Pet food & the pet food industry has advanced significantly over a decade. Such advancements are certainly welcome, but they can oftentimes be a double-edged sword. While a wide range of options may appear like a blessing at first glance, the reality is that a plethora of options complicates things.
For instance, there are numerous products which contain loads of fillers, additives, artificial enhancers, and preservatives, with next to no nutritional value. If anything, such products are a cause for concern since they can lead to potential health issues for your dog further down the line.
Given the various options on offer, a common question is what are grain-free & grain-inclusive pet food. As always, you should consult your vet before making any changes to your pet’s diet, but it is helpful to know the differences between grain-free and grain-inclusive dog foods so you can make the best choice for your dog’s diet.
What is Grain-Free Dog Food?
Grain-free foods are grain-free dog foods, as you may have already guessed from their name, and contain grains in low concentrations. Dog breeds that are of working descent or are active daily may benefit from a protein-rich diet, and grain-free foods do away with the grains in foods and substitute them for meat and fruits/veggies. Such a diet is sometimes recommended for dogs with skin conditions, frequent eye or ear infections, and sensitive stomachs, as too many unhealthy grains in your pet’s kibble can cause these conditions.
At a glance, you’d think grain-free diets are good for your dog given the benefits they bring. However, things are not as simple as that. When a particular dog food is advertised as grain-free, it means that it has tiny amounts of grain; but, to keep the ratios even, it will have another ingredient in higher concentrations. High-quality dog food will substitute the grain for more meat, meaning the protein gained is from actual meat instead of a filler or artificial food.
While grain-free diets are largely grain-free, the binding agent used in dog foods will always be based on grain, usually lentils if it is a high-quality product. Some further ingredients may be added for fibre and for a complete diet too, so don't fret if you spot grains on your pet's grain-free food bag. All you need to do is make sure that the grains are present in small quantities, and you’ll be good to go.
Another thing to look out for when buying dog food is the labelling. You’ll notice that the term “meal” is used often on the packaging of dog food. Most of the time the term is positive, implying each serving will be high in nutrition. However, this is only the case with meals that are specific and contain no extra products. As an example, you should always make sure that your dog's meal of choice has the source of protein highlighted. Specific titles like "chicken meal" are protein-specific, letting you know the primary protein in the food comes from chicken, while "meat meal" is vague and could contain any sort of meat from any sort of animal (or animals) in it.
What is Grain Inclusive Dog Foods?
A misconception that must be cleared up is that all grains are bad. This is simply not true, and the poor reputation of grains in dog food has much to do with the inclusion of filler grains in dog foods that provide no nutrition. Grains are no problem by themselves, provided they are not the main ingredient in a dog meal.
The important thing is to be able to differentiate between harmful/filler grains and healthy grains. Wheat, corn, and soy are filler grains and are often responsible for the poor reputation of grains. Oatmeal, barley, and brown rice are healthy grains that are high in fibre and help provide a high-quality meal to your pet without any fillers or artificial ingredients.
A grain-free diet might be too rich for some dogs as the protein can be difficult to digest, so if your dog has a sensitive stomach or isn’t very active daily, you can go for a grain-inclusive diet. Remember, grains are the supplement in your dog’s meal and should never be the primary ingredient present in your pet’s food bowl.
To conclude, grain-free and grain-inclusive diets are simply the inclusion or exclusion of grains in a certain diet or dog food. Grain-free diets substitute fibre for more protein, while grain-inclusive diets help with digestion due to the added fibre from the grains in them. There is no right or wrong option here, so you should choose the diet that suits your pet and their growth the best. Make sure to consult your vet before making any changes to your pet's diet and ask for recommendations for grain-inclusive and grain-free dog foods if you’re confused about what to go with.
At the end of the day, the most important thing is that your pup receives a complete and balanced diet that is suited to them and will aid their growth and development. Remember, regardless of whether a diet is grain-inclusive or grain-free, a high-quality food product is extremely important to ensure your pup gets all the benefits of its food.
