Is Grain Free Food Good For Dogs A Veterinarians Advice
Nutrition has an invaluable impact on our dogs lives, as it does with our own. Because we do want whats best for our fur babies, its becoming increasingly trendy to feed our dogs what we eat since what is healthy for us must be healthy for them, right? Well, not necessarily
Grain-free and gluten-free are two of the biggest food trends right now. Many dog foods boast containing more meat and fewer grains, getting back to how our pets ancestors ate, but today, I want to break down the ideas behind grain-free dog food and let you know a veterinarians take on this fad diets.
What About Cat And Dog Food Allergies
Another popular misconception that many pet owners fall victim to is the assumption that grain free diets are the best diets for pets with food allergies. While food allergies do occur in pets, corn and other grains are not among the most common allergens found in foods. In fact, according to some of the available research, corn is actually one of the least likely sources of food allergy. In one literature review1, 278 dogs with food allergy were evaluated and the problem ingredient was clearly identified for each dog. Beef was the most common allergen, being responsible for 95 of the cases reported. Dairy was responsible for 55 cases, making it the second most frequent cause. Corn was identified as the offender in only 7 cases. In cats, the situation is similar. Fifty-six cats were evaluated in this study2. Forty-five of the food allergies resulted from eating beef, dairy, and/or fish. Corn, meanwhile, was responsible for only 4 cases.
Feeding a grain free diet is a legitimate option for your pet. However, feeding a grain free diet still requires choosing a diet that includes complete and balanced nutrition for your pet. Choose ingredients with which you, as a pet owner, are comfortable. But remember that in the long run, it is the nutrient profile that is important, not the individual ingredients in the pet food.
Should You Switch Your Dog To Or From A Grain
Your veterinarian should be consulted regarding the best dietary choices for your dog.
There have not been any recommendations issued by the FDA advising whether you should or should not feed your dog a grain-free diet, as their study is ongoing.
The most important consideration in choosing a dog food is that it provides complete and balanced nutrition.
If you are thinking of switching your dog to a grain-free diet, discuss the risks and benefits of feeding a grain-free diet with your veterinarian first.
If your dog is already on a grain-free diet, and you want to know if you should switch to a dog food that has grains, ask your veterinarian what the best dog food option would be for your particular dog.
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So Is A Grain Free Diet Better For Dogs
Now that weve established that dogs can digest grains, should they? And do grains offer any benefits for dogs?
As weve seen, grain-free dog food arose from the gluten-free trend in human food. A lot of people believe that grain causes allergies for dogs, but this isnt supported with evidence. The more common food intolerances for dogs are reported to be beef, dairy, wheat, chicken and egg.
So, opting for a grain-free dog food is unlikely to protect against allergies unless your dog is specifically intolerant to grains. Its more common for a dog to be gluten intolerant than intolerant to grains and these words are not interchangeable.
How To Transition To A Grain Free Diet
Its worth saying again. Any time you decide to change your dogs diet, make sure you check in with your vet first.
When you want to change your dogs diet, a good rule of thumb is to go slow. Dont just throw away their old food and replace it with the new stuff. This isnt going to go well for your dog. Theyve gotten used to the food you had, and it will take time for them to adjust to the new food.
The best way to slowly transition your dog to grain free good is to mix it into their old food. You can either mix a small amount in their bowl each time you feed them, or you can mix your container of food with the new food.
Each time you feed your dog, mix a cup of the new food with the old food. This method works well because each day your dog is eating a little more of their new food. They will slowly acclimate to their new diet. Eventually, youll have no more of the old food left and your dog will only be eating the new, grain free food.
Anytime you switch your dogs food, be sure to keep a close eye on them. Check their stools. You want to make sure they are not constipated or having diarrhea. Also make sure they are not having any other strange symptoms like excessive scratching, hair loss or lack of interest eating or drinking. Those signs tell you that something is wrong and you should consider contacting your vet.
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Taurine & Amino Acids
Nutritional research indicates that taurine is generally not considered an essential amino acid for dogs, because these animals can synthesize taurine from cysteine and methionine. Nearly all the grain-free products had methionine-cystine values above the minimum nutritional requirement of 0.65 percent for adult maintenance food for dogs published in the AAFCO Official Publication .
The FDA is still gathering information to better understand if taurine metabolism may have a role in these reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy.
Do Dogs Need Grain In Their Food
Do grains provide benefits grain benefit dogs? In essence, grains are an excellent source of nutrients, according to Dr. Venator. Grains offer great nutritional value as well as carbohydrate, fat, and antioxidants. In other words, dog food can provide animal health support, including skin and hair, as well as the health of the immune system.
