Grain-free dog food: is it all its hyped up to be?

On our social media, we have been asked many different types of questions and we have been doing our best to answer each and every one of them. Recently we were asked “is a grain-free dog food really better for my dog than a dog food that contains grain?” The simple answer is no.

With many new trends toward grain-free human diets, many pet owners have also been converting their dogs to a dog food that is grain-free. Why is this? This could be because there is a growing belief that grains are harmful to us, and therefore must be avoided in our pets. There are also claims that dogs are meant to eat grains, due to their evolution as a traditional meat-eating animal. It could also be because there is a growing fear of gluten found in wheat and barley. However, there is no need to fear gluten or grains for us or our furry friends. click here to learn more about why gluten-free diets aren’t as healthy as people may be led to believe. 

Studies show health benefits for grain dog food

Our pets need whole grains for the same reason that humans need whole grains: for their many different health benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes and can help in healthy digestion.  Contrary to popular belief, grains are not just included in dog foods as a filler, they are used for their added nutritional value. Whole grains are a great source of complex carbs that are able to be slowly digested to provide your dog or pet with energy to fuel their entire day. Complex carbs are also a great source of many different nutrients like fibre, proteins, B vitamins, iron, potassium and magnesium.

Some whole grains that are commonly found in dog food include barley, corn,  oats and wheat. These whole grains are also a great source of fibre that can help control obesity in your pup and help control their glucose levels. Fibre is also very beneficial to helping your pet have a healthy and regular digestion.

To find out even more information on grains in your dog’s food, check out this video by Petcurean Pet Nutrition.

And for even more information check out Purina’s article “Is Grain-Free Dog Food Best for Dogs?” or check our Hill’s article “Grain-Free Dog Food: Is It Right For Your Dog?”