A dog food that leaves almost no waste

A Dutch firm claims to have eliminated the problem of dog poo by creating a dog food that leaves almost no waste.

Developers Jos van der Linden and Nanette Waldorp say 90% of the food, called Energique, is absorbed into the dog's body.

They claim remaining 10% comes out the other end as a smell-free dry pellet that can be picked up by hand in a tissue.

According to research by the University of Utrecht, a dog will normally need to go three times a day, but with Energique it only needs to go once a week.

The pair are now selling Energique, which is totally meat based, as fast as they can, producing it at their pet food factory in Friesland.

Regular dog food only consists of about 15% meat, chicken leftovers, cereal crops and water.

Jos van der Linden said: "The food comes out as it came in, the problem is that a dog's bowel is not made for cereal crops.

"The whole secret behind the success of Energique is the simple approach that dogs, were they not pets, would only eat meat."

The new product is being hailed as a major boost in the fight to cut down on the problem of dog mess on city streets.

The only drawback is the price, Energique costs twice the price of regular dog food, but it has not stopped the company getting orders from as far as the US, Canada and Israel.

Comments

[Liz Black Dog]

Uh, what? I already have my dogs on a healthy waste-minimising diet that produces small, hard stools with almost no smell. It's simple; raw meat and bones.

I cannot believe that it could be healthy for a dog to only defecate once a week, and I'm far from convinced it's even possible. If it's even close to true then this diet sounds way too constipating.

[Rose-marie]

I agree with Liz Black Dog I don't think I'm one who will try it. We are used to stoop and scoop now so will just stick with regular food & the regular clean up that goes with it. I am originally from Sussex, Liz,
Rose-marie

[Vesta]

Are we as a society becoming so lazy that we can't even allow our dogs to have a proper poop? After all it is a normal bodily function that we shouldn't alter. I'd be afraid that this product would for sure be unhealthy for our pets. I don't know about anyone else, but I have no problem taking my dog for several walks a day to relieve bowel movements.

[Bjorn Seveis]

This is unnatural! It does not sound safe! I would rather provide healthy kibble that provides balanced nutrition with minimum waste. I order from www.holisticzenpets.com

[J.D.]

This is CRAZY!!!! I am SURE they won't try this with humans, why pull this nonsense with our pets?!?!

I recently came across a new product that I thought was quite amazing for the clean up and pick up of my dog poop. I was at the Orange County Pet Expo a couple of weeks ago and was handed a free sample of Skooperbox.

At first I was a bit skeptical, but then I actually gave it a try and it really worked! I also liked it because it was made of all paper and is biodegradable. I tried calling Petco to look for more, but could not find them.

I hope new products like this will encourage people to pick up more--there is nothing worse than stepping in poop when on my walks!

J.D.