Do Dogs Need Carbohydrates?

Humans vs. Dogs — Key Differences

Humans

• Some cells can only use glucose (sugar from carbs).

• Red blood cells, certain brain areas, the kidney medulla, and the retina must have glucose.

• While the brain can partly use ketones during fasting, humans usually need some carbs in the diet to supply glucose.

Dogs

• Dogs also have red blood cells and certain brain cells that require glucose.

• But: dogs don’t need to eat carbs. Their livers are highly efficient at gluconeogenesis — making glucose from protein and fat.

• This means even on a meat-based, very low-carb diet, dogs can supply all the glucose their “carb-only” cells need.

Takeaway

• Yes: dogs have glucose-dependent cells.

• No: dogs don’t require carbs in the diet, because they can make glucose internally.

• This is why dogs can thrive on raw, meat-based diets without grains or starchy fillers.