Chronic enteropathy (CE) is a group of inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders that cause persistent digestive problems in dogs. While treatment usually occurs in adulthood, early-life dietary factors may play a decisive role in disease development. In this large cross-sectional epidemiological study with longitudinal data, Vuori et al. (2023) explored how puppyhood (2–6 months) and adolescent (6–18 months) diet patterns affected the risk of CE later in life.
The researchers analyzed food frequency data from Finnish companion dogs and applied principal component analysis with logistic regression. The results revealed that feeding a non-processed, meat-based diet early in life significantly reduced the risk of chronic enteropathy. Specifically, puppies fed raw bones, cartilage, leftovers, table scraps, and berries were less likely to develop CE as adults.
In contrast, feeding an ultra-processed, carbohydrate-based diet—namely dry kibble—was identified as a risk factor for CE. Additionally, giving rawhides during puppyhood was linked to higher incidence. These findings suggest that diet during critical growth stages may influence long-term gut health by shaping the microbiome, gut barrier, and immune function.
The study emphasizes that early-life nutrition may offer a form of disease prevention. Choosing more natural, whole-food-based diets for puppies may not only align with their biological needs but also provide protection against chronic gut disorders later in life.
Source: Vuori, K., Hemida, M. B. M., Moore, R., Salin, S., Rosendahl, S., Anturaniemi, J., & Hielm-Björkman, A. (2023). The effect of puppyhood and adolescent diet on the incidence of chronic enteropathy in dogs later in life. Scientific Reports, 13. Publication Date: February 9, 2023. References: 99. Citations: 13.
