What is considered low carb for dogs

Low-Protein Diet for Dogs: The Ultimate Guide

Once the vet informs you that you need to change to a low-protein diet for dogs, the questions start popping up: what is a low-protein food, where can you buy it, will your dog like it, how low in protein the diet should be, and more.

Here's everything you should know about a low-protein diet for dogs.

When is A Low-Protein Diet for Dogs Needed?

It is not up to you to decide whether your dog needs a low protein diet. If done improperly, decreasing protein intake can do a lot of harm to your dog.

Switch your dog to a low-protein diet only if your vet prescribes it.

A low-protein diet for dogs is often recommended when pets have a medical condition that affects the functions of their liver or kidneysor if they have a particular type of bladder stone.

Studies have shown that this type of diet improves the condition, makes dogs feel less lethargic, and even extends the lifespan of terminally ill dogs (1, 2).

The liver and kidneys contribute to metabolizing proteins in the dog's body.

When either of these organs is already under significant strain due to other dysfunction (e.g., liver disease, kidney disease), decreasing the amount of protein they need to process will prevent further complications, such as kidney failure (3).

This diet change may be permanent, especially if your pet has a chronic kidney or liver illness. It may also be temporary, such as in the case of bladder stones.

With the latter, you'll switch away from a low-protein diet and back to a normal diet when your dog gets rid of the stones (4, 5).

Research has shown that feeding a low protein dog food diet can lead to losing less protein through kidneys with dysfunction (6). Therefore, in these particular cases, less protein in the diet can paradoxically mean more protein supplied to your dog's body (7).

What Are the Side Effects of a Low-Protein Diet for Dogs?

Never decrease your dog's protein intake by yourself. While a low protein diet for dogs can be beneficial in certain cases, this dietary change needs to be taken extremely seriously and approached with caution.

Only a veterinarian can recommend your dog this type of diet, and they will give you the necessary advice on how to stick to it, a specific timeline, and even prescribe the appropriate food for your dog.

A low protein diet can have side effects such as losing weight and muscle mass, vitamin deficiency, and malnutrition all of which lead to further health problems (8).

If you choose to feed your dog a low-protein diet on your own, you risk disregarding the other important nutrients that need to be compensated for.

This is why only a vet or canine nutritionist can design a low-protein diet for your individual dog.

Low protein diets are also known to weaken a dog's immune system and cause mood swings, exhaustion, muscle trembling, and melancholy.

These symptoms will be worse in the dogs that dont actually need to be put on a low protein diet.

How Low in Protein Can a Low-Protein Diet for Dogs Be?

If you look, you will find several low-protein dog food brands available for purchase. However, not every low-protein dog food brand will fit your pet's requirements.

To understand the vets recommendation, you need to know how much protein your dog consumes daily.

Look at the dog food label. The protein content is expressed in percentages on a dry matter basis.

Recommended protein intake for an adult dog should be 18%, and for a puppy, this number is 28%.

Working and athletic dogs should consume about 25% of protein, while lactating dogs will need 28%.

Regular dog foods which you normally buy will contain around 20-25% of protein. Low-protein dog foods will vary in percentage, but you will usually halve the amount.

What Should You Feed Your Pet on a Low-Protein Diet for Dogs?

You have three options to agree with your veterinarian on in terms of the new diet:

1. Buy a prescription dog food brand for a specific health condition (costly)
2. Make low-protein homemade dog food meals (somewhat expensive)
3. Buy regular dog food brands that are lower in protein (average priced)

The first option can be the easiest and most appropriate. Your veterinarian prescribes a particulardog food brand designed for the exact health issue that your dog has.

You'll need that prescription to buy the food, which you can sometimes purchase at the vet's clinic.

Prescription foods are the most expensive on the market, and they're also harder to find.

The second option is less expensive than prescription foods, but it's time-consuming. You need to design each meal with specific ingredients your dog requires while at the same time avoiding protein-rich foods.

