ORIJEN Low in carbohydrates

Yet carbohydrates typically make up 40% to 55% of conventional dry pet foods – which means that half of each bag is carbohydrates that are non-essential and inappropriate to your dog or cat.

Biologically Appropriate, ORIJEN diets contain no more than 20% carbohydrates, derived from fruits and vegetables. That’s less than half of the amount in conventional dry pet foods.

WHY ARE CARBOHYDRATES INAPPROPRIATE FOR DOGS AND CATS?
To a dog or cat, carbohydrates are empty calories – that is, they’re simple sugars that provide no nutritional value other than their limited & controversial energy potential. Why is this so? Because unlike us humans, dogs & cats are evolved as carnivores and are anatomically specialized for a diet rich in animal proteins and fats - not carbohydrates.

• Carbohydrates are quickly absorbed into the blood stream, causing a rapid rise in blood sugar levels.
• This rapid rise causes the body to produce a sharp rise in insulin levels and results in the sugars being converted into fat.
• A rapid drop, leading to feelings of hunger and weakness, usually follows the rapid fall and rise of blood sugar levels.

In the body of a cat or dog, carbohydrates convert to glucose, which causes blood sugar to elevate. Blood sugar converts easily to fat, which is why carbohydrates linked to health issues in dogs & cats are serious, including:

• Obesity
• Insulin resistance
• Type II diabetes

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ROLE OF CARBOHYDRATES IN PET FOOD, PLEASE SEE OUR ORIJEN WHITE PAGES.