The Farmer’s Dog: Study Reveals Fresh, Human-Grade Dog Food Can Promote Healthier Aging

The Farmer’s Dog, a leader in fresh, human-grade dog food, has revealed the results of a year-long metabolomic study led by Dr. Heather Huson, associate professor of animal sciences at Cornell University with the help of board-certified veterinary nutritionists employed by The Farmer’s Dog. This first-of-its-kind study found that feeding dogs food from The Farmer’s Dog can meaningfully impact metabolic health and support healthier aging in dogs — reinforcing the science that minimally processed food can enhance metabolic function and overall health.

“For years, people have been telling us their dogs are thriving on fresh diets like The Farmer’s Dog, and this study finally shows what’s happening beneath the surface — a significant metabolic transformation,” said Jonathan Regev, co-founder and CEO of The Farmer’s Dog. “The gap between highly processed pet foods and minimally processed real food may be even wider than we imagined, and could redefine what’s possible for canine health and longevity.”

Results revealed that dogs fed the fresh food experienced a rapid and sustained metabolic shift after just one month, marked by lower levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) – harmful compounds linked to aging and chronic disease. These dogs also showed reduced sucrose and 1,5-anhydroglucitol (a glycemic control biomarker), and notably lower concentrations of specific AGEs such as N6-carboxymethyllysine and pyrraline—highlighting the benefits of avoiding high-heat-processed diets.

The research compared the effects of feeding one of The Farmer’s Dog’s fresh, human-grade, and minimally processed recipes versus standard kibble in 22 senior Alaskan sled dogs over the course of a year. Additional key findings include:

• Antioxidant and protective metabolites: Levels of ergothioneine, a potent antioxidant compound, were higher, as were levels of carnosine and anserine (histidine-related metabolites with antioxidant properties). These shifts suggest increased antioxidant capacity and reduced oxidative stress.
• Amino acid metabolism: Dogs demonstrated elevated branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism, with increased levels of leucine, isoleucine, and valine and their derivatives.
• Fatty acid metabolism, lipolysis, and ketogenesis: Dogs showed higher levels of glycerol and glycerol-3-phosphate (markers of lipolysis), alongside increased long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids—including alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoate (EPA), docosapentaenoate (DPA), and docosahexaenoate (DHA). Serum 3-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), a ketone body, rose reflecting enhanced fat utilization and healthy ketosis.
• Reduced fatty acid synthesis: Malonate, a marker of fatty acid synthesis, was decreased in the fresh food group, suggesting a more efficient metabolic profile compared to the kibble-fed group.

“The magnitude and consistency of the metabolic impacts we observed were quick, sustained, and striking,” said Dr. Joseph Wakshlag, DVM, PhD, DACVSMR, DACVIM (Nutrition), one of the board-certified veterinary nutritionists who was involved in the study. “Fresh, minimally processed food shifted the dogs’ metabolism towards a beneficial alternative metabolic profile in the aging dog with markers for improved muscle and neurological health along with implications for improved antioxidant defense, and diminished AGE formation. These results are an exciting milestone for understanding canine metabolic health and nutrition.”

Published in Metabolites.