Choose grain-free kibbles for the dog's health
Have you heard that you should give your dog grain-free kibble because it's better for his health? Find out what the grain-free canine diet consists of and why this criterion is not relevant when choosing your dog's diet. We explain everything below so that your best canine friend enjoys complete , nutritious and 100% healthy food !
Are grain-free kibbles good for dogs?
Hard to say ! Although they are more and more indicated in case of food intolerances or allergies , you have to be careful with grain-free croquettes , even if they are often made up of very good quality ingredients.
Remember that grain free animal foods do not include any type of cereal in their composition and therefore they also do not contain gluten (proteins found in cereals such as wheat, oats, barley or rye). They can therefore be recommended for the diet of dogs suffering from allergies or intolerances, but no study has proven their effectiveness with certainty.
If you suspect your dog may be suffering from a food allergy or grain intolerance, it's best to consult a veterinarian so you know all the possible variations. He may recommend a grain-free diet to minimize the health risks for your best friend, but the main thing to consider is changing the main source of protein. Know that if your companion is allergic to certain kibbles, you will find out quickly, because food allergies often cause skin reactions or digestive problems .
The dog's natural food preferences
If your adult dog does not have an allergy, you can give him grain- free food or grain- free kibble, we often hear that the grain-free diet is the closest to his natural preferences, however it keep in mind that nutrients of animal origin are often the basis of the food choice of our canine companions. Chicken , lamb, salmon, turkey, beef , or insects are the foods your adult dog or puppy really craves, and this is true for all breeds .
This is why grain-free foods can be a choice for any type of dog, regardless of breed, size or age, but the prices are often higher and the benefits of this diet for our four-legged friends are not unproven and sometimes even disputed.
In the end, the most important thing is that your best friend's diet is healthy, appropriate for his race and provides him with all the necessary vitamins : if its composition is complete and balanced , it will always be a food beneficial regardless of whether your dog has food allergy or intolerance symptoms.
What exactly does "grain-free dog food" mean?
Grain -free dog kibbles are simply foods that do not contain cereals , that is to say, they are kibbles for dogs that do not contain grains or seeds in their recipe, and which should therefore not contain gluten . However, it is important to clarify that " grain-free " does not mean that the kibble does not contain carbohydrates . Indeed, this food also contains carbohydrates, but which come from sources other than cereals, such as legumes or tubers . Carbohydrates are essential in the manufacture of animal feed .
Why would you want to choose grain-free kibbles for dogs?
A grain-free dog diet can sometimes be helpful in reducing the risk of allergies and intolerances in your pet. The fact that grains are not part of the composition of these recipes does not mean that it reduces their nutritional intake , but it does not mean that your dog will no longer be intolerant either. Cereals can be responsible for food intolerance but it is most often the source of animal protein which is the cause of intolerance or allergy. It should also be kept in mind that to compensate for the absence of cereals which are very important in a diet, grain free and gluten free foods rely on other substitutes.
Grain and grain-free dog foods use animal protein as the primary basis for nutritional intake . Pet food labels and instructions are usually quite descriptive and accurate in terms of the composition of their contents. Therefore, to know the ingredients of your dog's food , all you need to do is read the product label and do research on each of the components.
This way, you can consult a veterinarian, and ask him if this diet is appropriate for your pet. Grain -free dog foods must specify this feature on their label.
What are these so-called benefits of grain-free kibble for your dog?
Grain -free dog food is one of the most popular new options on the market today. One of the main causes is the fact that it has been observed that many poor quality kibbles contain a lot of wheat, a cereal therefore the nutritional intake is poor. The shortcut was quickly made and many came to the conclusion that all grains were unhealthy for dogs. However, cereals such as rice are quite beneficial, they even facilitate digestion.
Also, food allergies and intolerances in pets have increased in recent years and gluten seems to be one of the trendy culprits.
For these reasons, grain-free dog foods have become a favorite of many pet owners who believe they can alleviate their companion's digestive issues in this way.
To reduce food intolerances and allergies in dogs
Grain -free foods can be an alternative for pets suffering from this type of food problem, but no study has proven the effectiveness of these products on animals with intolerance problems. Indeed, it is difficult to know which ingredient our animal is intolerant to, and the most frequent cause is the source of animal protein and not cereals. First of all, you must favor a healthy and nutritious diet and vary the source of animal protein if your animal has digestive problems.
To improve the dog's digestion
The fact that they contain no grain does not impact digestibility even for the most vulnerable stomachs . Rice is a cereal and yet it is very often recommended for dogs with digestive problems. In addition, we can find on some sites that kibbles with cereals cause health problems such as overweight or obesity , this is totally false.
To meet the nutritional needs of the dog
Most dogs digest cereals very well , a grain free diet will respect the needs of dogs, paying attention to the protein intake that each food must have, but this is valid for any type of diet for our dogs. .
In conclusion, grain-free dog food is an option for pets who suffer from allergies and intolerances to certain ingredients and if a gluten or grain allergy has been screened by a veterinarian. Do not wrongly incriminate cereals and do not forget that your animal's intolerance may simply come from the source of protein used in its diet. One way to reduce these intolerances is often to change this source of protein for a new one. Consult a veterinarian for the recipe that best meets your pet's nutritional needs . Ingredients aren't the only nutritional factor to consider. When feeding your dog, its breed , age , weight and height are important data for an appropriate dose of food .
Grain Free Dog Food FAQ:
What is grain-free dog food?
Grain-free dog food is dry dog food that does not contain grains. They often don't contain gluten either.
Why is a grain-free diet not good for dogs?
No studies have proven the negative impact of cereals on dogs. On the other hand, it is important to be interested in the quality of the cereal chosen in the recipe. It is therefore counterproductive to remove them, especially when more and more dogs seem to have heart disease on a grain-free diet.
