Most of us have heard about the keto diet for humans - high fat, low carb, and sometimes controversial. But what about dogs? Can they go keto, too? Let’s break it down in plain language.
What Is a Keto Diet?
The keto diet is short for “ketogenic diet.” It’s a way of eating where fat becomes the primary source of energy instead of carbohydrates (like grains, potatoes, or rice).
Normally, the body runs on glucose (sugar) from carbs. But when carbs are really low, the liver turns fat into ketones, and the body uses those ketones for fuel. This state is called ketosis.
What Does Ketosis Mean for Dogs?
When a dog is in ketosis:
Their body is burning fat instead of sugar.
They produce ketones that can fuel the brain and muscles.
It may help starve certain cancer cells (since some cancers love sugar).
Some studies suggest it can support dogs with epilepsy, obesity, or inflammation.
In short, ketosis can give dogs a cleaner, steadier energy source while lowering reliance on carbs.
Can Raw-Fed Dogs Be in Ketosis?
Here’s the tricky part:
A raw diet is already low in carbs and high in protein.
But protein isn’t the same as fat. Dogs use protein for muscle repair and other body functions, but if protein is too high, the body turns some of it into glucose.
That means a typical raw diet might not push your dog into true ketosis. It’s more “low-carb, high-protein” than “high-fat, moderate-protein.”
How Can You Put a Dog Into Ketosis?
To encourage ketosis, you’ll need to:
Increase healthy fats - think raw goat’s milk, fish oil, coconut oil, duck fat, or fatty cuts of meat.
Keep carbs very low - no grains, starchy veggies, or fruit (except maybe the tiniest amounts).
Moderate protein - enough to maintain muscle, but not so much that it blocks fat-burning.
Some owners also use a blood ketone meter (yes, like diabetics use!) to check if their dog is actually in ketosis.
Risks of a Keto Diet for Dogs
Keto diets aren’t for every dog. Possible risks include:
Nutrient imbalances - if the diet isn’t carefully designed.
Digestive upset - if fat is increased too quickly.
Pancreatitis (in dogs prone to it) - from too much fat.
Low energy or muscle loss - if protein is restricted too much.
That’s why it’s smart to work with a holistic vet or a pet nutritionist if you want to go full keto with your pup.
Tools You’ll Need
Food scale – to measure exact portions.
Ketone meter & strips – to check your dog’s ketone levels.
Meal planning software (like Animal Diet Formulator) or spreadsheets – to track nutrients.
Quality supplements – omega-3s, minerals, and vitamins to fill any gaps.
What Keto Ratios Mean
When people say a 1:1, 2:1, or 3:1 keto ratio, they’re comparing:
Fat (by grams) : Protein + Carbohydrates (by grams)
In other words, the ratio tells you how much fat there is compared to the combined total of protein and carbs.
Since keto diets are meant to be very low-carb, carbs barely count, so it’s basically fat vs. protein.
Common Ratios Explained
When I first started learning about keto diets for pets, most of the guidance focused on ratio-based feeding - like 1:1, 2:1, or 3:1 (fat to protein+carbs).
Dogs on a standard raw diet (high protein, moderate fat, and low carb) usually land around 1:1 or even lower.
To push closer to 2:1 or 3:1, you often need to add extra fat sources - such as MCT oil, duck fat, coconut oil, ghee, salmon oil, grass-fed butter, raw goat’s milk, or kefir - while carefully lowering the protein.
The stricter the ratio, the more critical it becomes to use nutrient tracking tools and blood ketone meters to ensure your dog is both safe and truly in ketosis.
1:1 Ratio
Equal parts fat and protein+carbs.
Example: For every 10 grams of fat, there are 10 grams of protein+carbs.
This is a milder keto diet. It may not push a dog into deep ketosis but can still help lower carb intake.
Sometimes called a “modified keto diet.”
2:1 Ratio
Twice as much fat as protein+carbs.
Example: For every 20 grams of fat, there are 10 grams of protein+carbs.
This is a classic therapeutic keto diet—often used for medical purposes (like seizure control or cancer support).
More likely to maintain steady ketosis in dogs.
3:1 Ratio
Three times as much fat as protein+carbs.
Example: For every 30 grams of fat, there are 10 grams of protein+carbs.
This is a strict medical keto diet, usually reserved for severe epilepsy or other health conditions where deep ketosis is needed.
Harder to balance long-term, and higher risk for nutrient deficiencies if not done carefully.
Example Keto Diets for a 65-Pound, 12-Year-Old Dog
Zoey is 12 years old, and started a modified keto diet (1:1) to help her lose weight, reduce inflammation, and boost overall wellness. I used the calculator at KetoPet.org to develop a few easy recipes using proteins and other ingredients I already feed to my dogs.
I plan to formulate recipes for Zoey using Animal Diet Formulator software, which has a keto option.
Note: These are just broad examples. It’s essential to adjust your dog’s diet according to their health and work with a professional before making significant changes.
