The Rundown
Best Low Carb Food Overall: Orijen Grain Free Dog Food
“Load your dog’s diet up with protein from premium quality sources with the Orijen Grain Free Dog Food. This low carb dog food fits the bill in terms of ideal protein, fat and carbohydrate content for most dog breeds.”
Best Low Carb Limited Ingredient Food: Acana Singles Dog Food
“Acana Singles Dog Food is a fantastic limited ingredient recipe with low carb content. It is ideal for puppies, adults, and seniors who have sensitivities in certain food ingredients.”
Best Value for Money: Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Dog Food
“This dog food has added supplements on top of the recommended protein, fat, and carbs content. It’s packed with fruits, vegetables and superfoods rich in antioxidants, made available in an affordable pack.”
Carbohydrates are essential in a dog’s diet. It’s an excellent source of energy as its relatively easier for your dog’s body to break them down, allowing a quicker energy access for their day to day requirements.
But your dog doesn’t need carbohydrates as much as they need protein and fat. It’s necessary in a complete and balanced diet for your dog but only in specific amounts. Any more than the required amount is basically just fillers. More carbohydrates means less protein, fat, and other supplements.
In order to give your dog a proper and well-balanced nourishment, you need to give him a low carb dog food with high protein content.
Table of Contents
- The Rundown
- Low Carb Dog Food With High Protein Content
- 1. Orijen Grain Free Dog Food
- 2. Acana Singles Dog Food
- 3. Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Dog Food
- 4. Stella & Chewy’s Raw Dinner Patties
- 5. American Journey Grain Free Puppy Food
- 6. Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- 7. Canidae Pure Limited Ingredient Wet Dog Food
- 8. TruDog Feed Me Raw Beef Dog Food
- 9. Wysong Epigen 90 Dry Dog Food
- 10. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Senior Dog Food
- 1. Orijen Grain Free Dog Food
- Benefits of a Low Carb Food for your Dog
- How to Choose the Best Low Carb Food for Your Dog
- Questions & Answers
Low Carb Dog Food With High Protein Content
Here are our top recommendations for the low carb dog food with high protein content on the market:
- Best Low Carb Food Overall: Orijen Grain Free Dog Food
- Best Low Carb Limited Ingredient Food: Acana Singles Dog Food
- Best Value For Money: Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Dog Food
- Best For Active Dogs: Stella & Chewy’s Raw Dinner Patties
- Best Low Carb Food For Puppies: American Journey Grain Free Puppy Food
- Best Raw Mix: Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Best Wet/Canned Food: Canidae Pure Limited Ingredient Wet Dog Food
- Best Freeze-Dried Low Carb Food: TruDog Feed Me Raw Beef Dog Food
- Highest Protein Formula: Wysong Epigen 90 Dry Dog Food
- Best Low Carb Food For Seniors: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Senior Dog Food
1. Orijen Grain Free Dog Food
Best Low Carb Food Overall: Low carb formula for all dog breeds
PROS
- Low carb content (28%)
- Great protein count for active dogs
- Contains supplements for adults, seniors, and puppies
- Available in 3 flavours, making it easier to avoid problem foods
CONS
- Pricey option
- May not be great for dogs who can’t tolerate legumes
Orijen Grain Free Dog Food is a well-rounded dog food with 38% protein and 28% carbohydrate content. It is packed with high quality ingredients that work well for active dogs. Its nutritional profile is ideal for dogs of all life stages and well within the recommended amount for most dog breeds.
There are 3 flavors in this grain free dog food, with a different protein source for each. Your pooch can choose from Fish, Chicken, or Red Meat so there’s a few options even for those with allergies to certain proteins.
The carbohydrate sources include lentils, beans, and chickpeas which may not be ideal for pooches who can’t eat legumes. But if they don’t have a sensitivity to these ingredients, this is definitely an incredible dog food for them to try.
