The digestive system is responsible for breaking down foods, absorbing and distributing the nutrients throughout the body, and preventing toxins from entering the bloodstream.  The majority of the immune system originates in the digestive tract so proper digestion is essential for good health.

Foods high in probiotics, fiber, enzymes, and phytonutrients help to maintain proper digestion and strong immunity.  When high quality proteins are fed to dogs and cats they look and feel well.  Typically the coat, muscle tone, and endurance will be vibrant.

High quality protein – these have excellent digestibility such as muscle meats (including heart).

High to moderate protein – these have excellent to good digestibility and include organ meats such as liver, kidneys, intestines, brain, eyes, stomach, and spleen.

Poor quality protein – these have the poorest digestibility and include feet, beaks, bones, and feathers.

A healthy, balanced diet for carnivores is easy to digest, will generally consist of a variety of protein types, and includes a small amount of vegetable matter.  To determine the digestibility of the food, look at the volume of fecal matter as compared to the amount of food being fed.  The higher the digestibility of the food, the lower the volume of stool.  For example, if a cup of food is fed, significantly less fecal volume should be present because if the food is highly digestible then the body is absorbing and utilizing the nutrients.  If the stool volume is high, then the digestibility of the food is low and the body is not getting the nutrients it needs for good health.