Elevating Your Dog s Quality of Life The Benefits of Gain Pet Food

Omni: elevating vegan pet food with plant-based meat for dogs

Guy Sandelowsky and Shiv Sivakumar want you to know that dogs arent carnivores and can thrive on a vegan diet with their pet food brand Omni.

It took more than 20 iterations of pet food recipes for Omni to come up with its perfect vegan dog food blend a proprietary mix containing 30% plant-based protein, which the brand claims is more than most meat-based dog food companies that cater to even the most athletic of dogs.

Before that was a lot of trial and error, which took a year of research. Behind this process was Gun Sandelowsky, co-founder of Omni, who oversees research as well as product development and formulation. Hes a veterinary surgeon and biomedical scientist, who has witnessed many health problems associated with feeding poor-quality, processed meat diets to dogs.

Sandelowskys co-founding partner is Shiv Sivakumar, who has a finance background and is responsible for the brands business development, strategy and planning. Sivakumar grew up in Sri Lanka, with dogs who ate completely plant-based diets and lived to 14 and 16 years old, well above the average eight- to 11-year lifespan.

Our friendship developed through our mutual love of dogs and because we both knew that they deserve to eat better and live happier, healthier lives with food thats also kinder to the planet, says Sandelowsky.

The brands name is a pushback to the common conception of a dogs natural diet. We chose the name Omni to raise awareness that dogs are actually omnivores, not carnivores, and that they thrive on plant-based diets in the same way many humans do, Sandelowsky explains.

In addition, omni also means all in Latin. Our vision is that one day, all dogs, all over the world will enjoy eating Omni and reap the positive health benefits. Were also working towards taking all animals out of the supply chain, so that all can live in harmony with the planet.

Omni was born out of the lack of communication to pet owners unaware of the latest science and research on a fully plant-based diet for dogs. Sandelowsky explains: In the west, dog parents have become accustomed to feeding processed meat diets to their fur-babies over many years and it can be a challenge to convince them that there is a better way.

But in reality, its nutrients not ingredients that dogs need. They can get all the goodness required from plant-based ingredients, without the nasties in processed meat diets like animal fat, fillers and preservatives, the vet says, adding that the biggest challenge for vegan dog food is communicating this evidence to dog parents who never thought this was possible.

Sandelowsky feels that misconception stems from a worry that dogs only like to eat meat, and that plant-based means bad-tasting. This is why it was important for the Omni research and development team to create a recipe that isnt just healthy and sustainable, but also as delicious (if not more so) as meat-based dog food.

And that effort has been validated. The brand has been posting video testimonials of plant-based meat taste tests with dogs on Instagram. The tests have found that 91% of dogs love Omnis vegan food, according to feedback from 250 dog owners in the UK.

Its a combination of a nutritionally complete and medically approved product that sets the brand apart from other vegan dog food companies, at least according to Sandelowsky. He says more than half of British dog owners choose to feed their pets based on veterinary advice: Despite this, hardly any of the plant-based dog food brands have the clinical credibility that comes with a vet founder, nor are they endorsed or recommended by the veterinary community.

Omnis founding team is rooted in the veterinary sector and comprises industry experts who have over 70 years [of] combined clinical experience treating sick pets and formulating healthy diets for dogs.

Sandelowsky explains that many dog owners need to know the products theyre buying will deliver what they promise and make their pets lives easier, longer and happier. And, he says, this is what Omni does. Omni is also the first in the world to have a variety of dry foods on the horizon, including life-stage diets, breed-specific formulations and those for dogs that have health problems like allergies or sensitive tummies, he adds.

To add to the quality of the product, Omni does not use unwanted leftovers or cheap animal byproducts, instead opting for ingredients youll find at your dinner table. Sweet potatoes, brown rice, peas, lentils, pumpkin as well as a few superfoods like cranberries and blueberries theyre all part of the proprietary plant-based protein blend.

We chose our ingredients based on what is wholesome, delicious and, of course, highly digestible for dogs, so they can derive the most goodness possible from the ingredients, explains Sandelowsky. Were also naturally low in fat and fibre, making us the ideal choice for dogs with sensitive tummies.

Now, Omni is planning to expand its range with the dry food variety as well as wet food pouches and tins made from plant-based beef and chicken. Its also working on vegan treats and supplements for dogs.

We know not everyone will switch their dogs on to plant-based diets overnight, Sandelowsky acknowledges. Habits can be hard to change and people tend to like what they know. But the fact is, farming animals for their meat is not sustainable in the long term, and processed meat is bad news for dog health.

