Why Some Dog Foods Have Grain
If you look at the ingredient lists of most dog foods, youll notice that a great deal of them contain grains, some of them even listing grains as their first or second ingredient. But do dogs really thrive when fed grain-rich foods? The answer is not completely black or white. While carbohydrates are essential for dogs and need to be a staple of a canines nutrition, there are some key aspects to be considered. First, the carbs should come from complex sources such as barley, whole oats, brown rice, whole wheat, whole corn, and sweet potato, to balance blood glucose levels and sustainably support your pets energy levels throughout the day. Secondly, carbs, while important, shouldnt make up for such a huge chunk of your pets diet protein should always be the primary ingredient in dog food.
Weighing In On The Grain Debate: Is Grain
Carbohydrates have gotten a bad rap lately. Maybe people are going gluten-free because they have food allergies or they believe that itll help them lose weight. Should it apply to a dogs diet, though?
This trend has also made its way into the world of pet food, as many dry dog food and wet food brands have grain-free offerings. Pet owners may be wondering: Is grain-free dog food better for your pup? And should you put him on a grain-free diet?
When trying to decide whether or not to go grain-free, you should first learn about this type of food and whether or not itll be beneficial for your dog.
Best 5 Benefits Of Kirkland Grain Free Dog Food
If you are looking for grain-free dog food, you may want to try the Kirkland brand from Costco.
I have two dogs, and they both love this food. The ingredients are all-natural, and there is no wheat, corn or soy.
There are many grain-free dog food options on the market these days, but one that stands out is Kirkland grain free dog food.
This food is made with high-quality ingredients and does not contain any fillers or by-products. It is also affordable, which makes it a great option for pet parents on a budget.
Kirkland grain-free dog food is made with real meat as the first ingredient and contains vegetables and fruit for added nutrition.
This food has no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and it is GMO-free. This food is also designed to be highly digestible so that your pup can get the most out of every meal.
Kirkland is a great option to consider if you are looking for high-quality, grain-free dog food that will not break the bank.
Your furry friend will love the taste of this food, and you can feel good knowing that they are getting nutritious meals that will help them stay healthy and happy.
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Does Grain Free Food Cause Heart Disease
In the last few years, veterinary cardiologists in the United States reported increased rates of a deadly heart condition, dilated cardiomyopathy , in Golden Retrievers and breeds which are not typically predisposed to DCM. Frequently these dogs were noted as being fed ’boutique, exotic or grain free’ diets, or BEG diets for short.
At this stage, research is still ongoing and it is unclear as to the underlying cause of the reported cases of diet related DCM. Some possible theories include nutritional imbalances in the foods themselves, unknown effects of certain exotic ingredients such as legumes, fruits, flaxseeds etc, or even potentially an unknown toxin.
For pet parents concerned about nutritional deficiencies, feeding a rotational diet may help. A rotational diet offers a your dog with some variety while also reducing the risk of a deficiency developing from feeding a particular diet over an extended period of time. Rotational feeding involves offering your dog a combination of high quality diets, ideally varying protein sources and formats . For more information, take a read through Rotational Diets for Dogs.
Abound Grain Free Dog Food: The Best 15 Benefits
Abound grain free dog food is a wholesome and natural product made with all-natural ingredients. It combines animal protein and grain-free carbohydrates to provide your pup with the best nutrition.
All food is manufactured in the US, using only whole, non-genetically modified ingredients, so you can be sure its safe for your dog to eat.
The Abound grain free dog food features American Meadows, a company that has been using domestic animals for their products for more than 20 years. This company is located in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, where agriculture is vibrant.
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Why Are Grains Used In Dog Food
Grains are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and fiber, says Dr. Jennifer Adolphe, a PhD pet nutritionist for the pet food brand Petcurean. They provide carbohydrates, and help dry pet food maintain its shape and crunch.
They arent just filler, says Dr. Susan G. Wynn, veterinary nutritionist at BluePearl Georgia Veterinary Specialists.
Traditionally, wheat and corn have been the go-to grains for commercial dog food manufacturers. But in recent years, theres been an increase in what Adolphe calls novel grains. These include barley, oats and rye.
Other brands are dropping grains entirely and manufacturing grain-free dog foodopting instead for ingredients like sweet potatoes, peas and beans.
Pros And Cons Of Grain Free Dog Food
Should Yourdog be eating a Grain Free Dog Food? Or, Should you change your dog food to one with Grains?
There ismuch debate about grain free dog foods from owners who love these foods tothose that suggest that all grains are fine and should be a natural part of a healthydog diet, period, end of debate. While both sides are digging in with their respective opinions, a new development has spread like wildfire over the internet.
