INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CADOBITES ON

THE HEALTH IMPLICATIONS AND NUTRITIONAL

DEFICIENCIES OF CATS AND DOGS

An Experimental Research
Presented to the
Faculty of the Senior High School Department
Aurelio Arago Memorial National High School Leido, Victoria,
Oriental Mindoro

In Partial Fulfillment of the requirements

For the Subject
INQUIRIES, INVESTIGATION AND IMMERSION

By
MAESTRO, PRINCE HAROLD S.
MERCED, CHERRY ANNE C.
SALES, EDRIAN
VERIDIANO, CHRISTIAN DANIEL

AUGUST 2024

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 Chapter 1

The Problem and Its Background

Introduction

In recent years, emphasis on the diet of pets has come in handy when trying to improve

the health of both cats and dogs. With the rise in veterinary science and the technology of pet

foods, it has been observed that there is a shift towards formulating diets for individual animal

species. This trend signals a more global concern about the health of pets and the efforts being

made to improve it through food. As there are a growing number of safe and nutritious foods

targeted at the various aspects of pet nutrition, the proposition of integrating these attributes into

one versatile food has become appealing.

Cats and dogs have evolved differently hence their feeding patterns are quite dissimilar.

The diet of cats consists of meat and is high in protein because they are obligate carnivores as

backlinks require nutrients like taurine, arachidonic acid, and vitamin A that they can’t synthesize

(Li & Wu, 2023). On the other hand, dogs can easily feed on a variety of foods, including animal

and plant ones, giving a more forgiving structure to their nutritional needs (KathrynF, 2024).

Consequently, this difference in feeding requirements has most of the time called for distinct

feeding plans which have increased the complication and cost for pet owners who have to cater

for two types of food and their maintaining.

Locally, the Philippine pet food industry has taken notice and developed combined diets

intended for cats and dogs. In fact, it has also reflected the increasing number of households in

caring for multiple species of pets. As Tyler (2023) reports, such an approach is particularly

relevant, bearing in mind that a huge percentage of Filipino owners of cats and dogs are now

opting for cost-effective and nutritionally balanced options in addressing the dietary needs of

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both their cats and dogs (Tyler, 2023). Consequently, it forms an innovative path to the

conventional issue with the introduction of a new product called CaDoBites, adding both cats

and dogs into one serving. The basic idea behind this CaDog Food is to make feeding much

easier in households with both cats and dogs by having just one type of diet that could satisfy

the nutritional needs of both species. While it was formulated to contain an appropriate balance

of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals that are needed for the health of both

cats and dogs. However, is it really possible that two species so dissimilar in their nutritional

needs and feeding habits to be fed by one single diet with such limited local research available

on the efficacy, safety, and chronic health effects of nutrition of pets upon them?

Research in the last four years has indeed shed much light on the effects of such

combined diets as CaDog. For instance, a study conducted by Cox (2022), established that

while CaDog food met the minimum requisite dietary requirements for both cats and dogs,

apparent variations occurred in the physiological responses of the animals. Over time, the cats

eating the CaDog diet developed subclinical deficiencies of taurine and other essential nutrients,

while dogs eating this very same food generally were fine and showed no known adverse health

effects from it. What these findings indicated was that, though CaDog food maybe adequate

when used briefly, long-term feeding will more than likely cause nutritional imbalances in cats

(Cox, 2022).

Other studies have investigated the behavioral and health outcomes of accompanied

animal combined diets. One such review, Golder et al. (2020), noted that cats fed on a diet

intended for both species showed increased digestive-related problems and poor coat

conditions compared with own-species diets-fed subjects, whereas dogs did not show any

differences in their health markers, implying omnivorous animals are more capable of tolerance

to diets. This difference further points to the problem of creating one universal diet for these two

species (Golder et al., 2020).

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 Consumer food studies likewise indicate a continuing trend towards mixed diets, with

ease, reduced cost, and simplicity of feeding regimens (3 Key Global Pet Food Trends Emerge,

2024). Veterinary professionals have expressed concern about the long-term consequences of

such diets, particularly chronic insufficiencies in cats that could result in serious health problems

like cardiomyopathy or vision difficulties (Karp et al., 2022).

