Is a Grain-Free Diet Bad for Dogs? Reasons to Avoid - GoodRx (2024)

If your dog has seasonal allergies or food sensitivities, someone may have suggested you try your pup on a grain-free diet.

The idea that grain-free is better for dogs arose after a 2007 pet-food contamination incident and gained steam from the gluten-free trend in human diets. It caused many pet parents to think grain-free diets were the healthy option for their furry friends.

Yet despite all the hype, the idea that you can treat your dog’s allergies by feeding them a grain-free diet is primarily a myth. Dogs with food allergies or sensitivities are rarely allergic to the grains in their diet. And there are potential risks of omitting grain from your dog’s diet.

Is grain-free food bad for dogs?

In most cases, yes, grain-free food is bad for dogs. There is no medical basis for feeding your dog a grain-free diet. The only exception is if your dog has a specific condition and you are advised to do so by your vet.

In short, no studies indicate that grain-free diets are better for dogs than diets with grain. And grain-free diets may lack essential nutrients your dog needs to stay healthy.

What is grain-free dog food?

Grain-free dog foods do not contain common grain ingredients like:

• Corn

• Soy

• Wheat

• Rice

• Barley

Instead, these diets replace grains as a carbohydrate source with substitutes like:

• Potatoes

• Beans

• Peas

• Lentils

• Carrots

• Cranberries

• Sweet potatoes

• Chickpeas

What is the argument for grain-free dog food?

The grain-free dog food movement began out of a concern about feeding corn to dogs with allergies. So, potatoes and sweet potatoes were put in place of corn as a carbohydrate source in grain-free dog foods.

Many people began feeding grain-free foods to dogs to reduce canine allergies. But only a few dogs have sensitivities to grains. Most food allergies are a reaction to the protein source in the food rather than the grain.

Some people feed grain-free diets to their dogs for weight control. Grain-free foods are sometimes lower in carbohydrates. But they are often higher in fat and calories, so this is not an effective way to control your dog’s weight.

Why do dogs need grain in their diet?

Throughout history, dogs have been omnivores. This means they eat meat and plants, including grains. Grains offer many health benefits, including assisting with the elimination of waste.

Additionally, grains supply the following essential nutrients:

• Iron

• Thiamine

• Calcium

• Riboflavin

• Folate

• Niacin

Dogs who eat grain-free diets may not get sufficient amounts of these nutrients.

Can grain substitutes cause health issues in dogs?

Research is ongoing. But there is evidence to suggest that carbohydrate substitutes used in non-grain diets provide less fiber than grains. These substitute ingredients may also cause digestive problems in some dogs.

Grain-free diets may lead to heart disease in dogs

There also seems to be a connection between grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). DCM is a disease that weakens the heart muscle and decreases its ability to pump blood throughout the body. As non-genetic DCM has increased in dogs, experts have noticed that many have been eating a grain-free diet.

In 2018, the FDA began investigating the potential connection between DCM and grain-free diets. Early research suggests diets with higher amounts of legume seeds like peas and lentils have the strongest association with DCM.

In addition, early evidence suggests DCM may be associated with a taurine deficiency in dogs. Taurine is an amino acid responsible for heart health and many other functions in your dog’s body. Grain-free diets and other “designer” dog foods seem to be a common factor in taurine deficiencies in dogs.

What is the best balanced diet for dogs?

When choosing dog food, it is essential that the food provides a complete and balanced diet for your dog.

All dogs need food that contains proper amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and nutrients. This varies by a dog’s age, size, and medical needs. But in general, most dogs need ingredients that provide the following in their diet:

• Protein

• Fats

• Fatty acids

• Carbohydrates

• Fiber

• Vitamins

• Minerals

• Water

All commercial pet foods should meet standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to be considered “complete and balanced.”

You can find this information in the nutritional adequacy statement, usually on the food package's side or back. There are different versions of this statement. But look for a statement that says the product provides complete and balanced nutrition for dogs based on AAFCO standards.

If you have questions about the best diet for your dog, ask your veterinarian what the best nutritional option would be.