The dog food question of the century: "Should my dog have grains in their diet?"

Before you attempt to answer this question it is important to understand each choice and why it may or may not benefit your individual dog. Let us break down the differences between the two—and clear up some of the confusing news you might have heard recently.

Grain-Free Diet

Grain-free diets exclude all grains and grain-derived ingredients, such as corn, wheat, rice, oats, barley, rye, soy, etc. They instead replace those ingredients with alternatives like sweet potatoes, chickpeas, lentils, or peas.

Why Feed a Grain-Free Diet?

• Reduce/Eliminate Allergy Symptoms

  Many pets experience grain allergies that can present themselves as chronic itching, excess shedding, excessive gas, loose stool, constipation, and/or frequent infections. By eliminating the source of the allergen in their diet, most pet parents notice a major change in their pet's overall well-being.

• Easier Digestibility

  Both dogs and cats have digestive tracts that are generally better designed to break down animal fat and animal protein rather than complex plant-based molecules such as starches. With that said, grains can pose a "digestive hurdle" for pets that have more sensitive stomachs.

• Encourage Weight Gain / Active Dogs

  Quality grain-free diets are often (though not always!) higher in animal-based protein and fats. This can help "bulk" up pets who need those extra calories and amino acids. This is also an optimal diet for active pets who burn through calories quickly and can benefit from a stockpile of nutrient-dense energy.

Grain-Inclusive Diet

Grain-inclusive diets will include grains such as corn, wheat, and rice, or "Ancient Grains" like oats, barley, millet, sorghum, and quinoa. They can also include grain-derived ingredients such as meals and middlings.

Why Feed a Grain-Inclusive Diet?

• The Rise of "Ancient Grains"

  Not all grains are created equal! Many modern grain-inclusive formulas have moved away from "fillers" like corn and wheat, opting instead for Ancient Grains like sorghum, millet, and quinoa. These are less processed and packed with fiber, magnesium, and antioxidants.

• Less-Active Dogs

  Pets who are not considered "active," or are overweight, do not always thrive on a protein-rich grain-free diet. In that case, a quality grain-inclusive diet that is lower in protein and fat might be more beneficial to them.

• Recovery from an Upset Tummy

  Occasionally our pets get into something they should not have or come down with tummy issues (loose stool, vomiting, etc.). In this case, a quality grain-inclusive diet could be beneficial. Grains add soluble fiber to their diet to firm up their stool. The lower protein levels can give the stomach time to recover and re-regulate.

• Cost-Effectiveness

  Typically, grain-inclusive diets will be lower in cost than their grain-free counterparts. This is because grains can be inexpensively sourced as compared to non-grain ingredients. For example, swapping brown rice for lentils; lentils will be significantly more expensive than brown rice, therefore increasing the cost.

A Note on Heart Health (The "DCM" News)

You may have seen headlines over the last few years about the FDA investigating a potential link between grain-free diets and a heart condition called Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Here is the latest scoop: The FDA has stated there is no definitive link proving grain-free diets cause heart issues.

However, veterinarians have found that diets heavily loaded with "pulses" (peas, lentils, and chickpeas) used as fillers—rather than meat—might be part of the problem. This is why reading the label matters! whether you choose grain-free or grain-inclusive, you want to see named meat sources (like Chicken, Beef, or Salmon) at the top of the list, rather than just peas or potatoes.

Rotating

Do not be afraid to rotate between the two options of grain-free and grain-inclusive! If your pet does not suffer from grain allergies or a severely sensitive stomach, then feel free to transition them between different foods—some with and some without grains.

Rotating has many benefits:

• Reduced risks of food-related allergies.

• Reduced pickiness.

• Greater variety of nutrients: This ensures your dog isn't getting "too much" of one ingredient (like peas) or "too little" of another (like Taurine).

• Opens-up options in case your "go-to" food is not available.

So, Which One is Right for My Pet?

Every pet is different, and each will require uniquely different dietary needs. It is important to understand what is needed to enable your pet’s well-being. At the end of the day wholesome nutrition is what is important.

Whether you decide grain-free is right for your pet, or if you believe grain-inclusive seems the way to go, always try to choose a formula with minimally processed ingredients, the protein source high up on the ingredient list, and a reputable brand you can trust. At the end of the day we all have one common goal: for our pets to thrive, and nutrition plays a huge part in making that goal possible.