Supporting Your Dog s Growth The Role of Gain Dog Food
Guide to Grain-Free Dog Food
Updated on January 4, 2020
Grain-free and gluten-free products have gained much popularity among people in recent years, and pet food manufacturers are following this trend, too. But is grain-free dog food the best choice for your dog?
What are the benefits of grain-free vs. grain dog food? Heres a guide to grain-free dog diets and how they compare to grain dog food.
What Is Grain-Free Dog Food?
Before we talk about grain-free dog food, you need to know which grains are commonly used in dog foods. These include:
Wheat
Corn
Rice
Oats
Barley
Rye
Soy
Are Grain-Free Dog Diets Free of Carbohydrates?
While grain-free dog foods do not have grains, they do substitute other carbohydrate sources, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, lentils, peas, or quinoa. Therefore, grain-free foods are not carb-free. In some cases, a grain-free food may be equal to or higher in carbs than dog foods with grains.
Is Grain-Free Dog Food Also Gluten-Free?
Grain-free and gluten-free are not synonymous terms.
Gluten-free foods do not have gluten-containing grains such as wheat, barley, and rye, but they may still contain other grains. And grain-free diets may be gluten-free unless they contain ingredients that are hidden sources of gluten.
In addition, studies have shown that commercial dog foods often have cross-contamination during the manufacturing process, and therefore, may not be totally free of the ingredients they claim.
Grain-Free vs. Grain Dog Food
Whole grains provide an important nutritional resource for your dog, including B vitamins, iron, magnesium, selenium, carbohydrates for energy, and fiber to aid in digestion.
You may have heard that grain-free dog food has more meat because it makes up for the lack of grains. Grain-free diets are not all meat, although they may have a higher proportion of meat in them. As weve learned, they also substitute some of those grains with other carbohydrates.
You may also think that grain-free dog diets include only high-quality ingredients, but this isnt necessarily true any more so than with grain dog food.
In certain situations, your veterinarian may recommend a grain-free diet instead of grain dog food. For example, in dogs suspected of having food allergies (also known as an adverse food reaction), a grain-free diet might be recommended on a trial basis to see if symptoms improve.
It is important to recognize, however, that very few dogs have allergies to the grains in dog foods. The vast majority of food allergies are to the protein source (meat) in the food.
Does Grain-Free Dog Food Cause Heart Disease?
There have been recent concerns regarding the safety of grain-free foods and heart disease in dogs. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has opened an investigation into the development of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs that are fed grain-free diets.
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a heart condition resulting in an enlarged heart and thinning of the heart muscle. This weakens the heart and can lead to heart failure and death.
The FDA opened this investigation due to the rising incidence of dilated cardiomyopathy. They have found that with the 1100+ dogs studied, 90% of the products fed were labeled as grain-free diets.
The most recent update came from a virtual scientific forum where scientific experts from academia, industry, and veterinary medicine collaborated and discussed their research on DCM. Dr. Steven Solomon, Director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) for the FDA, emphasized that this was not an investigative update, and stated the following in his opening remarks:
I believe that our approach to date speaks to the fact that, based off the adverse event reports we have received, we have observed an association between certain diets and DCM. However, it has been nothing that would trigger a recall or market withdrawal, because the DCM issue seems to involve more factors than the food itself.
In the ongoing investigation, he stated that the FDA hopes to:
...explore additional avenues about ingredient levels, nutrient bioavailability, ingredient sourcing, and diet processing to determine if there are any common factors. We have asked pet food manufacturers to share diet formulation information, which could substantially benefit our understanding of the role of diet.
His advice to pet parents was that the best thing that you can do is to talk to your veterinarian about your dogs dietary needs based on their health and medical history.
Should You Switch Your Dog to or From a Grain-Free Diet?
Your veterinarian should be consulted regarding the best dietary choices for your dog.
There have not been any recommendations issued by the FDA advising whether you should or should not feed your dog a grain-free diet, as their study is ongoing.
The most important consideration in choosing a dog food is that it provides complete and balanced nutrition.
If you are thinking of switching your dog to a grain-free diet, discuss the risks and benefits of feeding a grain-free diet with your veterinarian first.
If your dog is already on a grain-free diet, and you want to know if you should switch to a dog food that has grains, ask your veterinarian what the best dog food option would be for your particular dog.
Featured Image: iStock.com/SolStock
Open Farm Dry Dog Food Harvest Chicken & Ancient Grains Recipe Review
While the first few ingredients typically dominate the recipe's composition, ingredients in small quantities can still have a meaningful impact on the overall nutritional profile of the recipe.
Chicken is a lean, easily digestible source of protein that provides essential nutrients for your dog's growth and maintenance. It's also a great source of vitamins and minerals to support overall health.
Oats are a wholesome grain that provides an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals for your dog. They can help support healthy digestion and provide long-lasting energy, contributing to your dog's overall well-being.
Ocean whitefish meal is a highly nutritious protein source that provides essential amino acids for your dog's growth and maintenance. It is also a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which promote a healthy skin and coat, as well as support heart and brain function.
Millet is a gluten-free grain that provides essential nutrients like magnesium, copper, and phosphorus, promoting your dog's heart health and bone health.
Quinoa is a nutrient-dense, gluten-free grain that provides your dog with essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. It supports healthy digestion and overall well-being, making it an excellent choice for a balanced and nutritious dog food.