The debate has gotten even worse after the FDA issued a warning to dog parents and veterinarians that they had found a link between dogs who ate foods high in peas, lentils, potatoes, and other grain legumes and canine dilated cardiomyopathy . These ingredients are typically found in grain free dog foods.
It is no wonder that the average pet owner is confused. Consider the arguments in favor of a grain free dog food.
On the onehand, those that prefer grain-free, suggest that grain freeformulas are more natural, and more like theancestral diet of dogs. They make thepoint that dogs are carnivores and any plant-based portion of the diet should belimited. This has since been debunked by science. As it turns out, dogs have developed the ability to digest grains overtime. 1
It is true that dogs can have allergies to certain foods and often these allergies are manifested with skin irritations such as itchiness, hot spots, and skin irritations.
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Grain Free Diets More Closely Replicate A Natural Diet
One big argument put forward by fans of the grain free movement is that as carnivorous animals, grains hold no place in the natural diet for dogs and cats. While cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must eat meat, technically domestic dogs are omnivores. Dogs have lived alongside humans for tens of thousands of years eating our scraps and cast offs, including meats, vegetables and you guessed it – grains! If we compare the genome of a dog to a wolf, it’s been shown that dogs do have the ability to digest the starches found in grains. In fact, a microbiology researcher in 2012 found that dogs have multiple copies of the gene coding for the digestive enzyme, amylase, which is synthesised by the pancreas. While dogs can have anywhere from 4 to 30 copies of this gene, wolves only have 2 indicating a reduced ability to digest starch. While their distant relative may be the wolf, the domestic dog’s digestive system has undoubtedly changed a lot since then.
This comes down to the distinction between nutrients and ingredients. Cooked grains such as rice and corn contain valuable nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and fibre which, believe it or not, are very beneficial and able to be absorbed and utilised by both cats and dogs. So it’s not all about the ingredient, for example wheat, but instead the nutritional benefit that that ingredient provides.
What Are The Benefits Of Abound Grain Free Dog Food
The main benefits of Abound grain free dog food are given below:
1. Protein and Grain Free
2. No Artificial Ingredients, Colors, or Preservatives
3. Contains an Omega Fatty Acid Blend
4. Rich in Fruits and Veggies
5. High in B-Vitamins
7. No Added Hormones or Antibiotics
8. No Artificial Preservatives
9. No Grain or Gluten
10. Easy to Digest
11. 2% of Net Profits Donated to Animal Charities
12. Easy to Serve, No Messy Pills to Give
13. Even the pickiest eaters will gobble it up!
14. Contains an Excellent Source of Fiber
15. Made with Domestic Animals
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Do Dogs Need Grain In Their Diet
Grain can be an excellent source of carbohydrates and nutrients however, there are other sources of carbohydrates, like the starchy vegetable sweet potatoes, that can be fed to dogs instead.
Above all else, the important thing to remember is that no one ingredient will make or break a dog food instead, its how the ingredients are formulated and proportioned that makes all the difference!
What Is The Advantage Of Grain
Grain-free dog foods, like Lucy Pets very own Formulas for Life grain-free dog foods, tend to use premium, complex carbohydrate sources like quinoa, sweet potatoes, and more to provide dogs with all the energy they need to get through their day.
Compared to corn or wheat, complex carbohydrates like quinoa or brown rice release more slowly into the bloodstream and prevent spikes/dips in your dogs energy and blood sugar levels.
Additionally, complex carbs tend to keep your dog feeling full longer, so they can focus on whats important, like herding sheep, catching a Frisbee, or going on a jog with their loving owner!
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Shop Lucy Pet Foods Grain
This article covered just 5 of the many grain-free benefits for dogs.
Now that you know about all of these benefits, including that a grain-free diet provides healthier skin and coat, increased energy, better breath, and fewer allergies and intolerances, we hope youll agree to switch your dog to a grain-free diet is a no-brainer!
Dogs Diagnosed With Diabetes Or Cancer
Sometimes vets recommend a low-carbohydrate diet for dogs with health issues like diabetes or cancer. Unless the pup is overweight, a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet containing fish oil may speed recovery and extend a disease-free state of remission. As well as help manage insulin production for diabetic pups.
Some grains will have higher glucose levels, challenging insulin levels in diabetic pups. And the gluten and lectins in some grains can cause inflammation. But, not all grains trigger inflammation.
