|text = Carbohydrates (saccharides) are a group of carbon-based molecules, that are naturally found as '''monosaccharides, disaccharides''', or '''polysaccharides'''. Carbohydrates are a common source of [[Energy - Nutrition|energy]], however they are not considered an essential nutrient in dogs or cats. Functionally carbohydrates are classified as '''absorbable, digestible, fermentable''' or '''non-fermentable'''.