Grain Free Dog Food Simplified

Long before dog food was scooped from a bag into personalized doggie dishes, canines would hunt and capture raw, protein-rich meals. After all, you don’t see wolves grazing peacefully in a field of flowers. Just like the theory behind the Paleo Diet for humans, protein-based, grain-free dog foods more closely mimics a canine’s natural or “ancestral” diet as a carnivore. However, with the introduction of mass-produced dog kibble around World War II, inexpensive fillers like corn, wheat and barley were added to dog food to create bulk and keep costs down. Today, most commercial dog foods still list corn, rice or wheat as one of the main ingredients.  Lower-quality brands may rely too much on those starches as fillers, and that’s not ideal. They may also genetically-modified corn, wheat, sources of protein and other ingredients.

 But while dogs have evolved from wild animals to Internet celebrities, the canine digestive system is still primitive. Dogs have little natural digestive support for breaking down and metabolizing complex carbohydrates and cereal grains. These difficult-to-digest fibers and grains remain undigested, with the body relying mainly on fermentation to break them down. Over a long period of time, this can damage the lining of the digestive system, resulting in bowel inflammation disorders, food sensitivities, food allergies, leaky gut and obesity.

Does My Dog Have a Food Allergy?

If your pup is presenting these symptoms, talk to your vet. A food allergy could be to blame:

• Excessive flatulence
• Loose stool/diarrhea
• Rash and skin irritations
• Chronic licking, chewing or biting to relieve itch
• Vomiting
• Frequent ear infections

Breeds at Higher Risk for Food Allergies

 Some studies also show that the following dog breeds may have a larger chance of developing food allergies:

• Retriever
• Boxer
• Chinese Shar-Pei
• Cocker Spaniel
• Collie,
• Dachshund
• Dalmatian
• Lhasa Apso
• Miniature Schnauzer
• Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier
• Springer Spaniel
• West Highland White Terrier

Is Grain-Free Food Right for My Dog?

Always consult your vet before making any major changes to your pet’s diet.

In the meantime, check out the ingredients label on your dog’s food or the brand’s website. If they list corn, wheat or soy as the first ingredients, you may consider gradually switching to a formula the features protein (usually chicken) as one of the main ingredients.

Tips for Going Grain-Free

If you decide to switch your dog from grain-based dog food to grain-free, don’t go cold turkey. Slowly introduce grain-free and higher protein dog food by mixing it in a little at a time. By gradually increasing amounts over the course of a few weeks, you allow your dog’s digestive system to adjust. During the switch, keep an eye on your pup’s stool to make sure they’re not constipated or suffering from diarrhea.

If you see any major concerns during the switch (hair loss, itching, lack of interest in eating or drinking water, etc.), contact your vet for next steps.

Read the Label: Low-Carb Misconceptions

One misconception is that grain free dog food is also low-carb. However, vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, green peas and tapioca often replace the grains in grain-free dog foods, especially in kibble foods, making them as high or higher in carbohydrates than grain-based dog foods. And, as mentioned above, vegetables are healthy for your pet and should make up almost half of their diet.

What About Puppies?

Diets high in protein can be damaging to puppies’ kidneys. Note that some grain-free dog food brands only recommend their food for adult dogs, while other brands have formulas for all life stages and dietary needs. Ask your vet to find out what would be best for your puppy.

What Are the Benefits of Grain-Free Dog Food?

Most vets today recommend that carbohydrates and grains make up a small portion of a dog’s diet (according to Dogster: 50% vegetables/40% meat protein/10% grains). Many grain-free dog foods (especially the moist and freeze-dried grain-free dog foods) contain more protein and animal fats and fewer carbohydrates than their grain-based counterparts and are therefore more easily digested.

Other benefits include:

• Helps keep dogs fuller longer resulting in eating less frequently (good news because grain-free/high-protein foods can be more expensive)
• May reduce canine food allergies
• More energy
• Fewer and smaller stools
• Healthier skin
• Shinier coat
• Less shedding
• Better breath
• Reduced flatulence

Some grain-based dog food brands, such as Honest Kitchen, Zignature, Acana and Grandma Lucy’s offer formulas that are more easily digestible for dogs with mild food sensitivities to severe food allergies. Their manufacturing process cooks the grains at lower temperatures for longer time periods than most regular grain based dog foods. This results in more easily digestible grains because they are cooked more thoroughly.

Zignature

Acana

Honest Kitchen

Natural Balance

Earthborn,

Fromm

California Natural

Sources:
[1] “Best Grain Free Dog Foods” – DogFoodAdvisor.com
[2] “Update on Food Allergy in the Dog & Cat” World Small Animal Veterinary Assoc. World Congress-Vancouver 2001
[3] Grain-FreeDogFood.com

https://www.caninejournal.com/grain-free-dog-food/