Is a Grain-Free Diet Healthy for My Dog?

Grain free dog food has been available to pet owners for over a decade. Perhaps not-surprisingly, the grain-free trend started from a marketing campaign. The campaign said that because dogs are the ancestors of wolves that they should eat a similar diet, and wolves don’t eat grains. The reality is that dogs have evolved over many generations of being domesticated so that they are omnivores vs. carnivores like their wolf relatives. 

Neither Healthy or Unhealthy

In a general sense, a grain-free diet isn’t automatically healthy or unhealthy for dogs. The more important thing to look at is which ingredients are used to ensure each ingredient is being used to provide necessary nutrition. Some grains are rich in nutrition and others are less so. If you decide to go grain-free, you’ll still need to make sure your dog is getting all the nutrients they need.

Most dogs can absorb the nutrients from grains in their diet without any issues. And when it comes to allergies, genuine grain allergies are pretty rare among dogs. 

Here at Nextrition, we include some healthy grains in our diets but only use high-quality, nutrient-rich ingredients. Our number 1 ingredient is real meat with a blend of grains with fruits and vegetables to create a well-balanced dog food that’s gentle on sensitive stomachs, good for gut health, and avoids common allergens. Plus, our food is cold-pressed to lock in maximum flavor and nutritional value.

The Pros and Cons of Grain-Free

We believe the best approach is to focus on feeding your dog healthy food made with natural ingredients, preferably cold-pressed. It’s better to take a broad view of food and pet health rather than getting caught up in a single issue like grain-free, unless your pup has a grain allergy. 

There is lots of information out there claiming that dogs being fed a grain-free diet could have a higher chance of developing a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The truth is that all research so far has not shown a connection between grain-free diets and DCM. Despite that, many vets will recommend staying away from grain-free foods to be extra cautious. 

Get an Expert Opinion

We think Nextrition is an excellent choice for just about any dog. But we also understand that it’s not the only choice. You want to give your dog a healthy, delicious, and easy-to-digest food. Here’s our advice: if you’re considering going grain-free, talk to an expert before making the switch.