You need to be extremely precise and follow instructions for a tee. Every homemade low-protein dog food recipe needs to be approved by your vet.

The third option is simply buying dog food from pet stores or online the way you normally do, except you'll need to pick from foods labeled Low Protein.

While this is the least expensive and time-consuming option among the three, it's not always possible to find the kind of low-protein dog food that fits your pet's current requirements.

Ask your vet which regular dog food brands they believe can be a good fit for your pooch.

Note: Make sure that you're veterinarian doesn't push for prescription dog foods only without explanation. There is no reason you cannot feed a dog a homemade diet as long as the vet has approved every recipe and you stay precise with ingredients. Always confirm whether you can buy a regular dog food brand instead of prescription foods, and if the veterinarian says it's not an option, ask them to explain why that is the case.

How to Make a Homemade Low-Protein Diet for Dogs

You can follow a low-protein diet for dogs with homemade recipes as long as your vet has approved them (here's an example recipe).

Before you decide to do that, you must understand the intricacies of such a dietary approach.

First, keep in mind is that all proteins are not the same. They are ranked based on the dog's body's ability to utilize a specific protein source (9).

This is the part that's vital to dogs on a low protein diet. A protein's quality is referred to as biological value.

Chicken Eggs have the highest biological value for protein (94/100 BV) among dog foods.

Thus, eggs present the point of reference for all other types of foods to be compared to, and it's the most common ingredient in a low protein diet for dogs (10).

Below are the rest of the foods ranked from the highest BV for protein:

Buckwheat: 90 BVCow's milk: 90 BVCheese: 84 BVQuinoa: 83 BVRice: 83 BVFish: 76 BVBeef: 74.3 BV

Eggs, fish, red meat, and poultry protein are good quality sources with decent BV (11).

For a homemade low protein diet for dogs, you need to account for this to accommodate your dogs needs.

While soy and corn are also rich in usable protein, you should avoid them as they aren't necessarily the best food items for a canine.

When you're designing your pup's meals, you should always try to hit as many birds with as few stones, so seek out foods with a specific protein amount and BV and those that are also saturated with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.

Additionally, how much protein your dog needs will also depend on their breed, daily life, habits, health history, and age, as well as the exact health issue they're currently dealing with.

This is why it's important for a low protein diet to be tailor-made by your vet and worked out specifically for your individual pet.

Best Low-Protein Dog Food Brands

Below are some of the best low-protein dog food brands you can buy instead of prescription dog food or homemade meals.

However, it would help if you were certain that the percentage of protein dry matter basis fits the needs of your individual dog ask your veterinarian about each brand you're considering.

Sticking To The New Diet of Low-Protein

If your dog is used to eating a particular type of food, it is normal that they will find the change difficult at first.

Some owners find it easier to mix low protein dry dog food with a little bit of low protein wet dog food. It's more expensive but makes the switch easier.

Generally, when switching to a low protein diet for picky dogs, homemade foods are likely to have the best success ratio.

When you change your dogs diet, your main task will be to stick to it. Don't forget about dog treats you give your pup between meals they can be high in protein.

Make a plan for your dogs meals and stick to that plan. There can be no more giving into your dog's puppy eyes.

If you are consistent in what you are offering them in the beginning, it will be easier for both of you in the future to control your pet's protein intake.

Disclosure: Wemay earn affiliate commissions at no cost to you from the links on this page. This did notaffect our assessment of products.Read more hereand findfull disclosure here.

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20 Best Low-Carb Dog Foods in 2023

This (updated) guide reviews all of the best low-carb dog foods this year.

Heres a fact:

Most traditional dog foods are made up of 50% carbohydrates on average. Compare this to the carbohydrate intake of wolves, which is just around 1%.

These figures can explain why canine obesity is so common these days. And while a low-carb diet is not a cure-all, it can help prevent weight-related issues and allow your dog to lead a healthier, more fulfilled life.

