Should My Dog Have Grain Free Food?
One of the best things you can do to improve your dog’s health and overall well-being is by giving healthy food. Just like in humans, giving your dog healthy and nutritious food with not only help him live longer but also be able to eliminate most health complications. With the market offering multiple dogs for dog owners to choose from, each food promises the best nutritional value for your pet, however, none of them has quite the number of benefits that you will find in grain free food. What’s more is that with grain free food, you get to feed every dog, from puppies to old dogs as well as pregnant dogs. Whenever you are feeding your dog, you will want to know what nutritional benefits grain food has to your dog. As most dog owners continue to question the role grains play in their dog’s diet, we are here to help you understand the difference between regular and grain free dog food. Let’s have a look!
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Regular Dog Food with Grain with Food
Regular dog food with grains continues to be one of the most popular dog food among many dog owners. The good thing about regular dog food is that they are easy to find on the shelves at an affordable price compared with grain-free food varieties. When you look at a regular, grain dog food label, you will see a combination of more than one of the following; wheat, corn, barley, oats, rice, rye and soy. Regular dog food with one or more types of grains named above is rich in carbohydrates which give dogs energy while still supplying them with fiber to improve digestion. Grains are also rich in other essential nutrients among them protein and linoleic, an important fatty acid for pets.
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Grain Free Dog Food
Any dog food made without any grain as an ingredient is considered grain free. Our dogs still need carbohydrates for energy though. Are there any nutritional benefits of grain free dog food? While there is a myth that grains cause allergies in dogs, the reality is that true food allergies are extremely low in pets and the substances causing the allergies are often not grains. Allergies caused by grains are less than one percent. If you suspect that your dog is having food allergies and sensitivity, it is recommended that you consult a veterinarian and find out the cause.
Despite being beneficial for some dogs, grain-free dog food has its downsides too. Many dog owners will opt to feed their dog grain free food thinking that they are low in carb. Well, that’s not the case. Some grain free dog food is higher in alternative carbohydrates sources like those in peas and potatoes. Such food can end up causing your dog unintentional weight gain. It is therefore important for all dog owners to consult their veterinarians and get the right information on which food one should give his/her dog.
What are the Benefits of Grain Free Dog Food?
Grain free dog food has its benefits, but the decision to give your dog grain food or grain free food will depend on which food your dog prefers as well as what you also prefer to feed your dog. Here are some of the benefits your dog will gain after eating grain free food.
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Better Skin and Healthier Coat
If you notice that your dog’s coat is getting dull and rough, odds are that there is a problem with his diet. Switching to grain free food will immediately restore your dog’s coat to one that is shiny and healthy. This is partly because of the reduction of grains and partly because of other healthy nutrients found in grain free food. Your dog’s coat will look better if you feed him with food rich in omega and fatty acids as well. Other than a dull coat, dog food rich in grains can end up causing itchy, irritated, dry and inflamed skin. If left untreated, your dog will end up losing fur. However, changing his diet to grain free food rich in omega fatty acids will help restore the skin to an excellent and healthy condition.
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Great Food for Pregnant Dogs
Just like in human beings, pregnancy places a lot of stress on the expectant dog. To maintain their health while sustaining the health of their unborn babies, you need to provide your dog with a balanced diet. Providing your expectant dog with more food isn’t going to work as well as giving her less but quality food such as grain free dry dog food. Grain free dog food will supply her with energy and nutrients to keep her healthy throughout the pregnancy period and after the pregnancy as well.
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Less and Smaller Stool
Picking up dog stool is one of the worst jobs ever, but we have to do it to keep our dogs clean. When you feed your dog grain free food, the stool he produces is smaller in size and more compact. Moreover, your dog will relieve himself less frequently, therefore reducing the number of times you have to clean up his waste. How does this happen? It’s all down to the fact that most of all grain free food is absorbed into the digestive system of your dog. The corn and wheat in regular dog food contain a lot of fiber which your dog fails to digest fully. The undigested food will later be passed out of the dog’s body as stool. However, with grain free food, there is minimal requirement to remove anything since most of the food is absorbed.
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Less Risk of Food Allergies and Intolerance
Food sensitivities or allergies in dogs can be frustrating as they cause health problems and great discomfort as well. While it is difficult to tell that your dog is allergic to a certain type of food, some dogs are allergic to certain food. Food intolerance in dogs is well described as a difficulty in swallowing or digesting a certain ingredient. The case is different when it comes to food allergies. Food allergies in dogs occur when the immune system has extreme exposure. Food allergy symptoms in dogs vary and can range from mild cases to severe cases that are even life-threatening. If your dog has excessive gas, skin irritation or rash, vomiting, frequent infections, diarrhea or itchy skin consider switching his food to grain free food varieties.
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Improved Health
Grain-free diets will provide your dog with better health from the inside out. Your dog’s digestive system will beyond just processing the food to absorbing the most important nutrients needed to keep the dog healthy and strong. By having a diverse blend of prebiotics that provide nourishment for gut bacteria, most of the grain-free foods are made to fully nourish your dog’s entire body.
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Grain Free Foood FAQs:
Q: Is it Healthier for Dogs to eat grain free food?
A: In most cases, feeding your dog grain free food will help live a much healthier life free from any health complications. However, many dogs that eat regular dog food still live perfectly healthy, so no guarantee switching to grain free dog food will automatically alleviate your dog’s health condition.
Q: Do Dogs Need Grain for Their Diet?
A: Grains such as wheat, corn, barley and rice are a great source of carbohydrates and nutrients. Nonetheless, there are other sources of carbohydrates that can be served to dogs. They include starchy vegetables and sweet potatoes among others. The important thing that every dog owner needs to know is that no one ingredient will break or make dog food. What makes the difference is how every ingredient is formulated.
Q: Are Grain Free Food Safe for Dogs?
A: When properly formulated, grain free dog foods are safe for dogs. However, when the food isn’t properly balanced and lacks the essential nutrients, it won’t be in any way beneficial to your dog. Go for a perfectly balanced food formula that will provide your dog with all the nutrients he needs to stay healthy and strong.
Q: What Advantage Do Grain Free Dog Food Have?
A: Compared to regular dog food with grains such as corn or wheat, grain free dog foods use premium, complex carbohydrates with less fiber which translates to less waste. Furthermore, the complex carbohydrates are absorbed into the blood system slowly which helps prevent spikes in your dog’s energy and blood sugar levels. Besides, complex carbohydrates tend to keep your dog feeling less hungry for many hours, so they can concentrate on other things such as taking a walk with their owner or catching a Frisbee.
Everything You Need to Know About Gluten-Free Dog Food
Conclusion
Above everything that has been mentioned above, the important thing to always keep in mind is that no one ingredient will make or break a dog’s food. What makes a huge difference is how that ingredient is formulated and proportioned as well.
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