It’s one of the most debated questions in dog nutrition.

Are dogs true carnivores — like wolves and big cats — or have they evolved into omnivores alongside humans?

The answer sits somewhere in the middle, and understanding it can change how you think about your dog’s diet entirely.

The Short Answer

Dogs are classified as facultative carnivores.

This means they thrive on meat but have adapted to digest and utilise plant-based foods when needed.

They’re not strict carnivores — but they’re not true omnivores either.

What Makes an Animal a Carnivore?

True (obligate) carnivores rely almost entirely on meat for survival.

They typically have:

• Sharp, tearing teeth
• Short digestive tracts
• Limited ability to digest carbohydrates
• Nutritional dependence on animal tissue

Cats are the classic example — they cannot survive without meat.

Dogs, however, show a more flexible biological design.

How Dog Digestion Actually Works

Dogs are built to prioritise animal protein — but their digestive systems can process more than just meat.

They produce enzymes that help break down:

• Starches
• Grains
• Certain fruits and vegetables

This ability allows dogs to extract energy and nutrients from a broader range of foods than strict carnivores.

That said, their digestive tract is still shorter than a human’s — reflecting a meat-first evolutionary design.

From Wolves to Modern Dogs

Domestic dogs share ancestry with wolves, who are primarily carnivorous hunters.

But thousands of years of domestication changed things.

As dogs began living alongside humans, they adapted to scavenging and eating leftover foods — including cooked starches and plant matter.

Genetic studies even show increased copies of starch-digesting genes in modern dogs compared to wolves.

In simple terms: dogs evolved to survive on more varied diets than their wild ancestors.

So What Should Dogs Be Eating?

Understanding that dogs are facultative carnivores helps simplify feeding decisions.

A well-balanced canine diet should prioritise:

• High-quality animal protein
• Healthy animal fats
• Digestible carbohydrates (optional but useful)
• Vitamins and minerals

Meat should form the foundation — but supportive ingredients can play a valuable nutritional role.

This balance is why most modern complete dog foods combine animal and plant sources rather than relying on meat alone.

FAQs

Are dogs omnivores?

Not strictly. Dogs are best described as facultative carnivores — meat-focused but adaptable.

Can dogs survive on a vegetarian diet?

It’s possible with careful formulation, but it’s not biologically optimal for most dogs.

Do dogs need meat?

They don’t require whole meat specifically, but they do require nutrients most naturally found in animal tissue.

Are wolves and dogs nutritionally the same?

No. While closely related, dogs have evolved to digest starches more efficiently than wolves.