Unfortunately, carbohydrates aren't required to be listed on the label of your pet's food in Australia, only protein and fat. Some pet foods are surprisingly high in carbohydrates and not the good kind. Click here to read more about carbohydrates in your pets’ food.
Estimating the levels of carbohydrates in your pets food can be difficult. Unless the label states the amounts of protein, fat, moisture and ash, you won’t get an accurate result.
If your pet food does contain this information (yay for transparency!) then you can subtract the values of the listed ingredients from 100 – or you can use our handy calculator instead.
If your pet food label doesn’t contain all of this information, we have provided some averages you can use below.
The more information provided on the label of your pet's food or given by contacting the manufacturer, the more accurate results you will get using this calculator.
The less information you have, the more of a rough guide it will be.
You will receive 2 values, one “Carbohydrate As Fed” meaning the % of carbohydrate of the food exactly as the food is. And another “Carbohydrate Dry Matter” which takes the moisture levels out. Understanding the dry matter values of your pet's food is handy if you’re trying to compare the carbohydrate levels in 2 different types of food (i.e. a raw food diet vs. a tinned pet food product).
This calculator is a guide only and is as accurate as the detail of the information input. If you are concerned about the exact levels and type of carbohydrates in your pets food, we’d encourage you to get in touch with the manufacturer for more information.
Transparency in the pet food industry and in pet food labelling, for the health of pets, is something we’re really passionate about so feel free to get in touch with us anytime for more information at customercare@bigdogpetfoods.com
While not essential to their diet, it’s important to calculate carbohydrate needs for dogs to ensure their overall nutrition and energy requirements are upheld. While dogs are primarily carnivorous animals, they have metabolic adaptations to help them digest and utilise carbohydrates effectively.
There is a huge difference between the various types of dietary carbohydrates — and with some dogs consuming excessive amounts in their kibble-rich diet, obesity is on the rise. As some carbs are broken down into sugar, excessive consumption has also been linked to cancer, allergies and infections. As a result, it’s beneficial to calculate the carbohydrate needs of your pup to ensure the following:
Not all dogs have the same carbohydrate needs. When determining appropriate carbohydrate intake, you should consider your pup’s breed, age, activity level and underlying health conditions. Consult with a veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist for tailored dietary recommendations for your dog's needs.
To use our carbohydrate calculator, simply enter the percentage of protein, fat, moisture and ash via the information on your pet food label or by contacting the manufacturer. The more information you provide, the more accurate your dog food carbohydrate calculator results will be.
You will receive two values, one being “Carbohydrate As Fed,” referring to the percentage of carbohydrates in the food as is. “Carbohydrate Dry Matter,” however, will remove the moisture content. Understanding the content of dry matter in your furry friend’s food is helpful in comparing the carbohydrate levels between a raw food diet and a tinned pet food diet.
Find your nearest store to purchase our raw dog food products and probiotics. And if you have any questions, contact our team, who will be happy to assist.