With that in mind, here are some of our top choice for the best low-carb dog foods. Feel free to scroll around, and be sure to check out the buyers guide at the end!

The Best Low-Carb Dog Foods

Best Freeze-Dried and Frozen Low-Carb Dog Foods

1.Stella & Chewys Stellas Super Beef Meal Mixers Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Topper

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Beef, 2. Beef Liver, 3. Beef Heart, 4. Organic Cranberries, 5. Organic Carrots

Labeling this dog food as the best all-around low-carb option wouldnt be an overstatement. For comparison, it features a protein to carb ratio of about 4:1, and the entire formula only consists of 10% carbohydrates comprised of low GI ingredients like pumpkin seeds and cranberries.

Everything from the protein selection to the organic vegetables and fruits speaks of outstanding quality. Grass-fed beef is the only source of protein, and it also uses liver, kidney, and heart to boost the formulas nutritional value.

2.Visionary Pet Foods Raw Frozen Keto Beef Recipe Patties Adult Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Beef & Beef Heart, 2. Vegetables, 3. Seeds & Coconut Oil, 4. Beef Liver, 5. Vitamins and Minerals

No dog food can beat Visionary Pet Foods Raw Keto Beef Patties regarding low carbohydrate content. According to the brand, their patties contain only 4-grams of carbs in a single 8-ounce patty. If you do the math, thats a little over 1% of the total nutritional value. This figure makes these patties a true keto-only diet solution.

Since the formula is virtually free from carbs, it also contains zero starchy vegetables, added sugar, fructose, or other undesirable carbohydrates. All of the protein comes from beef meat and heart, while fats and other micronutrients come from vegetable seeds and healthy oils. Because the patties are frozen and raw, they will require careful handling and freezing to preserve their freshness.

3.Primal Venison Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Venison, 2. Venison Hearts, 3. Venison Livers, 4. Organic Pumpkin Seeds, 5. Organic Cranberries

Primal Venison Nuggets Freeze-Dried Dog Food stands out among the dog foods in the freeze-dried category because of its excellent list of ingredients.

Venison meat and organs are the primary protein sources, while the remaining ingredients are mostly fruits and vegetables. All of the produce is certified organic, and the meat is antibiotic and hormone-free venison.

4.Ziwi Peak Lamb Grain-Free Air-Dried Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Lamb, 2. Lamb Heart, 3. Lamb Liver, 4. New Zealand Green Mussel, 5. Inulin from Chicory

Striking the perfect balance between dry and raw food is a difficult task. However, Ziwi Peak Lamb Dog Food has succeeded with its unique air-drying process and incredibly low carbohydrate levels. Their advanced preservation method involved air-drying each batch to kill any bacteria while preserving the goodness of raw food.

Because this process also eliminates the need for starchy binders, the carbohydrate content of the formula is only 4%. For dry food, thats an insane figure. What makes the dog food even more appealing is its use of grass-fed free-range lamb protein. The recipe also contains a unique ingredient called New Zealand green mussels that enrich the food with glucosamine and chondroitin, two essential nutrients for good joint health.

5.Instinct Frozen Raw Medallions Grain-Free Grass-Fed Lamb Recipe Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Lamb, 2. Lamb Kidney, 3. Lamb Spleen, 4. Apples, 5. Sweet Potatoes

Like all great raw frozen dog foods, Instincts Raw Medallions also provide tons of extra nutrients, but with the added benefit of being low in carbohydrates. Most of the recipe comes from lamb meat and organs, which provide loads of muscle-building protein. Similarly, the formula uses multiple fruits and vegetables, most of which are non-GMO and obtained from organic sources.

With macronutrients in these quantities, carbs make up a meager 7% of the entire formula. And whats even better is that most of these are vegetable-based and easy to digest. Instinct uses a cold-pressing method to preserve the taste and nutrients of raw food in their medallions. We recommend handling this food like raw meat to prevent the spread of germs and contaminants.

