You’ll often hear me talk about carbohydrates. Why?
Did you know that:
- Kibble contains 30 to 70% of it, with an average of 50%.
- That carbohydrates are now being blamed for the epidemic of diabetes, cancer, and inflammation currently affecting humans, dogs, and cats alike…
- Human nutrition experts recommend a maximum of 30% for humans, but what about dog and cat food which contains on average 50% and is intended for carnivorous animals?
- That some dogs and cats don’t tolerate them at all, to the point of making them very ill both physically and mentally?
Here are some possible symptoms of carbohydrate intolerance:
Severe intolerance
- Diarrhea, gas, severe stomach pain
- Yeast infection: itchy paws and ears
- Behavioural issues, pica, reactivity, anxiety
Average intolerance
- Gastric reflux, occasional gas
- Dull coat
- Lower energy level
Although some dogs tolerate carbohydrates well, it’s nutritionally advantageous to reduce them in order to maximize protein and fat, which should be the main nutrients in the diet of a carnivore like a dog.
Here are some tips for reducing carbohydrates:
- With kibble, aim for a carbohydrate level of 40-45%. See the "Choosing good kibble" course to learn how to calculate this.
- Change a portion of the kibble-based diet to a low-carbohydrate raw food.
- Feed only raw foods low in carbohydrates, aiming for a maximum of 15% (see the "Understanding raw food" course to learn how to do this calculation).
- Some dogs don’t tolerate carbohydrates at all, so you’ll need to choose raw food that doesn’t contain any vegetables at all, therefore very low in carbohydrates.
By applying these few tips, you will greatly help your dog, especially if they have a carbohydrate intolerance.
Karine Simard, agronomist, M.Sc.
< p> Expert consultant in canine nutrition
