How dogs behave and look, as well as their health, are highly dependent on the nutrition they are getting from their food. Nutrition plays a very important part on their wellbeing, that is why it is important to be very choosy when it comes to the food you are feeding your dogs. If you are looking to adopt and welcome a dog to your family, or if you are a current dog owner, you must have surely heard about low carb dog foods and the benefits they can offer.
Dogs are carnivores by nature and what they need is a low carb high protein diet to live their best lives. Dog foods with low carb content can reduce cancer cells from growing and can also prolong the lifespan of your dog. However, carbs are cheap and easy to get, that is why some manufacturers like to load up their products with them. You might spend more money on high protein dog foods but you can be sure that your dog gets the adequate of nutrients he requires.
With a high protein low carb diet, your dog will be a lean, mean, ball of boundless energy. However, you need to keep in mind that aside from fewer simple carbohydrates, there are other things you should look out for when you are shopping for the best dog food.
What are carbohydrates and is it good for dogs?
Carbohydrates are comprised of sugar, fiber, and starch and it is present in the majority of vegetables and fruits, as well as dairy products. Although carbohydrates are not necessarily bad for dogs, the truth is dogs do not need a huge amount of carbohydrate percentage to live an active and healthy lifestyle.
Dogs’ bodies can process protein and healthy fats better and easier, compared to carbohydrates. Dog food that has high contents of carbohydrates will result in poor metabolism cycles, as well as inflammation in your dog’s digestive tract.
Think about how carbs affect humans, they affect dogs in the same way. A diet that is high in carbohydrates can result in increased body fat, reduced muscle mass, decreased activity levels, and a long list of other health issues. When you cut back on your dog’s carb intake, you can avoid a myriad of health problems.
Benefits of low carb dog food
Low carb diets for man’s best friend is akin to wolves’ natural raw food diet in the wild, and we all know that the wolves are the dog’s ancestors. What benefits can dogs get from low carbohydrate consumption?
- Perfect for canines with allergies. The fewer carbs, the fewer allergic reactions .
- Helps promote health in dogs that have cancer and diabetes because of the healing properties of crude proteins.
- Helps overweight dogs lose fats and become fitter.
- Offers relief for bowel inflammation and a malfunctioning digestive system
- Helps avoid serious health conditions such as kidney problems and heart deformities
Other considerations when buying the best dog food
What other important substances must the best dog food contain aside from low carbohydrate content?
High-quality protein
Protein is the main ingredient you should be on the lookout for. Like their ancestors, dogs thrive on a diet that is predominantly of animal meat. The ideal protein ingredients are beef, chicken, and fish. At the very least, your dog food should have 18% protein. The higher the protein levels, the more health benefits your dog will get.
Healthy fats
High-quality dog food should have at least 5% fat. Although you should aim for high protein levels, you need to be more conservative when it comes to fat and this is because more fat can result in unwanted weight gain, which seriously defeats the purpose of having a low carb diet in the first place.
Natural fat from protein sources is usually enough. What you need to avoid are recipes that have added animal fat. However, certain fats are acceptable, such as fish oil and flaxseed oil because they have fatty acids that help promote cardiovascular and skin health.
What are the best low carb dog foods?
If you are looking for the best high protein dog food to feed your pooch with, you have come to the right place. Here is a list of the best dog foods available in Amazon com with low carbohydrate content that will send dogs’ tails wagging in satisfaction and approval.
1. Orijen Six Fish
Orijen is a well-respected brand when it comes to pet and dog foods. The Orijen six fish dog food is one of their bestselling products and with this dog food your pooch will get premium nutrients because it includes Silver Hake, Redfish, Monkfish, Herring, Flounder, and the New England Mackerel as its main ingredients.
All of the fish ingredients are sustainably caught and wild, ensuring the highest quality. Designed to be extremely palatable and interesting for your dog, it gives them the nutrients they need minus the carbohydrates. Unlike other dog foods, this will keep them coming back for more.
Suitable for small, medium, and large breeds, this dry low carb dog food is completely manufactured in the United States. All the ingredients are supplied by people the company trusts and are delivered raw or fresh to their kitchen in Kentucky, in their most natural form.