6.Natures Logic All-Natural Grain-Free Chicken Feast Patties Raw Frozen Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Chicken Liver, 3. Chicken Heart, 4. Dried Apple, 5. Dried Blueberry

Providing your dog with a delicious low-carb ancestral diet is easy using foods like Natures Logic Raw Chicken Feast Patties. Because the food doesnt require any carbohydrates as binders, the recipe can include other, healthier ingredients.

Most nutritional value of the patties comes from chicken meat and organs along with dried vegetables and fruits, eliminating the need for starchy ingredients and grains, leaving the carbohydrate content of the food at just under 6%. Because most nutrients come from whole ingredients, the food is completely free from synthesized and artificial micronutrients.

7.Stella & Chewys Dandy Lamb Dinner Patties Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Lamb, 2. Lamb Spleen, 3. Lamb Heart, 4. Organic Cranberries, 5. Organic Beets

Some dogs naturally have sensitive stomachs that cant digest dense proteins like beef. Thats where Stella & Chewys Dandy Lamb Dinner Patties come in. These high-protein and low-carb pieces of heaven use grass-fed lamb meat and organs, so your sensitive dog can also enjoy an ancestral raw diet. While meat does form almost 38% of the recipe, the remainder comes from organic vegetables and micronutrients.

Thus, carbohydrates only make up 18% of this recipe. Most of this is composed of pumpkin seeds, which have a low GI and are unlikely to cause any digestive issues. Since the patties are freeze-dried, theyre also easier to store and serve compared to frozen food.

8.TruDog Feed Me Crunchy Munchy Beef Bonanza Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Beef, 2. Beef Tripe, 3. Beef Lung, 4. Ground Beef Bone, 5. Herring Oil

Rarely do you come across a dog food filled with only meaty goodness like TruDog Feed Me Beef Bonanza. If you look at its limited ingredient list, youll only find mentions of beef meat, organs, and other nutritious parts of the animal. With so much protein and healthy fats, there is little room for unhealthy carbs.

We calculate about 18% carbohydrates in this food, though the brand claims the figure to be 14%. While they dont list the source of the carbs, the low-carb percentage places this dog food on our wish list.

9.Nulo Freestyle Beef Recipe With Apples Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Beef, 2. Beef Heart, 3. Beef Liver, 4. Apples, 5. Sweet Potato

When it comes to taste and nutritional value, Nulo Freestyle Beef Recipe Dog Food is a strong contender. Like every other freeze-dried option, it is also full of raw beef meat and organs that offer more proteins than processed dry foods. But aside from that, the recipe is also chock-full of healthy vegetables and fruits that provide loads of nutrients.

Amongst these nutrients are also carbohydrates that form roughly 18% of the recipe. But since most of them are plant-based, they digest easily and dont contribute to weight gain. Its also worth noting that the dog food contains GanedenBC30, a probiotic that aids digestion and allows your dog to absorb nutrients more effectively.

10.Vital Essentials Beef Mini Nibs Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Beef, 2. Beef Lung, 3. Beef Liver, 4. Beef Fat, 5. Herring Oil

Who said using freeze-dried food is inconvenient? With Vital Essentials Beef Mini Nibs, you can store and serve your dog low-carb raw food just like your regular kibbles. The formula is made completely out of protein-rich beef parts that contain the same nutrients as raw meat and is also free from grains, fillers, and all kinds of artificial additives.

This formula only contains 17% carbs, a surprisingly low figure compared to standard freeze-dried foods. Since the food is in freeze-dried form, it preserves the natural goodness of raw meat that dogs love. The main benefit is that the kibble doesnt need freezing or refrigeration.