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Are There Any Side Effects
The side effects of Abound grain free dog food are given below:
1. You should monitor your pups weight because if the food is too full, it can cause your pup to gain weight.
2. You need to store it properly as you shouldnt leave it out .
3. You should feed this with common sense, so you need to keep an eye on it and see how much theyre eating of the food .
4. If your dog is lactose intolerant, you should avoid this food, as it contains a few dairy ingredients.
5. If your pup has a sensitive stomach, you might want to take a step back on the amount of food you give them .
6. Be careful how much fat your dog is getting and ensure they are eating the right nutrients for their body .
The Cons: The Risks With Grain
Of course, you only want the best for your dog, and that includes what you feed them. The grain-free dog food trend has marketed so many of its benefits, its hard to believe that this type of diet has the potential to do more harm than good. Since separating fact from hype or panic can be difficult, weve done our best to research the latest findings.
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Factors To Consider While Choosing A Particular Diet For Your Dog
We all want our dogs to have what we think is the best food for them but our wishes can sometimes cloud our judgment. In most cases, changing a dogs diet when they are doing just fine is always more about fitting into a fad than improving their lifestyle. The truth is that some dogs are better on a grain-free diet while others are more suited to grain-based foods.
If you are thinking of making the switch to grain-free dog foods, here are some factors you should consider:
1. Your dogs lifestyle
When it comes to dog food, theres no one-size-fits-all formula. Your dogs nutritional requirements will be determined by how active they are. A chihuahua will not have the same needs as a German shepherd. Highly active dogs will need a high-protein diet that is found in grain-free foods. Older and less active dogs will not.
2. Health conditions
You will also need to make sure that your dog does not have any health problems that will be worsened by a grain-free or high-protein diet.
3. Expert advice
It is important to consult your dogs vet before making the switch to a grain-free diet. They will be able to advise on the best diet for the dog depending on factors such as the breed, its age, activity levels, and the overall health condition. They may even be able to advise on the best grain-free brands for your dog.
4. The dogs eating habits
Is Grain Free Food Good For Dog Allergies
If your dog has food allergies or intolerances, a hypoallergenic food could be a great solution. For dogs with particular sensitivities and who may find it more difficult to digest cereals, grain free dog food could provide your dog with the diet they need to be at their healthiest. James Wellbeloved food is naturally hypoallergenic, with no added artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, so you can rest assured that it wont cause an adverse food reaction in your dog.
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Is Grain Free Dog Food Good Or Bad
Gluten free and grain free diets for dogs have become increasingly popular in recent years due to concerns about food allergies or the high amounts of carbohydrates in traditional dog food. But, since this spike in popularity coincides with a rise in cases of canine dilated cardiomyopathy linked to grain free foods, many dog owners are at a loss about whether grain free diets are actually safe.
Is It Expensive
Kirkland grain free dog food is good for your dog, but it does not compare to other standard brands in the market. Therefore it is a bit expensive.
However, you get more for your money because you can feed more meals with a single package of Kirkland grain free dog food than other brands. It only makes sense to feed your pet this brand if you are trying to save money.
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What Is A Grain
Grain-free dog foods have no wheat, corn, rice, oats, barley, rye, or soy. However, starch and carbohydrates are often still present in grain-free dog food by substituting legumes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, or quinoa. While this might lead pet owners to believe theyre helping a dog with food allergies, that typically isnt the case. For every 9 in 10 dogs that do suffer from allergies, the allergy is environmental rather than food-related.
Can Dogs Eat Grains
There is still a big discussion in the pet community as to whether dogs are omnivores or carnivores. Omnivores eat food from both plant and animal origin, whereas carnivores eat only meat. Humans are omnivores and dogs are often classified as carnivorous omnivores. In other words, they eat most things, but thrive best on a meat-based diet.So, yes, dogs can eat grains. Indeed, they thrive on a varied diet that contains vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, grain and most importantly, is rich in meat. Wholegrains can play a part in a dogs diet and certainly did so historically when wolves would have consumed the partly digested grains their prey had fed on.
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What Is A Grain Free Diet
Put simply, a grain free diet is a diet free from all grains, including ingredients such as wheat, corn, rice, oats and barley.
Is feeding a grain free diet really better for your dog? Let’s firstly talk about the nutritional benefits of grains.
Grains contribute valuable nutrients including vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and fibre to the diet. At the same time, they help to keep the fat and calorie content lower than if animal products were used in their place.
If we decide to feed a grain free diet, we need to ensure we can still provide these key nutrients or ‘building blocks’ that make up a complete and balanced diet.
There are several arguments put forward by advocates of the grain-free movement, and we’ll explore them below.
Can Puppies Eat Grain Free Dog Food
As puppies have lots of growing to do, feeding them the right diet is vital for their development. The most important thing is that your puppy gets all the nutrients they need to grow into a healthy dog. Puppies can eat grain free dog food, so long as it contains the right balance of nutrients. Further, puppies who show signs of intolerances from eating traditional dog food may benefit from a change to a grain-free diet.
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