La elección del alimento adecuado para nuestras mascotas es esencial para su bienestar a largo plazo. En el ámbito de los piensos para perros, los alimentos «grain-free» (sin cereales) han ganado popularidad por considerarse más naturales y saludables. Sin embargo, es importante cuestionar si estos alimentos realmente ofrecen menos contenido de azúcar y carbohidratos.
How to Calculate Sugar in Feed?
To find out the approximate amount of sugar in your dog's food, you can use a simple formula:
1.- Check the nutritional panel of the feed.
2.- Add the values of protein, fat, moisture and ash.
3.- Subtract that sum from 100.
The result is the percentage of carbohydrates present in the food, which are transformed into sugar during digestion.
Example:
If a feed contains 25% protein, 15% fat, 10% moisture and 6% ash, the calculation would be:
100 – (25 + 15 + 10 + 6) = 44% carbohydrates, i.e. potential sugar.
Where Does the Sugar in Grain-Free Feed Come From?
Although many grain-free foods eliminate grains such as rice or corn, they replace these ingredients with alternative sources that also provide sugars, such as:
These sources contain high levels of starch, which is broken down into glucose (sugar) during the digestive process. For example:
- Lentils: They contain high levels of starch and, therefore, sugar.
- Peas and chickpeas: Commonly used in grain-free feeds, but loaded with starch.
- Potatoes and sweet potatoes: Although they are more natural options, their starch content is still considerable.
Chart showing the sugar levels (in grams per kilogram) of different carbohydrate sources used in feed, both grain-free and grain-based. This provides a clear view of how sugar content varies among different feeds:
The Impact of Carbohydrates on Canine Health
Excessive sugar consumption in dogs is linked to several health problems:
- CancerCancer cells feed on glucose, and too much sugar can accelerate their growth.
- Diabetes type 2: Sugar in the diet is a direct risk factor for the development of this disease.
- Obesity: It is not fats that cause overweight in dogs, but rather excess carbohydrates and sugars.
- Allergies and inflammationExcess sugar can cause imbalances in the immune system and promote inflammation such as dermatitis or ear infections (otitis).
- Yeast infectionsYeast, which causes skin infections, feeds on sugar.
What Do Feed Labels Tell Us?
In a comparative analysis of grain-free and conventional feeds, some grain-free feeds were found to contain up to 53% sugar en forma de carbohidratos, superando incluso a piensos económicos. Esto demuestra que el término «grain-free» no garantiza un alimento bajo en azúcares.
What Do We Demand As Consumers?
The call is clear: transparency in pet food labelingOwners deserve to know the true carbohydrate and sugar content of their dog food so they can make informed decisions that benefit their dog's health.
Conclusion
Choosing a grain-free food doesn't always mean you're offering your dog a healthier diet. The key is to carefully review the labels, understand the carbohydrate sources used, and calculate the percentage of hidden sugars in the food.
Your dog's health depends on informed decisions. Therefore, understanding what's actually in the food you feed him is essential to ensuring his well-being and longevity.
Source: Dr. Karen Becker and Rodney Habib
