Grain Free Dog Food - The Inside Story

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Grain free dog foods have become extremely popular in recent years with all the main dog food brands offering grain free options in both wet and dry foods.

This popularity within the dog food market has undeniably echoed the growth of similar products for us humans.

Chances are you know at least one person who follows a gluten or grain free diet. Supermarkets have made significant shelf space for 'Free From' products to cater for this ever-growing market.

With the increase in the number of people choosing a grain free or gluten free diet, dog food manufacturers have recognised that similar diets are attractive to dog owners for their pooches.

Many dog lovers choose to transfer their own eating philosophies on to their dogs, believing that grain is bad for their four-legged friends.

But are these diets actually the best choice for your dog? How do you know if your dog would benefit from a grain free or gluten free dog food?

Curious how we test dog food? See our full testing and review methodology.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Grain Free Dog Food - The Inside Story

1. The Benefits of a Grain Free Dog Food

2. What if My Dog has Grain Allergies?

3. Is There an Alternative?

A Closer Look at Grain Free Dog Food

1

The Benefits of a Grain Free Dog Food

There are a number of potential benefits for dog lovers who choose to feed their dog a grain free diet :-

⭐️ Metabolism

⭐️ Food Allergies

⭐️ Low in Carbs

Let's take a look at each one in turn.

Metabolism

Advocates of grain free dog foods claim that grains are an unnatural source of nutrition for our dogs.

They argue that ancestors of our current day dogs did not eat grains. This is probably true but whilst their ancestors may not have consumed grains, dogs have evolved to be able to digest grains and glutens pretty easily.

Dogs have several genes that have been modified through the course of their evolution to allow them to digest carbohydrates easily which includes grains. So, while most dogs do very well eating a grain free or gluten free diet, their metabolism doesn’t actually require it.

Food Allergies

Another reason that many dog owners choose to feed grain free dog foods is a belief that these diets are the best choice for dogs that have food allergies.

Except in a very few cases where an allergy is diagnosed by a vet, adverse reactions to grains are actually very rare. While food allergies do occur in dogs, corn and other grains are not among the most common allergens found in foods.

In fact research has identified that beef and dairy are far more common allergens for dogs.

Low in Carbs

One misconception is that grain free dog food is also low-carb and free from 'fillers'. Many dog owners opt for grain free dog food because they’re looking for a quality dog food, seeking better palatability or looking to limit carbohydrates.

Grain free doesn’t necessarily mean carb-free. 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.

2

What if My Dog has Grain Allergies?

For dogs that truly do have allergies to grains, gluten free or grain free dog food would be the best choice.

If you're concerned that your dog may have a grain allergy, here are some symptoms to look out for :-

• Itchiness

• Excessive hair loss

• Bald patches

• Inflamed skin

• Sores and scabs

• “Hot spots”

Obviously a food trial would be necessary to determine whether a grain free food would be beneficial for your dog.

Are you ready to switch to a more eco-friendly insect-based dog food ? We take a closer look at some UK companies pioneering dog food using this novel protein source.

3

Is There an Alternative?

A healthier alternative on the grain based dog food spectrum to consider is “single whole grain” formulas. Some dogs with food sensitivities and allergies do particularly well on single-grain dog foods.

Some grain based dog food brands 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. They are therefore more easily digestible because they are cooked more thoroughly.

If you're looking for the best grain free dry food on the UK market, why not take a closer look at cold pressed. We compare 4 companies using this innovative technique - Wild, Walker & Drake, Forthglade and Wilsons in - Unleashing the Goodness: Best Dry Dog Foods

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We all want what is best for our four-legged friends so fact check the different options before making a change and then do so gradually. A good rule of “paw ”is to always consult your vet before making any major changes to your dog's diet.