As dog owners, we are always seeking new ways to ensure that our canine companions are happy and healthy. Nutrition has a great impact on our dogs’ lives, and we know that dog owners have become more interested in a grain-free diet rather than regular dog food. However, is grain-free dog food, the best choice for your dog?

Dog food with grains is generally less expensive than grain-free varieties and it is easy to find on shelves. In recent years, grain-free diets have grown in popularity due to concerns associated with food allergies and the excessive levels of carbohydrates in regular dog food.

Many dog owners are unsure if grain-free diets are safe especially when it comes to an increase in cases of canine dilated cardiomyopathy that is linked to grain-free foods.

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What Is Grain-Free Dog Food?

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You must first understand which grains are typically used in dog diets before we can discuss grain-free dog food. These include wheat, corn, rice, oats, barley, rye, and soy.

Carbohydrates are still required for energy in dogs. Hence, grain-free dog food uses alternative sources of carbs like potatoes and pea flour.

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Are Grain-Free Dog Diets Free of Carbohydrates? 

 

Grain-free dog diets do not include grains, but they contain other carbohydrate sources such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, lentils, peas, or quinoa.

 

Grain-free foods include carbs, and in certain circumstances, grain-free food will have the same amount of carbohydrates as grain-based dog food, if not more. Understanding the benefits of grain-free dog food is the first step in ensuring your dogs' long-term health and happiness.

 

Benefits:

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Grain-Free Dog Food is Easier to Digest

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The digestive system of your pet does more than simply process the food it eats but it also helps to strengthen your dog’s natural immunity against sickness.

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A dog’s digestive system is not designed to break down grains and unfortunately, with the mass production of pet food, grain-based fillers are used such as corn and wheat. Hence, this is used because it is less expensive than high-quality meat.

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These grains are typically difficult for dogs to digest, resulting in gastrointestinal disease, inflammation, rashes, and other serious health problems. When feeding grain-free dog food, dogs can consume and absorb vital nutrients efficiently.

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Grain-Free Dog Food Can Reduce or Eliminate Allergy Symptoms

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Grain-free dog food is ideal for dogs with allergies, and many dog owners claim that switching to grain-free dog food reduces or eliminates their dog’s allergy problems.

 

Food allergies can cause symptoms like excessive gas, loose stool, constipation, skin rash, vomiting, itching, biting, licking the skin, and frequent infections. Grain allergies in dogs are uncommon, affecting less than one percent of all dogs. Having allergies to proteins like beef or chicken is more common.

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Grain-Free Dog Food Provides Aesthetic Benefits

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A grain-free diet can also make your dog look healthier. Your dog will get less flaky skin, a shinier coat, whiter teeth, and it also improves their breath.

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Grain-Free vs. Grain Dog Food

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Whole grains include B vitamins, iron, magnesium, selenium, carbohydrates for energy, and fibre making them a vital nutritional resource for your dog.

 

You might have heard that grain-free dog food contains more meat to compensate for the absence of grains. Grain-free diets are not entirely meat-based; however, they do contain a greater amount of meat.

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At Prince, we strive to make the best dog food in the world. We highly suggest you try grain-free dog food so that your dog can live the healthiest and happiest life possible.