Many people believe dogs are carnivores. In fact, dogs are omnivores, and even wolves in the wild derive nutrition from both plant and animal sources.
Are dogs are omnivores?
A close look at the anatomy, behavior and feeding preferences of dogs shows that they are actually omnivorous — able to eat and remain healthy with both animal and plant foodstuffs.
Why are dogs omnivores but not wolves?
Dogs are not considered true carnivores but they are not true omnivores either. This means that while dogs do need animal meat to survive, they can also benefit from plants in their diet as well. Since dogs can digest carbohydrates, they can benefit from the energy, vitamins and minerals that plants contain.
Why are dogs not true carnivores?
Dogs are able to consume meat and plant-based foods, and their ancestors, wolves, are known to also consume grain found within the stomachs of their prey. Technically speaking, this makes them omnivores. The bottom line is this: dogs prefer meat, but they don't require a completely meat-based diet in order to survive.
Are dogs more omnivores?
From DNA studies, we know dogs evolved directly from the timber wolf somewhere around 15,000 years ago 1. And, of course, it should come as no surprise. Wolves are clearly carnivores. So, by their very genetic pedigree, dogs also demonstrate similar and noticeable carnivorous traits.
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