Are Carbs Sabotaging Your Dog’s Health? Here’s What You Should Know

When you think of a healthy diet for your dog, what comes to mind?
Probably meat, some veggies, maybe even a scoop of kibble they seem to love. But what if we told you that many commercial dog foods are packed with unnecessary carbohydrates—and those carbs could be quietly impacting your dog’s long-term health?

Let’s break it down.

🥔 Carbs: Not a Canine Necessity

Unlike humans, dogs don’t have a metabolic requirement for carbohydrates. That means their bodies aren’t designed to rely on carbs the way ours are.

So why are carbs like rice, lentils, corn, soy, and potatoes often the top ingredients in dog food?

👉 Because they’re cheap, they act as fillers, and they help bind kibble together during processing.
👉 But nutritionally? They offer little value and can contribute to health issues like obesity, inflammation, and chronic disease.

🔥 The Hidden Danger of Heat-Processed Carbs

Here’s where it gets even trickier.

When these starches are processed at high heat—like in most kibble—they form Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs). These harmful compounds can accelerate aging and contribute to issues like:

• Arthritis

• Diabetes

• Inflammatory diseases

• Cellular degeneration

Over time, that “harmless” kibble might be doing more damage than you think.

✅ A Quick Guide to Choosing Better Food

Reducing starchy carbs in your dog’s diet can dramatically boost their health. Here’s what Victoria recommends:

Rating	Carbohydrate %	Processing Level	Example
✅ Okay	< 20% from starch	Heat processed once	Dehydrated foods
🥇 Great	< 15% from starch	Minimal heat or pasteurized	Gently cooked meals
🌟 Excellent	< 10% from starch	No heat processing	Raw or homemade raw

Even small changes make a big difference. You don’t have to go 100% raw overnight—but being mindful of carb content is a powerful first step.

🛑 Ingredients to Avoid

Reading labels? Keep your eyes peeled for these red flags:

• Soy products (soybean meal, soy flour, etc.)

• Animal by-products

• Artificial preservatives (like BHA, BHT)

• Colorings and flavorings

• “Meals” (meat meal, poultry meal, corn gluten meal)

Less is more when it comes to processed fillers.

👣 Want to Go Deeper? Join the FTH Online Pack 🐕

This blog just scratches the surface of what Victoria teaches inside the FTH Online Pack.

For just $10 for your first month, you’ll unlock:

• 📚 150+ instructional videos

• 🐾 In-depth eBooks on dog training, nutrition, behavior & more

• 💬 Weekly group sessions with Victoria

• 🐶 Access to a private community of dog lovers and learners

👉 Click here to join the Pack today.

Give your dog the gift of optimal health—starting with what goes in their bowl.