Dog Food Study Under Fire for Flaws and Misleading Freshness Claims

A recent metabolomic study on dog food, published in Metabolites on October 17, 2025, has faced strong criticism. BSM Partners, a research consultancy, has raised serious concerns about its validity. The firm claims the study contains major errors, missing details, and misleading conclusions about fresh pet food.

The study, led by Dr. Heather Huson, suggested that fresh, human-grade dog food could improve metabolic health and support healthier aging in senior dogs. However, BSM Partners argues that the research design was fundamentally flawed. The two diets compared differed in both processing methods and nutrient content, making it impossible to pinpoint the cause of any observed effects.

BSM also questioned the study's description of the test food as 'fresh' and 'minimally processed'. According to their review, the food was heat-cooked and packaged, contradicting the label. Neither the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nor the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently define 'fresh' for pet food, leaving the term open to interpretation. Transparency issues were another major concern. The study failed to disclose key details, including cooking methods, actual food consumption, and medication given to the dogs during the trial. BSM further identified systematic math errors in the nutrient table, with some nutrient levels exceeding AAFCO's safety limits. The firm criticised the peer-review process, suggesting that such flaws should have been caught before publication. They also noted that the experimental kibble used in the study did not reflect commercially available diets, raising doubts about the real-world relevance of the findings.

BSM Partners' review casts doubt on the study's credibility, highlighting errors in data, methodology, and transparency. Without clearer definitions, consistent standards, and rigorous oversight, claims about fresh pet food remain disputed. The findings underscore ongoing challenges in ensuring the reliability of nutritional research for companion animals.