Why choose grain free dog food for your pet?
Grain free foods are becoming more popular as people are looking towards a more natural ancestral diet. Reasons for choosing grain free foods for your pet:
– Most grains are used as cheap fillers. Corn has recently received bad press as the most commonly used cheap filler of kibble that provides little health benefits
– Dogs may be allergic to any of the various ingredients in regular kibble (grain-free foods are considered hypoallergenic)
– Grain free recipes contain more meat based protein as well as easy-to-digest animal fats and usually fewer carbohydrates
– Higher quality content can result in feeding less
Grain free diets do not mean they there carbohydrates free. Instead they substitute potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, tapioca, peas or chickpeas as other carbohydrate sources. Note: Potato is a questionable ingredient for dog suffering for systemic yeast issues
Not all grains are bad – there will likely be some form or another to provide carbohydrates and binding filler. Grains are considered bad when they are:
– fractionated (not ground whole)
– are not human grade or organic
– are the basis for commercial dog foods (listed first ingredient instead of meat protein based)
I asked several vets and they all seemed to think grain free was a great marketing campaign. A few of the vets said it would be fine to try grain free kibble if the dog had allergies, otherwise it was just an expensive option. Do your research on the food ingredients, where they are sourced, and the company reputation to make the best decision for your pet.
Highest rated grain free dog foods listed on Dog Food Advisor.
Resources:
http://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_dg_contrasting_grain_based_and_meat_based_diets#.TwFusWNCqU8
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=grain_free
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/best-dog-foods/best-grain-free-dog-foods/