The Debate: Should Dogs Eat Carbohydrates?

Should dogs eat carbohydrates? Why the Right Carbohydrates Belong in a Balanced Dog Food Plan

"Are carbs bad for dogs?" is a common concern among pet parents navigating the world of dog food. The rise of high-protein and grain-free trends in pet food has led many to believe that carbohydrates are harmful or unnecessary. But the truth is more nuanced. When selected and used wisely, the right carbohydrate sources can serve as a highly beneficial energy source in a dog's diet. As long as high-quality protein is used to meet the protein requirement, adding complex carbohydrates is optimal.

Dogs are facultative carnivores, which means they can digest both animal proteins and plant-based nutrients, including complex carbohydrates. Once a dog’s protein and fat needs are met, carbohydrates can offer a clean and accessible source of energy, making them an effective component in a balanced total diet. In fact, dogs have evolved to digest them, while our feline friends have not. They need to stick to a strictly carnivorous diet.

The Elephant in the Room

Did you know that if the global pet food industry were a country, it would rank as the 60th largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world—producing more emissions than nations like Mozambique or the Philippines? That’s how big the impact of feeding our dogs and cats really is.

Now, imagine if every dog were switched to an all-meat diet. The environmental footprint would skyrocket—more forests cut down, more water drained, and even more greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.

But here’s where it gets interesting: dogs and cats aren’t the same. Cats are obligate carnivores—they must eat meat to survive, no exceptions. Dogs, however, are facultative carnivores. That means while they need enough protein, they can also do very well on diets that include healthy complex carbs like cooked grains, beans, and vegetables.

So, while cats truly depend on meat, dogs don’t need it in excess. As long as their protein needs are met, the rest of their calories can come from balanced carbs—supporting energy, digestion, and even easing the strain on our planet. In short: cats need meat, but dogs—and the Earth—do better with balance.

Do Dogs Need Carbohydrates for Optimal Health?

The short answer is no—dogs don’t require carbohydrates to survive. They can meet their basic needs from protein and fat. But here’s the important part: while not strictly essential, the right kinds of carbohydrates can play a powerful role in supporting your dog’s overall health.

Carbohydrates are the body’s most readily available energy source, providing glucose to fuel both muscles and the brain. When those carbs come from complex sources like sweet potatoes, oats, quinoa, or brown rice, they digest slowly and steadily—helping maintain stable blood sugar, supplying long-lasting energy, and nourishing a healthy gut microbiome with fiber. Complex carbs also deliver important vitamins, minerals, and even amino acids. For example, quinoa is unique because it’s the only complete plant-based protein—meaning it contains all the essential amino acids dogs need. Oats support heart health and digestion, sweet potatoes are packed with antioxidants and beta carotene, and brown rice offers a budget-friendly source of fiber and B vitamins.

It’s worth noting the difference between simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. Simple carbs—like refined sugars or highly processed starches—break down quickly, leading to spikes in blood sugar without much nutritional benefit. Complex carbs, by contrast, are found in whole grains and vegetables, and they come packaged with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that work with the body rather than against it.

So while dogs don’t “need” carbohydrates to survive, the right complex carbs can absolutely help them thrive—providing steady energy, digestive support, and added nutrition, all while making fresh feeding more sustainable and affordable.

Are Carbs Really Bad for Dogs?

The short answer: no, so long as they are not in excess.

Problems arise when:

• The carbohydrate content of the food is too high relative to protein levels
• Carbs come from low-quality or highly processed sources
• There’s an imbalance of vital nutrients like essential amino acids and essential fatty acids

Many dry dog food products contain large amounts of carbohydrates with minimal nutritional value. These can contribute to health problems like obesity or diabetes mellitus in some dogs. However, when integrated into a well-rounded canine diet, high-quality carbohydrate sources can aid in weight maintenance, weight loss (when needed), and provide energy for active dogs.

Benefits of Including Carbs in a Dog's Food

When thoughtfully chosen, carbohydrates can offer numerous advantages in dog food:

1. Digestive Health and Microbiome Support

Soluble fiber found in oats and barley helps maintain a healthy digestive system by feeding beneficial gut bacteria. This fiber also helps regulate blood glucose concentrations, supporting diabetic dogs and those with diabetes mellitus.

2. Easily Digested Energy Source

Carbs offer a steady energy source, especially when protein and fat have already met your dog’s energy needs. Complex carbohydrates help stabilize blood glucose levels over time.

3. Cost-Effective Nutrition

Animal proteins are expensive. Balanced use of carbohydrate sources allows more people to feed homemade or high-quality dog food without compromising essential nutrients.

4. Lower Environmental Impact

Incorporating plant-based carbohydrates reduces demand for factory-farmed animal proteins. This shift supports sustainability in pet food.

5. Weight Management

High-fiber carbs support satiety, which can help with weight gain prevention and weight loss in overweight pets.

6. Nutritional Variety

Including a range of carbohydrate sources in a dog’s food adds palatability and helps avoid food allergies that can arise from over-reliance on a single ingredient.

When Carbohydrates Can Be Problematic

Carbohydrates become problematic when they are:

• Overused in dry dog food
• Low in dietary fiber or simple sugars that spike blood glucose
• Lacking in essential nutrients like linoleic acid, essential amino acids, or essential fatty acids

Carbohydrates should never replace animal proteins as the foundation of a dog’s food. However, when used as an energy source after protein and fat needs are met, they play a crucial role.

