Low Carb, High Bark: Unleashing Our 8 Best Low-Carb Dog Foods!

Is low-carb dog food necessary? With a rise in popularity among consumers and endorsements from dog sites, why the surge in this dietary choice for pets?

While dogs are omnivores, meat is their primary preference and provides optimal nutrition. Carbohydrates, though not essential, offer energy and nutrients, with complex carbs offering sustained energy and stable blood sugar levels, crucial for weight management and preventing diabetes.

Curious about the best low-carb dog food diets for your furry friend? Discover the top options tested by us with the average consumer in mind!

Our Best Low-Carb Dog Foods

If you look through food options from leading pet food brands, you'll likely find at least one low-carb recipe. However, not all companies prioritize low-carb nutrition.

If you're searching for a guide to choosing the best low-carb dog food at a reasonable price point that aligns with your dog's natural diet, we suggest the following dog food options:

 

1. Ollie Chicken Dish with Carrots

Ollie is a brand of fresh pet food quickly gaining popularity among owners. If you’ve read any of my previous articles, chances are you’ll know how much I love Ollie.

• Quality: It’s one of my go-tos for my pups because it’s good quality—among the best I’ve tried!
• High-Protein: Their recipes are seriously high-protein, making them ideal for active dogs.
• Customization: Ollie's meals are customized to each of my pets, ensuring they get the specific nutrition they need.

This particular recipe is a favorite. It sticks to one animal protein source, offering chicken meat, chicken liver and eggs. Although protein is listed at 10%, in wet food, that's high.

• Protein Content: Converted to dry matter, it's 58% protein, making it one of the best high-protein options.
• Satisfaction: Even high-performing dogs will be satisfied with the protein content and taste of Ollie's meals.

In addition to nutrition, it's convenient. Gently cooked in small batches and delivered to your door, it offers a fresh, healthy diet without the hassle.

Key takeaways:

I like the use of chicken liver in this low carb food, not just to prop up the protein level but also to enhance the flavor profile. In my experience, pups just go wild over organ meat, and liver is always a favorite.

Not to mention, liver is also full of healthy fats and is nutrient-dense. And of course, with fat comes omega fatty acids. You know, those stuff responsible for healthy skin and coat. 

There’s absolutely nothing in this high protein meal that I do not like. Everything has been well thought out and carefully selected.

The only con I can think of is that you’d need to store the food in the fridge, which will take up a lot of space. But other than that, there’s nothing else.

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2. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Healthy Weight Chicken Recipe

Inspired by the diet of wolves, true omnivores whose endurance is legendary, BLUE Wilderness is a grain-free, protein-rich food that contains more of the delicious chicken your dog loves.

It’s packed with meat and is formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of large dogs while helping them achieve and maintain their ideal weight.

• Low-Carb Option: Since some of my testers were also looking for low-carb options to keep down the weight of their chubby fur buddies (the recipe has approximately 35.93% carbohydrates on an as-fed basis), this formula fit the bill.
• Weight Management: After feeding this to their dogs, several of the testers have reported that when combined with regular walks or other forms of exercise, this food has helped bring down the weight of their pups to a more manageable one. Two have said that it was the only food that managed to do so.
• LifeSource Bits: One thing, however, of note. Not all of our tester dogs were happy with the taste of the LifeSource bits. Some would pick these out from the rest of the kibble and leave them in the bowl.

It also features the brand’s exclusive LifeSource Bits, which are a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals selected by holistic veterinarians & animal nutritionists to support a dog’s overall health.

Key takeaways:

Aside from wet foods, some dry foods can also contain high levels of protein. In fact, this recipe is one of the best dry, high protein, low-carbohydrate foods out there.

When I say best, I don’t just mean the protein level, although of course that’s a given. I also mean the overall formulation. There aren’t objectionable ingredients in here. I do wish for fewer pea products, but the makeup of the recipe is good enough for me.

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3. Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast Formula

Earthborn Holistic offers a wholesome approach to nutrition, focusing on whole foods to provide balanced and nourishing meals for pets. This means that there are no artificial ingredients in any of its recipes, only high-quality products are used, and everything is made right here in the USA. 

