Carbohydrates - the myths

[wildmoor]

Many raw feeding sites state that dogs cannot digest Carbohydrates when this is wrong and certain conditions mean that the only way to survive is with a high carbohydrate diet; ie kidney disease diet must be at least 50% carbs liver disease needs to be high carbs with a max 8% protein content.
The difference between dogs and hmans is that they do not need carbs to maintain their glycemia (blood sugar levels)

DIGESTIBLE CARBOHYDRATES
Among the digestible carbohydrates, lactose is fairly important for puppies. Canine mother's milk contains half the lactose of cow's milk. While puppies can use lactose, their ability to digest it is limited, and any excess leads to digestive problems. Replacement mother's milk for dogs therefore must not contain too much lactose. Adult dogs are even more lactose intolerant. In fact, milk consumption can lead to diarrhea in adults.

STARCH
Starch is a ramified complex of glucose polymers encased like a capsule called a "grain" (of starch). The shape of a particular starch depends on its botanical origin. A dog's body uses amylases, enzymes from the pancreas, to digest starch. Digestibility is greatly improved by cooking, which gelatinizes starch. Found in grains (wheat, corn, rice, etc.) and potatoes, starches provide the body with a quick source of energy, provided they are well-cooked. The rice used in homemade dog food should be "sticky" to ensure digestibility and prevent diarrhea. Two cooking methods are used for commercial dry dog foods: extrusion (kibble) and flaking (so-called "dinners"). These methods ensure that starch is cooked perfectly and therefore highly digestible.

DIETARY FIBER
Although dietary fiber cannot be assimilated by a dog's body, it is considered a necessary part of the canine diet. Dietary fiber consists of all carbohydrates that are not digested upon exiting the small intestine: cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, pectic matter, etc. Some indigestible proteins, including keratin found in feathers, may also be included.
Fiber regulates the activity of the digestive tract, slowing it down or speeding it up when necessary. Since intestinal action in dogs is dependent of stress and activity level, the amount of dietary fiber in dog food must be adapted quantitatively. Fiber also serves as a substrate for the fermentation of intestinal flora and helps maintain the balance of this material in the large intestine. For this reason, any abrupt change in the source of dietary fiber can cause a temporary imbalance, with uncontrolled fermentation, flatulence, and diarrhea.
Although fiber is necessary for healthy digestion, it does have some drawbacks:
- Fiber decreases the digestibility of food (this is true especially of wheat bran).
- In combination with complex substances known as phytates, fiber can decrease the availability of certain minerals during digestion.

[wildmoor]

Beef and Fish are the 2 protein sources that are harder to digest for a dog in particular one with impaired renal or hepatic system.
Excess levels of carbohydrate can lead to obesity, and in some dogs that are fed an extremely high amount of carbs can lead to gas, bloating and/or diarrhea if they have a deficiency of natural enzymes to break down the carbs.
But dogs can digest certain carbs that are undigestible to humans!

[Stuart]

Thank you Pam, interesting posts,...I am a little suprised with the reference to fish in your second post, I believe that fish is at least equal to meat as a dog food, all Iditarod dogs for example are fed fish as they believe that gives the dogs a more energy balanced diet,...although much of that is boiled up and fed as a frozen `soup`

My dogs get fish regular, large Salmon heads and tails [ last 6-8 inches of meat and tail ],.. but not usualy the body, they love fish, and I have never seen anything that would give me cause for concern,...although simply being harder to digest is not a problem in itself

[wildmoor]

Hi Stuart in a fit healthy dog being harder to digest is in it self not a problem but if you have a dog that has a health problem such has EPI, SIBO, Liver Disease, Kidney disease or an auto immune condition it will impair the dogs health and quality of life, and with certain conditions would reduce lifespan.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by wildmoor

Hi Stuart in a fit healthy dog being harder to digest is in it self not a problem but if you have a dog that has a health problem such has EPI, SIBO, Liver Disease, Kidney disease or an auto immune condition it will impair the dogs health and quality of life, and with certain conditions would reduce lifespan.

Arrrh right, thank you for that Pam

[Zak]

Interesting post, Thanks Pam

Interesting. I'd heard that dogs don't 'need' carbs as such, and that their bodies metabolise energy requirements from protein sources very well. But my question would be - dogs doing running (like mine) will they need carbs? I'm wondering if I should introduce some? Mine are fed totally raw - meat, offal, tripe, bones.

They are fit dogs - I judge this on being able to cope with a mountain climb all day in the Lakes - never at one point did either flop down for a rest. I wasn't allowed to, either!

[wildmoor]

When I fed raw mine used to get dog cakes in between meals

Originally Posted by wildmoor

When I fed raw mine used to get dog cakes in between meals

Ah that's a good idea.. the hard biscuit type?

[wildmoor]

Yes made by Laughing Dog