According to Watson et al. (2023), this problem of managing different diets between cats

and dogs does indeed add a degree of frustration and expense to owners. Although both

species have their specialized diets, there is a large research gap into one single food product

that will meet the nutritional needs of both cats and dogs. It typically addresses the needs of

only one species at a time, which presents a gap in understanding how one diet might be able to

function for the two combined (Watson et al., 2023). This research effort tries to fill this gap and

explores whether it could be possible for CaDoBites to actually work as a new product for both

species. This is valuable also for finding out whether this one diet will suffice to keep the health

and well-being of both cats and dogs at their best, to simplify feeding for owners with several

pets, and thus possibly economize on their expenses. Addressing this gap in information, in

turn, gives an avenue for greater efficiency in pet nutrition for multi-pet households and benefits

the field of veterinary sciences on a larger scale.

Despite these literature deficiencies, the current study still embarks on determining the

health and nutritional effects of CaDoBites on cats and dogs. The study will be extended to

determine whether this product will be adequate to sustain the health, vitality, and overall

wellness of both categories when this food is their sole source of nutrition. It will involve feeding

trials under control, with groups of domestic cats and dogs being fed exclusively on CaDoBites

for a fixed period. The changes in body weight, coat condition, energy, and other health

measures, together with blood markers of nutritional adequacy, will be recorded and analyzed

for both species.

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 Besides, there are some concerns and issues which this study is targeted to address.

One major concern is the ability or inability of CaDoBites to meet the particular amino acid.

These are such cat requirements, for example, especially taurine, which is highly vital in the

health of cats but is less crucial in dogs. The study will also investigate whether the addition of

certain ingredients that are healthy for dogs but harmful to cats, such as specific carbohydrates,

could pose a risk when the same food is consumed by both animals. Palatability is also an

issue, since cats and dogs have different tastes, sometimes, and may react differently to the

same flavorings and textures.

Also, this study will also turn to the broader implications of feeding on the same diet

concerning behavior and social interaction between cats and dogs. The same food might affect

how they feed, probably competing with each other or changing the interaction between them.

Observation of these interactions will offer a more inclusive comprehension of how the same

kind of diet might affect multi-pet homes.

Statement of the Problem

The primary goal of this research is to test and evaluate the sufficiency of CaDoBites in

meeting the nutritional needs of felines and canines to survive. To further analyze the study, the

researcher attempts to answer the following questions:

1. Does CaDoBites provide all the essential nutrients required by cats and dogs,

considering their dietary needs in terms of:

1.1 Amino Acid (Taurine)

1.2 Fats

1.3 Carbohydrates

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 1.4 Vitamins

1.5 Minerals

2. What are the long-term health outcomes for cats and dogs fed solely on CaDoBites, in

relation to:

2.1 Health Implications

2.2 Nutritional Deficiencies

3. Is there statistical difference between cats and dogs about the ranking of palatability

of CaDoBites?

4. What potential health risks are associated from the ingredients utilized in CaDoBites

being consumed by both cats and dogs for a long period of time?

Significance of the Study

This experimental quantitative investigates the effectiveness of CaDoBites on the health

and nutritional status of cats and dogs. This study will be beneficial to the following:

Pet Owners. This research can help pet owners determine if this CaDog Food can

provide adequate nutrition both for cats and dogs. That would make feeding much easier by

eliminating the need to prepare different meals and save money at the same time by facilitating

the whole process. Knowing that one product can work both for their pets may provide ease to

such management.

Veterinarians. They are going to learn the way CaDoBites really supports the health of

cats and dogs. In this investigation, proof on whether this food serves their nutritional needs and

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what health outcomes can be expected will be availed. This shall help veterinarians in advising

the owners of pets on whether combined diets are appropriate.

Pet Food Manufacturers. This will benefit the manufacturers by providing insight into

how effectively the product CaDoBites meets the needs of different species. The results of the

research might show if a change or any improvement needs to be done to their product. This

may help in order for them to come up with products that are far better, considering multi-pet

households.