Omnis end goal is to facilitate all dog owners with a switch to either a 100% plant-based diet or, for those who want to continue to feed meat, at least a proportion of Omni in their pets diets (so that, like many humans, they end up getting a mixed ration). This will help make dogs everywhere happier and healthier, reduce vet bills for dog parents and help protect our precious planet.

5 Benefits of Elevated Food Bowls for Dogs: Myths or Facts?

Over the years, there have been plenty of contention topics among dog owners are grains good or bad?

Should dogs be spayed or neutered before a certain age?

Can they see color?

However, one topic that has repeatedly been questioned is the benefit or detriment of elevated food bowls for dogsand how these now popular raised dog food bowls affect our pets.

What are elevated dog food bowls?

An elevated dog food bowl is any pet food bowl that does not sit directly on the floor. The actual height of elevation of the bowl may vary based on design. There are elevated dog food bowls (also called raised dog food bowls) that come in set elevations for different-sized dogs.

There are adjustable raised pet food bowls that allow owners to choose a specific bowl height.

With the popularity of raised food bowls, many pet owners have wondered if they should ditch their old regular dog food bowls and start their canines on elevated ones due to the potential benefits they provide.

However, there's more to know about elevated pet food bowls than some sources may lead you to believe.

How to pick a raised dog food bowl?

If there are different heights for elevated bowls, how does one find the correct and perfect height of an elevated food bowl for a pet?

If you decide to switch from regular dog food bowls to using elevated feeders for your dog, height is the main component to consider, and it's essential to select a raised bowl at the correct height.

Measuring is key.

How to measure:

The best way to measure your dog to get the right elevated dog bowl is to get your Fido to stand with his legs directly underneath him.

From here, get a tape measure and measure from the floor up to the point where your dogs front legs meet the chest.

Alternately, you can measure from the floor up to your dogs shoulder and subtract between 3 and 6 depending upon his overall height.

You want to subtract 6 for larger dogs, whereas for smaller dogs, you would subtract 3.

Just remember: if you aim to reduce stress on your dog's spine or neck, you should use a raised dog food bowl tall enough to do this.

However, I recommend first reading this article and doing enough of your own research on using raised bowls, and here's why.

Elevated food bowls for dogs have been advertised as having many benefits for dogs' health.

Unfortunately, not all of those advertised benefits hold.

Lets take a look at some of these widely spread truths and falsehoods from a scientific viewpoint.

READ MORE:Mealtime Battle Regular Dog Bowl vs. Raised Dog Bowl

5 Myths and Facts ofElevated Food Bowls for Dogs

1 Elevated Dog Food Bowls Reduce Bloat in Large Breeds

This is FALSE.

When first promoted, raised dog food bowls were sold as something extremely beneficial for larger breed dogs at a higher risk of bloating.

This view was sold as science because it resulted from a statistical study (the Glickman Study).

However, this was no proper study, and the conclusion was extremely flawed.

All that this study did was look at the information of other available, non-science-based literature and anecdotal evidence that already existed and did no research into the matter at all.

In fact, the largest study on contributing factors to canine bloat in larger breed dogs to date says the exact opposite.

Elevated feeding may induce bloating in canines, especially in those with sensitive stomachs.

True, this study wasn't perfect; however, it's the best research paper we have to date.

From what research the scientific community currently has, the idea that elevated feeders can prevent bloat in large-breed dogs is questionable at best.

So, do elevated feeders for dogs reduce bloating in larger breeds? The correct answer here would be that we don't know for sure, but, likely, they DO NOT.

RELATED:5 Reasons Your Dog Has Canine Bloat and How to Prevent It

2 Elevated Dog Food Bowls Create a Healthier Posture for Dogs

This one is both TRUE and FALSE.

Companies promoted elevated food bowls for dogs to prevent bloating in large dogs because they are supposed to create a healthier eating posture.

The truth is that, most likely, dogs have evolved to eat in a head-down posture (sources: 1, 2, 3), so eating in a different posture may not necessarily be a good thing.

With that being said, in theory, this altered posture can be beneficial in other instances, such as older, arthritic, or injured dogs.

When a dog has a case of canine arthritis, joint pain, or immobility issues, eating with a head-down posture can cause excess strain and pain.

By raising your dog's food bowl, your pet no longer has to experience those pains and strains because they do not have to lean down as far to eat.

This has not been researched, though, and is mostly guesswork.

So, is elevated feeding good or bad for older or injured large-breed dogs? There is still controversy here, as I've indicated in my theory.

Since the evidence is scarce to support each side's benefits and detriments, it is a matter of the owner's preference.

RELATED:5 Best Collapsible Dog Bowls for Easy Travel

3 Elevated Dog Food Bowls Promote Cleaner Eating

This is FALSE.

