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why carbohydrates matter in pet food
“Low-carb” diets may be the rage for people, but carbohydrates are actually critical for your pet’s body to function properly. Below is a sampling of critical carbohydrate ingredients that you may spot on pet food labels. And if you have any concerns about your unique pet’s diet, please reach out to your veterinary team. We’re here to help with diet suggestions and more.
Critical carbohydrates, or “carbs,” fuel the basic processes of life
If you’re evaluating your pet’s diet, you may be wondering about “good” carbs versus “bad” carbs, especially if your pet needs to lose weight. A good answer is that a quality pet food should provide all the delicious and nutritious carbs that your pet needs, without needing to add or subtract extra foods. (Like table scraps, ahem.)
Without the right balance of critical carbs and healthy fats, your pet doesn’t have an easily accessible source of ready energy. Plus, carbohydrates are often vehicles for many other nutrients your pet needs to be healthy and happy.
Five big reasons to love critical carbs in pet foods
Carbohydrates provide fuel for pet bodies. They come in many different forms, including starches, fiber, and prebiotics.
Each kind of carb provides a slightly different boost for your pet. When part of a scientifically-balanced, veterinarian-approved diet, these nutrients are power players for your pet to keep them jumping, playing, and pooping the way they should.
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Starch
Energy, energy, energy! Starch’s main role is to provide energy by helping your pet’s intestines absorb glucose. Common pet starch ingredients include rice, milled corn, and potatoes and other tubers.
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Dietary fiber
Dietary fiber like cellulose help to regulate your pet’s digestive system. As additional benefits, cellulose can help pets feel “full” and stop eating, plus help reduce the formation of hairballs in cats. Good sources of cellulose include carrots and green beans.
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FOS
FOS, short for fructooligosaccharides, is a prebiotic that promotes the growth of good bacteria in your pet’s digestive tract so they can better absorb nutrients from food. FOS in dog food comes from specific vegetables, fruits, and grains, including wheat.
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MOS
MOS, or mannan oligosaccharide, is a non-digestible yeast. Another kind of prebiotic that you may find in pet food, MOS promotes a stronger immune system and keeps harmful bacteria from attaching to your pet’s intestines.
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Soluble fiber
Soluble fiber, also called mucilage, is a bulking agent that helps reduce constipation so your pet has happier poops. Mucilage typically comes from plant sources, like psyllium, that gently stimulate the inside of your pet’s digestive tract.
Why your pet should skip the sugar
Simple sugars in your pet’s diet can easily lead to obesity, which can then lead to other health problems your pet just doesn’t need.
You may notice that sugar isn’t in our list of critical carbs. That’s because sugar isn’t great for pets, whose bodies can get the energy they need from breaking down complex carbohydrates.
In fact, people food in general isn’t an awesome source of nutrients for pets, and that includes critical carbs. Your pet really doesn’t need the calories from your plate of pasta or tuna fish sandwich — they’re much better off getting their nutrients from a food designed especially for them.
Myths about corn, grains, and other common carb ingredients
Corn and grains get a bad rap in pet food these days as cheap fillers, or as foods that cause pet allergies or other problems. Before you decide on a diet, get the facts. Quality pet foods often contain an assortment of ingredients, including properly-processed wheat, milled corn, rice, rye, oats, and millet.
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Myth: Corn and other grains are cheap filler ingredients
Nope! Milled corn is packed full of easily-digestible nutrition, protein, essential amino acids, fiber, and starch. Corn also contains carotene, which supports eyesight, skin health, reproduction, and the development of bones and muscles. Husked grains, like wheat and oats, are also full of high-quality carbs and omega-3 acids your pet needs for digestion. As for rice, it’s one of the easiest carbs for pets to digest, making it an excellent source of energy.
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Myth: Corn and other grains cause food allergies
Another nope! While it’s possible your pet may be reacting to nutrients found in grains, they can also be deeply allergic to fleas, pollen or dust, or natural histamines found in certain proteins. Because grains provide a lot of good stuff, including energy, vitamins, and minerals, it’s always worth checking with your veterinary team before eliminating them from your pet’s diet.
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Optimum Wellness Plans®
Optimum Wellness Plan®