Animal Nutritionists. Animal nutritionists will find useful information on how combined

diets affect the health of pets. In addition, this shall aid in determining how such varied diets

affect cats and dogs and shall contribute to building future diets or nutrition plans. This will help

in building new evidence for combined diets in the field of pet nutrition.

Future researchers and innovators. This study will provide important data to the future

research. Such results will enable researchers to investigate new alternatives to diets that are

superior to the existing ones, fix whatever problems exist in them, and explore the long-term

effect of combination diets on the health of pets. Innovators can utilize such information in

developing more useful products that meet the needs of both cats and dogs and thus work

better for multi-pet households.

Definition of Terms

This section provides clear and concise meanings to help understand the specific

terminologies used in this study.

Amino Acid. The fundamental building blocks of proteins, with a nitrogenous backbone

of compounds like neurotransmitters and hormones highly important in the body.

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 CaDoBites. Under this investigation, the product name CaDoBites will refer to dog treats

that are easy to use, pleasant to eat, and supportive of the health of a pet in such a way as to

be appealing to the owner.

CaDog Food. Generic term describing a specific kind of nutrition engineered to satisfy

the specific nutritional needs of cats and dogs alike by giving them necessary proteins, fats,

vitamins, and trace minerals.

Carnivore. An animal that obtains most of its nourishment from consuming the meat or

fleshy parts of other animals, quite often obtain nourishment in a food web as predators

catching prey.

Cat. A domesticated member of the family Felidae, which includes the subfamily

Pantherinae, a group comprising roaring species such as lions and tigers, and the sub-family

Felinae, a clade including the purring species such as cougars, bobcats, and domestic cats.

Dog. A domesticated mammal, Canis lupus familiaris, belonging to the family Canidae

and order Carnivora; it is a subspecies of the gray wolf, Canis lupus, and is related to foxes and

jackals.

Minerals. Naturally occurring elements found on Earth and in foods, which are

necessary for the normal development and function of the body, including but not limited to

calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, iron, zinc, iodine, chromium,

copper, fluoride, molybdenum, manganese, and selenium.

Omnivore. A living organism that eats both plants and animals. They complete the food

chain and are generally at the third trophic level along with carnivores, examples include bears,

birds, dogs, raccoons, foxes, certain insects and humans.

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 Palatability. This is the sensory attribute of food that enables its appeal or acceptability

through feeding behavior, and it stimulates consumption of liked foods and avoidance of those

which are disliked.

Taurine. Semi-essential amino acid due to the fact that it provides one of the most

appropriate sustenance for bodily functions, namely digestive, cardiovascular, skeletal,

muscular, and nervous systems; its provision may be obtained either through food with a high

protein content or through supplementation of amino acids.

Vitamins. Organic materials that offer health and health-related functions in living things;

each vitamin has a different function, and its needs differ from one living thing to another.

Scope and Limitations

This study will determine whether CaDoBites is an efficient diet for cats and dogs and

will serve as their sole diet here in Victoria, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines for the school year

2024-2025. This is done for the purpose of finding out if this CaDog Food can provide the

nutritive requirements of said pets. The study also examines the long-term health implications of

using this food. It explores how the diet affects competitive behaviors and social interactions

between cats and dogs.

Nevertheless, due to the fact that this research will only include vitamins like (1)Livotine

for Amino Acids, Vitamins, and Liver Extract, (2)Coatshine for Omega Fatty Acids, Mineral,

Vitamins, and (3)LC Vit for Multivitamins and Lysine that are essential and generally needed by

cats and dogs, perhaps the types of vitamins that may be specially introduced into some breeds

or special needs. The researcher will be considering only askal-popularly known as aspin-dogs,

and native cats, otherwise addressed as moggy. The time period of the study will be too short; it

might not be able to paint a full comprehensive picture of health effects. Behavioral observations

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can only apply in homes that have both cats and dogs, and the behavior cannot be generalized

to any other setting. In this study, potential noticing of certain health and behavioral factors may

introduce an element of subjectivity in data collection since it is based on owners’ reports and

observations themselves.

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 Chapter 2

Review of Related Literature and Studies

Proper nutrition is quite important for domesticated pets, rightly so for cats and dogs.