Best Dry Low-Carb Dog Foods

Dry foods are the go-to for most dog owners because of their convenience and long shelf-life. Unfortunately, this comes at a cost that is a high carb count. Lucky for you, weve compiled a list of the best dry dog foods with the fewest carbohydrates amongst all other options in the market. They are as follows:

11.Visionary Pet Foods Keto Low Carb Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken Meal, 2. Chicken, 3. Chicken Fat, 4. Dried Egg, 5. Natural Chicken Liver Flavor

If theres one thing weve learned in our research, its that the best dog foods usually come from relatively unknown brands. Visionary Pet Foods is one such brand that makes one of the best low-carb dry dog foods on the market. How do we know? It contains less than 7% carbohydrates, which is lower than almost any food on the market.

Most of the nutrients in this food are either sourced from proteins or fats, as they should be. And those proteins and fats are sourced from 100% real chicken meat and fat, making the food significantly more nutritious and easier to digest. Since the food is nearly free from carbohydrates, its an excellent choice for dogs that suffer from allergies or digestive issues.

12.Ketogenic Pet Food Keto Kibble Dog & Cat Dry Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken Meal, 2. Organic Chicken, 3. Chicken Fat, 4. Beet Fiber, 5. Coconut Oil

The name of Ketogenic Kibble Dry Food is pretty self-explanatory. It provides pets with an ancestral diet similar to keto, with 60% of its nutrient content consisting of proteins and 16% fats. A major chunk of both of these are animal-based and derived from chicken and beef.

Because most of the recipe is proteins and fats, there are no starchy carbs like potatoes or tapioca. The carbohydrate content stands at around 9%, primarily sourced from low GI ingredients like fruits and vegetables.

13.Wysong Epigen Starch-Free Chicken Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog & Cat Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Organic Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Meat Protein Isolate, 4. Chicken Fat, 5. Dried Plain Beet Pulp

Wysong is pretty well-known for creating dog foods with unprecedented nutrient levels. But if youre looking for a low-carb solution, their Epigen Starch-Free Dry Food would be our recommendation. The formula provides pets with a starch-free ancestral diet with staggering protein levels, so its no surprise that it consists of almost 60% protein.

This dog food is also made up of 15% fats and contains a variety of micronutrients like vitamins, probiotics, and antioxidants. Wysong uses a proprietary extrusion process to manufacture this food that eliminates all starchy carbs from the end product. This only leaves space for almost 11% of carbs, most of which come from vegetables and fruits.

14.ORIJEN Fit & Trim Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Chicken, 2. Chicken Liver, 3. Cage-Free Eggs, 4. Whole Red Lentils, 5. Whole Chickpeas

Losing weight and becoming lean requires a very calculated macro intake but generally involves eating few carbs. Fortunately, with foods like Orijen Fit & Trim, you already have the homework done and can skip straight to feeding your dog a wholesome diet designed to keep them lean and active. Its a special formula because it sources protein from various animal meat, including chicken, turkey, herring, and cod.

More than that, it only contains low GI carbohydrates like lentils and green peas that are much preferable over starchy carbs when it comes to weight loss. Proteins form at least 42% of the food, and fats consist of at least 13%. After considering fibers and moisture, carbohydrates accumulate approximately 1/4 of the nutrient content of the dog food.

15.Solid Gold Barking at the Moon High Protein Grain-Free Beef, Eggs & Peas Dry Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Beef, 2. Ocean Fish Meal, 3. Potatoes, 4. Chicken Fat, 5. Blueberries

Dogs need lots of calories to stay active. But at the same time, these calories need to come from proteins and fats. Solid Golds Barking At The Moon Dog Food is tailor-made to fuel your dogs body with premium proteins and few carbs. Proteins are derived from real beef and eggs, while carbs are sourced primarily from potatoes.

Despite using starchy vegetables, the carbohydrate content of the dog food stands at just 27%, which is a respectable figure for dry food. Most of the nourishment will still be coming from proteins and fats. Another highlight feature of this dog food is that it contains probiotics. These ultimately benefit your dogs gut flora and overall digestive health.

