The Differences in Bloodwork of Raw-Fed vs. Kibble-Fed Pets
The purpose of this blog is to provide some insight into potential differences in certain bloodwork panels performed in our vet’s office. Working closely with your vet is an important part of helping your pet achieve a long and healthy life. More vets are getting onside with raw feeding, however, many are still not advocates. As a result, they do not understand much about it and the differences that can result in analysis of bloodwork results.
Blood testing results from pets that are raw fed will often differ from those of their kibble fed counterparts. This is something pet owners should be prepared for. The result is that many vets become alarmed when the raw fed pet’s blood values are skewed and may fall outside a “normal value” range. This can result in unnecessary concerns, additional tests, and follow-up care.
Dr. Jean Dodds performed a study that involved over 200 dos of various breeds fed a raw diet for a minimum of 9 months prior to collection of the blood samples. The results of the lab tests were compared to healthy dogs fed a dry kibble diet. Most of the values were comparable with the following exceptions.
|
TEST RESULT |
RAW FED DOGS; |
KIBBLE FED DOGS |
NORMAL VALUES |
|
Hematocrit |
51.0 ± 6.6 – 53.5 ± 5.6% |
47.6 ± 6.1% |
37 – 55% |
|
BUN |
18.8 ± 6.9 – 22.0 ± 8.7mg/dL |
15.5 ± 4.7mg/dL |
6 – 24mg/dL |
|
Creatinine |
1.20 ± 0.34mg/dL* |
1.07 ± 0.28mg/dL |
0.4 – 1.4mg/dL |
* results found only in dogs fed a Volhard diet
As mentioned earlier, many vets may not be aware of these differences. This is why it is important to let your vet know what you feed. Discussing these differences and your choice of how you feed your pet can have an impact on how your pet’s care team moves forward. Just because a BUN level of a raw fed dog is outside a “normal range” of a kibble fed pet should not be significant concern. Your vet should be able to adjust their views on whether this should be a major concern.
One of the most noticeable differences in bloodwork between raw-fed and kibble-fed dogs is the level of protein. Raw diets are often rich in animal protein, which can influence blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. BUN is a marker for protein intake and kidney function.
- Raw-Fed Dogs: Dogs on raw diets often show slightly elevated BUN levels, which veterinarians attribute to the high-protein content of raw food. This increase, when within healthy limits, is not typically a cause for concern and may indicate strong muscle development and optimal protein utilization.
- Kibble-Fed Dogs: Kibble diets, even high-protein formulas, often contain plant-based protein sources, which are less biologically available to dogs. Bloodwork in kibble-fed dogs may show lower BUN levels, indicating lower protein intake and utilization.
While high protein is not harmful to healthy dogs, those with kidney issues may need a modified approach to a raw diet to manage BUN levels safely.
Diet significantly affects hydration levels, which are evident in bloodwork through markers like creatinine, a waste product filtered by the kidneys. Proper hydration is vital for kidney health, as dehydration can stress the kidneys and other organs.
- Raw-Fed Dogs: Since raw diets naturally contain more moisture, raw-fed dogs often show better hydration levels in blood tests. This natural hydration reduces kidney stress and can result in lower creatinine levels, suggesting better kidney health and overall hydration status.
- Kibble-Fed Dogs: Kibble typically contains only about 10% moisture, leading to a greater reliance on external water sources to meet hydration needs. Kibble-fed dogs may sometimes have slightly higher creatinine levels, reflecting additional strain on the kidneys due to dehydration. Owners of kibble-fed dogs should ensure that fresh water is readily available to mitigate this risk.
Blood glucose levels indicate how well a dog’s body manages blood sugar, which is influenced by diet. Diets with high carbohydrates can lead to blood sugar spikes, which affect long-term health and insulin sensitivity.
- Raw-Fed Dogs: Raw diets contain low or negligible carbohydrate levels, focusing on protein and fat. This often results in stable blood glucose levels, as dogs have minimal blood sugar fluctuations. Low and stable glucose levels can support better insulin sensitivity, reducing the risk of obesity and diabetes.
- Kibble-Fed Dogs: Many kibble formulas contain 30–60% carbohydrates, often from grains or legumes. This higher carbohydrate content can cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels, sometimes resulting in insulin resistance over time. Consistently high blood glucose levels in kibble-fed dogs could lead to an increased risk of diabetes, especially in older or less active dogs.
Cholesterol and other lipid markers in bloodwork help assess cardiovascular health and potential risk for obesity. Dogs, like humans, can experience elevated cholesterol due to dietary factors.
- Raw-Fed Dogs: A raw diet’s natural fat content and quality fats may result in balanced lipid profiles, with cholesterol levels often being within normal ranges. Raw-fed dogs exhibit healthy HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL (bad cholesterol) ratios.
- Kibble-Fed Dogs: Kibble can have higher levels of processed fats and oils, which may influence lipid profiles. Kibble-fed dogs may show elevated LDL cholesterol, which can indicate poorer cardiovascular health and contribute to a higher risk of obesity. This is more likely in lower-quality kibble that uses filler ingredients and artificial additives.
Bloodwork also reveals the dog’s levels of essential vitamins and minerals, impacting energy, immune function, and bone health.
- Raw-Fed Dogs: Raw diets that are balanced with organ meats, bones, and fresh vegetables often provide abundant and bioavailable vitamins and minerals. Bloodwork in raw-fed dogs may show higher levels of vitamins B, C, and E and minerals like calcium and phosphorus, supporting better energy, bone health, and immune resilience.
- Kibble-Fed Dogs: Although kibble is fortified with vitamins and minerals, synthetic additives are less readily absorbed by dogs compared to natural sources. This can result in lower or borderline levels of key nutrients in bloodwork, which may affect a kibble-fed dog’s energy levels, immunity, and bone health over time.
A dog’s immune response is intricately linked to diet. Bloodwork shows immune health through the white blood cell count and specific immune cells like neutrophils and lymphocytes.
- Raw-Fed Dogs: Many owners and holistic veterinarians report that raw diets enhance a dog’s immune system, due to the absence of preservatives and artificial ingredients. Bloodwork in raw-fed dogs may show slightly higher levels of neutrophils, suggesting a more robust immune response.
- Kibble-Fed Dogs: The immune systems of kibble-fed dogs may be compromised due to exposure to preservatives, artificial colors, and fillers that are present in some kibble. Bloodwork may show lower neutrophil counts and immune response markers, indicating a weaker immune defense over time.
Understanding bloodwork differences between raw-fed and kibble-fed dogs offers pet owners a clearer picture of how diet affects their pet’s health at a cellular level. By recognizing the impact of diet on hydration, protein utilization, blood sugar stability, and immune function, owners can make more informed decisions and monitor their pet’s health more effectively. Working closely with a veterinarian to conduct regular bloodwork can help ensure that a dog’s diet—whether raw or kibble—is supporting optimal health, longevity, and overall wellness.
This information is intended to provide information only. Each animal health situation is unique. This information is not intended for use in diagnosis or treatment of specific health problems or diseases and should never be considered as a substitute for veterinary advice.