This particular Earthborn high protein formula uses bison, which is a lean and red meat protein. It features egg protein, beef meal, Pacific Whiting meal and Alaska Pollock meal as further animal protein support. 

Peas drive up the protein content further up, while canola oil supplies most of the healthy fats. It’s low in saturated fat but high in omega fatty acids, specifically omega-3. 

There is not much carbohydrate content because the company states that it contains approximately 28% of carbs on an as-fed basis.

Key takeaways:

I had a batch of testers try out this low-carb option. What we found is that many picky eaters love it. Its meaty formulation seemed to appeal even to usually finicky eaters.

Although it's not marketed for weight management, one tester noticed her dog becoming more playful, resulting in slight weight loss.

Two testers noted that while it's suitable for all life stages and breeds (except large dogs), the kibbles are too large for small breeds.

A cautionary note: While gentle on sensitive stomachs, it may not be suitable for those with animal protein allergies, as it contains various proteins, including poultry.

This high-protein option includes canola oil. While it offers nutritional benefits, its chemical extraction process led to a lower rating from me due to concerns about its impact compared to other options on the market.

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4. Nulo Freestyle Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe

Though not one of the largest brands, Nulo stands out for its commitment to pack its food products with at least 80% real meat protein, such as chicken, turkey, salmon, and lamb.

As a quality brand I've repeatedly tested, Nulo has become a go-to for my foster pets with special needs, focusing on low-carb options with low-glycemic ingredients like lentils, chickpeas and sweet potatoes to maintain optimal nutritional content.

This dry dog food contains only 31% carbohydrates, mainly from sweet potatoes, with some from peas and chickpeas.

With deboned turkey, turkey meal, salmon meal, and deboned trout, the protein content exceeds 33%, ideal for active dogs.

Fueling active pups, the fat source is chicken fat, rich in omega-9 and mostly unsaturated fat, enhancing flavor.

Key Takeaways:

I tried this grain-free, high-protein formulation on my foster pup who had a mild chicken allergy. I also asked a few testers to feed this to their dogs who prefer turkey/had chicken or grain sensitivities/required a low glycemic diet.

Well, on the plus side, my sensitive pup highly enjoyed the taste. Since it’s free from chicken proteins, it did not trigger any of her allergies. It does contain chicken fat, which does not contain any protein, so I deemed it quite safe for my buddy. 

While I didn’t observe any itching in our pet nor did many of my testers, it’s best to consult with your vet first if your pup has a severe chicken allergy, just to be on the safe side.

As for the other positive, I was pleasantly surprised to feel my pup’s fur becoming softer. It wasn’t coarse to begin with, but it definitely felt smoother to the touch. After comparing notes with my testers, a few of them agreed with this observation.

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5. VICTOR Select Nutra Pro Active Dog & Puppy Formula

Crafted by the Victor Pet Food company, they are dedicated to maximizing every pup's genetic potential. Each recipe includes the VPro Blend, comprising selenium yeast, prebiotics, minerals, and probiotics.

The brand offers low carb options, using a grain product for fiber and carbs. This formula contains approximately 27.6% carbohydrates as fed and 29.79% on a dry matter basis, making it an ideal choice for those concerned about the amount of carbs in their dog's diet.

Free from legumes, peas, or potatoes, it's safe for pups, reducing the risk of DCM.

With chicken meal as the primary animal protein source, it's dense in nutrients. Blood meal, another ingredient, provides animal protein and calcium, sourced from healthy livestock.

Key Takeaways: 

I asked a batch of testers to feed this to their pups for a few weeks for a more personal and accurate feedback. Since the formulation is designed for all life stages, I made sure that this batch of testers had pets ranging from pups to seniors.

After the tests we’ve done, the feedback came back. More stamina was the unanimous characteristic that all pups on this high protein and low carb diet had in common (across all age groups), as well as firmer/denser stools. This is ideal if your pup usually suffers from soft or loose bowel movements. 