Obesity, Diabetes, and the Carb Trap

When a dog eats more calories than they burn—whether from carbs, fat, or protein—the excess gets stored as fat. But with highly processed carbs, it’s easy to overeat because they digest so quickly and lack the fiber that promotes satiety. Even worse, repeated spikes in blood sugar and insulin can lead to insulin resistance, paving the way for diabetes. That’s why the quality and amount of carbs matter so much.

Some dogs with health issues may benefit from diets that limit or avoid carbs. Cutting them down can stabilize blood sugar, support weight management, and improve overall health. But going completely carb-free isn’t always the answer either—it can mean relying only on fat and protein for energy, which isn’t ideal for every dog. The sweet spot lies in balance: quality protein and healthy fats as the foundation, with just the right amount of nutrient-rich complex carbs to fuel energy without fueling disease.

Dogs with Cancer

Pets with cancer have especially unique nutritional needs. Cancer often increases the body’s demand for protein, since it’s needed to maintain muscle and support the immune system. At the same time, many pets with cancer struggle with digestion, appetite loss, or treatment side effects. Diets that rely only on fat and protein—like strict ketogenic diets—can be difficult for these pets to tolerate and digest. Adding in the right complex carbohydrates can provide a gentler, steady energy source, improve digestibility, and support a healthy gut microbiome. For dogs with cancer, the goal isn’t just feeding the tumor less sugar—it’s keeping the patient strong, nourished, and able to fight the disease.

As always, any dog with special health concerns should have their diet tailored under veterinary guidance to make sure their nutritional needs are fully met.

What Carbohydrates Should You Avoid?

When it comes to your dog’s diet, not all carbs are healthy. The ones to avoid are cheap, highly processed fillers that add calories without nutrition, spike blood sugar, and can contribute to obesity, inflammation, and other long-term health problems. Watch out for these:

• Corn: Common filler with low nutritional value; may trigger allergies.
• Wheat: Hard for some dogs to digest and a frequent allergy culprit.
• Soy: Cheap protein substitute that can affect thyroid function and cause sensitivities.
• White Rice & Potatoes: Refined starches that provide empty calories and raise blood sugar quickly.

Choosing whole, complex carbs instead of these fillers helps keep your dog’s weight, energy, and health in balance.

Choosing the Best Carbohydrates for Your Dog

How I Choose Carbohydrates in Holistic Vet Blend® Recipes

Each carbohydrate in our dog food recipes is selected with intention. I consider the content of the food, digestibility, and how each starch supports the dog’s energy requirements without causing health issues.

Here are a few examples:

• Oats: A top choice for diabetic dogs and those with inflammatory digestive system conditions due to their soluble fiber
• White Rice: A gentle, easily digestible option that supports sensitive stomachs and post-illness recovery.
• Quinoa: A plant-based superfood that provides essential amino acids along with energy, perfect for dogs with food allergies
• Sweet Potato: Supports the microbiome with dietary fiber and helps regulate blood glucose concentrations
• Pasta: Low-cost, easy to prepare—dogs love the taste

We aim to formulate recipes that meet the AAFCO and National Research Council guidelines for essential nutrients, including essential fatty acids and amino acids, and are optimized for energy needs, weight maintenance, and long-term wellness.

Ready to try a recipe?

Explore Holistic Vet Blend®’s grain-inclusive and grain-free dog food recipes. Every formula is designed to nourish your pet with high-quality protein, functional carbohydrate sources, and the essential nutrients dogs need to thrive.

➡️ Try a Holistic Vet Blend® Recipe Today

Conclusion

At the end of the day, how we feed our dogs should be guided by science and common sense—giving them the protein, healthy fats, and quality carbs they need to thrive. But it’s not just about their bowls; it’s also about our planet. Every choice we make leaves a footprint. By feeding smarter and more sustainably, we can help our pets live longer, healthier lives while protecting the world we all share.

FAQ's

Shouldn't we feed dogs to be more like wolves?

Unlike wolves, dogs evolved alongside humans and adapted to our diets. Wolves rely almost entirely on meat and have minimal ability to digest carbohydrates. However, as early dogs scavenged around human settlements, they were exposed to starchy foods such as grains and root vegetables. Over time, they developed extra copies of the amylase gene, which produces the enzyme that breaks down starch. This genetic shift, proven in a landmark Nature study, means that while wolves struggle with carbs, dogs can digest them efficiently and even benefit from them as a steady energy source.

How can I tell if my dog is getting too many carbohydrates?

The easiest way to determine this is by examining your dog’s body condition. Most dogs eating balanced fresh or raw diets maintain a healthy weight and steady energy. But if your dog is among the over 60% of dogs in the U.S. that are overweight or obese, it’s a red flag that their diet may be too heavy in carbohydrates or calories overall. Carrying extra weight puts serious strain on the body—raising the risk for arthritis, joint pain, diabetes, and even shortening your dog’s lifespan. If you notice your dog is losing its waistline, slowing down, or struggling to stay active, it may be time to reevaluate its carb intake and overall diet quality.

Should certain dogs avoid carbohydrates completely?

In some cases, yes—but it depends on the condition. Dogs with seizure disorders may benefit from a carefully managed ketogenic diet, which is very low in carbohydrates and higher in fat, as this can help reduce seizure frequency in some patients. On the other hand, dogs with cancer often have unique nutritional challenges. While limiting simple carbs can help reduce rapid spikes in blood sugar, a diet consisting only of fat and protein can be difficult for these dogs to digest and tolerate, especially during treatment. For them, adding in some complex carbohydrates—such as sweet potatoes or oats—provides steady energy, supports digestion, and helps maintain strength. Because every dog is different, especially when dealing with medical conditions, it’s always best to work with a veterinarian to design the most supportive diet for your dog’s needs.