Is "Grain-Free" Good for Your Dog?
Let's discuss.
Key Takeaways
- Some dogs may be sensitive to grains and would, therefore, benefit from a grain-free diet.
- Earth Buddy offers supplements both with and without grains, so you can choose whether to include them in your furry friend's diet.
- Grains are a good source of nutrients, calories, and fiber, and some dogs may do better with grains in their diet.
- At the end of the day, the choice is between you and your furry friend! There is no conclusive research that suggests grain-free diets are bad for dogs.
- Consult with a vet before making any significant changes to your dog's diet.
See Related: Why Is Your Dog Itchy? What Can You Do?
What Does Grain-Free Food Mean?
Put simply, grain-free dog food is any dog food that doesn't contain grain ingredients. So, what are grain ingredients?
Common grains include the following:
- Wheat
- Rice
- Barley
- Soy
- Corn
That's a lot of ingredients quite common in pet foods! Grain-free pet foods usually replace the grain ingredients with other carbohydrates, such as:
- Sweet potatoes
- Legume seeds
- Carrots
- Chickpeas
- Lentils
Why Are Grain-Free Diets Popular?
The popularity of grain-free diets for dogs rose alongside the popularity of similar diets in humans. As more people started avoiding gluten, they naturally began wondering whether their furry friends would benefit from going grain-free, too.
Pet food companies responded to this shift in demand. Now, almost half of all dry dog foods are grain-free!
Reasons to Go Grain-Free
There's a chance your dog would benefit from a grain-free diet. Some species of dogs do better without gluten in their diet, for example.
Or perhaps your dog simply doesn't like food with grain in it!
If that's the case, you might want to consider hemp dog chews with natural ingredients. We offer a variety with absolutely no grains. For example, our Beef & Pumpkin Calming Chews for Dogs have pumpkin and lentils in place of grain ingredients.
And if that's not up to your furry friend's particular tastes, you could try our Duck & Apple flavor. Again, lentils take the place of grain ingredients here.
Bonus: How to Support Healthy Joints for Your Dog
Reasons to Stick With Grains
On the other hand, grains aren't inherently bad.
Grains are a good source of carbohydrates, which are a source of energy for dogs. They also contain lots of fiber, which is also important.
In fact, grains are a natural part of most dogs' diets. You've likely seen your dog occasionally indulge in some grass, for example. Grass is a grain!
Grain lovers, we've got you covered. Our Blueberry Hemp Hearts, for example, contain oats, which are full of fiber, vitamins, and essential nutrients like iron and zinc.
Why Pet Owners Ditch Grains
One of the main concerns of pet owners is allergies. On the one hand, it's entirely possible that your dog may do better without grains in their diet.
On the other hand, food allergies are rare among dogs. And food allergies linked to grains are found in fewer than 1% of dogs.
However, there's a chance the allergies are seasonal, for example. If that's the case, you might consider our Allergy & Immune Support Mushroom Tincture, which soothes skin-related issues associated with seasonal allergies.
Or our Immune Support and Gut Health products, which can help maintain normal histamine levels, support healthy skin, and support a healthy gut.
What the Science Says
So, is grain-free really better? The answer is still up for debate. In fact, this has been a topic of discussion in the pet care industry for over 5 years.
In 2018, the FDA launched an investigation into the potential adverse effects of grain-free diets. However, this argument was later widely refuted in a 2023 study. In this study, dogs were fed diets with varying amounts of animal-sourced protein and carbohydrates, which did not lead to any adverse effects.
So, in general, grain-free diets are completely safe for pets, as studies have not shown any specific disadvantages to grain-free diets. So rest assured that your furry friend will be A-OK regardless of what you choose!
At the end of the day, it boils down to what you think would be best for your canine companion. Some pets can benefit from a diet free from grains - it’s up to the preferences and needs of your pet.
The Importance of a Balanced Diet
If you do decide to switch to grain-free dog food, make sure your furry friend is getting all the nutrients they need.
You might think, for example, that grain-free food would have fewer carbs than food packed with grains. But that's not necessarily the case.
After all, the replacement ingredients for grains are often carb-heavy, too.
Grain-free foods may also contain exotic and delicious ingredients, like chickpeas, fava beans, and even kangaroo. These ingredients can be higher-quality and more flavorful than the ingredients usually used in grain foods.
Even if your dog doesn't have a grain sensitivity, giving them grain-free foods or treats could be a tasty indulgence for them. Yummy!
Conclusion
Grain-free food and treats may improve your dog's health, depending on their state of well-being. But even if your furry friend doesn’t have a grain sensitivity or seasonal allergies that would warrant a diet switch-up, you can still spoil them with grain-free options!
Keep Reading: Hemp for Dogs - Everything You Need to Know
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References & Further Reading
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Earth Buddy is an environmentally conscious and family-owned company dedicated to providing natural solutions for pets. From our CBD oils to our colostrum supplements, our products are designed to promote calmness and encourage relaxation for our furry friends. To learn more and stay connected, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest.
