The ketogenic diet for dogs has garnered increasing attention as a potential therapeutic tool for various health conditions. Characterized by a high-fat, moderate-protein, and very low-carbohydrate composition, this diet shifts the body's primary energy source from glucose to ketones, produced during fat metabolism. This metabolic shift can have several implications for canine health, both positive and negative.
Understanding the Canine Ketogenic Diet
A ketogenic diet aims to mimic the metabolic state of ketosis, where the body primarily utilizes fat for energy. By significantly restricting carbohydrate intake, the diet forces the liver to convert fats into ketones, which then serve as an alternative fuel source for cells. This metabolic adaptation has shown promise in managing various health conditions in dogs.
How it works
When carbohydrate intake is low, insulin levels remain low, and ketogenesis takes place. These conditions promote the breakdown of excess fat stores, the sparing of lean muscle, and improvement in insulin sensitivity.
Macronutrient Ratios
A well-formulated ketogenic diet for dogs typically consists of:
- High Fat (60-80% of calories): Healthy fats such as coconut oil, fish oil, and animal fats are the primary energy source.
- Moderate Protein (20-30% of calories): Protein should come from high-quality animal sources such as chicken, turkey, or beef.
- Low Carbohydrates (<10% of calories): Carbohydrates should be limited to non-starchy vegetables such as zucchini, spinach, or broccoli.
Potential Benefits of a Ketogenic Diet for Dogs
Epilepsy Management
Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder in dogs. Studies suggest that ketogenic diets, particularly those enriched with medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), can positively impact dogs with idiopathic epilepsy by reducing the frequency and severity of seizure activity. During a seizure, nerve cells fire when they are not supposed to. This can happen because the brain cells are releasing lots of excitatory neurotransmitters (which act as chemical messengers), like glutamate or can’t inhibit them using gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA (4).
Read also: Canine Kidney Diet: Ingredient Breakdown
One study examined the effects of an MCT diet administered for one month on the fecal microbiota in dogs with IE and non-epileptic beagles. The diet reduced Actinobacteria in all dogs while reducing seizure frequency in epileptic ones. Different baseline microbiota patterns were found in dogs with drug-sensitive epilepsy (DSE) and dogs with drug-refractory epilepsy (DRE). The baseline microbiota pattern of dogs with DSE was similar to that of non-epileptic dogs. In them, the MCT diet decreased the relative abundance of bacteria from the Firmicutes phylum and increased that of the Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria phylum. The opposite effect was found in dogs with DRE.
A six-month randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled cross-over dietary trial using twenty-one dogs fed either a ketogenic or placebo diet in chronically antiepileptic drug-treated dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. Seizure frequency, clinical and laboratory data were collected and evaluated for dogs completing the study.
Cancer Support
Most cancers share features such as significantly increased glucose uptake and reliance on glycolysis (which converts glucose into pyruvate, occurring in the fluid part of cells). Cancer cells thrive on glucose, so a keto diet may help "starve" cancer cells by depriving them of their primary energy source. This process, known as the Warburg Effect, has been studied comprehensively for many years (6). Supporting this, studies have demonstrated that ketogenic diets in healthy dogs induces gut and serum metabolic changes suggestive of anti‐tumourigenic effects (8).
Research has highlighted that feeding a ketogenic diet can result in the resolution of malignant canine mast cell tumors using ketogenic metabolic therapy alone.
Obesity and Metabolic Disorders
For overweight dogs, a keto diet can promote fat loss while preserving lean muscle mass. As discussed, with a low dietary carbohydrate intake, insulin levels remain low and ketogenesis takes place. These conditions promote breakdown of excess fat stores, sparing of lean muscle, and improvement in insulin sensitivity. In addition to this beneficial weight loss process, another advantage of a ketogenic diet is that it promotes appetite-suppressant.
Read also: Managing Canine Lymphoma with Diet
Gut Microbiota Modulation
Significant evidence points toward a relationship between gut microbiota and epilepsy, and that the MCT diet may alter this microbiota.
In dogs with IE, Pilla et al. Significant evidence, therefore, points towards a relationship between gut microbiota and epilepsy, and that the KD can alter this microbiota and reduce seizure frequency. However, different taxonomic shifts have been observed, highlighting that the KD-induced microbiota likely depends on host genetics and baseline microbiota profiles.
