Even though this is hard to believe, trust me this is true. According to a study made by the NRC (National Research Council) on different types of dog breeds, carbs can be easily excluded from your canine friend's diet and he will still have a healthy diet.
Dogs don't need any type of carbohydrate ingredients like humans do. They don't need potatoes, rice, wheat or any other carbs that you might think of.
Do you know what is even more interesting than that?
Most dog food companies simply LOVE carbohydrates! Yes you heard me right! Or else what could be the reason that this ingredient is the DOMINANT one in most dry dog foods.
The main question is: Are carbohydrates safe or not?
In reasonable amount carbohydrates are safe for your dog and might even be a good source of energy for them.The only thing that bugs me the most is the QUANTITY! Why do dog food manufacturers have to add 45 to 75 percent carbs in their products and only 15 to 30 percent protein?
The moral of the story is: when choosing dry dog food for your companion try to pay more attention on what that food contains. Try to focus on dog foods that are rich in meat based protein and have lower levels of carbohydrates.
Here is a list of high carb foods that you and your dog should avoid if you want a healthier life:
Sugars and Sweets
- White sugar
- Brown sugar
- Powdered sugar
- Cocoa mix
- Molasses
- Honey
- High-fructose corn syrup
- Corn starch
- Syrups
- Jellies
- Jams
- Cookies
- Candy
- Ice Cream
- Pudding
- Chocolate
- Cake
- Candy bars
- Fruit snacks
- Doughnuts
- Pop-tarts
- Granola bars
- Regular sodas
- Sweet tea
- Sugary drinks
Fruits
- Fruit juice
- Bananas
- Apples
- Grapes
- Pineapple
- Applesauce
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Oranges
- Cantaloupe
- Honeydew melon
- Pears
- Peaches
- Raisins
- Dried fruit
- Dates
Starchy Vegetables
- White potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Corn
- Peas
- Squash
Legumes
- Lentils
- Pinto beans
- Kidney beans
- Black beans
- Chickpeas
- Navy beans
- Lima beans
- Baked beans
Dairy Products
- Low-fat milk
- Whole milk
- Regular yogurt
- Low-fat and fat-free yogurt
Whole Grains and Refined Grains
- Breads
- White rice
- Brown rice
- Pasta
- Barley
- Quinoa
- Couscous
- Bulgur
- Amaranth
- Millet
- Rye
- Spelt
- Oatmeal
- Cream of Wheat
- Breakfast cereals
- Bagels
- Muffins
- Pancakes
- Waffles
- French toast
- Crackers
- Popcorn
- Pretzels
- Chips
- Rice cakes
- Whole wheat flour
- White flour
- Rice flour
- Corn flour