Cats are obligate carnivores, requiring very active animal-based protein, while dogs are

omnivores with wider stylistic variations in dietary requirements. This brings into question the

ability of any CaDog Food, such as CaDoBites, to fulfill the distinct nutritional needs of both

without compromising health. This literature review covers local and foreign studies on

assessing possible benefits and challenges of such combined pet foods.

Nutritional Adequacy of Pet Foods

Nutritional adequacy in pet foods is related to the proper growth, development, and good

health of cats and dogs. An adequate balance in diet completely provides the required amount

of nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and minerals according to demand. Such nutritionally

complete and balanced pet food offers protective measures against various health problems

and ensures a healthy, long life span for the pet. According to Association of American Feed

Control Officials (AAFCO), all commercially manufactured pet foods should be in compliance

with the guidelines. Nutritional Adequacy Statement is present on each label of pet food which

ensures that the incorporation of the essential components such as proteins, fatty acids,

vitamins, and minerals covers the daily nutritional requirement of the pets (Pet Food Labels:

Nutritional Adequacy Statement – Companion Animals, 2019). Alternative feeding habits have

been adopted, even though many are concerned by the nutritional balance in these diets.

RMBDs represent incompletely formulated diets whose basic ingredients are raw meat, bones,

and animal by-products without supplementation to provide a complete diet; therefore, there is a

risk of nutrient deficiencies and possibly serious problems in growing animals. These diets are

also risky due to the high content of fats and the possibility of bacterial contamination, hence

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needing strict regulation that ensures their nutritional adequacy and safety (Vecchiato et al.,

2022).

The same trend was observed in research focused on purchase patterns among Filipino

pet owners where product value has a far-reaching influence on their decision to buy; online

reviews and ratings have little significant impact on motivating purchases, whereas celebrity

endorsements showed a highly significant effect on consumer purchases that is somewhat

indicative of consumer trust in the quality of the product being an essential factor in the

nutritional adequacy and marketability of pet food products (Ronnel & Sharmaine, 2024). We

are all aware how the industry’s rapid growth has spurred legislation to be able to lessen

variances in nutritional labeling. A bill filed would impose on pet food labels to indicate all

ingredients, additives, and possible carcinogens as mapped out by the Bureau of Food and

Drugs (BFAD). Senator Binay emphasized that this bill should be aligned with the Animal

Welfare Act of 1998 and the formulation of the Philippine National Standard on Pet Food

Labeling, as far as declaring ingredients are concerned, and their nutritional sufficiency (Buelva,

2019).

Efficacy of Combined Cat and Dog Foods

In the context of the efficacy of combined cat and dog foods, remember that nutrition

must be balanced. More often than not, the pet owners and clinicians are faced with numerous

diet options along with disagreeing opinions on optimal kinds of food for their animals. Based on

the survey conducted by Morelli et al. (2021), it is very crucial that preservation of pet food

should be done correctly for the quality to remain. Of 2,221 pet owners surveyed, the majority

reportedly did a good job with storage conditions, save for room temperature, which was rarely

followed, risking rancidity especially in fat-rich diets. Veterinary physicians should recommend

proper storage when recommending home-prepared diets, while manufacturers of pet foods

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need to effectively communicate with their customers to help overcome skepticism surrounding

the safety and true need of preservatives (Morelli et al., 2021). In other words, correct storage of

pet food is very crucial in ensuring that the nutritional benefits of combined cat and dog foods

are wholly achieved. If these foods are not stored as they should be, their deterioration will

adversely impact their effectiveness and also the health of the pets consuming these foods. In

the event of combined diets, optimal storage conditions will avert nutrient loss, spoilage, and

ensure that throughout its useful life, the food is safe and nutritionally adequate for both species.

Because of this, good preservation will manifest direct effects in the general performance and

reliability of combined pet foods.

Internationally, Ellie Groves (2023) proves misconceptions that are identical to those

held here in the country-for one, grains are not digestible, or for that matter, grain-free diets are

healthier than regular ones. This perception, however, has been debunked in studies where it

was observed that pets can readily digest cooked grains, and that grains contain essential

nutrient factors such as fiber, fatty acids, and B vitamins. Similarly, grains are not among the

main causes of allergies in pets, nor are all grain-free diets inherently lower in carbohydrates.

