Grain-free dog food has gained a lot of popularity among pet owners. But is a grain-free diet the best choice for your pet dog? Read on to find out more!

What is Grain-Free Dog Food?

Grain-free dog food is formulated without using any type of grains that are commonly used in dog foods, such as wheat, corn, rice, oats, soy, rye, and barley. Instead of grains, they use other sources of carbohydrates, like potatoes, quinoa, lentils, sweet potatoes, and peas. This means that grain-free dog foods are NOT carb-free. There are grain-free dog foods with carb content that is equal to or higher than those that contain grains.

Is Grain- Free Dog Food Gluten-Free?

Gluten-free dog foods do not include gluten-containing grains, such as barley, wheat, and rye, may still contain other grains. On the other hand, a grain-free diet may also contain ingredients that are free of gluten.

Grain-Free VS Grain Dog Food

Grain-free diets do not only contain a high proportion of meat but also carbohydrate sources that are grain-free. The high proportion of meat makes up for the lack of grains in the formula. Also, not all grain-free dog diets have high-quality ingredients, which is also true with grain dog food.

Grain-free diets may be recommended by veterinarians in dogs that are suspected of suffering from food allergies. A grain-free diet might be one of the options for feed trials to identify any potential allergen.

Pros and Cons of Grain-Free Dog Food

Pros

• Grain-free formulas are more natural and more similar to the diets of the dogs’ ancestors.

• Grain-free diets are easier for dogs that are gluten or grain sensitive. This is especially true for formulas that have more protein and animal fats and fewer carbohydrates. Many cases of allergies in dogs associated with grains or gluten have been alleviated when their diets were switched to a grain-free and gluten-free diet. Over time, the itching, licking, scratching, and chewing decreased as well as hair loss, and gassiness.

• Overweight or obese dogs’ benefit from a diet that has lower grains and/or contains other sources of carbohydrates that will encourage their body to use fats and protein as their primary source of energy. Breaking down fat and protein during metabolism will also require the body to burn more energy which could also contribute to weight loss.

• Some cases of diabetes and cancer in dogs have responded well to a grain-free diet. A low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that contains high levels of fish oil has been shown to hasten the recovery and extend the period of remission in dogs. In diabetic dogs, a grain-free diet may also help manage insulin production.

Cons

• Protein that is not utilized for the building of new muscles in the body will be converted into fat. This means that a grain-free diet is not always the answer to pets that need to lose weight.

• A grain-free diet doesn’t mean it’s low in carbohydrates or all meat.

• A grain-free diet that has higher carbs than proteins can pave the way to several health issues in dogs. Too much carbs intake can increase a dog’s risk of obesity. It could also create a favorable environment in the gut for bad bacteria to thrive. Dogs also tend to have a lack of energy.

Grain-Free Dog Food Myths

• Grain-free pet food is similar to carbohydrate-free pet food

Carbohydrates are not only present in grains but other sources like tapioca,             potato, sweet potato, and rye.

• Grain-free diets are high in protein

This is not always the case because instead of using grains, other carbohydrate sources are used. There are some grain-free pet foods that contain more carbohydrates than protein.

Is Grain-Free Dog Food Better For Your Dog?

“Is grain-free dog food really worth it?” This is a common question and concern of many pet owners. The best answer to this question is to consult your veterinarian regarding the best diet for your dog. There is a need to discuss the risks and benefits associated with placing your dog on a grain-free diet.

Is Grain-Free Dog Food Good Or Bad?

To give or not to give grain-free food to your dog remains to be a controversial issue that can only be resolved when there are already enough studies to support theories about the pros and cons of a grain-free diet. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning that the diet might be an important factor in the development of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. However, this is just a preliminary finding based on a study that tried to establish the association between a dog’s diet and heart disease. Your veterinarian is still the best source of information about your pet’s diet and nutritional needs.