How does the ability to digest starch genetically differentiate dogs from wolves?

Dogs digest starch efficiently, while wolves are obligate carnivores relying on meat protein

A significant genetic divergence between domestic dogs and their wild wolf ancestors is evident in their respective dietary adaptations, particularly regarding carbohydrate processing. Dogs possess genetic variations that enable them to digest starch efficiently, a trait often associated with the shift towards settled agricultural societies where grain consumption increased. Conversely, wolves remain classified as obligate carnivores, meaning their physiological makeup is primarily structured around obtaining nutrition from meat protein. This difference in metabolic specialization, traceable through genetic mapping, strongly underscores the distinct evolutionary paths taken by the two groups after their initial separation.