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Links To Heart Disease
A study by the University of California, Davis, found a link between dogs being fed grain-free and legume-rich diets and types of heart disease, known as taurine-deficient dilated cardiomyopathy .
Research is still ongoing to determine the biological processes at play, and how the affected dogs diets contribute.
Are There Benefits To Eating A Grain Free Diet
There are some benefits to removing grain from your dogs diet even if they do not have a grain allergy. Most vets believe that dogs are fine eating grains, and most dog foods only have about 10% grains anyway. However, is there any benefit to removing those grains from your dogs diet?
Often times when you remove grain from a dogs diet, it gets replaced by protein or other animal fats. This works to your dogs benefit because a grain free diet is easier to digest. Owners have also noticed other health benefits to a grain free diet:
- Increased energy
- Better breath
- Less flatulence
Overall, a grain free diet can be of benefit to your dog. While some dogs see the symptoms of their allergies relieved, others simply benefit from the change of lifestyle. Whatever your reason, cutting grain can be great for your dogs diet.
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Should I Feed My Dog Grain
Considering a grain-free diet for your dog? Get clued up before you make the switch to other fibre-rich foods.
Angell PetCo has always championed clean dog diets with foods free from grains that cause allergic reactions and upset stomachs in many dogs. Our founders, Robert and Jill Angell were amongst the first to move away from common commercial grains like wheat, maize and cereals in favour of grain-free options.
The Benefits Of Grain Free Dog Food
Choosing the right food for your dog is one of the most important things you can do for their health. Feeding them healthy, nutritious food will give them a longer, happier life with far fewer health complications. There are many different dog foods on the market, and each one promises the world for you and your pet, but none have quite the number of benefits that grain free dog food has. Here are just some of the health benefits that feeding your dog grain free food can produce.
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Is Grain Free Dog Food Bad
Weve established that gluten free doesnt mean grain-free. Equally grain-free doesnt necessarily mean healthy dog food nor deem it good or bad. Labels like grain free are marketing tools but its important to look at the full ingredient list to assess whether the recipe is right for your puppy or dog. Quality goes beyond the grain.
What Role Do Grains Play In My Dogs Diet
Its a common misconception that dogs are carnivores. Actually, theyre omnivores, meaning theyre able to digest carbohydrates, like those you find in grains.
Whole grains contribute important nutrients to your dogs diet, such as vitamins, minerals, and fibre.
However, grains which have been heavily processed will lose much of their nutritional benefit.
Processed grains may often appear in ingredients lists under the following names:
- Wheat gluten
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Grain Free Meat Dog Food
Nulo Senior Dry Dog Food Grain Free Kibble with Glucosamine And Chondroitin. 4.7 out of 5 stars. 780. $71.99. $71. . 99 Nulos senior support dog food has made it onto our list for the best grain-free dog food thanks to its nutrient-filled formula.
The company says it makes all products without animal byproducts and uses real meat as the first ingredient.
link between heart disease and grain-free dog food. They just want the best for.
Homemade Dog Food Raw Meat Jun 30, 2020. The risk with both homemade and commercial raw dog food diets is that often, these diets are not well-balanced for a dog’s nutrient requirements. Red Meat Raw Blend Kibble · Protein-rich baked kibble coated in irresistible freeze-dried raw · Real, freeze-dried raw pieces mixed in · Low carbohydrate diet (. The basic
With more food, the chances of a new toy and even Christmas outfits, dogs can enjoy the festive.
all owners should be aware of. Now the grain-free pet food experts at Canagan have outlined.
BLUE Wilderness natural dry dog food satisfies the spirit of the wolf in your canine with more of the meat dogs love. This high protein, grain free formula starts with delicious, protein-rich beef, features antioxidant-rich LifeSource Bits® and is enhanced with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.
What new dog owners need to know before getting a puppy in 2022 If you are among the hundreds of people thinking about getting a puppy this year, read this expert pet guide first.
American Journey Lid Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
First five ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Salmon Meal, Peas, Pea Starch, Sweet Potatoes
Most Affordable Chicken Free Dog Food: Dog parents who are grain-free enthusiasts will love the Salmon version of American Journeys Limited Ingredient dog food.
Savory real deboned salmon will greet your pup with every bite, giving your pet a protein-rich diet, with protein making up 22% of the meal.
Made with easily digestible carbohydrates like peas and sweet potatoes, this grain-free kibble is ideal for dogs with food sensitivities.
The brand didnt just stop at protein. American Journey also added nourishing ingredients such as omega fatty acids for healthy coat and skin, calcium for strong bones, zinc for thyroid and immune function, Vitamin E for healthy muscles, and a whole lot more nutrients and minerals for a complete and balanced diet.
