What term describes canines' biological classification, indicating meat should be the staple nutrient source, even if other foods can sustain them?
Facultative carnivores
Canines, including the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, are biologically classified as facultative carnivores. This designation means their physiology is primarily adapted and designed to utilize meat-based nutrients as the central component of their diet for optimal thriving, growth, and recovery. While their digestive systems possess the capability to process and survive consuming other food types, their biological blueprint favors nutrients derived from animal sources. The modern reliance on commercial diets heavily loaded with processed starches and carbohydrates, sometimes exceeding 50% of the recipe, deviates from this inherent biological requirement, prioritizing convenience and cost over the dog's fundamental nutritional design.