16.ORIJEN Regional Red Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Beef, 2. Deboned Wild Boar, 3. Deboned Goat, 4. Whole Red Lentils, 5. Whole Green Peas

Theres no better diet for dogs than one made from premium-quality red meat and easily digestible carbs. Thats exactly the philosophy behind Orijens Regional Red Dog Food. The brand focuses on providing canines with an ancestral diet full of protein from animals like beef, boar, lamb, goat, pork, and even fish.

Almost 85% of this protein consists of pure meat, and at least 38% of this formula is composed of protein. While the food isnt completely devoid of carbohydrates, most of them come from low GI ingredients like chickpeas and lentils. As for the quantity, carbs uptake a little over 1/4 of the dog food.

17.Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken & Freeze-Dried Raw Pieces Dry Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Peas, 3. Chicken Fat, 4. Freeze Dried Chicken, 5. Freeze Dried Chicken Liver

A combined diet of raw bites and kibble is the highlight feature of Instinct Raw Boost Dry Food. But what makes this formula even more special is its low carbohydrate count. If you consider the guaranteed analysis, carbs make around 30% or roughly 1/3 of the dog food. And as for the source, most carbs are derived from tapioca and pumpkin seeds.

The rest of the food provides dogs with a high-protein, holistic diet. It uses chicken meat as the primary protein choice and contains freeze-dried raw bites that give your dog the pleasure of both food forms. Aside from that, the recipe is also enriched with probiotics to boost digestive health and various vitamins and omega fatty acids for good skin and coat health.

18.American Journey Landmark with Rainbow Trout and Herring Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Rainbow Trout, 2. Herring, 3. Dried Egg Product, 4. Lentils, 5. Dried Plain Beet Pulp

If your dog has a sensitive stomach, theres a good chance that digesting beef and starchy carbs would be difficult for them. In that case, American Journeys Landmark Dog Food would be an optimal choice. It uses rainbow trout and lentils to be super-digestible for dogs suffering from red meat or grain allergies.

Despite using such light ingredients, the dog food still boasts 40% protein content and just under 32% carbs. Although the carb figure is slightly higher than average, the low GI lentils and peas make up for it. Plus, the recipe contains various micronutrients, including omega fatty acids and probiotics that encourage good digestive and skin health.

19.Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast Grain-Free Natural Dry Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Bison Meal, 2. Peas, 3. Canola Oil, 4. Pacific Whiting Meal, 5. Flaxseed

As we head into the low-budget category, dog foods like Earthborn Holistic Great Plains start to shine. The formula is enriched with bison meal and egg protein to encourage muscle growth and nourishment. It also features multiple fruits and vegetables in the recipe list, which act as a natural source of vitamins and minerals.

On the carbohydrate side, the formula uses tapioca and peas to increase the nutritional value of the food. While these arent the ideal carbohydrate sources, theyre still better than what other manufacturers sell in the name of low-carb diets. And for the price, you really cant go wrong considering that Earthborn is offering a super-diverse and relatively low-carb food for your dog.

20.Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Turkey, 2. Turkey Meal, 3. Salmon Meal, 4. Chickpeas, 5. Sweet Potato

Nulos Freestyle Turkey & Sweet Potato formula is the perfect all-around product for canines of all breeds and sizes. It features an excellent macronutrient balance, with carbohydrates contributing to just 35% of the entire nutrient count. Moreover, the food uses many wholesome ingredients, particularly animal-based proteins sourced from turkey.

Sweet potatoes and chickpeas are the main carb source as they have a low GI and encourage weight loss. In addition, the recipe contains multiple micronutrients such as probiotics, omega fatty acids, and minerals that improve overall well-being. For the price, Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Sweet Potato Dog Food is an easy pick for low-carb diets.

Buyers Guide

Do you know that only 1% of a wolfs diet consists of carbohydrates?Yes, thats a crazy figure because almost all of their nutrition comes from protein and fats. That is the true ancestral diet of a domestic dog.

