Keto dog food is more than a fad – it is a health tool for many metabolic conditions your dog may be facing or prone to. For many dogs with cancer, diabetes, & epilepsy, a keto diet can provide significant symptom relief.
But when can keto be wrong for your dog?
As with all living beings, dogs are individuals. What works for one, does not always work for another. This is why when considering diet changes, it is important to assess the entirety of the dog’s systems & issues that are present at the time.
Although you may think – “My dog has X condition, this sounds perfect for them!” – it’s not advised to make a quick switch without proper research. However, a few google searches, a book, & a ton of time later, you may be feeling overwhelmed with conflicting information and theories. This is due to the information not being tailored to your dog.
Are they sensitive to certain proteins? Do they have issues with fatty foods? Are they prone to conditions based on their breed? These are just some of the questions we want to look at when assessing whether or not keto dog food is right for your dog.
We have a great blog post to get you started on keto & the potential benefits for your pup. In this post, however, we are focused on when to be weary of keto – and other alternatives!
When Not To Keto
If your dog suffers from pancreatitis, or is even just more sensitive to fat, keto dog food is not the best choice for their bowl. A true keto diet will increase triglycerides in the blood, leading to pancreatitis. This is due to the body utilizing fat for energy rather than carbohydrates. Keto is also known for higher fat contents, which should be avoided with pancreatitis.
With a metabolic condition, lower carb is still a preferred option for their diet. In this case, it’s important to choose a low-fat & low-glycemic food. Some of our favorites include select recipes from My Perfect Pet and Dr. Harvey’s. Ask our team to help guide you!
While there are many misconceptions about diabetes & keto dog food, it can benefit your dog greatly. However, with dogs on insulin, there needs to be strict monitoring of levels throughout the process of transitioning & being on a keto diet. If this is something that you and your vet feel comfortable with, it can be beneficial to your dog’s health long-term. If you are unable to closely monitor their insulin levels and adjust their injections, this may not be the best option.
We still suggest low-glycemic diets for your dog and these can be found with My Perfect Pet and Dr. Harvey’s.
Another conflicting condition is issues with their kidneys, as this requires a low-protein diet and keto dog food is high in protein. A keto diet may overload the kidneys with protein, giving the already-struggling organs too much work. This may worsen their condition, even though keto may benefit their metabolic disease.
For these scenarios, we recommend a low-phosphorus diet supplemented with omega-3 oils. These diets can be found through My Perfect Pet while the omega-3 will support their organ function.
We know navigating disease with your loved furry friend can be overwhelming and scary. Diet and nutrition play a huge role in managing these conditions, but they must be individualized to your specific pet.
Our team is here to help dig through their history & their present symptoms to find the perfect diet for them. Whether it’s keto dog food, or something much different, we won’t stop until they are at their healthiest!