Potential Risks and Considerations
Not Suitable for All Dogs
While the keto diet can be beneficial, it’s not suitable for every dog. Puppies need steady energy from balanced proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to support growth. Senior dogs may have unique health challenges (like kidney or liver issues) that make a high-fat diet unsafe.
Pancreatitis
The high-fat content can exacerbate pancreatitis or other fat-sensitive conditions. Not for Dogs with Pancreatitis: The high fat content can exacerbate pancreatitis or other fat-sensitive conditions.
Digestive Upset
Some dogs may experience diarrhea or soft stools when transitioning to a high-fat diet.
Read also: Diet for Seizures in Dogs
Nutritional Imbalances
Without proper formulation, a keto diet can lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Keto Flu
Keto flu: flu-like symptoms and lethargy for a few days. Due to body switching from using carbs to fat (especially if switching to it from high carb diet)
Other Side Effects
Diarrhea and constipationPossible decrease of microbial diversity in the GI tractPicky eaters may not go for itDeficiencies due to an imbalanced keto dietMuscle atrophyMore time-consuming (you have to weigh everything, including treats)PricierParadoxical blood glucose elevation (in humans)Carbohydrate intolerance (in humans)
Implementing a Ketogenic Diet for Dogs
Work with a Vet or Nutritionist
A ketogenic diet must be carefully formulated to ensure it’s nutritionally complete and appropriate for your dog’s specific needs.
Monitor Ketone Levels
Use urine or blood ketone testing strips to ensure your dog is in ketosis. Most dogs can enter ketosis within 1-2 weeks after carbs are restricted and fats are increased. However, this varies by metabolism, activity level, and overall health.
Incorporate Supplements
Digestive enzymes and probiotics can support gut health during the transition.
Monitor Your Dog's Health
If your dog develops chronic diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, weight loss, or signs of nutrient deficiency (like poor coat quality or weakness), the diet may not be properly balanced or it may not be appropriate for your dog’s needs.
The Gut Microbiota and Ketogenic Diets
Significant evidence points towards a relationship between gut microbiota and epilepsy, and that the MCT diet may alter this microbiota. The current study examined the effects of a MCT diet administered for one month on the fecal microbiota in dogs with IE and non-epileptic beagles. The diet reduced Actinobacteria in all dogs while reducing seizure frequency in epileptic ones. Different baseline microbiota patterns were found in dogs with drug-sensitive epilepsy (DSE) and dogs with drug-refractory epilepsy (DRE). The baseline microbiota pattern of dogs with DSE was similar to that of non-epileptic dogs. In them, the MCT diet decreased the relative abundance of bacteria from the Firmicutes phylum and increased that of the Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria phylum. The opposite effect was found in dogs with DRE.
Metabolic Therapy and Cancer
Metabolic therapy for cancer focuses on altering the metabolism of cancer cells to inhibit their growth and promote their death. Cancer cells often have a unique metabolism that relies heavily on glucose (a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect), making them more sensitive to changes in nutrient availability and metabolic pathways. Metabolic therapy aims to exploit these differences by targeting the metabolic vulnerabilities of cancer cells.
A ketogenic diet and fasting-mimicking diet are two examples of metabolic therapy. The ketogenic diet reduces glucose availability by promoting ketosis, forcing cells to use ketones for energy. Cancer cells are less efficient at using ketones compared to normal cells, which may slow tumor growth. The classical ketogenic diet uses a high fat, low carbohydrate, low protein diet at a ratio of 4 to 1 or 3 to 1 (fat : carbohydrate+protein) So it's not just reducing carbs, but reducing proteins as well and increasing fat intake.
In contrast, a fasting mimicking diet (FMD) relies on cyclic caloric restriction. Some of the published human patient studies describe the repetition of five days of restricted caloric intake, followed by normal eating. FMD reduces insulin, reduces blood glucose, and increases ketones. The fuel source for cells becomes stored glycogen and fat instead of glucose. This change can help create a favorable environment for the survival of healthy cells and killing cancer cells.