Coconut Oil is a source of healthy fats which can support your dog's skin and coat health, and it also possesses some antimicrobial properties.
Herring meal is a high-quality, concentrated source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids derived from herring fish. The omega-3 fatty acids found in herring meal can support your dog's skin and coat health, reduce inflammation, and promote cognitive function. As a protein source, herring meal helps build and maintain strong muscles and supports overall growth and development.
Sorghum is a gluten-free grain that can be a good source of dietary fiber for your dog.
Pumpkin is a nutritious and fiber-rich ingredient that can help support your dog's digestive health. Its high fiber content can aid in maintaining a healthy weight and promoting regular bowel movements.
Natural flavor is added to dog food to enhance its taste and make it more appealing to your pet. This can help encourage your dog to eat a balanced and nutritious diet, supporting their overall health and well-being.
Carrots are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for your dog. They're rich in vitamin A, which supports healthy vision and immune function, and also provide fiber to aid in digestion and maintain a healthy weight.
Apple is a natural source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants that support your dog's digestive health, immune system, and overall well-being.
Salmon oil is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which support your dog's skin and coat health, immune system, and cognitive function.
Cranberry is a fruit that can provide your dog with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C, promoting urinary tract health and boosting their immune system.
While salt is a necessary component of a dog's diet, providing essential minerals such as sodium and chloride for proper cellular function, it should be provided in moderation to avoid health issues like hypertension or kidney damage.
Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.
Chicory Root is a prebiotic that supports healthy digestion in dogs by promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.
Vitamin E supplement is an essential nutrient that helps support your dog's immune system, skin health, and overall wellness.
Vitamin A Supplement is important for supporting vision, immune function, and skin health in dogs.
Niacin supplement is an important source of vitamin B3, which plays a crucial role in supporting your dog's energy metabolism, nervous system function, and overall health. It also aids in maintaining healthy skin and coat, as well as promoting proper digestion.
Calcium pantothenate is a source of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) that helps support your dog's energy metabolism and nervous system function.
Riboflavin supplement is a source of Vitamin B2, which is crucial for your dog's energy production, cell function, and overall growth and development.
Vitamin D3 supplement is an essential vitamin that supports bone health, immune function, and overall well-being in dogs. It helps regulate calcium and phosphorus balance in the body, promoting strong and healthy bones.
Thiamine mononitrate is a form of vitamin B1 that helps support your dog's nervous system function, energy metabolism, and overall health.
Vitamin B12 Supplement is an essential vitamin that helps support brain function and the formation of red blood cells.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a source of vitamin B6, which is essential for your dog's nervous system function, immune health, and red blood cell production.
Folic acid is a crucial B-vitamin that aids in the synthesis of DNA and supports healthy cell growth. It's essential for maintaining your dog's overall health, particularly during periods of rapid growth.
Iron proteinate is a chelated form of iron that is more easily absorbed by your dog's body, supporting their red blood cell production and overall health.
Zinc proteinate is a highly absorbable form of zinc. It helps support a healthy immune system, skin, and coat in dogs.
Copper Proteinate is a chelated form of copper that's easier for dogs to absorb, aiding in red blood cell formation and iron absorption.
Manganese Proteinate is a chelated form of manganese, a mineral that supports bone health, metabolism and enzymatic reactions.
Selenium yeast is a natural source of the mineral selenium which supports immune function and provides antioxidant benefits.
Calcium iodate is a source of iodine, an essential trace mineral that supports your dog's thyroid function and overall metabolism. It helps maintain proper hormone production and is crucial for overall health and well-being.
Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.
Taurine is an essential amino acid that supports heart health, vision, and development and function of skeletal muscle.
Mixed tocopherols are natural antioxidants used to preserve the freshness of dog food, ensuring your pet receives the highest quality nutrients possible.
Cinnamon is a natural spice that can help support healthy blood sugar levels and provide antioxidant benefits for your dog's overall health.
Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant spice that can help support your dog's joint health, immune system, and overall well-being.
Rosemary extract is a natural antioxidant that can help protect your dog's body from the harmful effects of free radicals. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can support your dog's overall health and well-being, particularly in regard to joint health.
The Crude Protein minimum of 26.00% is largely contributed by the first ingredient, 100% animal welfare certified chicken, which is a high-quality source of protein. Additionally, ocean whitefish meal and herring meal are concentrated sources of protein that would significantly contribute to this value. The presence of these animal-based ingredients ensures that the protein content is not only high but also of good quality for canine muscle development and maintenance.
Crude Fat minimum of 15.00% is likely to come from the chicken, as animal meats typically contain fat. Additionally, coconut oil and salmon oil are high-fat ingredients that would contribute to the overall fat content. These fats are important for providing energy, supporting cell structure, and aiding in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
Crude Fiber maximum of 4.50% reflects the indigestible portion of the food that aids in digestion. This fiber could be provided by the oats, millet, quinoa, pumpkin, and carrots. These ingredients are sources of complex carbohydrates and provide dietary fiber which helps to maintain a healthy digestive system.
Calories of 3730.00 per kg indicate the energy content of the food. The caloric content is influenced by all macronutrients - proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The high caloric value can be attributed to the combination of protein-rich chicken and fish meals, the fat from coconut oil and salmon oil, and carbohydrates from grains like oats, millet, and quinoa. These ingredients together ensure that the food is energy-dense, catering to the needs of active dogs.
Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.