Features
- Dense with nutrition
- Dry food
- Rich in protein and low in carbs
- 85% quality fresh and raw foods ingredients
- Made with six sustainably caught wild fish
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2. Nulo Adult Grain-Free Dog Food
Salmon is one of the most sought-after and healthiest ingredients in dog foods, and it is something that your dog will be definitely like. Nulo Adult Grain-Free dog food contains salmon, tastes great, and is packed with protein sourced from animals.
It improves your dog’s overall digestion with the BC30 probiotics which is especially helpful for older dogs. Nulo does not contain any chicken or egg products, as well as any grains, which some dogs develop allergies to. Other ingredients such as wheat, corns, soy, colors, and preservatives can also be too complex for some dogs to digest, and thankfully, Nulo does not contain any of those.
Although this is designed for small dogs, it can also give large dogs the balanced diet they need to maintain a healthy weight. The high level of omega fatty acids also helps give your dogs a healthier coat and improves lean muscle growth.
Features
- Does not contain gluten or grains
- All-natural ingredients
- Promotes healthy coat and lean muscles
- For small and large dogs
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3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Healthy Weight Chicken Recipe
If you want your dog to have endurance as legendary as the wolves, you need to give them a diet that is close to what wolves consume. The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Healthy Weight chicken recipe low carb dry dog food is inspired by wolves. Rich in protein food, low in carbs, free from grains, and contains more of the delicious chicken which dogs everywhere love.
The meat used in the recipe, as well as the extra calories used, are formulated to meet your large dog’s unique nutritional needs while helping them maintain their ideal weight at the same time. There is a precise blend of vitamins, antioxidants and minerals carefully selected by trusted holistic animal nutritionists and veterinarians to support your dog’s overall body systems.
You also need not worry about any allergies as this Blue Buffalo recipe is grain-free. Specially formulated for dogs that have problems with weight management, it has a controlled amount of calories plus L-carnitine that helps your dog develop muscles.
Made without corn, wheat, soy, and other meat by-products, it is a great way to provide your dog with a satisfying meal that will help him stay lean and trim.
Features
- Made in the USA
- Omega 6 and fatty acids that promote a healthy coat and skin
- High-protein, weight-management formula
- Grain-free and does not contain wheat, soy, corn, etc.
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4. Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast
Another excellent pick when it comes to low carb dog food, the Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast dog food is completely gluten-free and grain-free. It has a very high protein content as it is prepared using red meat bison that helps increase lean muscle mass, as well as sustains energy levels.
Bison meal is a lean meat protein that has high contents of balanced amino acids that helps build a strong foundation for your canine’s overall health. Additionally, this low carb dog food has L-carnitine that converts fat into energy, thereby promoting a healthy and lean body.
It also contains fruits and vegetables which do a very good job of improving nutrient absorption and digestibility. With the combination of guaranteed levels of antioxidants, it helps support your dog’s immune system and promote optimal health.
An attractive feature that will appeal to pet parents who are environmentally conscious is that it is packed in recyclable materials.
Features
- Contains L-Carnitine that helps burn fat
- Made without grains or gluten
- Contains natural fibers from vegetables and fruits
- Made from lean bison meat
- Has guaranteed levels of antioxidants
- Packed using recyclable materials
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5. Merrick Grain-Free, Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe
Prepared to meet the nutritional needs created by the AAFCO for dogs of all life stages, the Merrick Grain-Free, Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe contains five important ingredients such as chicken, turkey meal, chicken meal , sweet potato, and pea.
The main two ingredients, chicken and sweet potatoes help reduce the intake of carbs. Chicken offers much-needed omega-6 fatty acids; turkey meal and chicken meal are very important sources of highly condensed protein; sweet potato adds fiber content and is an excellent source of antioxidants; and pea supplies a healthy dose of dietary fiber, as well as other vitamins and minerals.
Chondroitin and omega fatty acids are added to provide dogs with a shiny coat, as well as glucosamine to strengthen your dog’s joints.
Merrick has always had a reputation for creating nutritious, low-carb, grain-free dry dog food that tastes great and smells pleasant while focusing on building muscle mass, and this one does not miss the mark.
Features
- Pleasant smell
- Contains over 3% crude fiber
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin
- Has greater average protein content that other dog foods
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6. Purina ProPlan Performance Formula
A great option for high-performing canines, the Purina ProPlan Performance Formula is made up of 30% protein so you can awaken the greatness within your canine. Designed to support your dog until his twilight years, it has a formula that has been fine-tuned to promote endurance and strength with protein from real chicken.
