Looking to give your dog a more natural grain free diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates? Then check out some of the best grain-free dog foods available.
Diets are all the rage now-a-days and one of the more “ancestral” of them is the Paleo diet. If you’ve never heard of the Paleo diet then let me just say that it relates to the types of food we all used to eat in prehistoric times or at least the types of foods that we think we used to eat. Don’t be alarmed, you’re not expected need to run around in fur underpants clubbing any animals you find but it does involve eating large amounts of meat, nuts and vegetables. Just like most male adults that I know.
While the effectiveness of the Paleo diet is still under discussion (after all most humans lived very short lives in those day) and the human digestive system has adapted quite well in the thousands of years hence it is admirable that owners would want to give their dogs a more protein rich diet.
Check out the Best Grain Free Dog Supplies Available Today
But while humans may have adapted to thousands of years of eating grains a dogs digestive track is thought to remain relatively unscathed with little way of breaking down these types of foods. They are after all still pack animals that love to hunt and eat raw meat so why not give them some of what they love.
The problem with grains is that if they can’t be digested then they take longer to break down which leads to fermentation which in turn leads to gases and unpleasant smells. Dog flatulence is nothing to laugh at, well maybe sometimes, but not if you’re in the immediate area, so a change in diet sometimes has hidden benefits.
The Benefits of going Grain Free for Dogs
There may be some benefits associated with going grain free, for some breeds of dogs more than others. If you dog suffers from any of the following symptoms then it may be worth switching over for a short while and see if your dog shows signs of improvement.
- Excessive flatulence
- Loose stool/Diarrhea
- Rash and skin irritations
- Chronic licking, chewing or biting to relieve itch
- Vomiting
Irish Setters are an exception that may react positively to a gluten free diet which is not the same as a grain free diet.
What Exactly is Grain Free?
Many dog food manufacturers started adding fillers to dog food soon after the second World War. The reason was to make the kibble more filling while keeping costs down. Corn or Wheat is normally used, in the West, due to its availability and low price but it is not only limited to these two additives.
Grains can also include rye, bran, barley, millet, oats and even rice to name a few.
Anything main with these grain or as a by-product should not be used in grain free products such as flour and cornmeal.
Gluten Free or Grain Free?
It’s important to note that gluten-free and grain-free are not the same thing. It should be noted that not all grains contain gluten and in fact corn (one of the most popular types of additives to kibble) is in fact gluten free.
Gluten itself is a form of protein found in certain grains such as rye, wheat and barley so while grain free dog food will also remain gluten free it is not applicable in reverse. Not all gluten free foods are grain free.
Check for This if you Decide to Change your Dogs Diet
If you are making a change to your dogs diet it is a good idea to monitor them and see if there are any marked differences in their appearance and attitudes. You dog may be perfectly happy on its present diet and you could actually upset their digestion by making big changes so look out for the following before deciding how effective the change in diet has been.
- Has your dogs coat become more shiny and soft?
- Does your dog shed less?
- Does your dog itch less?
- Does your dog have more energy?
If you answer ‘yes’ to most of the questions above then it looks like changing your mutts eating habits has had a positive effect.
Best Grain Free Dog Food Products
Here are our recommendations for the top grain free dog food in no particular order.
1. Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Food
Taste of the Wild is one of the most popular brands of natural dry dog food around. Made with real roasted meats and supplemented with fruits and vegetables this is a naturally produced “grain free” dry dog food and one worth trying.
2. CANIDAE Grain Free Pure Dry Dog Food
There are several flavors to choose from including fresh bison, lamb, duck and salmon boosted with levels of probiotics for healthy digestion; antioxidants for a healthy immune systems; and omega 6 and 3 for beautiful skin and coat.
3. Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food
A healthy dog food with no meat by-products, grain, corn, soy, wheat-gluten or artificial preservatives, colors or flavors. Made with turkey, chicken, salmon oil, fruits and vegetables supplemented with calcium, glucosamine and chondroitin to help maintain bone and joint health.
The Advantages of a Low Carb Grain Free Diet for Dogs