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2. Acana Singles Dog Food
Best Low Carb Limited Ingredient Food: Ideal for dogs with food allergies
PROS
- High protein low carb formula in all recipes
- Limited ingredient to reduce chances of allergies
- Various tasty and nutritionally consistent flavors available
CONS
- Can be a little pricey
Dogs who need to be on a limited ingredient diet to reduce food allergies or intolerances will thrive on Acana Singles Dog Food. It’s made with only premium quality ingredients and contains amazing supplements to promote health and development. It comes in a variety of flavors so your pup can have a few options to choose from while avoiding any problem ingredients.
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3. Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Dog Food
Best Value For Money: Complete and balanced meal that’s within your budget
PROS
- Very high fat content to give your dog energy
- Fairly low in carbs (29%)
- Added supplements that promote growth and development
- Most affordable high-quality food on the market
CONS
- Contains grains (although they’re the good kind)
- Only one flavour, so may not be suitable for dogs sensitive to chicken
Pet parents who are looking for a premium quality, low-carb dog food that won’t cost a fortune, Diamond Naturals Extreme Athlete Dog Food is for you (and your pup!).
Its carbohydrate content is at 29% which is extremely low compared to most dog foods on the market. This kibble is also packed with fantastic quality fruits and vegetables that elevate the levels of vitamins and minerals in each bite. Dogs of all health states, ages, sizes, and lifestyles will benefit from chomping on this food.
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4. Stella & Chewy’s Raw Dinner Patties
Best For Active Dogs: High fat content for energetic fur balls
PROS
- Packed with protein and fats from premium sources
- Low-carb food containing organic veggies
- Various flavors with a consistent nutritional profile all throughout
- Minimally processed to retain natural wholesomeness
CONS
- Raw food requires careful handling to ensure it stays healthy
- Not suitable for dogs who are not active enough to work off the fat content!
A raw diet is probably the best way to ensure that your dog is eating a low-carb meal.
Stella & Chewy’s Raw Dinner Patties is a fantastic low-carb choice for dogs who gets regular exercise and has quite a high level of energy all day.
If your dog is a working dog, hunting dog, or just loves a good exercise, we’d highly recommend these dinner patties. If you’re keen to try raw but your pup is a couch potato, we suggest putting them on a workout program before feeding them these patties!
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5. American Journey Grain Free Puppy Food
Best Low Carb Food For Puppies: Everything your pup needs to grow into a strong and healthy adult
PROS
- Comes in a few different flavors, each with slightly different nutrients
- Contains all a puppy needs to grow up strong and healthy
- Lower calorie content than most dog foods
- More affordable than many on the market
CONS
- Fat count may be slightly too low for bouncy puppies
American Journey Grain Free Puppy Food has a few different flavors, each low-carb, high-protein, and loaded with everything a puppy needs to grow up the strongest and healthiest they can. It’s also one of the more affordable options out there that doesn’t compromise quality.
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6. Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Best Raw Mix: A perfect balance between raw beef and high-protein kibble
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PROS
- Mix of kibble and freeze-dried raw pieces
- High in both protein and fat
- Has recipes for seniors, puppies, and healthy weight in addition to their normal range
- Contains superfood ingredients that supplies premium quality fiber and antioxidants
CONS
- No joint supplements added
- Some non-chicken flavours contain chicken
- Somewhat expensive (not unusual for raw food)
If you’re thinking of transitioning your dog over to a raw diet, Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Dry Dog Food is the perfect in-between dog food to get them used to the taste and texture before going all in.
The varying recipes allow pups to avoid problem ingredients while getting an excellent fat content to keep them energetic. It also has a high dose of protein from premium quality sources to maintain their muscle mass as they grow.
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7. Canidae Pure Limited Ingredient Wet Dog Food
Best Wet/Canned Food: Added moisture and essential nutrients that your pooch needs
PROS
- High in moisture, low in carbohydrates
- Limited ingredient formula for sensitive pups
- No wheat, soy, or carrageenan
- Probiotics added after cooking to preserve their potency
CONS
- Slightly more pricey than some other wet foods
It’s always a good idea to have a stash of canned dog food in the cupboard. Some dogs might be fussy eaters and prefer a wet component mixed with their crunchy kibble. Others may need to move to a wet food diet for a period of time due to mouth injuries or surgery on teeth.