Some concerns were raised about some pups’ stools turning dark, but for most, this kibble is a win.

What I find nice here is that 92% of it is composed of animal protein. That’s quality right there. Simply put, this recipe does not rely on fillers at all. The ingredients are made up of only the essentials.

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6. ACANA Appalachian Ranch Regional Formula

Known for its biologically appropriate pet foods, the Acana brand offers what it calls “a new class of meat-based foods to mirror your dog’s evolutionary diet.”

The first five ingredients in this recipe are all animal proteins, which I absolutely approve of, and there are more further down the list. It’s an extremely meat-packed dish that I feel is worth trying out for any pet owner, especially since owners from across different platforms have given this one a glowing report. 

Remember what I said about fat enhancing a meal’s flavor profile? Well, this formulation contains many sources of healthy fats, such as  pork liver, beef fat, fish oil, beef liver, and lamb liver. Some of these are even freeze-dried to make it even more attractive to picky eaters. 

How can any dog simply say no to such a meaty dish? I don’t know any. And this seems to be the idea behind the formulation. Not only is it a high protein meal, which is always appreciated, but it is also quite tempting even for finicky pups.

But if you’re concerned about it being a more rounded meal, don’t fret. This high-protein meal also contains several fruits and veggies for a more balanced diet.

Key Takeaways:

Since it is labeled as suitable for all life stages and most breed sizes (it is not recommended for large-sized pups), I decided to spread the test across pet parents who had pups in different age groups and breeds. I also have notes to refer to as I’ve fed this to my pups (both my own and fosters) previously.

What I  found out is most dogs can’t resist it. My testers say that their dogs cannot have enough of the kibble. And because it is so very tasty and meaty, two of them have used the kibble as training treats with good results. Another tester said that he is happy he’s found a poultry-free food that his sensitive pooch loves.

I did not get any negative feedback from our testers, which is a first. I also have to say that when I fed this to my fosters, I have observed nothing but excellent results. My pups were more active and keen to play, their furs were so much better to look at, and they just had a more robust look to them.

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7. Wysong Epigen 90 Starch-Free Formula

Established all the way back in 1979, the Wysong pet food company was one of the first pioneers in the natural and holistic pet food industry. It’s not as commercialized as other pet food brands, but it is consistent in producing many quality pet food products, including low carb meals.

It’s also currently patenting an extrusion process for its kibbles that makes the food starch-free to help dogs consume foods that align with their biological design, minimizing the presence of starchy carbohydrates.

This is one interesting recipe because it is labeled as entirely starch-free by the brand. It means that there are zero carbohydrates included. Combine that with an ultra high protein content, and you’ve got a food that will keep performance pups in perfect condition even after strenuous activities. 

Looking at the nutritional information label doesn’t really show anything surprising, but it’s a different story when you check the guaranteed analysis. This low-carb formula contains a whopping 63% crude protein, courtesy of the chicken meal and organic chicken. 

Fish oil and coconut oil provide the fat. Fish oil supports heart health while coconut oil makes the skin glossy.

Key Takeaways:

I divided my testers into two groups. One group was filled with dog owners who had highly active doggos. The other group was composed of testers with dogs that simply needed more energy to move around and lose excess weight.

After several weeks on this diet, I found that it has been able to sustain the energy needs and more of working dogs. They don’t tire out easily and are still quite playful and energetic at the end of a long day. For pups who are on the chunky side, this food has managed to help them trim down and maintain their reduced weight. 

Some did complain about the size of the kibble, which run to the small size and would not be ideal for larger dogs.

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8. Nature’s Logic Canine Duck & Salmon Feast

Nature’s Logic is a pet food company that proudly boasts of all-natural food products that are clean, sustainable, and protein-packed.

Their recipes are claimed to be free of common allergens, do not contain synthetic vitamins or minerals, and packed with probiotics for digestion. 

This Duck & Salmon meal contains grains in the form of millet, but it is low carb and low glycemic. In fact, it only has 23.20% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis.

