UNDERSTANDING CARBOHYDRATES

I can see “Total Carbohydrate” on my pet food label. What does this mean?

Carbohydrates are one of the three main macronutrients in your pet’s diet – along with fat and protein. They provide energy and include fibre, which helps support healthy digestion.

Carbohydrates come in different forms:

• Simple carbohydrates (sugars)- these include glucose, fructose, lactose, and sucrose. They naturally occur in foods like fruits, honey and dairy. Simple sugars usually make up only a very small part of your pet’s diet.
• Complex carbohydrates – most carbohydrates in pet foods fall into this category, including:
  • Starches – found in grains, potatoes, and legumes. Starches are broken down into ‘simple sugars’ in the small intestine and used for energy.
  • Fibre – found in fruits, vegetables, beet pulp, psyllium, and other plant ingredients. Fibre isn’t digested in the same way as sugars or starches, but it supports gut health and stool quality.

When you see “Total Carbohydrates” on a pet food label, it includes all these types: sugars, starches, and fibres.

How does “Total Carbohydrate” compare with NFE?

Carbohydrates in pet food are often calculated by subtracting everything else—water, protein, fat, soluble fibre, and minerals—and assuming the rest is carbohydrate. This leftover amount is called nitrogen-free extract (NFE).

Total Carbohydrate is more accurate because it counts both digestible carbs and all fibre types, giving a clearer picture of your pet’s energy and fibre intake.

Keep in mind, carb numbers don’t tell the whole story. For example, dates and the same amount of honey might have similar carbohydrate levels, but dates provide extra fibre and nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Similarly, two foods with the same carbohydrate percentage can affect your pet differently depending on the source, processing, and type of carbohydrate.

Do dogs and cats need digestible carbohydrates in their diet?

Digestible carbohydrates are a useful energy source for pets. They break down into glucose, which fuels the brain, red blood cells, and other tissues. Most pets digest carbs well—but lactose, the sugar in milk, can cause digestive upset.

While carbohydrates aren’t technically essential, they are helpful because they:

• Provide a quick and convenient source of energy
• Allow foods to have moderate fat or fewer calories, which helps manage weight
• Reduce the need to rely solely on animal protein, which is a limited resource

In dry kibble, starch also plays a significant role. It helps pieces hold their shape, improves texture (mouthfeel), and makes the food more appealing to pets.

What does fibre do?

As a non-digestible carbohydrate, fibre can’t be broken down by digestive enzymes in dogs, cats, or humans. This is because the sugar building blocks in fibre are linked in a way that digestive enzymes cannot easily break apart.

Even though fibre isn’t digested like sugars or starches, it still benefits your pet:

• Some fibre is fermented by friendly gut bacteria, providing small amounts of energy and supporting gut health.
• Fibre helps maintain healthy digestion and good stool quality.
• Some fibres act as prebiotics, feeding beneficial gut bacteria. Examples include FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides).

Fibre is often described by three properties:

• Solubility – does it dissolve in water?
• Viscosity – does it thicken and form a gel in the gut?
• Fermentability – can gut bacteria break it down and use it?

Do carbohydrates lead to weight gain in my pet?

High-quality, complete, and balanced diets containing carbohydrates usually don’t cause health problems in most dogs or cats. Some pets may be sensitive to certain carbohydrate sources, but food allergies are more often linked to meat ingredients than plants. Pets with digestive issues may digest carbs less efficiently, but carbs rarely cause health problems on their own.

Some studies suggest dry foods (which often have more carbs) might be linked to obesity and diabetes. However, this is usually due to extra calories and free-feeding, not the carbs themselves. Too many calories from fat, protein, or carbs—can lead to weight gain. Being overweight is the main risk factor for diabetes, especially in cats.

Why are my pet’s treats labelled “intended for occasional or supplemental feeding”?

Not all pet foods are designed to be a complete meal. Some products, such as treats, snacks, or supplements, are not nutritionally complete and should not be fed as your pet’s only diet.

These products are usually labelled “for occasional or supplemental feeding only.” You may also see words like “treat,” “supplement,” or “complementary food” on the front of the package. This wording helps pet owners understand that the product is meant to be fed in addition to a complete and balanced diet, not as a replacement.

As a general rule, treats should make up no more than 10% of your pet’s daily caloric intake. The label should also clearly explain the intended use of the product and provide feeding instructions, so you know how much to give and how to avoid overfeeding your pet.

If you are ever unsure, it’s always important to consult your veterinarian.