disease with a combination of a ketogenic diet, exercise, and oxygen therapy. These claims are not scientifically proven, but just some food for thought.
In otherwise healthy pets, a ketogenic diet is not ideal. As carnivores who can go spans of time without eating, dogs’ bodies are more resistant to ketosis than humans’ and high fat diets increase their risk of pancreatitis. Most pet health professionals are going to recommend a low fat, high protein diet for dogs with minimal processing and additives. And what do you know, our Raw Naturals offers just that.
If you know anything or have had success giving your pet a keto diet, please share your story on our Facebook page – inquiring minds want to know!