By-product usage in pet food is also a plus and nutritionally valuable however it increases the

sustainability (Groves, 2023). In fact, home-prepared diets may be appealing but they are

lacking the nutrients necessary for the animal so commercially prepared diets are safer for them

and well-balanced due to the strict regulation and testing that it undergoes.

Interest in insect-based pet foods increases with the growth of offerings and continuous

product development, reflecting the wider societal interest in insects as a sustainable and

nutritive ingredient for pets. Insects are, after all, part of cats’ natural diets, but they make up

less than 0.5% of most diets’ biomass. Dogs and cats have their preferences regarding the

species of insects and levels of inclusion, which affects their acceptance to food. Digestibility

studies have shown that foods with insects as ingredients have similar fecal nitrogen digestibility

as conventional sources of proteins. On the other hand, digestibility studies of black soldier fly

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larvae, housefly larvae, and yellow mealworms suggested that methionine and threonine were

commonly the limiting indispensable amino acid for both growing dogs and cats. (Bosch &

Swanson, 2020). The study of the last three years underlines the shift toward more sustainable

and nutritious options for insect-based pet food that is responsible for maintaining both cats and

dogs. The present study has demonstrated that insect-based foods are similarly digested to

traditional proteins. However, essential amino acids can show limited availability of their diets in

both species, highlighting that insect-based foods need to really be very well balanced if they

need to meet the nutritional requirements of cats and dogs.

Health Implications of Exclusive Diets for Cats and Dogs

Feeding cat and dog with exclusives will result in nutritional deficiencies and serious

resultant health disorders, such as gastrointestinal disorders, kidney dysfunction, and skeletal

abnormalities. Although cats are obligate carnivores and dogs are omnivores, the carbohydrate

and dietary fiber content of the all-meat diet is scanty to cause hypovitaminosis and increase

phosphate levels. A proper diet with a suitable mix of nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and

a correct calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is needed for health maintenance in both species. This is

where the critical aspect of framing the combined diets correctly comes into perspective, so that

CaDog Foods like CaDoBites meet the nutritional requirements of cats and dogs well enough

(Tazerji et al., 2024). Therefore, it is evident from this study that feeding diets exclusively to cats

and dogs may result in serious health issues related to nutritional imbalance. Combined diets,

like CaDoBites should thus be very well-formulated to avoid long-term health consequences.

Although that may seem feasible, regular feeding of cat food to dogs will result in

potential long-term health problems since the nutritional needs of both species differ. Cat food

contains more protein and does not include all necessary nutrients, such as vegetables and

carbohydrates, required for a dog’s long-term nutrition. Long feeding could result in pancreatitis,

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liver damage, obesity, and also kidney problems in dogs. The above requirement of the cats and

dogs, therefore, calls for special nutrition for each species and brings into attention the point that

the combined diets such as CaDoBites have to ensure that the cats and the dogs get their

nutritional requirements without compromising the health of the animals (McMillan, 2022).

The environmental Impact of pet food security, especially the great disparity between

wet and dry diets, relates directly to this discussion of sustainability and health implications

because of combined diets such as CaDoBites. An estimate from this study has the amount of

CO2 emitted from wet food for cats and dogs to be 689% higher than that from dry food. This

also aligns with the ultimate goal of formulating pet foods which, while nutritional for both

species, do least damage to the environment. A formulated dry combined diet could be far more

eco-friendly and yet provide all nutritional needs for cats and dogs, tackling health concerns

along with environmental ones (Presse, 2022). Therefore, this review indicates that the

development of CaDog Food, specifically CaDoBites, will have to consider nutritional balance

and ecological footprint. While wet pet food is highly beneficial nutritionally, dry diets reduce

environmental damages and health requirements for dogs and cats alike. The development of a

nutritionally adequate and sustainable combined diet, therefore, is at the core of life for pets and

broader ecological concerns.

