Low Carbohydrate Dog Food: Which Carbs Are Best?

In the world of dog nutrition, carbohydrates are a source of much debate. Do dogs even need carbohydrates? Is a protein-based diet the best option? What is the best type of low carbohydrate dog food? These are questions dog parents often ask, and, as veterinarians, we can provide you with some insight into the best dog food options for your furry friends.

Is A Low Carb Dog Food A Good Option?

In general, dogs only need a minimal amount of carbohydrates. Healthy carbs can provide an excellent source of energy, but they should not make up the bulk of a dog's diet.

Many commercial dog food options tend to be higher in carbohydrates than necessary. Too often, even a dog food advertised as a high protein low carb dog food will include cheap, poor-quality carb sources that aren't the best option for most dogs.

These foods still meet the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). This is an independent organization that sets standards for pet foods and animal feed. While dogs should always be fed food that meets AAFCO standards as a "complete and balanced" diet, even foods that meet these standards might not be the healthiest option for your dog.

Which Carbs Can Be A Good Option?

In general, we recommend selecting food that includes carbs that pack a solid nutritional profile. So, while corn and wheat are not particularly nutritious options, foods such as brown rice, millet, pearled barley, and even white potatoes or sweet potatoes can be great options.

Additionally, veggies and fruits such as carrots, green beans, broccoli, pumpkin, blueberries, spinach, and green peas are just a few options that offer an assortment of vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants, all of which can be beneficial for dogs.

A Look at Commercial Dog Food & Carbohydrate Content

In general, dog parents have several food options to consider — dry dog food (kibble), wet dog food (canned), raw food, and fresh dog food. Of these four options, kibble is by far the most commonly purchased dog food option. It's also the most heavily processed and, typically, contains the highest amount of carbohydrates.

Let's look at the ingredients of one popular dog food brand's dry food. This brand meets AAFCO's standards as complete and balanced. Its primary ingredients include chicken, white rice, whole grain wheat, poultry by-product, soybean meal, beef fat, corn gluten meal, whole grain corn, egg product, and fish meal.

Chicken (both white and dark meat), poultry by-products, soy meal, egg products, and fish meal are the main protein sources. Poultry by-product is organ meat. Soy meal is created by extracting the oil from soybeans and then grinding the beans. Egg product, which is dried, contains the yolk and white of the egg without the shell.

As veterinarians, we have a few qualms about these ingredients. For instance, dark meat chicken and organ meats can be too high in fat for some dogs, especially for dogs with digestive issues. Soy meal and "egg product" are heavily processed, which tends to lessen the nutritional value of food.

Additionally, about 35% of the calories in this dry dog food come from carbohydrates, and the carb sources themselves are not necessarily the best options. White rice is the main carbohydrate source, and while it is easily digestible, it's not as nutritious as brown rice.

Whole grain wheat likewise is not as nutritious as many other carbohydrate sources, but it's inexpensive, making it a profitable addition to dry dog food. While many dogs can digest wheat without issue, it can cause digestive issues in some dogs. Corn also has very little nutritional value, but it's cheap as well, so it's often used as a filler in commercial dog food.

Canned food options can be lower in carbohydrates, but they are heavily processed as well and can contain fatty ingredients such as liver, pork lungs, and other organ meats. Again, these can be difficult for some dogs to digest given their high fat content.

While many dogs have no issues digesting dry dog food or canned food, it's important to note that these options typically contain chemical preservatives as well as synthetic vitamins and minerals and ingredients such as carrageenan, which has been associated with gut lining disruption.

What About Raw Food & Fresh Food?

Raw food typically contains raw proteins as well as a selection of veggies and fruits, and because it's minimally processed and usually contains only whole food ingredients, this nutritional approach appeals to many dog parents seeking healthier options than canned food or kibble. It also typically qualifies as a high protein low carb dog food diet.

However, the downside with raw food is that it is far less digestible than cooked food. This might be fine for a young dog or dogs with no digestive issues, but it can be a bad match for dogs that tend to have sensitive stomachs.

Additionally, many raw brands also incorporate fatty organ meats into the food. If you need a dog food for digestive problems or the best dog food for overweight dogs, a high-fat diet is not a good option.

Again, many dogs have no issues with these diets, but for dogs with digestive problems or perhaps allergies and food sensitivities, it's better to opt for a food that is less processed with fewer ingredients.

A low-carb, low-fat fresh dog food can be the best option for many dogs. Look for fresh dog food options that contain only gently-cooked, human-grade whole food ingredients. If your dog has digestive issues or you are searching for an anti inflammatory diet for dogs, it's also wise to stick with a limited-ingredient option that contains only four or five ingredients.

All of our vet developed dog food recipes have a carbohydrate content of less than 10%, and we use only carefully selected carbs, chosen for their specific health benefits; this is an important factor when selecting a dog food. Our food also meets AAFCO standards for all life stages, and we use only human-grade ingredients gently cooked in USDA-inspected kitchens.

Our holistic dog food recipes were not only crafted by veterinarians, but we also brought in a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. Each diet was crafted with a specific nutritional intent, so whether you have been searching for a low copper dog food, a liver support diet, a dog kidney diet, a gentle diet for a sensitive stomach, or perhaps a diet for weight management, we have multiple options to consider.

Chi Dog: Holistic Food For Dogs

Our fresh low carbohydrate dog food can be a good option for many dogs. To determine which diet option may be the best fit for your sweet pooch, head to our homepage and select the Get Started tab, and take our short quiz. If you have any questions about our food, don't hesitate to get in touch. And, as always, we recommend consulting with your dog's veterinarian before switching to a new diet.

FAQ's

1. Is low carbohydrate dog food good for dogs?

Yes. Dogs generally need only a minimal amount of carbohydrates. A low carbohydrate diet can provide balanced nutrition while avoiding excessive amounts of carbohydrates, particularly when the diet uses nutritious, whole-food carbohydrate sources.

2. What are the best carbohydrates for dogs?

Nutritious carbohydrate sources can include brown rice, millet, pearled barley, white potatoes, and sweet potatoes. Fruits and vegetables such as carrots, green beans, broccoli, pumpkin, blueberries, spinach, and green peas can also provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

3. How much carbohydrate should dog food contain?

The article recommends limiting carbohydrates rather than eliminating them entirely. ChiDog's vet-developed recipes contain less than 10% carbohydrates and use carefully selected carbohydrate sources for their nutritional benefits.

4. Is fresh dog food better for dogs with sensitive stomachs?

Fresh, gently cooked dog food may be a good option for dogs with sensitive stomachs because cooked food can be more digestible than raw food. The article also recommends choosing limited-ingredient recipes with four or five ingredients for dogs with digestive issues or food sensitivities.

5. What should I look for in low carbohydrate dog food?

Look for a complete and balanced food made with high-quality, whole-food ingredients and nutritious carbohydrate sources. The article recommends fresh foods that are gently cooked and human-grade, with limited ingredients when appropriate. ChiDog's recipes contain less than 10% carbohydrates and meet AAFCO standards for all life stages.