Is the Keto Diet Safe for Dogs?

Pet obesity is becoming a serious issue with many pet owners giving their furry pals a bit too many treats and snacks. According to a report by Banfield Pet Hospital, more than half of adult dog patients were considered overweight or obese. Naturally, the step that many pet owners would think makes the most sense is to put their dogs on a weight loss plan. This article covers some thoughts on whether the keto diet is safe for pets.

Before you read on, we would like to emphasize how important it is to only put your dog through a weight loss program based on your vet’s recommendation. You could be putting your dog’s health in jeopardy by putting him on a dietary plan that does more harm than good. Weight gain isn’t always a result of a calorie surplus. For dogs, it could also be caused by other medical conditions so it’s important to get professional help.

Let’s first start off with what the ketogenic diet is. In short, it’s a diet that involves a reduced consumption of carbs. It pushes the reliance of metabolism from fatty acids instead. It could help for those who want to achieve weight loss because there is a good likelihood that you will also be reducing your calorie intake as you restrict the carbs. Based on this article from veterinary pet news, there is no compelling evidence that household pets will see the same clinical benefits as some humans do when they are put on the ketogenic diet.

Generally speaking, it’s best to avoid putting your dog through any trending diets. For starters, there’s no concrete evidence on the long-term effects that such diets can have. Dogs need to be put on a well-balanced diet at all times. You don’t want to risk anything that may affect their health, both directly and indirectly.