Why Carbohydrates Are Not Bad for Your Dog
Carbohydrates have been a key component in dog food for decades, with both kibble and wet food often containing carbohydrate-rich ingredients like corn, wheat, soy, and potatoes. However, as grain-free and raw feeding trends gain popularity, some misinformation has emerged, claiming that carbohydrates are indigestible or even harmful to dogs. This is not only completely untrue, but also fosters unwarranted negativity toward high-quality dog food.
What Are Carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates are one of the three macronutrients, along with protein and fat, that serves as a primary energy source for the body, and is divided into three main types: sugars, fibers and starch. Plants produce carbohydrates through photosynthesis, storing energy in the form of sugars and starches.
Animals such as cows and horses, that ingest almost exclusively plant material, get their energy from carbohydrates, whereas animals such as birds of prey, that ingest almost exclusively meat, get their energy from protein and fat.
Some animals, such as pigs and humans, utilize all three macronutrients—protein, fat, and carbohydrates—for energy. Whether an animal can efficiently use carbohydrates depends on its ability to digest starch, which involves breaking it down into simpler molecules using both teeth and digestive enzymes.
Strict Carnivores vs Opportunistic Scavengers
Some people believe that a dog should be fed almost exclusively meat or other animal-derived products, since they argue that they are carnivores, that in nature would hunt down and eat prey. While it is true that dogs are carnivores that rely on a meat-based diet as opposed to herbivores, that rely on plant-based diets, there seems to be some confusion surrounding what kind of carnivore a dog is. Dogs are not strict carnivores but are instead opportunistic scavengers.
Strict carnivors primarily or exlusively eat animal flesh, and derive most, if not all, of their nutrients from meat and innards. Among the strict carnivors are cats, ranging from our small domesticated cats to the large lions and tigers. They get their energy almost solely from animal-based protein. In contrast, opportunistic scavengers will also consume other food sources, such as plants, fruit, vegetables and grains like corn, wheat and soy. Wolves are opportunistic scavengers, and dogs even more so.
The differences in their teeth reflect these dietary habits. Cats, as strict carnivores, have sharp, pointed canines and molars designed specifically for tearing and cutting meat. Dogs, on the other hand, have sharp canines for tearing meat but also possess flatter molars designed for grinding and chewing plant-based foods, hard and crunchy foods, etc, showcasing their adaptability as opportunistic scavengers.
Starch Digestion in Dogs
Many people believe that because domesticated dogs evolved from wolves, they should have the same digestive abilities and therefore require the same diet. While dogs have retained many instincts and traits from their wolf ancestors, one significant difference is their ability to digest starch.
Starch serves as a major energy source for many animals, but not all species can digest it. Reptiles like snakes and crocodiles cannot digest starch at all, and cats have a limited capacity to break it down. Wolves, though slightly better than cats, still have limited ability to digest starch, and their digestive systems are not designed for a high-starch diet.
In contrast, dogs have a good ability to digest starch, thanks to their larger production of the enzyme amylase, which breaks down starch into digestible sugars. Studies show that diets containing 35% to 40% starch (dry matter) are over 99% digestible by dogs. This stems from the process of domestiction, where early-modern day dogs were fed table scraps of the same starch-rich diet as people. Thus dogs evolved adaptive dietary changes to be able to digest starch-rich diets. So while dog’s still rely on animal-based protein for energy and essential amino acids, they can also derive energy from whatever starch-source is included in their food.
Does Starch Increase Insulin Release?
Some people claim that carbohydrates lead to an increase in insulin release in the body, which can then lead to insulin resistance, diabetes and obesity. But the truth is, that there is absolutely no scientific evidence that suggests this to be true!
In fact, the only well-documented issue with carbohydrates in dog diets is that some dogs may have intolerances or allergies to specific carbohydrate sources. Even then, the most common food allergens for dogs are not carbohydrates but proteins, including beef, dairy, and chicken. When dogs do have allergies to carbohydrate-rich foods like wheat or soy, they are almost always allergic to the proteins in these ingredients, not the carbohydrates themselves.
Why Do Companies Include Carbohydrates in Their Food?
There are several reasons why companies include carbohydrate-rich ingredients like corn, wheat, rice, and potatoes in dog kibble or wet food. One reason is cost—some companies use these ingredients to produce more affordable dog food, particularly in budget-friendly kibble found on supermarket shelves, which often contains a high percentage of carbohydrate-rich grains.
Starch is also important in kibble formation, as it acts a a binding agent, that holds the kibble together, and gives it the necessary structure. It even creates the dry, crunchy consistency that many dogs find so appealing.
Additionally, carbohydrates provide a quick and easily accessible source of energy in the form of glucose, which is especially beneficial for active dogs. In contrast, protein-based energy is primarily used for building, maintaining and repairing tissues.
Diatary fiber, another carbohydrate component, is added to the diet to promote a healthy digestive system, and therefore healthy bowel movements. Fiber is also especially useful in food that promotes weight loss or weight maintenance, as it helps the dog feel full and satisfied without adding to the energy density of the food.
Finally, carbohydrate-rich ingredients often add essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and helps your dog maintain a varied diet.
Although carbohydrates are not an essential dietary requirement for dogs, they can digest and utilize them efficiently, thanks to their ability to break down starch. The starches and sugars found in carbohydrates provide a quick and effective energy source, while fiber supports a healthy digestive system. Importantly, there is no scientific evidence suggesting that carbohydrates in a dog’s diet cause harm. Therefore, there is no need to avoid them. Instead, focus on ensuring your dog's food contains high-quality protein, fat, carbohydrates and essential nutrients from reliable sources to support their overall health.