Enhanced with minerals, vitamins, essential amino acids, antioxidants, and glucosamine for mobility and healthy joints, it offers a complete and balanced diet for all dogs, regardless of their activity levels and ages, even canine athletes and sporting dogs.
A healthy dose of omega fatty acids is added through fish oil and contains supplements such as chondroitin and glucosamine which promote joint health. It features a 30% protein and 20% fat ratio to help provide your dog with the fuel he needs for an active lifestyle.
Proudly made in the USA without any preservatives, colors, or flavors, it optimizes oxygen metabolism that in turn supports endurance during exercise. If it is good enough for high performing canine athletes, it is good enough for your beloved dog.
Features
- Formulated for working dogs and highly active dogs
- Fortified with live probiotics
- High-protein recipe with real chicken
- Provides muscle nourishment
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7. Rachel Ray Nutrish DISH Chicken and Brown Rice Dog Food
If you are searching for a dog food that can give your dog the right amount of protein and other high-quality ingredients, you should certainly take a look at Rachel Ray Nutrish DISH dog food. The Rachel Ray Nutrish DISH chicken and brown rice dog food offers the exact amount of protein needed by dogs to live a happy and healthy life.
Its main ingredient, chicken, is grown locally on US farms. It also contains chicken meal, dried peas, brown rice, brewers rice, pea protein, as well as vitamins and minerals from various veggies and fruits.
On the whole, your dog is guaranteed to receive the perfect balance of various ingredients without steering away from a low carb diet requirement and without breaking the bank. You can also be assured that your dog will not consume any preservatives, fillers, or any byproducts. There is no corn, soy, wheat, or gluten which are known to cause allergic reactions in some dogs.
Features
- Free from additives, fillers, and corn
- Made with US farm-raised chicken
- Contains huge amounts of vitamins and minerals
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8. Primal Freeze-Dried Nuggets Lamb Formula
Primal Pet Foods is a name that makes quality pet products that dogs will enjoy and the Primal Freeze-Dried Nuggets Lamb Formula is a very good choice if you want something that will meet your dog’s high-protein needs. Primal stands out from other products because it focuses mainly on purely raw ancestral diets that are palatable, and comes in a freeze-dried form that can be served quickly and easily just by adding water.
This low carb dry dog food’s primary protein source, lamb, is free of antibiotics and has been nurtured and reared without the use of growth hormones. The steroid-free lamb organs also come along with fresh ground bone for calcium supplementation. All ingredients are organic and go through the rigorous quality checks conducted by the USDA so you can be assured that they are of the highest quality.
The high-protein ratio is very helpful for dogs and is a great way to maintain proper weight and boost overall health.
Features
- Freeze-dried pieces can be easily rehydrated and served
- Made of certified supplements, vegetables, and fruits
- Contains naturally-occurring enzymes
- Crafted with sustainably-sourced ingredients
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9. TruDog Feed Me Freeze-Dried Raw Superfood
Why should you choose raw foods for your dogs? Raw food boasts a lot of benefits for your dogs, such as healthier gums and teeth, healthier weight, better digestion, a stronger immune system, and better overall health. If you are looking for a raw dog food that will provide your dog with all his needs, Trudog Feed Me Freeze-Dried Raw Superfood should be one of your top choices.
Made from premium cuts of beef, such as liver, meat, heart, kidney, bone, tripe, and fat, it is a nutritious and delicious premium raw superfood that has added herring oil to promote better digestion. Sold in freeze-dried form, it is easy and quick to prepare.
Other commercial dog foods are processed at high heat which removes the essential nutrients your dog needs. Trudog sticks to freeze-drying which locks all nutrients in, and also makes the dog food look and smell just like real beef so it is very appealing to dogs of all breeds and ages.
TruDog prides itself in offering dog food selections that do not contain antibiotics, wheat, gluten, soy, grain, additional hormones, artificial colors, artificial flavoring, fillers, and added salt. They offer nothing but crude protein and crude fiber to help dogs live their best lives.
Features
- Made for all ages and breeds
- Easy to digest
- Made of all-natural ingredients
- Hypoallergenic
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10. Dr. Harvey’s Paradigm Green Superfood Mix
If you have been looking for a green superfood for your dog, Dr. Harvey’s is something you need to consider. After all, Dr. Harvey’s is highly recommended by veterinarians everywhere. This curated, ketogenic, low-carb superfood contains bone broth, bell peppers, broccoli, ginger, pumpkin, cabbage, dandelion, ginger, chickpeas, and other healthy ingredients to help dogs everywhere manage their weight, as well as prevent diabetes.
