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Soy in dog food

from Sebastian Moll

Why it is not a good choice for malignant resorption disorders and what advantages a soy-free diet offers

Soy is now a common ingredient in many types of dog food, especially in vegetarian or vegan products. Soy is also often used as a protein source in conventional feed. However, in the case of certain diseases or special nutritional requirements such as malignant absorption disorders in the gastrointestinal tract, soy can do more harm than good. In this blog post, we look at why soy in dietary supplements should be viewed critically in the case of such health challenges - and what advantages a soy-free diet can have for dogs.

1. What are malignant resorption disorders?

We speak of absorption disorders when the body has problems absorbing nutrients from the intestines into the bloodstream. If there is a malignant cause, this can be caused by tumors of the digestive tract or other serious illnesses. The consequences range from a permanent lack of nutrients and energy to serious metabolic disorders. In such cases, an easily digestible diet is of crucial importance in order to relieve the dog's organism and still provide it with optimal nutrition.

2. Why soy can be problematic for dogs in such cases

  1. allergy and intolerance potential
    Soy is one of the most common triggers for food allergies and intolerances in dogs. The risk that soy will cause additional irritation and inflammation increases, especially in dogs with pre-existing conditions or those with damaged intestinal mucosa (e.g. due to tumors or other factors).
    - Sources:

    • Case, L.P., Daristotle, L., Hayek, M.G., & Raasch, M.F. (2011). Canine and Feline Nutrition: A Resource for Companion Animal Professionals (3rd Edition) . Mosby Elsevier.
    • Mueller, R. S., & Tsohalis, J. (1998). Evaluation of a commercial ELISA test for food allergies in dogs . Journal of Veterinary Dermatology, 9(4), 202-206.

  2. Phytoestrogens and anti-nutrients
    Soybeans contain phytoestrogens , which can interfere with the hormone balance. This is usually well tolerated in healthy dogs, but in sensitive or sick animals it can place additional strain on the body. In addition, there are trypsin inhibitors and other anti-nutrients that make protein digestion more difficult - a problem especially in animals with absorption disorders.
    - Sources:

    • Messina, M. (2016). Soy and health update: evaluation of the clinical and epidemiologic literature . Nutrients, 8(12), 754.
    • Ravindran, G. (2013). Anti-nutritional factors in legume seeds: Potential for evaluation . Agriculture, 3(4), 606-625.

  3. High fiber content
    Soya as a whole bean (not isolated) contains a relatively high amount of crude fiber. This can place an additional burden on an already damaged digestive system, as the digestive tract is over-stressed and nutrients are less easily absorbed.
    - Sources:

    • National Research Council (2006). Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. The National Academies Press.
    • Zuo, YH, Cao, WJ, Li, J. (2013). Effect of dietary fiber on nutrient digestibility in dogs . Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 12(6), 724-730.

  4. quality and processing methods
    The quality of soy proteins can vary greatly. By-products are often used that are processed differently or treated chemically. However, especially for dogs with malignant absorption disorders , it is recommended to feed them food that is as unburdening as possible and ensures maximum bioavailability .
    - Sources:

    • FEDIAF (2020). Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs. European Pet Food Industry Federation.

3. Benefits of a soy-free diet for dogs

  1. Reduced risk of allergies and intolerances
    Soy is a common allergen in dog food. Avoiding it can significantly reduce the risk of allergic reactions or food intolerances in many dogs.

  2. Better intestinal tolerance
    By avoiding anti-nutrients from soy, the gastrointestinal tract is protected. This can lead to better nutrient absorption and utilization, especially in dogs with malignant absorption disorders.

  3. No phytoestrogens
    By avoiding soya, no plant estrogens are introduced into the dog's organism, which can be particularly beneficial for sensitive dogs and those with hormonal disorders.

  4. Clearer diagnostics for feeding problems
    If your dog already feeds a soy-free diet, it is easier to find out whether other ingredients are responsible for intolerances in the event of new complaints (elimination diet).

  5. Alternative, higher quality protein sources
    Dogs are carnivores by nature. Instead of soy, easily digestible animal proteins such as poultry, lamb or fish can be used, which is often better in cases of absorption problems. Other plant proteins (such as pea, lupin or potato protein) can also be an option if animal protein needs to be reduced or if there are allergies to certain types of meat.
    - Sources:

    • Hand MS, Thatcher CD, Remillard RL, Roudebush P, Novotny BJ (2010). Small Animal Clinical Nutrition (5th Edition) . Mark Morris Institute.
    • Case, L. (2014). The Dog: Its Behavior, Nutrition, and Health (2nd Edition) . Wiley Blackwell.

4. Tips for soy-free feeding

  1. Check ingredient lists
    Soy can appear on feed labels in various forms (e.g. soy protein concentrate, soy hydrolysate, soy meal). Pay close attention to the declaration.

  2. quality over quantity
    High-quality food is particularly important for dogs with pre-existing health problems. Especially in the case of malignant absorption disorders , you should rely on easily digestible ingredients that provide highly available protein.

  3. Coordinate diet food with your veterinarian
    In cases of serious illnesses (e.g. tumors in the gastrointestinal tract), the diet must be coordinated with a veterinarian or animal nutritionist. These specialists can help determine individual needs and avoid soy without risking other deficiencies.

  4. Use compatible alternatives
    If plant-based protein sources are necessary (for example, in the case of intolerance to certain animal proteins), pea, lupin, potato protein or alternative carbohydrate sources (e.g. oat flakes) can help. However, these must be individually tested for tolerance depending on the clinical picture.

Conclusion

Soy is found as a protein source in many dog ​​foods and can be a cheap and perfectly acceptable option for healthy dogs. However , in cases of malignant absorption disorders, soy increases the risk of allergies, digestive disorders and impaired nutrient utilization . Phytoestrogens and anti-nutrients can also place an additional burden on the metabolism.

A soy-free diet offers several advantages: It reduces the risk of allergies, makes intestinal tolerance easier and enables the use of easily digestible protein sources. Especially in cases of serious illnesses or a heavily stressed digestive system, it is therefore advisable to avoid soy and seek veterinary advice. This way, optimal care can be guaranteed and the quality of life can be kept as high as possible despite health challenges.

Further sources and literature

  1. Case, L.P., Daristotle, L., Hayek, M.G., & Raasch, M.F. (2011).
    Canine and Feline Nutrition: A Resource for Companion Animal Professionals (3rd Edition) . Mosby Elsevier.
  2. Hand, MS, Thatcher, CD, Remillard, RL, Roudebush, P., & Novotny, BJ (2010).
    Small Animal Clinical Nutrition (5th Edition) . Mark Morris Institute.
  3. National Research Council (2006).
    Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats. The National Academies Press.
  4. FEDIAF (2020).
    Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs. European Pet Food Industry Federation.
  5. Mueller, R. S., & Tsohalis, J. (1998).
    Evaluation of a commercial ELISA test for food allergies in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Dermatology, 9(4), 202-206.
  6. Messina, M. (2016).
    Soy and health update: evaluation of the clinical and epidemiologic literature. Nutrients, 8(12), 754.
  7. Ravindran, G. (2013).
    Anti-nutritional factors in legume seeds: Potential for evaluation. Agriculture, 3(4), 606-625.
  8. Case, L. (2014).
    The Dog: Its Behavior, Nutrition, and Health (2nd Edition) . Wiley Blackwell.

Important note : This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. If your dog has specific health problems, you should always seek professional examination and advice from a veterinarian or certified animal nutritionist .

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