Glycemic Index

Glycemic index is a measure of how quickly a carbohydrate raises blood sugar after consumption. High glycemic foods (white potato, white rice) raise blood sugar quickly. Low glycemic foods (sweet potato, oats, barley) raise it more slowly. Glycemic index matters most for diabetic dogs and dogs prone to weight gain, where a more gradual blood sugar rise supports better metabolic control. For most healthy dogs, the glycemic index of the carbohydrate is less important than the overall quality of the recipe and the calorie balance. Diabetic dogs should be on a vet-prescribed diet, not an OTC food chosen on glycemic index alone.