Whatever the reason your dog may need a canned food for, Canidae Pure Limited Ingredient Wet Dog Food comes highly recommended. Not only is it available in a tasty flavor your pooch will love, it’s also packed with amazing vitamins and minerals that support growth and maintains immune health.
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8. TruDog Feed Me Raw Beef Dog Food
Best Freeze-Dried Low Carb Food: Delicious raw beef flavor your pup will surely love
PROS
- High in quality protein – 41%
- Muscle and organ meat as main ingredients
- Free from corn, wheat, and soy
- Low calorie content at 238 per cup
CONS
- May be too high in fat for some dogs
- No added glucosamine or other supplements
For dogs who need a good bit of fat as energy source to see them through their day, the TruDog Feed Me Raw Beef Dog Food offers just that, not to mention a high protein count. It’s ideal for dogs who gets regular exercise and has no trouble spending the extra energy they will get from this food.
Raw nutrition can be a super healthy, hypoallergenic way to improve your dog’s immune system and reduce the chances of allergies. This dog food comes highly recommended if you wish to transition your dog into a raw diet.
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9. Wysong Epigen 90 Dry Dog Food
Highest Protein Formula: Concentrated protein from high quality sources intended for muscle development and maintenance
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PROS
- Extremely high in protein from quality, fresh sources
- One of the lowest carb options on the market
- Added vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and prebiotics
- Starch-free to ensure lowest chance of allergies
CONS
- No added joint or skin supplements
- Somewhat expensive
- “Meat protein isolate” is a vague description
For dogs who thrive on a super high protein content, Wysong Epigen 90 Dry Dog Food is the highest we can find on the market. It is very ideal for highly active dogs, working dogs, hunting dogs, who needs additional muscle support for their high-energy activities.
63% protein is a staggering amount for a dog food in this price point. Chicken meal is the main ingredient on the list, which provides 4 times the amount of protein from real meat.
On top of its high protein content, the carbohydrate content in this food is less than 10%! This is amazing as a low-carb food is considered to be 30% at the lowest.
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10. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Senior Dog Food
Best Low Carb Food For Seniors: Provides your pooch all the necessary nutrients to support them as they age
PROS
- High protein count for a senior food
- Includes supplements for joint-strengthening
- L-carnitine is a super addition
- Great Omegas, including DHA and EPA
CONS
- Only comes in one flavour
- The fat count may be a little too low for active seniors
It can be hard to find a senior dog food that retains a high protein content, but this one packs 30% protein into its kibble to maintain older dogs’ muscle mass. If your senior is slowing down a little, Blue Buffalo Wilderness Senior Dog Food would be a great food for them.
If your aging pooch is still very active, you may need to add a couple of high-fat treats to their daily intake to make sure they have enough energy to stay lively.
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Benefits of a Low Carb Food for your Dog
Although dogs are omnivores, meaning they eat just about anything, technically they don’t need carbs to thrive.
Many dogs do just fine on a diet of protein and fat with very few carbs. However, the addition of some carbs can provide extra fibre, vitamins, and minerals that they wouldn’t get in other food.
Low-carb is a good plan for dogs who suffer from hypothyroidism, diabetes, and other health conditions.
It can also be super helpful for those who struggle with food intolerances and allergies, as it provides fibre that helps with digestion. Eliminating excessive carbs also allows for fewer food interactions and less chance of bad reactions.
How to Choose the Best Low Carb Food for Your Dog
1) Protein Count
Low carb dog food definitely needs to be filled out by adding great quality protein.
Working dogs, hunting dogs, and sporting dogs need protein to keep their muscles tough, but did you know that your dog needs a certain amount of the nutrient even if they aren’t extremely active?
