Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) in Dog Food
The Hidden Risk to Your Dog’s Health: AGEs
Advanced Glycation End Products
When it comes to feeding our dogs, we often focus on ingredients—protein sources, vegetables, and fats—but what about the cooking process itself? Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) are harmful compounds formed when proteins or fats combine with sugars under high heat. These compounds accelerate aging, inflammation, and disease in both humans and animals. And unfortunately, they are abundant in many processed pet foods.
What Are AGEs and Why Do They Matter?
AGEs naturally form in the body through metabolism, but diet can significantly increase exposure. When foods are cooked at high temperatures—such as during kibble extrusion, canning, or frying—AGE levels skyrocket.
A recent study published in the Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition (Bridglalsingh et al., 2024) took a deep dive into AGEs in pet food. The findings? Some diets contribute far more AGEs to a dog's system than others.
AGE Levels in Different Types of Dog Food
Highest AGE Concentration → Canned/Wet Food (WF)
Moderately High → Air-Dried Food (ADF)
Lower Levels → Kibble/Dry Food (DF) and Mildly Cooked Food (MF)
This means that the more processed the food, the higher the AGE content. And that matters, because dogs eating high-AGE diets had significantly more AGEs in their bloodstream, which contributes to inflammation and chronic disease.
How AGEs Harm Your Dog's Health
AGE accumulation doesn’t just happen with aging—it actively contributes to faster aging and disease progression.
🔥 Diabetes & Metabolic Issues → AGEs disrupt insulin function, increasing the risk of blood sugar imbalances.
🔥 Heart Disease & Poor Circulation → AGEs damage blood vessels, leading to cardiovascular problems.
🔥 Cognitive Decline → Research links AGEs to Alzheimer’s-like changes in the brain.
🔥 Joint & Skin Aging → AGEs degrade collagen, leading to stiff joints, brittle skin, and premature aging.
🔥 Kidney Dysfunction → Since AGEs must be filtered out of the bloodstream, high levels place stress on the kidneys, increasing the risk of kidney disease.
How to Reduce AGEs in Your Dog’s Diet
The good news? You can help slow down AGE accumulation by making some simple changes to your dog’s diet.
✅ Feed Fresh, Minimally Processed Foods
Raw or lightly cooked meals contain significantly fewer AGEs than kibble or canned foods.
✅ Use Gentle Cooking Methods
Steaming, boiling, or sous-vide cooking reduces AGE formation while preserving nutrients.
✅ Add Antioxidant-Rich Foods
Blueberries, leafy greens, turmeric, and polyphenol-rich vegetables help neutralize oxidative stress caused by AGEs.
✅ Support Detox Pathways
Bone broth, medicinal mushrooms, and fulvic/humic minerals assist the body in removing harmful compounds.
✅ Increase Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Found in fish oil, krill oil, or grass-fed meats, omega-3s counteract inflammation caused by AGEs.
It's safe to assume that all dogs consuming highly processed diets—especially kibble, canned food, and air-dried food—are accumulating some level of AGEs in their bodies. The degree of impact will vary based on diet, genetics, and overall health, but long-term exposure contributes to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, which can accelerate disease and aging.
Signs Your Dog May Be Affected by AGEs
Since AGEs contribute to inflammation and cellular damage, symptoms may show up in different ways, depending on where the damage accumulates most in your dog’s body.
🔥 Joint Stiffness & Mobility Issues → Early arthritis, slower movement, reluctance to jump or exercise.
🔥 Digestive Issues → Chronic loose stools, bloating, or poor gut health due to inflammation.
🔥 Skin & Coat Problems → Dry, flaky skin, excessive shedding, or slow-healing wounds.
🔥 Weight Gain or Metabolic Changes → Difficulty maintaining a healthy weight despite a controlled diet.
🔥 Cognitive Decline (Doggy Dementia) → Increased confusion, restlessness, pacing, or forgetfulness in older dogs.
🔥 Frequent Infections or Weak Immunity → Chronic ear infections, skin infections, or slow recovery from illness.
🔥 Kidney or Liver Stress → Increased thirst, frequent urination, or abnormal bloodwork related to kidney or liver function.
Many of these symptoms overlap with aging, but high AGE exposure accelerates these changes. That’s why reducing dietary AGEs early on is key—it may help slow disease progression, improve overall vitality, and extend your dog's healthy years.
What If My Dog Seems Fine?
AGEs accumulate over time, meaning even if your dog isn’t showing symptoms today, the damage is still happening at a cellular level. Just like in humans, early dietary intervention can delay or prevent age-related disease.
That’s why switching to a lower-AGE diet now is one of the best ways to support long-term health and slow aging.