Grain free dog food has become very popular in recent years, so it must be good for dogs right? Not quite. In fact, in this article, we’ll examine both sides of the argument to help you decide which dog food is right for your pet. After reading this article, you’ll have a better understanding of what you can feed your dog, as well as the key points to consider when choosing a particular brand. After all, the last thing you want is to give your dog something that is not suitable or healthy for them.
There are two main ways that grain free dog food differs from traditional dog foods. First of all, there is the ingredient list. All grain based foods must contain at least one grain, even if it is only a very small amount. The next thing that the FDA looks at is the manufacturing process used to create the food. Only those foods meeting the guidelines of the FDA’s Nutrient Content Data Sheet (NDS) can be considered for human consumption.
For example, whole grains like brown rice and millet are healthy for humans. However, they are not healthy for dogs. Dogs lack the fatty oils, vitamins and minerals that are found in whole grains. In addition, because whole grains are not processed, they lack the beneficial properties and fiber found in brown rice and millet.
Another important distinction between grain-free dog foods and other healthy foods is the way that the ingredients are listed. While most companies list protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, not all do. This can lead to significant confusion. Just because a company uses the word “potatoes” on their list does not mean that the food actually contains potatoes.
Some manufacturers take advantage of the lack of nutritional information by using words like “potatoes” and “rice.” However, it is only “potatoes” and “rice” that have actual nutrients. The rest are simply fillers that are not good for your pet. Other manufacturers substitute white rice or pasta for whole grains, which is even worse than not giving your dog any nutrients at all!
Dogs who suffer from canine dilated cardiomyopathy cannot receive the necessary nutrients from grain-free diets. If this is true, how come millions of dogs have healthy, disease-free lives? The answer is that most manufacturers of grain-free diet dog food use ingredients that are not suitable for canine nutrition. Here is an example. Many grain-free diet pet food contains corn, which is highly unhealthy.
Quinoa is a superior alternative to grain for several reasons. First, quinoa has more essential nutrients than even rice and corn. Second, quinoa contains all eight amino acids, including all the B vitamins. Third, because quinoa contains all eight amino acids, it has the highest level of protein of any dog food. Fourth, unlike corn and other grains, which contain only one or two essential nutrients, quinoa contains all eight essential nutrients. And fifth and last, quinoa is the only dog food that contains all eight essential nutrients.
When I was a child, I remember my grandmother always fed us raw dog food from a huge, deep bowl. We would eat the whole lot of the day without throwing anything away. In fact, her large bird feeder provided her with a wonderful resource, as she could prepare meals to feed many of the wild creatures in our yard. Years later, when I started caring for my grandbaby, I found out that she had a different kind of bird feeder. It provided her with all the raw, uncooked meats she needed to provide her with healthy, nutritional meals.