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 dog food better with or without grains?
While grain dog food was blamed for dog allergies, grain-free dog food does not look as perfect due to the FDA's findings. It's important to point out that there are grain dog foods containing lentils, potatoes, and peas, but not in high concentrations that grain-free diets use to replace grains.
What is the benefit of grain free dog food?
Grain-free dog food can help your pup with getting less flaky skin, a shinier coat, and whiter teeth. Also, you can enjoy less-stinky dog kisses, as grain-free dog food can improve your pup's breath.
Should dogs be fed grain free?
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.
Does grain free food cause problems in dogs?
The FDA is investigating more than 500 reports that appear to link dog foods that are marketed as "grain free" to canine dilated cardiomyopathy. Sixteen brands of dog food may be associated with a heightened risk of heart failure in dogs, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
