08/12/2025
Feeding your dog minimally processed, balanced foods instead of ultra-processed options like dry kibble may help them live longer and healthier lives.
A year-long study by The Farmer's Dog compared senior dogs eating fresh, minimally processed food to dogs eating standard extruded kibble. Researchers found that because kibble is cooked and dried under high heat and pressure (extrusion), it produces high levels of harmful compounds called AGEs (Advanced Glycation End Products) which are linked to accelerated aging. Minimally processed foods, by contrast, contain far fewer AGEs.
Dr. David Turner, a world-renowned AGE scientist, explains: “Research shows that feeding ultra-processed pet food high in AGEs speeds up aging in dogs and cats.”
AGEs can accelerate organ aging, one reason kidney failure is common in cats, and may even promote cancer growth in pets. A recent long-term study published in Nature Medicine confirmed that food processing itself-not just nutrient content, affects body weight and overall health, highlighting the hidden risks of ultra-processed diets.
