The Truth About Carbohydrates in Commercial Dog Food

Summary:

“Low carb,” “no carb,” “grain-free,” “ancestral diet” — when it comes to carbohydrates in dog food, the confusion runs deep. Do dogs need carbs? Can they digest them? What kind of carbs are okay — and which ones should you avoid? In this post, we break down what carbohydrates really do in a dog’s diet, how much is too much, and why the type of carb matters more than the amount.

First Things First: Do Dogs Need Carbohydrates?

The short answer: no, but it’s complicated.

According to the American Kennel Club, dogs don’t require carbohydrates to survive in the same way they require protein and fat. But that doesn’t mean carbs are bad — it just means they should serve a purpose.

Carbohydrates are not considered essential nutrients for dogs, but they can be beneficial when chosen wisely.

Can Dogs Digest Carbohydrates?

Yes — especially cooked, complex carbohydrates that are easy to break down.

As Schwarzman Animal Medical Center explains, dogs have evolved alongside humans for thousands of years. Unlike cats (who are obligate carnivores), dogs are facultative carnivores — meaning they primarily need meat, but can digest and absorb nutrients from plant-based sources, including carbs.

Dogs produce amylase, an enzyme that helps break down starches, though it’s more active in the pancreas than in their saliva. This means dogs can handle carbs — but not in the excessive, filler-loaded way some commercial foods deliver them.

What Carbs Actually Do in a Dog’s Diet

Carbohydrates can serve multiple roles — when used well:

• Provide energy without relying entirely on fat
• Offer fiber that supports gut health and bowel regularity
• Aid in nutrient absorption when part of a balanced meal
• Make kibble structurally viable (you literally need some starch for it to hold shape)

But that doesn’t mean your dog should be eating corn, wheat, rice, peas, lentils, potatoes, and tapioca — all in one bowl.

When Carbs Become a Problem

Too many carbs — especially the wrong kind — can cause:

• Blood sugar spikes and crashes
• Weight gain and metabolic stress
• Inflammation and food sensitivities
• Disruption to gut microbiota
• Poor stool quality or excessive output

As AAHA notes, many commercial diets overload senior dogs (and adults, too) with simple carbohydrates that provide calories — but few benefits.

So What’s Considered “Low Carb” Dog Food?

There’s no official regulatory definition for “low carb dog food” — but generally:

• Most commercial kibbles are 40–60% carbohydrate (yes, really)
• A truly low-carb dog food will be around 20% or lower
• A high protein, low carb dog food will prioritize meat-based ingredients over starches

If you want to calculate carbs in your dog food, here’s the quick method:

100 – (Protein% + Fat% + Moisture% + Fiber% + Ash%) = Carb% (approx.)

Pro tip: If you don’t see “ash” on the label, estimate it at 6–8%.

What Kind of Carbs Do Work for Dogs?

At Brothers, we believe carbs should support the gut, not just fill the bowl.

That’s why we include low-glycemic, minimally processed carbohydrates in our recipes — like cassava root, sweet potato, and chickpeas — in limited, functional amounts.

These carbs:

• Are easier to digest
• Provide soluble and insoluble fiber
• Help maintain steady blood sugar
• Don’t feed yeast or inflammation
• Support healthy stool and gut flora

Why Brothers Doesn’t Do “No Carb” or “Filler Carb” Formulas

We could remove all carbs and call it a “zero carb dog food.” But it wouldn’t be balanced.

Instead, we build our recipes around:

• Over 90% animal-sourced protein
• Low-glycemic, gut-friendly carbs in minimal quantities
• A proprietary blend of enzymes and probiotics
• No corn, wheat, soy, rice, or starchy binders

Because what your dog doesn’t need is just as important as what they do.

Final Thoughts: Carbs Are Not the Enemy — But They’re Not the Hero Either

Carbohydrates in dog food aren’t inherently good or bad. They’re a tool — and like any tool, it depends how you use them.

A few golden rules:

• Dogs don’t need a lot of carbs — but they can benefit from the right ones
• Quality matters more than quantity
• Carbs should support digestion, not spike blood sugar
• Protein should always come first

The best low-carb dog food? It’s one that respects the biology of dogs — and feeds for health, not just marketing.

Want to learn more about how Brothers keeps carbs clean and purposeful?
Explore our recipes and philosophy at brothersdogfood.com

Sources

• AKC American Kennel Club: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/essential-dog-food-ingredients-for-healthy-dogs/
• AAHA American Animal Hospital Association: https://www.aaha.org/resources/2023-aaha-senior-care-guidelines-for-dogs-and-cats/nutrition/
• AMC Schwarzman Animal Medical Center: https://www.amcny.org/event/pet-food-basics-choosing-the-right-diet-for-your-dog-or-cat/