Protein is the building block for a healthy body, so your dog needs 25% and upwards in their dog food.
Look for dog foods that use whole meat or meat meal as their protein sources, and stay away from meat by-products or vaguely named meat ingredients.
2) Carbohydrate Content & Sources
Obviously, when talking about a low-carb dog food we’re going to need to need to look at what carbs are in them.
AAFCO doesn’t require manufacturers to state the carb content on their dog food labels, so it can be tough to figure out the exact numbers. If you want to do the math on your own, add the protein, fat, moisture, and fiber numbers, subtract that total from 100, and you’ll get a pretty accurate idea of the carb percentage of the dog food.
The main carbohydrate sources used in dog foods are grains and fruits and vegetables.
Grains can push that carb total a little high, so stick with dog foods that use fruits and veggies as their carb sources.
3) Fat Count
Many dog parents assume that carbs are necessary for our pets to give them energy as the day goes on. Well, this may be true for humans, but dogs get most of their energy from fats.
That’s why it’s extra important to have a high-quality source of fats in a low-carb dog food. Choose foods that contain premium fat sources and a fat count in the high teens if possible.
4) Added Supplements
If you’re going to be feeding your pup the best, the kibble will most likely come with some added supplements.
Things that are becoming the norm in a great quality dog food include glucosamine and chondroitin, Omega fatty acids, and vitamins A and E. L-carnitine is super for assisting in energy metabolism.
Most dog foods will include added vitamins and minerals, as well as chelated minerals for easier digestion.
Questions & Answers
What makes a kibble low-carb?
Although this info is hard to find, dog foods contain between 30% and 70% carbohydrates. A low-carb kibble would obviously be one that is closer to 30%.
It can be hard to figure this out if there’s no number on the label, but you can get a pretty good idea based on the actual carbs included on the ingredient list.
You’ll want to see vegetables and fruits, which are super healthy, packed with antioxidants, and fairly low carb.
Avoid anything with grains, wheat, soy, or corn. Although some of these seem healthy, they’re generally high-carb but offer little nutritional value.
What else should I be looking for in a low-carb dog food?
There’s no use choosing a low-carb dog food if the rest of the stuff in the food is low-quality!
You should be looking for a super quality protein (single source or multiple sources). These should be easy to identify and include no meat by-products.
You’ll also want your main source to be an animal protein. Plant protein is helpful to add a bit extra, but animal protein provides essential amino acids that plants don’t.
Some premium fat sources are also necessary. Animal fat is best, the most common being chicken fat, pork fat, and salmon oil. You may also find flaxseed oil or sunflower oil, which are also decent.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are always welcome, as is L-carnitine. Chelated minerals help with digestion, and added vitamins, minerals, and probiotics are always nice additions.
Can I feed my dog a kibble with grains?
While there’s nothing inherently wrong with grains if your pup can tolerate them, they tend to be higher carb than vegetables and contain less nutritional value.
If you would prefer grains over veggies for some reason, go for something like rice, oats, millet, buckwheat, or quinoa. Avoid wheat, corn, potatoes, and soy at all costs, as they’re low-quality and commonly cause allergies and intolerances.
When looking for a low-carb dog food, though, we would highly recommend going grain-free for the best nutritional value.
Which dogs would benefit most from a low-carb diet?
Dogs with food allergies and intolerances would most likely benefit from a low-carb diet.
It can also be helpful for pups suffering from health conditions such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, cancer, and anything affecting the digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that perfectly healthy pooches can’t benefit from a low-carb diet! You’ll most likely notice that their pooping habits improve, they have a little more energy, and they aren’t as fussy about eating as they may have been before.
Is raw feeding a good idea if I want my dog to go low-carb?
Raw feeding would work well for dogs on a low-carb diet.
You can buy a raw food or start off with a raw-kibble mix. Once your pet is used to the taste and texture of raw you can make your own, but make sure to include vegetables and fruits in there for their (low) carb intake.