Palatability Ratings in Combined Pet Diets

Palatability Determination of pet foods is related to the amount of food and frequency at

which pets are consuming the food. This review by Appetizer Blog (2023) is necessary for

establishing whether a diet, like a combined food for dogs and cats, proves appealing and

pleasurable to the pets. Testing palatability in pet foods has various techniques that determine

how well pets receive diets available for them. In this regard, the one-bowl and two-bowl tests

represent different methods of identifying food acceptance and preference, while the liking test

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and the kinetics method provide a more specific opportunity to understand the issue of likeability

and consumptiveness of food. Other inventive observation of behavioral factors includes body

language and physiological responses, pet preference and satisfaction in relation to their diet

(How to Measure Pet Food Palatability: Methods Overview – Appetizer – Symrise Pet Food,

2023).

Palatability is related to any development of combined diets, such as CaDoBites, since it

concerns the direct acceptance rate by both cats and dogs. Food items in combined diets

cannot be only nutritious but also appealing to both species, lest there are issues of acceptance

and consumption. As López (2023) explained, his findings underline that while traditional

methods look at the amount of consumption, modern techniques like metabolomics go inside

the specific drives of palatability. Such knowledge could contribute to tuning combined diets

toward meeting the nutritional needs and taste preferences of cats and dogs, improving in

general the total effectiveness and success of the diet in the market (López, 2023).

Likewise, flavor enhancers play a very significant role in the performance of the pet food,

which is basically very crucial for both the pet and the owner. Though kibbles are widely used,

dry pet foods are usually less palatable than wet foods; hence, there is a need to incorporate

palatants to make them more acceptable. Such foods would require palatability tests with

trained and untrained pets, besides sensory analysis from the human point of view to help in

measuring their acceptability. Such flavor enhancers would have to be formulated to meet the

demand for more pet foods, besides keeping the owners’ expectations of what their pets like

(Samant et al., 2021). This focus on flavor enhancement and palatability development that much

relevant in the formulation of CaDog Food like CaDoBites which has to weigh up nutritional

needs with acceptability for mutually good results of both species.

Regarding CaDog Food as combined diet, expert reviews of nutritional quality and

palatability in pet foods should be observed. For expert reviews by Filipino doctors of the type,

Dr. Christian Villanueva indicated that natural meat has necessary proteins and nutrients for

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increasing skin health, energy, and immunity without harmful additives. Proper feeding transition

and nutritional guidelines from Dr. Aiza May P. Hao then help attain overall health. Furthermore,

in the trial of Dr. Joseph P. Olarve, Paleo Pet made by local manufacturers carried better

palatability and digestibility compared to the commercially made ones. On the other hand, Dr.

Alfred d.L. De Quiroz warns against consuming the low-quality and cheap commercial foods

that have poor ingredients, like meat meals and by-products, for a long time for the sake of their

health (Expert Reviews, 2024). These perspectives collectively emphasize that combined diets,

such as CaDoBites, should be made with high-quality, well-balanced ingredients to optimize

health and palatability for cats and dogs.

Behavioral Effects of Feeding Combined Diets

The overall behavioral effects of a mixed diet combining both dog and cat food will be

very specific, given their varied requirements for each species. This may cause dogs on cat

food to become hyperactive or cats on dog food to become lethargic and/or grumpy. These

changes mainly involve the amount of protein and fat present within the food and how close

they are to meeting the nutritional requirements of the pets. A diet closer to the specific needs of

each species is important in terms of optimum behavior and health. As noted by Knight &

Satchell (2021), the development of nutritionally complete alternative diets-formulations based

on raw meat, novel protein sources, and vegan options-is one reason why pet owners are

increasingly suspicious of mainstream pet foods. In a survey of 4,060 pet owners, palatability

ranked third in a consideration of 12 factors relating to the choice of pet food. At the same time,

when owners were receptive to alternative diets, palatability ranked the fourth most valued

attribute. Behavioral observations provided evidence that, compared with conventional diet,

2,308 dogs fed raw meat diets were more appetitive; vegan diets were as palatable as the

others. The diet had minimal affect on food-oriented behavior in 1,135 cats (Knight & Satchell,

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2021). Such findings indicate that alternative and vegan diets do not compromise welfare or are

appropriate, but any nutritional deficiencies need to be met. Thus, further research into the

behavioral nature of the various diets is needed with regard to health and well-being in pets.

