The best food for your dog is definitely going to depend on you and the specific ingredients that you think are important. If you’re looking for low-carb dry dog food and you want something with more protein, then you are probably looking to improve the overall strength of your dog. This can be important throughout your dog’s life. Lowering the number of carbohydrates from their diet can improve their health in a number of different ways. But what kind of food can you really find? Well, you’re in luck because there are all kinds of high protein foods with low carbs out there.
Quick List
- Orijen Six Fish
- Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast
- Nulo Adult Grain-Free Dog Food
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe
- Rachael Ray Nutrish DISH Dog Food
Role of Carbs in a Dog’s Diet
While all dogs are predominantly carnivores, they are able to subsist on many other sources of nutrition. This is both due to their wolf origins and their canine evolution where dogs who were able to eat more of the human food in a better position to survive and thrive among people. While the about of carbs that a dog is able to digest depends on the age, size, and breed of the dog, as well as on the individual genetics and possible intolerances, all dogs are able to process some amount, usually as whole grain or plant matter.
As with humans, a good diet is a question of balance. And, while dogs don’t have any specific needs for carbohydrates, they are able to break down simple carbs with relative ease and to turn them into calories. Complex carbohydrates and especially saturated sugars are something that dogs can’t digest. Complex carbs would, at best, simply pass on and, at worst, store as fat deposits without any nutritional benefits. In some cases, carbs can be beneficial as they would ease stress on the kidneys and liver of the dog. But, for healthy dogs, they are usually more trouble than they are worth.
Benefits of a Low Carb Diet
There could be some benefits to canine carb consumption, but it is not necessary. It is quite possible for your dog to be perfectly healthy from a balanced diet of protein, fat, and bone. Unfortunately, the only way to feed your dog exclusively with these ingredients would be to prepare a raw diet which is both very expensive. Also, it is highly perishable and time-consuming to prepare. Most dog owners will want to go with a high-quality dog food that is low in protein. It might have some carbs in it but in very small amounts. These products usually mean switching to a canned wet dog food brand, but they can prove to be very beneficial to your canine companion’s overall health and well-being.
A low-carb diet would not only make your dog’s nutrition more natural but will also provide various health benefits. The least of these benefits would be your dog having more energy. Additionally, in cases where your dog has an intolerance or allergy, it will be much easier to find a good diet if that diet doesn’t contain multiple types of carbs that could trigger an allergic response. Finally, placing your canine companion on a low-carb diet would make them lose weight and gain muscle mass. As obesity in dogs is becoming a growing problem this might be a good solution early. You can protect your dog from heart disease, diabetes, kidney problems, and similar issues caused by excessive weight.
How to Choose a Good Low-Carb Dog Food?
There are several tips on how to select a good dog food brand that is also low in carbohydrates, all of which we have used to make our selection. While most would be considered common sense for anyone familiar with the marketplace variety, some might be less obvious even to the initiated.
1. The Fresher the Better
While there are some brands of dry dog food, or kibble, that have a high protein content, wet dog food will usually have much more meat in it compared to binders and fillers, and will provide much more animal protein. As previously mentioned, the best possible solution would be raw meat, but wet food comes as a much more reasonable choice when thinking economically.
2. High Protein Animal Sources
Some animals have a much larger protein density in their meat than others. As we know, all dog food will have a certain amount of fillers and binders that will contain carbs, and the more food they need to eat the more carbs they would ingest. Using high-density animal protein such as beef liver or even free-range turkey would be a much better option than, for example, lean chicken.
3. Whole Grain over Wheat
Wheat, soy, and corn provide little to no benefits to the dog, meaning that you should generally avoid them regardless of the canine diet. If necessary, the carbs should either come from oatmeal, sweet potatoes, or some other similar source.
4. Always Look for Supplements
When searching for high-quality dog food you should make sure that the food you are using has additional elements such as vitamins, minerals like potassium, as well as fatty acids such as omega 3 and omega 6. All of these ingredients will greatly benefit your dog’s health and general well-being.
5. Good Return Policy
Last but not least, every company that has faith in their product should have a good return policy in case that, for whichever reason, your dog is unable to eat that food. This might not influence the food directly, but it does show a security that the food will indeed be of higher quality.
Top 5 Low-Carb Dog Foods
Here are the best low-carb canine foods on the market today and prior to purchasing you should inform yourself about the various nutritional values and ingredients offered by each of them. Always take into account if your dog has any allergies and intolerances and avoid those elements, while searching for others, such as high-quality protein and a good dose of supplements.
1. Orijen Six Fish
With this product, you’re actually getting just what you think. Six different kinds of fish that contribute to the high protein count that your dog is getting. It’s entirely made in the United States, which is a benefit for you and your dog as well but it’s the ingredients that will really make you happy you chose this one. The six fish included are New England Mackerel, Herring, Flounder, Redfish, Monkfish, and Silver Hake. All of them provide your dog with the nutrients that they need to stay healthy. They’re also wild and sustainably caught, which improves the quality level.
