Carbs for Dogs and Humans: Good Fuel or Food to Fear?

What to put in your bowl, what belongs in your dog’s, and why the answer changes with activity.

Hi friend,

One day carbs are fuel. The next day, someone tells us to cut them out. Then we head out for a walk or run with our dogs and wonder: Do they need carbs, too?

Here’s the answer I keep coming back to: the food, the portion, and the individual matter more than a “good carb” or “bad carb” label. And while we share the trail with our dogs, we don’t share identical nutrition needs.

For us: carbs help fuel the journey

Our bodies use carbohydrates for energy, including during exercise. Foods like oats, fruit, beans, potatoes, and whole grains bring other things to the table, too, such as fiber and nutrients.

A bakery muffin and a bowl of oatmeal both contain carbs. They aren’t interchangeable choices, but you don’t have to fear either one. The oatmeal makes an easy everyday breakfast; the muffin can be something you enjoy without turning it into a moral verdict on your diet.

If you’re walking or training for a 5K, you probably don’t need a giant pasta dinner the night before or a sports gel for every outing. As runs get longer or harder, your fueling needs may change. Pay attention to how you feel and recover and match your food to the work you’re actually doing.

For our dogs: there’s no universal carb number

Healthy adult dogs don’t have a set daily carbohydrate requirement. They can use cooked starch for energy, though, and certain fibers can support digestion. What matters most is that their overall food provides complete, balanced nutrition for their life stage and that the portion suits their body.

Plain, cooked oats, rice, or potato can be dog-friendly foods in appropriate amounts. Plain pumpkin may add fiber. White rice isn’t automatically a “bad carb” for a dog, just as a sweet potato isn’t automatically the best choice for every dog.

Keep extras small. If you’re sharing a spoonful of plain oatmeal, count it as a treat alongside the rest of the day’s treats. Skip sugary baked goods as routine dog snacks, and never share grapes, raisins, or foods containing xylitol. If your dog eats one of those, call your veterinarian or a pet poison service promptly.

One trail, two bowls

For our dogs and ourselves, I’d rather ask, “Does this food fit our needs today?” than put an entire food group on trial.

Maybe your breakfast is oats and a banana before a run, while your dog has her usual balanced meal and joins you for the walk. That’s one way to fuel the same adventure according to two different sets of needs.

What’s one carb you and your dog both enjoy—in your own appropriate portions? Hit reply and tell me. I’d love to hear what’s in your bowl and theirs.

One foot, one paw at a time,

Have a happy and healthy and fueled tail wagging day.

Pam and Freedom

Doggone Healthy Choices