Unfortunately, its neither practical nor cheap to feed your canine lean meat cuts and healthy fats. However, changing to a food with relatively fewer carbs can be beneficial to your dogs health. Heres all you need to know about feeding your dog a low-carb diet:

What is a low-carb diet?

To understand why low-carb diets became famous in the first place, lets look at the history of dogs. One of the most important evolutionary traits that domestic dogs have acquired is the ability to digest carbohydrates. Carbs are a great source of energy because they are full of calories.

However, theres also a major downside to feeding your dog carbs. The first one is that not all dogs can properly digest carbohydrates, leading to digestive upsets and poor nutrient absorption. Another major issue with most kibble dog foods is that they have too many complex carbs. Not only are these extremely difficult to digest, but they also provide zero nutritional value and are often stored as fat.

A low-carb diet contains high levels of protein and fat, with a few low GI carbs. Both proteins and fats are a major part of a dogs ancestral diet, which is why theyre easier to digest and offer more energy than carbs. The purpose of low GI carbohydrates is to make your dog feel full without placing excess strain on its stomach.

The main purpose of a low-carb diet is to put your dogs body intoketosismode. This metabolic state can have tons of benefits on their body, mind, and overall health. A low-carb diet can significantly improve your dogs quality of life and overall lifespan in the long run. Lets discuss its benefits in detail below.

Benefits of a low-carb diet

Since low-carb food resembles a dogs ancestral diet, it has numerous benefits for their health. Even though most dogs can survive on standard dry food, a low-carb diet can significantly benefit their body, appearance, and energy levels. Here are some of the best benefits of feeding your dog a low-carb diet:

1. Helps in losing weight and becoming leaner

Obesity is the number one preventable disease amongst dogs in the US, with approximately 56% of canines classified as obese oroverweight. While there are multiple causes of canine obesity, such as inadequate exercise, the most significant is poor diet. And in the majority of cases, this means feeding your dog too many carbohydrates.

When you switch to a high-protein and low-carb diet, your dog starts getting the nutrients they truly need. High protein intake helps them put on more muscle mass, and lower carb intake puts their body in ketosis, where it starts breaking down excess fat, allowing your dog to lose weight and become leaner and more muscular.

2. Better digestion and reduced allergies

Many dogs have problems digesting carbohydrates. Some suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, while most are simply allergic to grains and sensitive to high-carb foods. If these dogs eat too many carbs, it can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and poor nutrient absorption.

Feeding these dogs a low-carb diet can be beneficial for their health. Theyll have more energy, have fewer bathroom accidents, and will generally become healthier and happier. Fewer allergies can also bring a lot of relief to dogs, and their coat health and mood will start improving as well.

3. Keeps diseases at bay

Dogs with diseases like diabetes and cancer can benefit immensely from a low-carb diet. By eating fewer carbs, their blood sugar level will stay regulated, and it will become easier for your dog to maintain a healthy weight.

A low-carb diet also has major benefits for dogs with cancer. Studies have shown that a body in ketosis can starve tumors prevent them from growing because tumors mainly rely on carbohydrates for energy. Still, more research on this topic regarding canines is needed.

4. Improves appearance and energy levels

A high carb intake can negatively affect your dogs appearance in multiple ways. For starters, carbs are a common cause of allergies and obesity in dogs. When your dog develops an allergy, its skin becomes itchy, and scratching can lead to bald spots. Moreover, obesity can ruin your dogsphysiqueand reduce their energy levels.

By changing to a low-carb diet, you will notice a drastic improvement in your dogs appearance. The high-fat intake will make your dogs fur softer and shinier, while fewer allergies will help them grow a full and even coat. As your dog starts losing weight, its body will also become leaner, and your dog will become more active and energetic.

How to choose a low-carb dog food?