Somewhere along the line (probably with new companies trying to sell the revolutionary raised dog food bowls and making stuff up) came the myth that elevated dog feeders promoted cleaner eating spaces for canines.

We arent sure where this idea came from, but this one is absolutely false and has no scientific or even logical basis.

Because of how dogs evolved to drink water and consume food, regardless of the height of your dog's food bowl, your pet can still spill kibble, drop kibble, or even move kibble outside of his bowl.

When dogs consume food, they have their mouths in the same proximity to the source regardless of height.

There is no science on how elevated dog food bowls promote cleaner eating, nor do we need it; watch your pooch eat.

4 Elevated Dog Food Bowls Don'tSlide Across the Floor

This is TRUE.

One concern that some dog owners have is the fact that their dog moves his bowl across the floor as he eats.

Elevated feeders can certainly prevent this from happening, and there's no doubt about that.

However, it is worth noting that a raised dog food bowl is not the only solution to the problem.

Just off the top of my head, two other things that can solve this issue are bowls with rubber on the bottom that prevents sliding or rubbery dog food mats where you can place your Fido's bowl to prevent sliding (which also helps to keep the area cleaner).

Therefore, because we have reasons to believe that elevated food bowls for dogs pose a potential hazard for some breeds to develop bloating, it may be better to choose alternative solutions to the sliding bowl problem rather than opt for an elevated feeder.

READ THIS:Dog Food Bowls That Slow Down Eating When Do You Need One?

5 Elevated Bowls SolveOne SpecificProblematic Behavior in Dogs

This is TRUE.

One particular behavioral issue in dogs that isn't common but can be seen often enough for owners to start looking for solutions attempting to swim or dig into the water bowls, even if the bowl is small.

Some dogs, particularly those with a high predilection for water, spend a great deal of time trying to paddle in their water bowls as if it's the pool.

There's no explanation for this other than they like to be in the water.

The issue is most common with puppies.

Elevated feeders definitely discourage dogs from turning their water source into a pool.

VIDEO GUIDE:How to Choose the Right Dog Bowl (step by step)

The Final Verdict

Frustratingly, when I try to summarize my conclusions on the benefits of elevated food bowls for dogs, I must admit that there are both benefits and detriments to their use. Overall, I would say that the potential cons of using elevated dog food bowls outweigh the possible pros (unless you have a particular reason to use them).

So if you are considering using a raised dog food bowl for your Fido, my advice is that you weigh these pros and cons against your specific case and your specific dog before making your final decision.

Remember to consider the added cost of raised dog food bowls, especially if you're currently on a budget dog food diet.

Say you have a Great Dane and want to use an elevated feeder to reduce the strain on his neck and spine while eating.

Science indicates that an elevated feeder in larger dogs prone to bloating more easily is contradictory.

So, while your Great Dane may not experience strain in his neck from eating at an elevated feeder, the risk of bloating trumps this benefit.

Say you have a 14-year-old Basenji (a breed not particularly prone to bloat) with a severe case of canine arthritis in the neck, spine, and legs.

You want to use an elevated feeder to assist with posture-related pain and strain.

Common sense indicates that using an elevated feeder in this instance would be beneficial.

Potentially alleviating pain and strain and would not pose concerns of increased risk of canine bloat.

Whatever your decision, definitely speak with your veterinarian before making a switch to a new dog feeder.

Explain the concerns that you have and ask for advice on the best methods to fix them.

Maybe the answer is elevated food bowls for dogs, and maybe it's not.

Common Questions About Elevated Food Bowls for Dogs

If you still have any lingering questions about elevated food bowls for dogs, the following information should help.

Should a Dogs Food Bowl Be Elevated?

You should consider elevating your dogs food bowl if he is elderly or has issues with his joints or bones. Stick to other options if your dog is a larger breed.

Why Are Elevated Dog Bowls Bad?

Elevated dog bowls are only bad for certain dogs. Specific breeds are at a higher risk of bloat if they eat from an elevated bowl.

Do Elevated Dog Bowls Help?

Yes, elevated dog bowls can help your dog, especially if he has bad joints or bones. It can reduce the strain on his joints, including his hips and neck.

Do Raised Dog Food Bowls Cause Bloat?

Depending on the breed, elevated food bowls for dogs can cause bloat. Luckily, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk.

Let your pup take advantage of an elevated bowl.

Are our Raised Dog Bowls Dangerous?

As long as you know the risk of bloat and take proper precautions, raised dog bowls are not dangerous. To be safe, consult your dogs vet before switching him to an elevated bowl.

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