With this food, which is filled with nutrients of all types, you’re going to have a food that you can trust. This will be regardless of your dog’s stage of life. Filled with nutrients but not packed with carbohydrates, it’s designed to be extremely interesting and palatable to your dog. This is going to keep them coming back for more. It’s also made by a company that’s well known for producing a high-quality pet food that you can trust.
Pros:
- Six sustainably caught wild fish
- High in protein low-carb formula
- Nutrient-dense
Cons:
- More expensive than other products
2. Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast
If you’re looking for high-quality dog food, this is another great way to go. It’s entirely grain-free and gluten-free and made with red meat bison to improve the level of protein that your dog is getting. Not only that, but it has plenty of fruits and vegetables that help to improve the overall nutritional value. It’s full of antioxidants, omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. You’ll also find plenty of additional great ingredients that your dog is absolutely going to love.
Made with a resealable bag so you can easily put it back away when you’re done, this food is great for the environment as well. That’s because the packaging is all BPA-free and completely recyclable. The company will take it away for you and even plants trees to help give back. Overall, you’re going to be getting something high quality for your dog but you’re going to get something that’s great quality for the environment around you as well. That’s definitely something you and your family will love.
Pros:
- High protein from red meat bison
- Antioxidants and omega fatty acids included
- Recyclable bag
- Low-carb without any wheat, soy, or corn
Cons:
- The bag doesn’t stay sealed
3. Nulo Adult Grain-Free Dog Food
With this high-quality food, you’re getting salmon that your dog is really going to love. It tastes great and 80% or more of the protein comes from animal sources. Because it includes BC30 probiotics it’s also designed to improve your dog’s overall digestion, which can help them feel a whole lot better and keep them digesting their food even as they start to get older. It contains absolutely no egg or chicken products which some dogs can develop allergies too and includes absolutely no grains.
Designed for small dogs, this food is completely natural and gives your dog the nutrients that they need for a balanced diet as well as a healthy weight. This is a low-carb dog food without any grains, corn, wheat, soy or fake additives or colors, which can be difficult for some dogs to digest. Made to help with a healthier coat and improve the lean muscle growth of your dog, there are plenty of omega fatty acids included in the blend that keep your dog feeling great and looking just as good.
Pros:
- Made in the USA
- All-natural ingredients
- No grains or gluten
Cons:
- Can be quite dry
4. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe
If you want a whole lot of protein and red meat then this is a great way to go. It’s made for just that purpose. It has deboned beef, lamb, and venison to provide the first few ingredients and make sure that your dog is getting plenty of the protein that they need. It also has plenty of vitamins and minerals. This is done through fruits and vegetables that provide even more balance to the nutrition. You’ll find just the right amount of carbs here as well. And finally, there is plenty of omega fatty acids to improve coat and skin at the same time.
With this product, you’re getting no chicken or poultry of any kind, which is great for dogs with allergies. Additionally, you also get absolutely no artificial flavors or preservatives or even corn or wheat. Instead, you’re getting the high-quality ingredients that you want for your dog and that your dog needs in order to stay healthy and get a balanced diet. This product is full of everything your dog needs and it’s made by a company that’s definitely gaining more traction when it comes to high-quality dog foods.
Pros:
- Deboned beef, lamb, and venison
- No corn, wheat, soy or chicken
- Omega fatty acids
Cons:
- Some pieces are not appealing to dogs
5. Rachael Ray Nutrish DISH Dog Food
Here you’re going to get just the right amount of protein and you’re definitely going to have the high quality that your dog really needs. It’s full of chicken as well as plenty of vitamins and minerals from all of the fruits and vegetables. Overall, your dog is getting a good balance of different ingredients while still receiving a low-carb diet, and is definitely going to be feeling a whole lot better for a low price. They’re going to get absolutely no by-products or any kind of fillers or preservatives either.
With this product, your dog’s get chicken as the first ingredient and it’s completely farm-raised and from the US. That’s definitely going to be an important aspect and keeps your dog healthier. There’s no corn, no wheat, and no soy or gluten which can cause allergic reactions as well.
Pros:
- No fillers, preservatives or corn
- Includes chicken as the first ingredient
- Plenty of vitamins and minerals
Cons:
- Meat pieces are not soft
Conclusion
If you’re looking for pet food that is high in protein but has a low-carb formula (though does have complex carbohydrates), then you’re definitely looking for quality for your dog. You want to keep them healthy and happy and you definitely want to make sure that they are prepared for absolutely anything. So, how do you do that? Well, any of these four products is going to make the entire process easier. Just make sure that you take a look at all of the ingredients instead of only looking at the carb or protein count. You want to make sure your dog has the healthiest and best possible food, after all.
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