A Carb-Restricted Diet for a Dog

Neither the Association of American Feed Control Officials nor the 2006 Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats book from the National Research Council lists a minimum or maximum dietary carbohydrate requirement for dogs--because there isn't one. A high-protein, carb-restricted diet for a dog can aid in weight loss while maintaining lean muscle mass, according to several studies, including one published in the American Society for Nutritional Sciences journal.

Function

Most commercial dog foods are very high in inexpensive carbohydrates in the form of grain and grain byproducts. Grains provide vital glucose and protein, and are an energy source for dogs. However, dogs are carnivores and convert dietary fat and protein to glucose in the body. Fat is vital for energy and organ health; dogs require much higher amounts of fat in their diets than humans do. They can thrive on a low-carb (or even zero-carb) diet as long as they are fed quality fat and protein.

Benefits

Healthy but overweight adult dogs may lose excess fat while maintaining muscle on a low-carb diet. Commercial "diet" dry dog foods often contain insufficient fat to maintain good health. Veterinarian Susan Wynn points out that they often have dry skin and dull coats, and don't lose weight, either. She suggests feeding high-quality canned food or a homemade diet for weight loss.

Considerations

Some dogs need carbohydrates and fiber. Diabetic dogs do not do well on high-calorie, low-carb diets because it is harder for them to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Dogs that are accustomed to a low-fat diet may develop pancreatitis if suddenly switched to a higher-fat, low-carb diet. Switch your dog's diet slowly by gradually replacing its usual food with low-carb food (assuming the low-carb food is higher in fat and protein, which is often the case.)

Types of Diets

You have several options if you want to feed a low-carb diet to your dog. Several manufacturers produce low carb, grain-free dry dog food, using white or sweet potatoes as a carbohydrate source. Freeze-dried dog food sold as a nutritionally complete diet often contain no carbohydrates at all, or minimal amounts in the form of vegetables. Raw diets for dogs are becoming increasingly popular, and dog owners can either formulate the diet themselves or buy commercially available frozen raw food. A raw diet contains no carbohydrates unless you choose to add vegetables or grains. You may also opt for a home-cooked diet, which allows you to customize the diet to your dog's needs.

Warning

Avoid making a drastic change in your dog's diet without doing very careful research or working with a veterinary nutritionist, especially if your dog has a chronic health problem. While diet can help with many health problems, poorly thought-out or inappropriate diets can do more harm than good.