It comes in a 6-pound bag that can easily make 56 one-pound meals for your favorite canine, depending on his weight and appetite. This pre-mixed, low-carb diet is free from grains and is a holistic blend of six nutritious dehydrated vegetables. Preparation is very easy and quick as all you need to do is just add hot water to the base mix, your protein preference, some oil, and you’re ready to have your dog start eating more nutritious food.
Formulated with low glycemic vegetables that slowly digest, it helps prevent glucose spike levels and is an ideal choice for dogs with allergy issues, weight management problems, and a host of other health conditions.
Features
- Easy to prepare and serve
- Contains powerful healing herbs and dehydrated vegetables
- No artificial ingredients and chemicals
- Made with minimally processed and fresh whole foods
- Ideal for weight management and diabetes support
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11. Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Recipe with Real Salmon
We can never come up with the best low carb dog food list without considering dogs that suffer from a host of sensitivities and are limited when it comes to their diet. When your dog has plenty of sensitivities, it pays to know exactly what your dog’s food contains. Thankfully, Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Recipe with Real Salmon is here to answer those needs.
This low carb dog food comes with a limited recipe because the fewer ingredients there are, the fewer chances of upsetting your dog’s digestion. It has a single source of protein which is real wild-caught salmon, a highly digestible protein source that is rich in omega fatty acids that supports coat and skin health , so you need not worry about causing any stomach issues.
Peas are the only vegetables included in the recipe and there are no common food allergens such as soy, corn, or any artificial ingredients. Dogs that are on a limited ingredient diet may see a noticeable reduction of skin rashes and itches and an improvement in stools.
Features
- Made with pure, raw, and real ingredients
- Natural dog food with salmon
- Great for dogs with sensitivities
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12. The Honest Kitchen Force Grain-Free Dehydrated Dog Food
One of the very few dog food companies that offer “human grade” pet food, The Honest Kitchen is committed to providing all dogs with the healthiest ingredients. Aside from being formulated with “human grade” ingredients, their dog foods are also made in “human grade” facilities that have the highest standards.
Only the freshest fish, meats, and produce, along with other organic certified ingredients are used in their products that are dehydrated well to ensure they retain their nutritional integrity. All products from The Honest Kitchen offer properly balanced nutrition, is rich in protein and limited in carbohydrates. Preparation is easy too, all you need to do is add some water.
Made with real chicken, vegetables, and fruits, it is intended for adult dogs of all sizes and breeds. The grain-free formula does not contain any soy, wheat, corn, and sugars. There are also no hormones, antibiotics, preservatives, and GMO ingredients making it positively perfect for dogs that suffer from sensitivities.
Your best friend may not be human like you, but they can certainly eat like one.
Features
- Contains no by-products and preservatives
- Grain-free formula
- Dehydrated whole foods that maintain their nutritional content
- Meets the same strict FDA standards for human food
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13. Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Chicken & Duck Recipe in Broth Wet Dog Food
With a carbohydrate content that is only 8%, you can never go wrong with chicken and duck recipe in broth from Nature’s Recipe. Keeping it simple, natural, and right, Nature’s Recipe only selects prime ingredients to make healthy recipes for dogs.
Formulated to meet the standards set by AAFCO for maintenance and growth, the number one ingredient is chicken which is not only delicious but also high in protein. The delectable chicken chunks are prepared with duck and sweet pumpkin, all in a savory broth that will make your dog run with glee towards his bowl during mealtime.
Sweet pumpkin contains high-fiber complex carb that contains a lot of minerals and vitamins, so it’s the ideal partner to the protein provided by the chicken. Packaged in a convenient plastic tray that also doubles as a feeding bowl, the dog food can be served quickly and easily. Aside from being satisfied with the taste, your dog also gets to enjoy the added benefit of having a stronger and healthier immune system.
Features
- No artificial preservatives and flavors
- Made with real animal protein
- Highly-palatable
- No beer, corn, or wheat
- Natural dog food with added nutrients
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The bottom line is dog foods that are high in protein are better than dog foods that are high in carbohydrates. Your dog’s internal and external health will be strengthened when you give them the best low carb dog food that also contains healthy fats, animal protein, minerals, and vitamins from reliable pet food companies.
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