Is grain free dog food good or bad for your dog? (2024)

FAQs

Why do vets not recommend grain free dog food? ›

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.

There are a lot of dog and cat foods sold as grain-free with marketing suggesting that feeding no grains is healthier. This is not true and can, in fact, cause illness for some dogs and cats. There is no medical or physiologic basis to feed dogs or cats a grain-free diet.

Despite the benefits for some dogs, there are downsides to feeding a grain-free dog food. Many people assume grain free means low carb, but that's not the case. In fact, some dog foods without grains are higher in alternative carbohydrate sources like potatoes and peas. This could result in unintentional weight gain.

Is Answers A Good Dog Food? Overall, Answers dog food is considered a low risk food with high quality ingredients, and all recipes scoring 9.5/10.

Raw Food. A raw diet for your dog might sound great, but vets say it's not safe. “The number one thing I would not feed my dog would be a raw food diet,” Cohen said. Studies on raw food diets show that many contain harmful bacteria, and some are multi-drug resistant.

While dogs don't need grains to get the glucose they need to survive, they need at least some form of glucose in their diet. Starchy vegetables and legumes provide this glucose in grain-free foods, whereas wheat, rice, and other grains provide this glucose in grain foods.

Symptoms that are frequently associated with grain allergies include red, itchy skin, hair loss associated with constant scratching and chewing, ear infections, and inflamed pads on the underside of paws, often combined with obsessive licking.

The short answer: Provide both. By offering both grain-inclusive and grain-free diets, your dog receives a fuller spectrum of nutrients that only a variety of carbohydrate sources can supply. For optimal health, trade off between grain-free and grain-inclusive as part of your pet's rotational feeding plan.

The main benefits of grain free dog food include better digestion, healthier skin, improved energy levels and more. The grain-free dog food diet has been around for a while now, and it's easy to see why.

Any meat with excessive salt, seasonings, onions or garlic should not be fed. Wheat/grains: Yes, dogs can eat wheat and other grains. Dogs do not have to be grain-free; it is perfectly OK for them to have grains. In fact, grains like wheat and corn are great sources of protein, essential fatty acids, and fiber.

Is grain free dog food still a problem? ›

While grain-free diets are very common and some of the most expensive dog food brands on the market, it doesn't mean they are nutritious for your dog. There are many things to consider in assessing whether the grain-free diet you're feeding your dog is beneficial. Many could be harmful.

More often, the affected dogs have been eating commercial grain-free diets that contain pulses (the category of plants that includes peas, lentils, chickpeas, and dry beans). Note that soybeans, a common ingredient in dog food, haven't been associated with diet-related DCM.

As of the end of April, Answers is no longer coordinated by Jacqueline and Roxanne, who had held the main leadership roles within the company. Billy Hoekman, has also resigned from his role with the company. Dr. Doug Knueven, Answers' Chief Veterinarian, also left his position with the company.

The best dog food for your canine companion should meet their nutritional needs. Most commercial dog food brands are specially formulated with at least the minimum nutritional requirements for dogs. But it's important to remember that not every dog has exactly the same nutritional needs.

Look for: Meat and fat products that are identified by species, such as “deboned salmon meal.” If the species is not identified (i.e., ingredients include “meat”, “poultry” or “fish” products) then you can't be sure of the quality. Foods with meat as the first ingredient(s), and starches lower on the list.

FDA cites Blue Buffalo and 15 other brands that might be linked to dog heart failure. Wilton-based Blue Buffalo Pet Products Inc. is one of 16 dog food brands cited by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as being a probable contributing cause of canine congestive heart failure.

Look for dog foods that contain high-quality protein sources such as chicken, turkey, fish, and lamb. Avoid dog foods that contain plant-based proteins such as soy or peas as the primary protein source.

Foods that are classified as grains are; corn, wheat, soy, rice, oatmeal, barley, oats, sorghum, etc. All of these ingredients should be avoided when choosing a kibble. The three top allergens for dogs are corn, wheat, and soy - all of which are in most dog food brands.

Ingredients & Meal Options. JustFoodForDogs has a much wider selection of food than Farmer's Dog. Where Farmer's Dog offers four grain-free recipes to choose from (turkey, beef, pork, and chicken recipe), JustFoodForDogs has nearly a dozen recipes — including grain-free and grain-inclusive options.