Appetizer (2019) claims that feeding behavior is determined by specific sensory and

anatomical features of cats and dogs, which predetermine the characteristic ways of interacting

with food. While dogs rely heavily on the sense of smell, hastening to choose food and swallow

kibbles right away or after minimal chewing, cats are suspicious, always changed their minds

before eating. Cats manipulate kibbles with the tongue, teeth, or lips, breaking them down with

the molars because of the vertical movement of their jaws. These ethological differences have

their origin in the underlying anatomical and sensory equipment of both species. They show

how diet influences not only on physical health but also on feeding behavior (Marquet, 2019). In

relation to the previous study, knowledge of such differences is crucial in formulating a

combined diet, like CaDoBites, for cats and dogs. It must meet their diverse behavioral and

nutritional necessities if they have to be healthy and achieve the best quality of life.

For instance, according to Trappy Bites Web (2024), much of the animal friend’s mental

well-being depends on what it consumes because anxiety can easily be leaned one way or

another just like aggressiveness and mood. Omega-3 fatty acids coming from fish suppress

anxiety by keeping it calm; the proteins are utilized in producing neurotransmitters such as

serotonin and dopamine which control the mood. Lack of this nutrient could lead to depression

and aggression, among other behavior changes. Some of the most critical vitamins for the brain

include vitamin B6 and E, whose deficiencies might lead to the development of stress as well as

anxiety. While certain foods are harmful because of their preservatives during processing and

alter behaviors adversely, the raw types of these food, though having health hazards, are

considered by some to be used to treat mental illnesses. A diet that involves the right amount of

proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins alike is important for a healthy behavior and mental

stability (How Food Affects the Mental Health of Cats and Dogs, 2024). Linking this to the topic

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at hand, one can consider, with a combined diet-say, CaDoBites-the mood of cats and dogs

might be greatly improved as their anxiety level lowers and their general outlooks on life are

enhanced simply because proper nutrition not only helps individuals physically but also nurtures

mental and emotional well-being.

Ingredient Safety and Health Risks in Combined Diets

While assessing the safety and health risk of ingredients in combined diets for pets,

several problem ingredients should be regarded as a prevention to digestive health. Here are

some pet guides that help in assessing what ingredients are bad for dogs and cats. The KOHA

Pet Team (2024) observes that excess starch, such as green peas, beet pulp, and potatoes, are

commonly used in pet food as fillers but lead to digestion problems and thereby various

illnesses such as constipation and diarrhea. In like manner, animal by-products and unspecified

sources of meat provide the source for inferior quality proteins, which tiers into food allergies.

One of the most common inexpensive protein sources, soy products, can cause allergic

reactions and are associated with serious conditions such as gastric dilation volvulus.

Hydrolyzed proteins, which are supposed to lessen allergies, still create symptoms in some

pets. Artificial preservatives and colors/flavors, such as BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin, are other

disease threats to health, including but not limited to cancer and liver damage. Added sugars,

high-fat foods, and unnecessary thickeners like carrageenan are also potential obese disorders

that may lead to gastrointestinal problems and other health issues (Pistarelli, 2024). All

ingredients within combined diets, such as CaDoBites, should therefore be safe for

consumption. Avoiding these harmful components is an indispensable strategy towards the

complete health of your pet and a key preclusion to adverse food reactions.

Various food safety risks have been posed by both dry and minimally processed pet

foods, according to the contribution by Jim Mann (2024). Dry pet foods, constituting in excess of

70% of the market, are subject to microbial contamination from constituted raw materials or

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through processing, including those dealing with problems of formed biogenic amines, cross-

contamination during manufacturing, and exposure to pathogens such as Salmonella; this is

especially true after extrusion. In contrast, minimally processed and wet pet foods have easily

associated risks of high moisture level and inappropriate storage, which can spur bacterial

growth and contamination. Both types of pet foods may affect the health of pets through

microbial degradation; this in the long run can result in chronic problems such as gut disorders

and skin diseases. Food safety requires a set of stringent practices involving efficient HACCP

plans, tight control measures, and deployments of food safety products to mitigate microbial

risks in keeping the quality of pet foods (Mann, 2024).

