29/05/2026
One of the most misunderstood statements in canine nutrition is:
“Dogs have no biological requirement for carbohydrates.”
That statement is technically true.
But people often take it to mean that all carbs are automatically harmful, useless, or inappropriate for dogs, and that’s where I disagree.
➡️ Vegetables, berries, and fiber-rich plant foods are carbohydrates too. They provide fiber, antioxidants, phytonutrients, trace minerals, and other compounds that can be incredibly beneficial for dogs!
➡️ The issue is usually not “carbs”. The issue is poor formulation.
A diet overloaded with starches and excessive carbohydrate levels is very different from a thoughtfully formulated diet using appropriate fiber and carbohydrate sources, in the right amount for the individual dog.
➡️ This becomes even more important in cooked diets, whether homemade or commercial.
Heat changes the structure of fats and can make them much harder for some dogs to process efficiently. This is one reason why cooked diets are often formulated with leaner meats while using carefully selected carbohydrate sources to help meet energy needs.
➡️ And beyond all of this, dogs are individuals.
A healthy working dog, a dog with chronic GI disease, a dog with kidney disease, and a dog dealing with inflammatory issues will not always thrive on the exact same diet. Some dogs genuinely do better with added fiber and certain carbohydrate sources depending on their metabolism, digestion, health status, and therapeutic needs.
‼️ That doesn’t mean excessive carbs are healthy.
And it definitely doesn’t mean all commercial foods are well formulated.
It simply means nutrition is more nuanced than:
“Dogs are carnivores so carbs are bad.”
That kind of oversimplification can perform well on social media, but in practice, it often harms dogs and confuses pet parents.
📌 If your dog has any health issues, don’t blindly follow generalized social media advice. Get personalized guidance from someone who understands nutrition, therapeutic formulation, and context.
[canine nutrition, fresh feeding for dogs, homemade dog food, dog gut health]