The formula contains well sourced high-quality ingredients and limits its source to Salmon. It contains Chickpeas and Peas which are considered high-quality sources of carbohydrates. In addition, they provide fiber for healthy digestion.
This recipe is made to be as healthy as possible with no grain or by-product ingredients. There are no artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors to cause food sensitivities, either.
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How Raw Dog Food Is Different
Rex loves the crunch of Vital Essentials freeze-dried mini nibs and his parents love the convenience.
Unlike most commercial grain free dog foods, raw dog food is naturally grain free rather than modified to exclude grains. As Dr. Patton notes, Raw food isnt grain free in the sense that grain free traditional kibble is. Its grain free because the only ingredients are what nature intended: meat, vital organs, and bones, which means more protein and fewer soluble carbohydrates.
Raw dog food products like those from Vital Essentials arent just grain free, but theyre also free of any of the other ingredients that could potentially cause problems.
Grain free is a non-issue in Vital Essentials foods, Dr. Patton says. Vital Essentials doesnt have to use special recipes to exclude grains because the grains arent there in the first place. And thats how nature intended it.
Willow knows a nutritious Vital Essentials raw meat diet is all thats needed to stay healthy no corn required!
So, should you choose grain free?
It all comes down to what grain free means in terms of the food and, of course, whats best for your pet. Not all grain free dog foods are created equal some grain free foods simply replace the grains with other carb-heavy fillers that are just as unhealthy for your dog and may even be linked to DCM.
Learn more about Vital Essentialsingredients here orlocate a store near you if you want to start giving your dog the benefits of a raw food diet.
What Are The Pros Of Grains For Your Dog
Dogs can enjoy the taste and nutritional benefit of a number of grains, just like us. But, like everything else we feed our dogs, its important to make healthy choices and not just opt for the same grains you or I would enjoy. Dogs are different. For example human toothpaste is a no no when it comes to brushing your dogs teeth.
Whole grains are our favourite type of grain for your pooch, providing the most nutrients and goodness. By definition, these are grains that have 100% of the natural kernel, meaning nothing has been removed during production. Brown rice and oats are whole grains that avoid gluten and offer an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and fibre.
High in fibre
Whole grains, particularly brown rice, are full of fibre and a great source of magnesium and selenium, helping to ease digestion and keep your dogs gut healthy.
Antioxidant rich
Many whole grains are packed with antioxidants the superhero of nutrients! They can help your dog in a number of ways, including aiding weight loss, stabilising blood sugar and promoting good heart health.
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Reviews And List Of Kirklands Dog Food
The 6 super premium lineup of Kirkland Dog Food are:
All of these comes with an AAFCO nutrition symbol as well. And they are A, M, M, M, M, and M respectively for the list above.
Some of these are discussed and reviewed for your convenience:
Understanding Dog Food Labels
Reading pet food labels can be confusing. These tips will help you better understand the information you may find on the labels.
95% rule. If the product name is Savory Chicken for Dogs, the named ingredient , must make up at least 95% of the weight of the product.
Light/low-calorie: Meets AAFCO requirements for reduced calories.
Natural. Has few or no synthetic ingredients or artificial flavors.
Grain-Free. The food has no grain products: barley, wheat, oats, grain sorghum, corn rice, rye, and grain.
Guaranteed analysis. The product is guaranteed to have the percentages of protein, fiber, fat, and moisture as specified on the label.
With: Lamb with lentils must contain at least 3% of the mentioned with ingredient .
Nutritional adequacy: This means the food has either has ingredients formulated to provide levels of nutrients according to an established profile or has been tested using the appropriate AAFCO Feeding Trial Protocol.
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Good Health Begins With The Gut
When it comes to choosing a diet for your dog, the health of their gut should be at the forefront of every decision. They only get one digestive system in their lives, and any damage can unfortunately be long lasting and irreversible. Do your research, understand your pooch and make choices based on their preferences and health.
Of course, all dogs need a healthy supply of animal protein to get all essential amino acids. Meat should be the number one ingredient on every dog food recipe. Percentages are important, but they can also be misleading. Some brands may include fresh and dried meat in the same category, so be sure to take a closer look at the ingredients list. And for those that have vague terms and are not transparent run a mile!
Our philosophy at Scrumbles is to focus on gut health. We include probiotics in our range of dry dog food and dry cat food, as well as slippery elm in our range of wet dog food and cat food for digestive health, stool quality and healthy immune systems.
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 risks of allergies and intolerances, we hope youll agree that switching your dog to a grain-free diet is a no-brainer!
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