Carbs in the canine diet

Why am I looking at carbs for dogs? Dogs don’t have a biological requirement for carbohydrates in the way they do for protein and fats. However, carbohydrates offer a supply of glucose, which dogs do require for their energy needs. That allows protein, which would otherwise be converted to glucose, to perform other functions.

Commercial dog foods

Cereal grains have been a staple in many commercial dog diets because of their low cost and easy storage. Commercial dog foods can comprise up to 40% carbohydrates (I’ve seen reports of 60%), which frequently serve merely as a filler and binding agent rather than a source of nutrients. This bulk is sourced primarily from cereal grains like wheat, corn, and rice (and even “cellulose” – did you know that is just another word for wood pulp?)[1]. Unsurprisingly, many of these ‘fibrous’ filler ingredients are poorly fermented and can decrease digestibility[2]: in other words, they are not doing much for the gut or for health generally.

Not all carbohydrates are bad

That said, not all carbohydrates are bad for dogs; we just need to make sure they are getting the ‘good’ carbs. Good carbs can support digestive function and overall wellbeing. So it’s worth considering the quality and quantity of the carbs our dogs eat.

First, carbohydrate content should be lower: closer to 10-15% of overall diet is more suitable.  Second, functional carbohydrates derived from high-quality, natural sources such as pumpkin and green vegetables come along with beneficial vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, that you won’t find in high-glycaemic, starchy fillers.

Dietary fibres

Carbohydrates can be beneficial in terms of prebiotics and dietary fibre, which is closely linked to gut health. Fibres, particularly soluble fibres, ferment in the gut, creating beneficial compounds that support intestinal health and feed good bacteria. A high fibre diet has been shown to improve glycaemic control and quality of life for dogs with diabetes[3]. Studies have shown that sweet potato and pulses may improve gut functionality in dogs (whereas corn and potato diets may increase the glycaemic peak)[4]. Gut health can affect mood and behaviour. Happy gut, happy mood.

Natural whole food sources of carbohydrates suitable for dogs include:

  • Sweet potatoes
  • Carrots and peas
  • Pumpkin and butternut squash
  • Bananas
  • Rice
  • Rolled oats and flours including teff, millet and quinoa flour
  • Legumes and pulses such as lentils and chickpeas (preferably sprouted to increase bioavailability)

 

Health benefits

Healthy wholefood carbohydrates provide a range of health benefits. Foods like sweet potatoes and pumpkin support a balanced diet by delivering vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and a stable energy source, with a low impact on blood sugar levels.

The gradual digestion and absorption of glucose from complex carbohydrates helps to maintain energy levels, which is particularly useful in active or working dogs who need sustained energy.

All things in moderation

Whilst dogs can digest starch effectively, the emphasis should be on moderation to prevent excess calorie intake. I aim to keep carbohydrates at or below 15% of the diet, derived where possible from nutrient-dense, wholefood sources.

Moderating intake, avoiding processed foods and prioritising healthy carbs will minimise potential health risks and help create a balanced, health-supporting diet for dogs of all activity levels.

References:

[1] El-Wahab, A.A.; Linens, J.B.; Hankel, J.; Visscher, C.; Ullrich, C. Effect of Different Fiber Sources as Additives to Wet Food for Beagle Dogs on Diet Acceptance, Digestibility, and Faecal Quality. Vet. Sci. 2023, 10, 91. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10020091

[2] Renan A Donadelli, Charles G Aldrich, The effects on nutrient utilization and stool quality of Beagle dogs fed diets with beet pulp, cellulose, and Miscanthus grass, Journal of Animal Science, Volume 97, Issue 10, October 2019, Pages 4134–4139, https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz265

[3] Graham, P.A.; Maskell, I.E.; Rawlings, J.M.; Nash, A.S.; Markwell, P.J. Influence of a high fibre diet on glycaemic control and quality of life in dogs with diabetes mellitus. J. Small Anim. Pract. 2002, 43, 67–73

[4] Kaelle, G.C.B. et al. Different starch sources result in distinct responses to diets digestibility, fecal microbiota and fermentative metabolites, and postprandial glycemic response in dogs. Animal Feed Science and Technology, ISSN: 0377-8401, Vol: 306, Page: 115822 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2023.115822

 

Want to know more? These studies may be useful:

  • Cummings, J.H., and A.M. Stephen. 2007. Carbohydrate terminology and classification. Eur J Clin Nutr. Suppl 1:S5–18. doi:1038/sj.ejcn.1602936
  • Scott, K.P., R. Grimaldi, M. Cunningham, S.R. Sarbini, A. Wijeyesekera, M.L.K. Tang, J.C.Y. Lee, Y.F. Yau, J. Ansell, S. Theis, et al. . 2020. Developments in understanding and applying prebiotics in research and practice—an ISAPP conference paper. J. Appl. Microbiol. 128:934–949. doi:10.1111/jam.14424
  • Cho HW, Seo K, Lee MY, Lee SY, So KM, Kim KH, Chun JL. Nutritional value of common carbohydrate sources used in pet foods. J Anim Sci Technol. 2024 Nov;66(6):1282-1290. doi: 10.5187/jast.2024.e91. Epub 2024 Nov 30. PMID: 39691608; PMCID: PMC11647412.

Important Considerations:

  • Always consult your veterinarian before making any significant dietary changes, particularly where there are pre-existing health conditions or dietary restrictions.
  • If you are feeding commercial food, check the label for ingredients before giving more. Excessive intake of any foods can have adverse effects.
  • Ensure (where possible) that you use high-quality, organic products specifically formulated for pets (or better still, human grade ingredients) to avoid any potential adverse effects.
  • Introduce new foods gradually to avoid adverse effects such as gastrointestinal upset or diarrhoea.
  • I provide nutritional information purely as a helpful guide. Nutritional information on ingredients is obtained from the US Department of Agriculture’s FoodData Central site (https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/index.html) and any nutritional information provided in recipes is based on an online calculator: calories and other information will vary based on brands, ingredients and other factors.
  • Check nutrient levels and recommendations for your dog’s weight, age and activity. For example this nutritional guideline produced by FEDIAF.
  • I am not a professional nutritionist. I am sharing recipes that I have created and tested in my kitchen and that have been tasted and approved by our doggy friends.