Welcome to the TNC Science Hub – your destination for evidence-based insights on fresh, minimally processed nutrition and its measurable health benefits for dogs and cats.
Where Fresh Nutrition meets Proven Science
Where Fresh Nutrition meets Proven Science
Fresh Feeding Isn’t a Belief – It’s Science.
Why Science Matters?
Fresh feeding is often treated like a belief system – something you either “trust” or you don’t. But biology doesn’t care about beliefs. It cares about inputs, mechanisms, and outcomes.
Over the last years, peer-reviewed research has shown that fresh, minimally processed diets can significantly impact pet health – from gut microbiome balance and allergy symptoms to weight and long-term disease risk.
The Fresh Feeding Science Hub exists to connect this science with everyday feeding decisions: for vets, for pet parents, and for the pets who depend on us.
We believe that natural, minimally processed food is the healthiest way to feed pets – supporting digestion, immunity, skin condition and vitality.
Evidence over opinion
The Fresh Feeding Science Hub brings together veterinary experts, researchers, and nutrition specialists to:
- Interpret and translate research on fresh and raw diets into clear, practical guidance
- Shape product development based on evidence, not trends
- Collaborate with universities and research groups, including DogRisk and other institutions, on long-term health outcomes
- Support veterinarians with transparent, science-based information
- Educate pet parents so they can make informed decisions – not just follow marketing claims
Our mission is simple: Better science. Better food. Better lives for pets.
Straight to the point:
How Fresh Feeding Supports Pet Health
Stronger gut microbiome
Fresh, minimally processed diets are linked to more diverse and robust gut bacteria, supporting digestion, immunity, and overall resilience.
Healthier skin & coat
Research suggests fewer inflammation markers, fewer flare-ups, and better skin barrier function in dogs on natural diets.
Better weight management
High-quality protein and lower processing can support better body composition and help reduce obesity-related risks.
Reduced chronic disease risk
Studies indicate lower incidence of chronic enteropathy and other inflammatory.
Improved energy & vitality
Pet owners and clinicians report improved energy levels, stool quality, and overall wellbeing on fresh diets, supported by changes in microbiome and fermentation markers.
Support across life stages
From puppies and kittens to seniors, fresh diets can be tailored to changing biological needs over a lifetime.
Evidence at a Glance:
What the Science is telling us
A growing body of research is consistently pointing in the same direction: fresh, minimally processed diets support better health outcomes than conventional dry food.
Gut Microbiome & Digestion
Takeaway: fresh diets can support a more diverse and resilient gut microbiome.
A 2017 study in healthy adult dogs found that switching from dry food to a fresh, beef-based diet induced distinct changes in the gut microbiota, linked with better stool quality and more favourable fermentation end-products.
Puppyhood Diet & Chronic Disease
Takeaway: nutrition in early life can influence long-term gut health and disease risk.
Research from the DogRisk group in Finland showed that puppies raised on non-processed, meat-based diets had a significantly lower risk of developing chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases as adults compared to those fed industrial kibble.
Weight, Obesity & Modern Diets
Takeaway: what and how we feed isn’t just about calories — it’s about long-term organ health.
With over half of domestic dogs and cats now classified as overweight or obese – a condition linked to increased risks of metabolic dysfunction, joint problems, and other health challenges – nutrition clearly plays a pivotal role in supporting long-term wellbeing. In cats, excess weight has additionally been associated with urinary and kidney- related disorders, further underscoring the importance of appropriate feeding practices from an early age.
Body Condition & Raw Feeding
Takeaway: leaner body condition with raw feeding depends on getting the ration right, not just going raw.
A 2026 study from Leipzig University comparing 104 healthy dogs found that raw-fed dogs had significantly lower body condition scores than dogs on commercial complete diets — largely explained by lower energy intake and a higher share of energy from protein. However, the same study found that raw rations often fell short on calcium-to-phosphorus balance, iodine, copper, zinc, and manganese compared to commercial diets. The takeaway for pet parents: a leaner body condition is a real, measurable benefit of raw feeding — but only when the ration is properly formulated and supplemented.