As findings of Macías-Montes et al. (2021) about Nutritional Evaluation and Risk

Assessment of the Exposure to Essential and Toxic Elements in Dogs and Cats through the

Consumption of Pelleted Dry Food, tried to ascertain the levels of 43 inorganic elements in dry

pet foods, knowing whether there are differences by perceived quality and also assessing health

risks. The analysis was carried out on 31 packs of pelleted dry pet food for cats and 30 packs

for dogs by ICP-MS after acidic microwave-assisted digestion. Basically, the element content

did not show significant differences among all different brand qualities, but some trace elements

have already exceeded the dietary reference values: selenium and manganese. Arsenic and

mercury present the highest acute hazard indexes; therefore, they pose risks to the health of

pets. Besides that, the concentrations of such elements as aluminum, uranium, antimony, and

vanadium exceeded the levels of toxic reference values and had high acute hazard quotients

this indicates poor legislation in pet food safety regarding the rights of consumers and animal

health (Macías-Montes et al., 2021). The investigation of inorganic elements in dry pet food is

significant importance for CaDog Food assessment in terms of possible risks from contaminants

such as arsenic and mercury. It draws special attention to ingredient quality control so that

harmful levels of heavy metals would not appear in pet food. This can be applied by CaDoBites

20
to further promote product safety and protect the health of pets. It confirms necessary

improvements in regulations in the name of ensuring that safer standards exist for pet food.

Nutrition News (2023) pointed out that one of the controversies today is the popularity of

functional pet food, which provides more than just essential nutrients to improve health and has

a positive impact on the quality of life for companion animals. From the digestible ingredients,

the comparative study also reveals that cats are obligate carnivores with particular requirements

for amino acids, while dogs have acquired genes for starch digestion expressed through their

genes to hydrolyze carbohydrates and a broad range of nutrients. Inclusion of such ingredients

as inulin and oligofructose into functional foods contributes to intestinal health by inducing

alteration in intestinal microflora and providing enhanced satiety, besides reducing the incidence

of diabetes-related pathologies (Alvaro, 2023). This insight gives a greater opposite challenge in

the formulation of CaDog Food known as CaDoBites, informing what to avoid and what to

include, thus adding value to the future formulation of pet food. This gives an overall framework

on ingredient safety with possible health risks to pets, such as dogs and cats.

In general, this review describes the most important questions concerning the joint

assessment of diets in companion animals. It covers key questions regarding CaDoBites for

both cats and dogs. Nutrition in cats and dogs is a major concern. Cats are obligate carnivorous

animals and have restrictive dietary needs, while dogs can survive on more flexible nutrition.

The following factors are discussed within the review:

Nutritional adequacy is the major concern, and commercially prepared pet foods have

been regulated to meet necessary guidelines. However, the alternative presentation of raw

meat-based diets has more risks for nutritional deficiencies and contamination. Combined diets

make the fact burning that correct storage and preservation remain needed in order for nutrients

to be sustained, debunk common myths on ingredients being harmful-such as grains-and point

21
out that commercially prepared diets balanced properly are generally safer than home-prepared

ones.

Nutritional imbalances are health implications of diets consumed by either cat or dog

exclusively, and as such, combined diets that would normally provide for peculiar needs from

each species should not compromise health. Also, palatability of the combined diets is very

crucial for intake and efficacy, methods to test palatability and the use of flavor enhancers are

also discussed.

Behavioral effects are also considered since different nutrient profiles can affect the

behavior of pets, which basically means that diets should support physical health and behavioral

wellness. Lastly, much emphasis is put on ingredient safety due to the fact that suspicious

ingredients-for example, high levels of starch, animal by-products and soy products, artificial

preservatives, and thickeners-can contribute to disorders. Safeguards regarding ingredient

compositions are essential in preventing digestive problems and other serious illnesses. Overall,

the review has emphasized the need to understand these factors when evaluating potential

benefits and challenges associated with combined pet foods like CaDoBites.

22
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