Anti-Nutrients

by Dr. Tory Waxman

What are anti-nutrients?

Anti-nutrients are natural or synthetic compounds that interfere with the absorption of nutrients.

Anti-nutrients from grain-replacements (like peas and soy) in grain-free dog foods may intefere with the absorption of essential nutrients

Anti-Nutrients like Peas and Lentils May Be Hurting Dogs

In dog food, some leading scientists fear that anti-nutrients contained in newly common dog food ingredients may be blocking the absorption of essential nutrients (such as taurine), causing disease and even death. Legumes have been the most implicated source of anti-nutrients, which include peas, chickpeas, lentils, beans, tapioca, and soy.

Grain Replacements are Packed with Anti-Nutrients

The grain-free dog foods that were alleged to be causing a potentially fatal heart condition known as DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) nearly all contained legumes or potatoes. Although only a correlation and no causation has been proven, the increase in the use of anti-nutrient-dense foods combined with the increase frequency of DCM is concerning.

We don't use any anti-nutrients

That's why Sundays never uses the anti-nutrient packed ingredients that are implicated in this ongoing issue. We do NOT use: potatoes, peas, lentils, chickpeas, rice, soy or gluten. These cheap starches are necessary to make kibble, but they are not needed in our air-drying process.

About the author

Tory Waxman, VMD

Co-Founder & Chief Veterinary Officer

Dr. Waxman is a practicing small-animal veterinarian.

She received a BS in Animal Sciences with Distinction in Research from Cornell University and her vet degree from the University of Pennsylvania, where she did original research at the Penn Working Dog Center. Tory completed her internship in veterinary medicine at the world-renowned Animal Medical Center in New York City where she treated an actual lame duck and saw a hungry snake that hadn’t eaten in a year.

Tory grew up outside of Chicago with chocolate labs. She’s not sure why she ever gave up her first job, which was as a dog beach attendant on Lake Michigan. About 10 years ago she rescued a mixed breed terrier named Mabel who is obsessed with tennis balls. Mabel is also her tireless running buddy who completed a 14-mile run while Tory was training for the Chicago Marathon. Tory enjoys dog training and competing in dog sports such as agility and dock diving.