Skin, Allergies & Immune Balance
Takeaway: fresh feeding doesn’t just fill the bowl — it can help calm inflammation.
Multiple studies have linked natural, minimally processed diets with improved skin condition, fewer allergy symptoms, and more balanced immune responses. Dogs on fresh diets show benefits in markers related to inflammatory skin disease, atopic dermatitis, and gut-linked immune modulation.
Clinical Markers & Overall Health
Takeaway: the benefits of fresh nutrition are showing up in lab results, not just in shiny coats.
Clinical data suggests that dogs fed raw or fresh diets can show differences in blood markers, body composition, and other health indicators compared to those on extruded kibble, pointing towards potential long-term protective effects against inflammatory and metabolic diseases.
¹ Kristin M. V. Herstad, A diet change from dry food to beef induces reversible changes on the faecal microbiota in healthy, adult client-owned dogs, Norway 2017
² Kristiina A. Vuori, The effect of puppyhood and adolescent diet on the incidence of chronic enteropathy in dogs later in life, Finland
³ Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP). U.S. Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey 2022, USA 2022
⁴ National Library of Health, Overweight and obesity in domestic cats: epidemiological risk factors and associated pathologies, 2024
⁵ Misa Sandri et al., Raw meat–based diet influences faecal microbiome and end products of fermentation in healthy dogs, Italy
⁶ Manal Hemida et al., Early Life Modifiable Exposures and Their Association With Owner Reported Inflammatory Bowel Disease Symptoms in Adult Dogs, Finland
⁷ Johanna Anturaniemi et al., The Effect of Atopic Dermatitis and Diet on the Skin Transcriptome in Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Finland
⁸ Kristina Hiney et al., Clinical health markers in dogs fed raw meat–based or commercial extruded kibble diets, United States
Our Own Study:
101 Dogs, 35 Days, One Diet
When we launched The Nutriment Company back in 2013, we had a gut feeling: that raw feeding isn’t just the most natural, but the most digestible way to nourish pets. So, we put it to the test.
In our internal observational study, 101 dogs followed a controlled raw diet over 35 days. The results now scientifically backed what thousands of pet owners had already observed: better stools, higher energy levels, and visible improvements in coat condition and vitality.
Our own study was an important milestone for us – and a strong signal of our commitment to evidence-based innovation.
Meet our Science Board:
The Team of experts who are advancing pet nutrition
The Science Board is a group of independent veterinary and research experts who bring decades of experience in pet nutrition, clinical practice, and scientific research. Together, they help ensure that every product and every recommendation is grounded in evidence.
Dr. Christine Nees
A highly regarded veterinarian with deep experience across clinical practice, veterinary onboarding, and operational consulting. Renowned for her credibility among practicing veterinarians, Christine brings a balanced perspective to fresh and raw feeding, as well as hands-on experience guiding veterinary practices through modern nutritional standards.
“We increasingly see the impact nutrition has on overall wellbeing. By championing fresh, minimally processed foods, we’re driving a much-needed shift in how we nourish our pets — prioritising long-term health, quality, and care.”
Dr. Anna Hielm-Björkman
An Assistant Professor at the University of Helsinki and the founder and Principal Investigator of the DogRisk Research Group, one of the world’s most prominent research programs examining the long-term effects of processed, fresh, and raw diets on canine health. Her research spans allergies, gastrointestinal health, metabolic disorders, scent-detection work, and the role of nutrition in chronic disease development.
“Natural, minimally processed diets can play a major role in reducing allergies, improving gut health, and lowering long-term disease risk in pets. By working together, we can bring the benefits of fresh nutrition to many more dogs and cats.”
How Science shapes our food
The Science Hub is not an abstract advisory panel — it is integrated into how we work every day:
Fresh feeding has the science to back it up.
We’re committed to bringing evidence-based nutrition to every bowl – with transparency, rigour, and genuine care for animal health.
Want to chat?
Get in touch here.
The Nutriment Company Germany
Werftstrasse 26, 40549 Düsseldorf, Germany.
The Nutriment Company Sweden
Kungsgatan 42, 111 35 Stockholm, Sweden.