Why Carbohydrates Are Unhealthy For Dogs

The obesity epidemic is not just limited to humans; more and more dogs are becoming overweight or obese. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, more than 44 percent of dogs are overweight or obese. And just like humans, a dog's risk for diabetes, cardiovascular problems and certain cancers increase as weight increases.

Dogs have evolved over time as carnivorous animals. Their bodies are designed to consume large amounts of protein, which they then convert to the formation of muscle tissue as well as for energy.

Part of the reason for this recent weight gain is that most commercial dog foods are made with complex carbohydrates, like those found in grains like oats, barley and rice and high glycemic vegetables like sweet potatoes and corn. In fact, many dog food brands can contain as much as 70 percent of their calories from carbohydrates.

Keep in mind that not all carbohydrates are bad for dogs. Carbohydrates found in the form of low glycemic vegetables and fruits like leafy greens, broccoli, spinach, blueberries, and apples are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Here are five reasons why complex carbohydrates are unhealthy for your dog:

1. Lower metabolism: Dogs' digestive tracts are designed for quickly digesting animal protein and fat, but not carbohydrates. As a dog's body tries to digest complex carbohydrates, his metabolism becomes less efficient and his immune system is similarly weakened.

2. Cause weight gain and increased hunger: Dogs digest and metabolize carbohydrates similarly to how humans process them. Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose or sugars. What is not used for basic organ function and immediate energy needs, gets stored as fat. In addition, the more carbohydrates consumed, the more insulin is released, which leaves the dog feeling hungrier and hungrier.

3.Difficult to digest: Because of the fiber content in grains, complex carbohydrates take a long time to digest. While in humans, fiber helps to create feelings of satiety, for dogs, the fiber present in grains can pass undigested through the dog's gastrointestinal tract and can cause problems like cramping, bloating, constipation, diarrhea and other digestive ailments.

4. Hard on their teeth: Dogs' teeth are designed for sharply and quickly grabbing and gnawing through meat. The particles in grains, on the other hand, force the teeth to use a different kind of action, that of grinding and crushing. Over time, teeth can start to erode and become brittle. In addition, dogs do not manufacture the specific enzymes found in saliva to properly break down and metabolize carbohydrates.

5. Leads to energy imbalances: Carbohydrates are a rich source of energy. But dogs fare better on a diet where their energy fuel comes from protein and fats. These two nutrients are dense resources of sustained and efficient energy that dogs need to survive and thrive.

Even if a particular brand of dog food claims to be healthy, it is always important to check the ingredient label to make sure that no grains are used in the formula. To ensure that your dog is getting the nutrients he needs from his diet, consider making his own dog food or using dog food mixes and brands that don't contain any complex carbohydrates.

His health is worth it.