There are several animal sources of protein, which explains why the protein content is quite high. Although the front label only mentions duck and salmon, the recipe also makes use of turkey meal, dried pork liver, and menhaden fish meal to boost its protein profile.

There’s a not-so-common ingredient in this recipe that might raise your eyebrows: spray-dried porcine blood or pig’s blood. While that doesn’t sound so good, it’s actually an excellent source of amino acids. And based on scientific evidence, these products are very safe for your dogs to eat.

Pumpkin, along with millet, provide the fiber your pup needs for a healthy tummy and regular waste movement.

Key Takeaways:

Because it sounded good (the food label is a dream) and there are little reviews for this product, I decided to check this wet dog food out and also have my team of volunteers try it on their doggos.

Canned food is normally more palatable to dogs than dry so I wasn’t at all surprised by this recipe’s reception from our canine testers. This is even more so because of its dense muscle meat and organ meat formulation. Only one pup out of several was not amused and quite ignored the food, but his owner feels that this is due to the flavor which his pup is not really fond of.

My human testers not only liked the quality ingredients, but they were also happy about the smell. ( I was, too). Unlike other foods, this doesn’t smell that bad at all, especially for something with fish in it. 

What I am most happy about this recipe is that it is a completely balanced diet made up of few ingredients and most of them are meat. There isn’t any questionable ingredient and it’s full of probiotics to keep a dog’s digestive system working properly.

It does have to be fed with caution as the calorie content here is quite high. This is fine for active dogs but not so much for inactive canines.

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What Should You Look For In A Low-Carb Dog Food?

When shopping  for a low-carb dog food, you want to use the same degree of caution you would use when shopping for any other type of pet food.

1. Check the label for an AAFCO statement of nutritional adequacy. This confirms the product is complete and balanced for your dog’s life stage (or for all life stages).

2. Take a look at the guaranteed analysis. Make sure the product exceeds your dog’s minimum requirements for protein and fat.

Adult dogs need a minimum of 18% protein and 5% fat, while puppies need at least 22% protein and 8% fat. Remember, protein is the most important nutrient for your dog so you want that number to be as high as possible.

Fat is a concentrated form of energy for your dog so it should be higher than 5% but not so high that it leads to an excess in calories that could cause your dog to gain an unhealthy amount of weight.

3. Check the list of ingredients. No matter what type of dog food you are shopping for, you want to see a high-quality source of animal protein (poultry, meat, or fish) as the first ingredient.

Most commercial dog foods list at least one carbohydrate within the first five ingredients and several within the first ten. This isn’t a problem for most dogs as long as those carbohydrates come from high-quality, digestible sources and they don’t outweigh the meat-based ingredients.

For dogs that don’t have food allergies or sensitivities, whole grains like brown rice, oatmeal, and barley offer decent digestibility. For other dogs, however, gluten- and grain-free options like sweet potatoes, tapioca, peas, and lentils are more digestible.

You’ll also want to make sure that the recipe includes high-quality, animal-based fats as well as fresh fruits and veggies plus beneficial additives.

Calculating the carbohydrate content

In addition to evaluating a low carb pet food by the quality of the ingredients, you should also get a feel for the amount and type of carbohydrates used in the product.

Unfortunately, pinpointing the exact carbohydrate content of a dog food is difficult because pet food manufacturers are not legally required to disclose this information.

You can, however, use the information provided in the Guaranteed Analysis to make an estimate. To do so, you’ll need to remember that the crude protein and fat content plus the ash, moisture, and carbohydrate content will all add up to 100%.

To calculate the estimated carb content of the product, then, you simply subtract the values you are given from 100% and whatever is left over will be the estimated carbohydrate consumption.

Once you have that value, you can make a direct comparison of different products until you find the one that is right for your dog.

What Are the Benefits of a Low Carb Diet for Dogs?

Switching your dog to a low carb food isn’t just a means of making your dog’s diet more natural – it can also provide significant health benefits in certain cases.