1. Beef Keto Bowl
487.5 g - ground beef (80/20)
55.3 g - cabbage (or 117.6 g of broccoli, or 78.9 g of green beans)
1.6 tsp - chia seeds
1 tsp - Animal Essentials Seaweed Calcium
2. Chicken Keto Bowl
360.3 g - ground chicken (97/3)
94.8 g - butter
55.3 g - cabbage (or 117.6 g of broccoli, or 78.9 g of green beans)
1.6 tsp - chia seeds
1 tsp - Animal Essentials Seaweed Calcium
3. Turkey Keto Bowl
436.2 g - ground turkey (93/7)
68.9 g - butter
55.3 g - cabbage (or 117.6 g of broccoli, or 78.9 g of green beans)
1.6 tsp - chia seeds
1 tsp - Animal Essentials Seaweed Calcium
Keto Diets for Dogs: Short-Term vs. Long-Term
Short-Term Keto (2–8 weeks)
Best for:
Weight loss
Reducing inflammation
Cancer support
Epilepsy or seizure reduction
“Resetting” after processed or high-carb diets
Why it can help:
Lowers blood sugar and insulin levels
Encourages fat-burning (instead of storing fat)
Supports calmer energy + steady appetite
May help starve certain cancer cells (they rely on glucose)
What to watch:
Increase fat slowly to avoid digestive upset
Watch for loose stool or low energy (common early on)
Track ketones if true ketosis is the goal
Overall summary: Short-term keto is like a metabolic jump-start - helpful when you need to shift the body into healing mode.
Long-Term Keto (months or ongoing)
Possible benefits:
Can help manage chronic seizures
May reduce cancer recurrence or progression
Supports metabolic flexibility (fat-adapted metabolism)
Risks and challenges:
Harder to maintain nutrient balance long-term
Fat must be extremely high, and protein moderate
Too much fat can stress the pancreas in sensitive dogs
Low variety could lead to vitamin/mineral deficiencies
Requires:
Careful nutrient tracking (Animal Diet Formulator, etc.)
Monitoring by a holistic vet
Blood ketone readings to confirm ketosis
Overall summary: Long-term keto is a therapeutic diet, not a lifestyle diet. It should be professionally guided and based on a medical reason, not just as a feeding style.
How to Decide
Question | If your answer is YES → Keto may help |
|---|---|
Does your dog have cancer or seizures? | ✅ Consider long-term with vet support |
Does your dog need to lose weight or reduce inflammation fast? | ✅ Short-term keto reset |
Is your dog healthy and active? | ❌ A balanced raw diet is usually better long-term |
Why Fat Doesn’t Automatically Make Dogs Fat
1. It’s About Hormones, Not Just Calories
When dogs eat carbs, those carbs break down into sugar (glucose).
Glucose spikes insulin, the hormone that tells the body to store energy as fat.
A high-fat, low-carb diet keeps insulin low, so instead of storing fat, the dog’s body burns fat for fuel.
Translation: Fat isn’t the enemy - insulin spikes from carbs are.
2. Fat Keeps Dogs Fuller, Longer
Fat is super calorie-dense and satisfying.
When a dog eats a high-fat meal, they feel full for hours.
Carbs, on the other hand, can make dogs hungry again quickly (ever notice dogs begging right after a biscuit?).
This means dogs on higher-fat diets usually self-regulate and don’t overeat.
3. Dogs Are Designed to Use Fat
Dogs are facultative carnivores (fancy way of saying they thrive on animal-based diets).
In the wild, a wolf’s diet is naturally higher in protein and fat, not carbs.
Their metabolism is great at turning fat into energy through ketosis.
Feeding dogs more fat actually matches what their bodies are built for.
4. Protein + Fat ≠ Fat Storage
Protein repairs muscle and supports organ health.
Fat fuels energy, hormones, and even brain function.
Without carbs pushing insulin sky-high, that fat gets used, not stored.
In fact, many senior dogs, overweight dogs, and dogs with cancer are switched to keto-style diets (high fat, moderate protein, low carb) specifically to lose fat and gain energy.
When Fat Can Be a Problem
If a dog already has pancreatitis or a history of fat digestion issues.
If the fat isn’t balanced with nutrients (too much fat without proper vitamins/minerals = problems).
If you switch to high fat too quickly it can cause diarrhea or tummy upset).
Feeding My Dogs a Keto Diet
Keto diets for dogs can be beneficial in certain situations, particularly for senior dogs, those with seizures, or dogs that require weight management. But they’re not one-size-fits-all.
A standard raw diet doesn’t always equal ketosis. To truly go keto, you’ll need to increase the fat, balance the protein, and monitor ketones carefully. Done right, it can give your dog a new spark of energy in their golden years, which is why I’m slowly transitioning Zoey, a 12-year-old, to a keto diet.
While I can create recipes through KetoPet.org, I prefer to use Animal Diet Formulator software. Keto isn’t usually recommended as a forever diet for all dogs - especially young, active ones who require more protein.
I don’t plan to switch Zoey to a keto diet permanently, because…
Very high fat can stress the pancreas in dogs prone to pancreatitis.
If not carefully planned, keto diets can create nutrient gaps (too little fiber, certain vitamins, or minerals).
Senior dogs or dogs with health issues may need extra monitoring when fat levels go up.
When fed short-term, a keto diet can offer the following benefits…
Therapeutic support - Dogs with cancer, epilepsy, or metabolic issues may benefit from a few weeks or months in ketosis. It can lower inflammation, reduce seizure frequency, and even help starve sugar-hungry cancer cells.
Weight loss - For overweight dogs, a short-term keto approach can help jumpstart fat burning and improve energy levels.
“Reset” diets - Some owners use a keto diet briefly to transition away from high-carb diets or to calm chronic inflammation before moving to a more balanced raw diet.
I plan to continue feeding Zoey this diet in the short term (a couple of months) to reduce inflammation, promote weight loss, and support her overall health. I’ll follow up in January with our experience.