Once youve decided to put your dog on a low-carb diet, the next step is to choose a great dog food. Although the process is similar to buying any other dog food, there are a few factors you need to consider. Heres all you need to look for when purchasing a low-carb dog food:

1. Type and form of food

Before anything else, decide which food form your dog loves and which is most convenient for you to handle. Our list includes three common food forms when it comes to low-carb dog food, which includes:

• Frozen food
• Freeze-Dried food
• Dry Food

The main difference between all of these types of foods is their preservation method.

Frozen food contains zero preservatives and usually comes in the form of patties or nuggets. Its the most difficult to handle out of all three types since it poses a threat of cross-contamination and has to be stored carefully in a freezer. However, the good thing about frozen food is its modest price.

Freeze-dried and dry foods have similar shelf lives but are different in all other aspects. Dry food contains either artificial or natural preservatives and is easiest to serve and store. Dry food is also the cheapest of the bunch.

In contrast, freeze-dried food is manufactured using a preservative-free process. Its as easy to serve and store as dry food and has a shelf life equal to that of dry food. However, freeze-dried food is the most expensive of the bunch.

2. Carbohydrate content and source

Every dog food contains some amount of carbohydrates, even low-carb ones. The important thing is that this quantity be as low as possible, and all of the carb sources are wholesome and have low glycemic indexes (low GI).

What does this mean? Great low-carb dog food should consist of 25% or fewer carbs, preferably from simple carbohydrates with low glycemic indexes, to help put your dogs body in a state of ketosis, which eases digestion for canines that suffer from carb allergies or sensitivities.

Some examples of low-GI carbohydrates include lentils, oats, most fruits, non-starchy vegetables, and beans. When it comes to calculating the carbohydrate content of dog food, sum up the protein, fat, fiber, moisture, and ash percentages from the guaranteed analysis and then deduct that sum from 100. The lower this figure is, the better.

3. Protein source

Since low-carb foods usually contain less than 25% carbs, most of your dogs nutrients will be coming from proteins. Thats why it is crucial to ensure that it comes from real and wholesome sources.

Most manufacturers use chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, fish, or a combination of these proteins in their dog food. But whats even more important is ensuring that this protein comes from the right portions.

Meat tends to be the most preferred choice since it is most nutrient and protein-dense. Some dog foods also use rendered meals and organs to cut costs, which is fine as long as most of the protein content comes from meat.

3. Fat and fatty acid source

When your dog isnt consuming carbs, it needs a good quantity of healthy fats to fuel its body. Youll find that most brands use a combination of animal-based and plant-based fats in their dog food. Both of these are equally healthy and easy to digest.

Besides that, make sure that there is some source of omega fatty acids in the dog food. These fatty acids are crucial for good skin and coat health and are also known to carry anti-inflammatory properties that can help if your dog suffers from allergies or skin issues.

FAQs

Do dogs need carbohydrates?

No, dogs do not have a dietary requirement for carbohydrates as their body can only derive most nutrients from protein and fats. But because a zero-carb diet is neither practical nor cheap, low-carb diets containing simple carbohydrates are the next best option.

What percentage of a dog food should consist of carbohydrates?

A good quality dog food should contain no more than 20-30% carbohydrates. These should preferably be simple carbs sourced from low-GI foods. Each dog has different carbohydrate requirements, so we recommend discussing your dogs food options with your vet beforehand.

Is a low-carb diet good for all dogs?

A low-carb diet resembles the ancestral diet of canines and is healthier for the majority of dogs. However, some dogs can develop stomach issues from too many proteins, so remember to make the transition slowly and get your vets approval before making the switch.

How much protein and fat should a dog consume?

The minimum protein requirement of the average dog is around 20-25%, while the minimum fat requirement is 10-15%. However, this figure can vary immensely depending on your dogs breed, age, activity levels, health status, and several other factors.

What are good carbs for dogs?

The best carbs for dogs are simple carbohydrates and those that have low glycemic indexes. Most fruits and certain vegetables fall under this category and are the best type of carbohydrates for dogs. Oatmeal, lentils, and peas are also excellent sources of carbs for dogs.