Dog food is specifically formulated for consumption by domestic dogs. Dogs are omnivores with a carnivorous bias, whose sharp teeth and short gastrointestinal tracts are well-suited for eating meat. However, they also possess ten genes for starch and glucose digestion and can produce amylase, an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars. This ability is absent in obligate carnivores like cats.
Dogs developed this trait while living alongside humans in agricultural societies. They survived on scraps, leftovers, and waste from humans. Over thousands of years, dogs adapted to thrive on both meat and plant-based foods. Studies suggest their ability to digest carbohydrates is a key distinction from wolves.