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Raw Dog Foods
Raw Dog
Food and Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates
are present in almost all commercially
available
pet foods, even raw dog food. While
we often focus on the protein and fat content of a pet food, carbohydrates may actually have a
bigger
impact on the quality of your pet's diet.
This
article will focus primarily on the soluble
carbohydrates. Despite
the debate, most commercial dry foods contain between
30% and 70% carbohydrates, and some raw dog food between 25%-35%.
If we examine the diets of the wild canines and felines that most closely resemble
our
domestic pets, we recognize that the wild canines do
eat
some carbohydrates through the consumption of
berries
and intestinal contents of their prey.
Canines
and felines have the ability to consume large
quantities
of protein and then convert that protein into
energy
in addition to muscle. They also have the ability to
convert
many carbohydrate sources into the same kind of
energy.
This ability to utilize both carbohydrates and
proteins
as an energy source explains how we are able to feed
our
pets a diet with carbohydrates, particularly when we feed
carbohydrates
that have been through the extrusion process, as this increases
digestion.
While
cats are similar to dogs in their ability to utilize
some
carbohydrates, cats need a much higher level of protein
and
fat to remain healthy. So, essentially we are meeting the
dog's
or cat's protein requirement with meat, and then meeting
their
energy and fiber requirements with carbohydrates instead
of the protein they would often use in the wild.
For
complete Petcurean information, call us toll free
1-866-864-6112
(local 101)
Or
email us at info@naturalpetfood.ca |