Reduced risk of allergies and digestive problems. Low carb diets are particularly beneficial for dogs that have digestive issues like inflammatory bowel disease or food allergies and sensitivities. These conditions can lead to chronic inflammation in the digestive tract which can not only cause symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting but can actually interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients.

Helps dogs in losing weight. Just like in humans, excess carbohydrates can lead to weight gain in dogs. A low-carb diet can help regulate your dog's weight by reducing the overall caloric intake and preventing spikes in blood sugar levels. This is especially beneficial for dogs who are overweight or have a tendency to gain weight easily, helping them maintain a healthy body weight.

Lowers the risk of diseases.  This goes especially for dogs with diabetes or certain types of cancer. Based on a few studies, a body in ketosis (a process that happens when your body does not have enough carbohydrates to use for energy) can starve tumors from growing.  Less carbs can also mean that your dog’s blood sugar remains regulated (if he has diabetes).

Better Blood Sugar Regulation. Dogs, especially certain breeds, can be prone to blood sugar imbalances, such as diabetes. Feeding them a low-carb diet can help regulate their blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of developing diabetes or managing existing diabetes more effectively. This can also be beneficial for senior dogs or dogs with other health conditions that require careful blood sugar management.

Increased Energy and Stamina. Carbohydrates are a quick source of energy, but they can also cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels, leading to energy crashes in dogs. On the other hand, a low-carb diet can provide a sustained source of energy for dogs, helping them maintain higher energy levels throughout the day. This is especially beneficial for active dogs, such as working dogs or dogs who participate in agility or other high-energy activities.

Better Digestion. Dogs are primarily carnivores, and their digestive systems are designed to process animal-based proteins and fats. High-carb diets can be hard on a dog's digestive system, leading to issues such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. A low-carb diet that is rich in high-quality animal proteins and healthy fats can promote better digestion and gut health in dogs.

Improved Dental Health. High-carb diets can contribute to the buildup of plaque and tartar on a dog's teeth, leading to dental issues such as gum disease and tooth decay. A low-carb diet that is low in sugars and starches can help promote better dental health in dogs by reducing the risk of plaque and tartar buildup, which can ultimately lead to better oral hygiene and fresher breath.

Healthier Skin and Coat. A low-carb diet that is rich in animal-based proteins and healthy fats can promote healthier skin and coat in dogs. Proteins and fats are essential for maintaining healthy skin cells and promoting a lustrous coat. By reducing the intake of carbohydrates, which can sometimes trigger skin inflammation or allergies in dogs, a low-carb diet can help improve the overall condition of your dog's skin and coat.

Switching your dog to a low carb food isn’t just a means of making your dog’s diet more natural – it can also provide significant health benefits in certain cases.

Low carb diets are particularly beneficial for dogs that have digestive issues like inflammatory bowel disease or food allergies and sensitivities. These conditions can lead to chronic inflammation in the digestive tract which can not only cause symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting but can actually interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients.

Takeaway

It is hyperbole to say that carbs are killing our dogs. It's important to note that every dog is unique, and dietary needs may vary based on factors such as age, breed, size, activity level, and overall health. 

Before making any significant changes to your dog's diet, it's always best to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that a low-carb diet is suitable for your individual dog and to get recommendations on the best approach to meet your dog's specific nutritional needs.

Though carbohydrates do serve a few important purposes in your dog’s diet, that doesn’t mean he can’t do without them. Going back to the example of wild wolves, it is possible for your dog to get all of the nutrients he needs from a balanced meat-based diet.

Unfortunately, raw dog food diets are pretty expensive and making your own meat-based diet at home requires a good bit of research and planning.

The easier and more affordable alternative is to feed your dog a commercial dog food which, in most cases, means feeding him some carbohydrates. Foods that are low in carbohydrates should be able to keep your pup in top shape while giving him extra energy for any and all activities.

If you really want to mimic your dog’s natural evolutionary diet, however, you should find a product that is low in carbohydrates. We’ve spent a lot of time researching and testing the products above, and we hope you find one of them suitable for your pup.

Good luck on your low-carb dog food diet journey!