Low Carb & Ketogenic Dog Food: What Every Dog Owner Should Know

In recent years, many dog owners have explored low carb diets for their pets, hoping for better energy control, weight management, or even therapeutic effects for conditions like epilepsy or cancer.

But how much of this is backed by veterinary science and what should you watch out for? In this article, we dive into the research, risks, and practical guidance for safely trying low-carb or ketogenic feeding for your dog.

What Do “Low-Carb” and “Ketogenic” Mean for Dogs?

• Low-Carb Diets reduce the proportion of calories from carbohydrates and increase fats/protein.
• Ketogenic Diets (KD) go further: extremely low carbs, very high fat, moderate protein — designed to encourage the body to produce ketone bodies (like β-hydroxybutyrate) for energy.
• Many KD diets emphasize MCT (Medium-Chain Triglyceride) fats because they convert to ketones more readily than typical long-chain fats.

It’s important to note: AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) sets nutrient profiles for dogs (protein, fat, vitamins, minerals) but does not mandate a carbohydrate minimum — meaning you can reduce carbs if all essential nutrients are still met.

What the Research Shows

Epilepsy / Seizure Control

• A 2015 study found that dogs on an MCT-enriched diet had significantly fewer seizures compared to control dogs.
• A larger multicenter randomized study (n = 147) showed that adding 9% of dietary calories as MCT oil reduced seizure frequency over six months.
• A metabolic study observed increases in ketone levels and shifts in amino acid and neurotransmitter profiles in dogs using MCT diets, suggesting effects beyond just energy switches.

Cancer / Metabolic Effects

• In healthy dogs, ketogenic diets changed serum metabolite profiles, downregulating pathways often upregulated in tumor cells (glycolysis, amino acid metabolism).
• A systematic review of animal studies suggests KD may act as a therapeutic adjunct in cancer management — though direct evidence in dogs with tumors is limited.

Healthy Physiological Responses

• A 2025 study comparing high-protein / low-carb versus moderate diets found that dogs on high-protein / low-carb diets had higher post-meal glucagon and amino acids and tended toward lower glucose concentrations.
• A pilot trial over one month on a ketogenic, MCT-rich diet found no change in body weight or condition, but shifts in gut microbiota were reported — showing short-term tolerability but unknown long-term effects.

Risks, Uncertainties & Gaps

• Gastrointestinal distress (diarrhea, constipation) is common during transitions to low-carb diets.
• Lack of long-term data — few large, long-term studies on organ health (liver, kidneys) or metabolic stress in varied dog populations.
• Dogs with pre-existing liver disease, pancreatitis, or metabolic conditions may be at higher risk.
• Overloading fats or protein beyond physiological needs can tax metabolism, especially in vulnerable animals.

Safe Implementation: Guidelines & Best Practices

Decision Area	Recommendation	Why It Matters
Consult a vet	Work with a veterinarian or board-certified nutritionist	Customization is critical; underlying conditions must be ruled out.
Diet quality	Use formulations meeting AAFCO (or equivalent) complete & balanced standards	Prevent nutrient gaps (amino acids, vitamins, minerals).
Transition slowly	Switch over 1–2 weeks	Reduces digestive upset and food refusal.
Target moderate ketosis	Use MCT-rich ingredients and monitor β-hydroxybutyrate if possible	Avoid extreme ketone levels that may stress organs.
Monitor closely	Check weight, body condition, labs (liver enzymes, kidney function, lipid profile)	Allows early detection of adverse effects.
Individualize adjustments	Adapt based on results (improvement, side effects)	Dogs vary — one size doesn’t fit all.

Who Might Benefit & When to Be Cautious

Likely Benefit:

• Dogs with idiopathic epilepsy — multiple controlled studies show MCT diets can reduce seizure frequency.
• Dogs needing metabolic support / weight control — limited evidence shows moderate advantages in glycemic control.

Be Cautious:

• Dogs with pre-existing organ disease (liver, kidneys, pancreas).
• Dogs with very high energy needs (working, growing).
• Cases where long-term safety isn’t established, especially for tumor-bearing dogs.

Key Takeaways

1. Low-carb / ketogenic diets are feasible for dogs, if properly balanced and monitored.
2. They show promise in epilepsy management, but evidence for cancer support is still early and mechanistic.
3. Transition slowly, monitor clinical signs, and always do this under veterinary supervision.
4. Long-term safety remains uncertain — using this approach long-term in healthy dogs should be cautious and data-driven.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

References

1. Banton, S. et al. (2025). Dogs fed a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet have elevated postprandial plasma glucagon… Translational Animal Science, 9.
2. Berk, B.A. et al. (2020). A multicenter randomized controlled trial of MCT supplementation on epilepsy in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 34(3).
3. García-Belenguer, S. et al. (2023). Ketogenic MCT-enriched diet effects on fecal microbiota in canine idiopathic epilepsy. Veterinary Sciences, 10(4).
4. AAFCO / NRC feeding standards and nutrient profiles.
   
5. Whole-Dog Journal. “High-Protein, Low-Carbohydrate Diets.”
6. Additional mechanistic and metabolomic studies (2022–2025).