Dogs evolved to eat starch, it seems

Looks like dogs evolved to digest starch, after all .... an interesting article:


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21142870


In the case of the latter, it seems dogs have many more genes that encode the enzymes needed to break down starch, something that would have been advantageous in an ancestor scavenging on the discarded wheat and other crop products of early farmers.

Domestication may have forced dogs into a permanent state of puppyhood
"Wolves also have these genes but they don't use them as efficiently as dogs," said Dr Axelsson.

"When we look at the wolf genome, we only see one copy of the gene [for the amylase enzyme] on each chromosome.

When we look at the dog genome, we see a range from two to 15 copies; and on average a dog carries seven copies more than the wolf.

"That means the dog is a lot more efficient at making use of the nutrition in starch than the wolf."


Wys
x

No wonder Amber loves her Spagetti bolognaise.

May be that is also why rice is a food we often feed our dogs if they have an upset tummy

Nice find Lindsay

I certainly think there is some truth in this:

I wonder what the BARF community will make of this?

and Zena loves her mashed potato, even if it does come without the butter Interesting stuff thanks Wys

My dog is raw fed but as I was advised to cut down the protein in her first meal [her second meal is a RMB one with fresh whole sardines twice a week] and she was already having it considerably bulked out with vegetables, I started giving her well cooked mixed whole grains to make up the volume.

She is thriving on them but I will not give her starch in the form of processed grains, white potato or any form of pasta.

However, that is my choice.

Very interesting Wys, thanks for posting.

Funnily enough, I came across the research earlier today as I'm doing a bit of researching of my own into home cooked diet.

Fascinating isn't it, but not all that surprising looking at the evolutionary process

Bella could have told them all this. She LURVES pasta and breakfast cereals too.