Feeding
Difference between a dog’s digestion and a human’s digestion
Many people believe that dogs can eat the same food as we do “in moderation.” But the reality is that a dog’s digestive system works very differently from that of a human. A dog is not a small human. Its body is adapted to a different type of diet, a different level of gastric acidity, and a different digestive process.
That’s why some foods that are normal for us can cause digestive
problems, intolerances, or even be dangerous for them.
Understanding this difference is key to avoiding very common
mistakes, especially when homemade food is mixed without
proper knowledge or when table scraps are given as “treats.”
In this video, we explain in a clear and visual way how digestion
works in dogs and how it truly differs from ours.
What is the best food for a dog?
There is no single perfect food for all dogs. Each dog reacts differently depending on its digestion, size, age, and overall health.
In general, a dog can be fed with:
- dry kibble
- wet food
- properly formulated natural diets
Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, kibble is usually practical and balanced if it is well formulated, while a natural diet can improve digestion and coat quality when properly planned.
However, the most important factor is not the type of diet, but how it works for the dog in practice.
Small dogs ≠ large dogs
In small breeds like the Toy Poodle, nutrition is even more important. Their metabolism is faster, and they need food that is more concentrated in energy and nutrients. In addition:
👉they have more sensitive digestion
👉they may easily reject certain foods
👉kibble size matters a lot
👉sudden diet changes affect them more
That’s why what works for a large dog often does not work for a toy breed.
Our real experiment (almost 2 years of testing)
A few years ago, we carried out a rather ambitious experiment.
We tested almost all types of dry kibble and wet food that were available in Spain at that time.
It was not a quick process:
👉 we dedicated nearly two full years to this work.
How we did it
We worked with groups of five dogs.
Each group was fed the same product for about one month, after which we analyzed the results.
We focused on:
👉the dog’s weight
👉coat condition
👉dental condition
👉digestion
And something very important: whether the dog left the food uneaten. We also recorded how many times, during that month, the dog refused the food.
But above all: our dogs come first. Our dogs are not “laboratory material.” They are part of our lives.
That’s why we had a very clear rule:
👉 if a dog refused the food for a day and a half in a row, that product was immediately removed from the experiment.
We do not force situations that could affect their well-being.
Real results, not theory
Over the course of these two years, we saw some very clear patterns:
- foods that seemed good… but were not liked at all
- expensive products that did not deliver good results
- huge differences in digestion and acceptance
- and very obvious reactions from the dogs
(In some cases, the dogs’ reaction made it very clear what they thought about the food 😄)
👉 Dogs don’t lie. If they don’t like something… they make it obvious.
Real comparisons: dry kibble and wet food
After analyzing labels, testing products for nearly two years, and looking for an objective way to compare foods, we reached one conclusion:
👉 it’s not enough to look at the price of the bag or the brand.
That’s why we developed our own evaluation criteria.
Our main criterion (developed by our kennel)
To compare different foods clearly, we use a simple but very revealing system:
👉 we calculate how much you are actually paying for 1 kg of meat (or fish) within the product
This approach allowed us to see differences that are not obvious at first glance:
- cheap products that are actually expensive
- premium foods with a better real value
- and significant differences between brands that appear similar.
Second criterion: kennel VIP rating
In addition to the numerical analysis, we added a second very important factor:
👉 VIP rating (from 0 to 10)
This score is based on our real experience after months of use:
- food acceptance
- digestion
- coat condition
- long-term stability
- and the dog’s overall behavior
This is not theory. It’s everyday practice with dogs.
Two types of comparison
We have divided the results into two pages:
🟤 Dry kibble for small breeds
A specific comparison for small dogs, where kibble size and digestion are especially important.
🟠 Wet food for dogs
Analysis of wet foods using the same criteria: real protein cost and experience-based evaluation.
Important.
These tables are not meant to tell you “buy this product.” They are designed to help you understand what you are buying and how much you are actually paying for it.
Composition of dog food (real enlarged labels)
See the real composition before buying
When you buy kibble or wet food, you usually only see the attractive part of the packaging.
The composition… is on the back, in small print.
And in many cases, you can only see it clearly once you’ve already bought the product.
That’s why we have collected real photos of enlarged labels from different dog foods. 👉