How to estimate carbohydrate
"Guaranteed analysis" provides information to estimate carbohydrate. "The protein, fat, ash, carbohydrate and water content [accounts] for roughly 100 percent of the total pre-cooking weight of any dog food...Subtract the reported protein, fat, water and ash percentages from the 100 percent total. And you’ll get a fairly good idea of the carbohydrate content in that dog food (1)."
Estimates of Carbohydrate in select dry grain-free dog foods
- Acana Pacifica ~ 27% (5), 27-32% (2)
- Acana Wild Prairie ~ 26% (5), 26-31% (2)
- Artemis Fresh Mix Maximal ~ 21% (3)
- California Natural Grain Free Lamb Meal Adult ~ 57% (3)
- Dogswell Nutrisca Chicken & Chickpea ~ 36% (3)
- EVO Turkey & Chicken ~ 12-18% (2), ~ 21% (3)
- Orijen Six Fish ~ 20-24% (2), 30% (3)
- Solid Gold Barking at the Moon ~ 24% (3)
- Wellness Core Original ~ 39% (3)
Bottom Line: Grain-free dry food is working for us and here is what I know for sure: 1) grain-free does not mean carbohydrate-free 2) grain-free costs more but because it is nutritionally dense, I feed less of it and 3) the border collies are doing well meaning they have no tummy issues with grain-free formulas. If and when I do use "grains" in a home-prepared meal, I control the source and typically feed cooked white rice or cooked oats. This flexibility is a mainstay of our variety & rotation diet.
Resources:
(1) "How to Quickly Calculate the Carbohydrate Content of Any Dog Food" - DogFoodAdvisor
(2) Estimated from information on actual dog food label. First number is % carb (NFE) printed on label and second number is % carb from math formula.
(3) Dog Food Reviews by Brand - DogFoodAdvisor
(4) "Dry Matter Basis - A Better Way to Compare Dog Foods" - DogFoodAdvisor
(5) Pulled % carb from company website
(6) Grain-free Dog Foods - The Dog Food Project
(7) List of dry dog foods (non-grain free and grain-free) - DogAware
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