All carbs are not created equal. Carbs are a macronutriet, which will eventually be broken down into glucose, or sugar, which your dog's brain and body does need to function optimally. Their bodies can also make glucose if it needs to from protein by a process called gluconeogensis, so the amount of carbs your dog needs depends on their activity level. The more active, the more carbs. The more sedentary, the less carbs.
Since all carbs are not created equal, it is extremely important to feed your dog high quality carbs that will work to optimize health instead of destroying it, like low quality carbs will. High quality carbs are found in fruit, veggies, beans and some whole grains. Low quality carbs are those that are highly processed and refined. Unfortunately, when it comes to kibble, the carbs most kibble brands and blend contain are highly process and refined, that will contribute to sickness later on.
Like proteins and fats, carbs are a macronutrient and have 4kcal per gram. All carbs are eventually broken down into glucose, or sugar, which the brain needs to function properly. In addition to high quality and low quality carbs, there are 2 sub-groups of carbs: simple and complex. Simple carbs are easy for the body to break down and have 1-2 sugar molecules, like fruit. Fruit also contains fiber and important micronutrients and phytonutrients that help keep the body healthy. Complex carbs take more time for the body to digest because they have bigger and longer sugar molecules. Examples include rice, pasta, bread, potatoes, beans, peas and corn. Complex carbs also have fiber unless they have been highly processed. Since all carbs are not created equal, the amount of simple and complex carbs your dog needs is largely based on their activity level.
When your dog eats anything, their bodies break down food into glucose and send it into the blood. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps move the glucose from the blood and into the cells. This is a normal biological process. However, if and when your dog consistently consumes too many carbs and and the wrong kind of carbs over time that they don't burn, they become insulin resistant, just like humans. Insulin resistance occurs when fat, muscles and liver don't respond well to insulin and can't use the glucose from the blood. Insulin resistance is linked to every single major disease in humans from diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer and the same is true for our dogs.
Kibble companies are smart. They are genius marketing machines and know that general public has some awareness that sugar, particularly excess sugar is healthy. So, it can be listed as sugar, caramel, syrup, sucrose or corn, wheat, sugar cane, sugar beets or molasses. Diets high in these refined sugars are linked to hyperactivity, hypoglycemia, diabetes, obesity and tooth decay.
For example, in Purina's Dog Chow Complete Adult with Real Chicken Dry Dog Food blend, the very first ingredient is whole grain corn and the third is corn gluten meal. This is incredibly high carbohydrates that your dog will unlikely be able to metabolize properly unless they are super active and over-time, will lead to insulin resistance.
In Royal Canin's Veterinary Diet Adult Satiety Support Weight Management Dry Dog Food, the first ingredient is cellulose, which is an odorless powder that is an agricultural by-product like corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, or waste from saw mills. Other ingredients include corn, wheat gluten, wheat, corn and dried beet pulp. Ironically, this blend claims to support weight management, but based on these ingredients, there is no way it will do what it claims to do. Zero chance because it is extremely high in low-quality carbs that will continuously spike glucose, making your dog insulin-resistant over time, unless your dog is super active.
In Hills Science Diet Adult 6+ Large Breed Chicken Meal, Barley & Rice Dry Dog Food, some of the major ingredients include whole grain wheat, whole grain corn, whole grain sorghum, whole grain oats and dried beet pulp. While some whole grain ingredients in moderation are ok, these are the primary ingredients in this particular blend of kibble and contain far too many carbohydrates than your dog actually needs, again, unless they are super active.
Since all carbs are not created equal, you can give your dog the best chance at a happy and healthy life by feeding a high-quality diet that is high in protein, has some fat and minimal, high-quality carbs. Avoid kibble if at all possible and feed raw or a home-cooked diet. Make sure they get proper exercise and move their bodies to utilize the food they consumed to help promote insulin sensitivity and a healthy weight.
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