Why do vets not recommend grain free dog food?

Many people assume that grain-free diets are 'more natural' and carbohydrate-free. They also have the conception that grain-free diets are less likely to cause allergies.

A common question asked in the canine community is: is grain-free dog food better?

The answer is no. There has been no scientific evidence to prove that grain-free diets are better for our pets and unfortunately the growing number of these products on the market is giving the misperception that grain is bad for pets.

Furthermore, there are now concerns about a potential link between dogs eating grain-free dog food and a rare heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Some of the common misconceptions about grain-free diets include:

Grains cause food allergies: Food allergies in pets are uncommon and grain allergies are even more uncommon. They are more likely to be caused by an animal protein (e.g. chicken, beef or lamb).

Grains are used as fillers in pet foods: The term 'filler' indicates there is no nutritional value. Various grain products provide protein, which may be easier for the pet to digest than some proteins from meat. Most dogs and cats (greater than 90%) can easily utilise and digest nutrients from grains normally found in pet foods.

Grains cause gluten intolerance: Coeliac disease is an inherited autoimmune disease seen in humans that have been associated with sensitivity to gluten proteins in wheat and grains, such as barley and rye. Gluten intolerance is extremely rare in dogs and nonexistent in cats.

Grain-free pet foods are carbohydrate-free: Grain-free pet foods often contain carbohydrates from other sources such as sweet potatoes, which have a higher carbohydrate level than corn. Grains are carbohydrates, which are an important energy source, and one of the six basic nutrients required for a healthy life (i.e. water, protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals.)

Remember, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that grain-free diets offer more health benefits than a diet with grains, but if you need more information you should ask your veterinarian.

So what should I feed my dog?

When it comes to choosing a healthy diet for your pet, your veterinarian will be able to give you educated information that has scientific backing. They will recommend a premium diet that is ‘balanced’ and ‘complete’ and can also recommend the most suitable diet for your pet based on their stage of life and medical history.

If your pet is young, old, overweight, underweight, arthritic or suffering from diseases such as kidney or urinary tract disease, your veterinarian will guide you in the right direction.

I want to make sure I’m feeding my pet an all-natural diet

Many pet food manufacturers promote their food as being 'superior' for containing 'all-natural ingredients'. All of the foods recommended by your veterinarian contain natural ingredients and these are precisely balanced for optimum nutrition. This means your pet won’t receive too little or too much of certain nutrients. This is a claim only particular brands can make.

If you are feeling overwhelmed and don't know where to start with your pet's diet, you should always ask your veterinarian for information. They will be able to help you make the best choice when it comes to your pet’s nutrition.

The problem with grain free pet foods 

Grain free diets are becoming a popular food to feed pets. Their selection is often based on a well-meaning belief that these diets are more natural, have less carbohydrates and are less likely to cause allergies. Unfortunately with the increase of feeding grain free diets there has been an increase in the incidence of serious heart disease, with a recent study revealing that feeding  a grain free diet may lead to heart failure (Journal of Veterinary Cardiology 2019) in previously healthy dogs.

Carbohydrates themselves, are important source of energy in our dogs. They typically make up 30-70% of dry dog food, and also help to ensure there is adequate fibre for satiety and reduce tartar build up. Fibre can help with weight control, colon health, digestion, and controlling blood sugar levels.

Common carbohydrate sources will usually be listed in the first few ingredients on the bag of dog food and include: barley, oats, brown rice, whole wheat, whole corn, and potato (or sweet potato). But grain-free and low-carb do not go hand-in-hand. To replace grains, grain-free food often uses ingredients such as potatoes, apples, and peas. In fact, some grain-free pet foods contain carbohydrate levels similar to or even higher than dog food containing grains.

If you suspect your dog is suffering from a food allergy (often seen as itchy inflammed skin, hair loss, skin infections and scabs), grains in the diet are very unlikely to be the cause of the problem. While food allergies in pets are uncommon, accounting for 1% of skin disease or less than 10% of allergic skin disease in dogs, allergies to grains are even rarer.  Because allergies are an immune system reaction against a normal protein, the small numbers of pets that do have allergies are most likely to be allergic to animal proteins. In dogs the commonest reported food allergens are beef, dairy and chicken and in cats are beef, dairy and fish.

As grains do contain protein, allergies to grains such as wheat can occur. However, reactions to other grains and carbohydrate sources, such as rice, corn, and potato are very uncommon. If a dog or cat has a diagnosed food allergy, treatment involves feeding either a hydrolysed diet or a food containing a single protein and carbohydrate source which they have not been previously exposed to. These are called novel protein and carbohydrate diets. Take care when choosing a food claiming to be hypoallergenic or novel. While they may only have one protein and carbohydrate source mentioned on the front of the pack, on closer examination of the ingredient list you may find several other sources of both.

At Glenelg Vet, we recommend feeding quality premium pet food, that is available from veterinary clinics and some pet food stores. In addition, it's important to choose a formulated food that caters for the life stage and breed size of your pet.

Grain-free diets have confused a lot of dog owners. If you feed a species-appropriate whole food diet of raw meat, bones, and organs with some veggies and fruit, you could describe it as a grain-free diet. And that’s the best food you can give your dog. 

But that’s not what the dog food manufacturers mean by “grain-free.”  The term “grain-free” is marketing hype. Pet food manufacturers don’t really want to eliminate grain and carbs from the canine diet.

They don’t intend to sell you a diet like your dog’s ancestors ate in the wild. They want you to buy a bag of kibble filled with a new collection of starches and carbohydrates. So what does “grain-free” really mean when it comes to kibble, and is it good or bad for your dog?

Kibble needs starch to hold it together, and most kibble uses grains as starch ingredients. Grains are the hard, dry seeds of grasses like wheat, rice, corn, oats, millet, rye or barley.  Grain-free dog food contains alternative carbohydrate sources instead of grains  … usually in the form of legumes like lentils, beans, or peas. They’ll also use potatoes, sweet potatoes, or quinoa.

Problems With Grain-Free Dog Food

Grain-free doesn’t mean sugar-free, carb-free, fat-free, or GMO-free. And it’s a misconception that grain is replaced with more meat (the truth is far from it). Or that you might be getting a higher quality of ingredients or fewer calories. Grain-free dog diets could be increasing your dog’s carb intake!

And a grain-free dog food doesn’t mean it’s healthier or better. Your dog’s diet should always be balanced and nutritionally sound regardless of its ingredients.

It’s like thinking gummy bears are healthy because they’re gluten-free and fat-free. They’re still filled with sugar and other chemicals and are not the least bit nutritious.

7 Reasons Grain-Free Dog Food Is Bad For Dogs

Grains are being replaced by other starches and carbohydrates that don’t offer any greater nutritional value than the grains they’re replacing. And these substitutes can cause even more health problems for your dog.

Grains, starches, legumes … basically any carbohydrate or processed food … really don’t belong in a carnivore’s diet. However, if you’re feeding grain-free kibble, here are some things you should be aware of. 

1. Low Quality Proteins

You’ll also see soy products used as a cheap protein source. Soy is biologically inappropriate, highly processed, and often genetically modified. It strikes out in most dietary areas related to your dog’s diet. Soy is difficult to digest and can lead to health problems. According to a 2015 Malaysian study by Sukalingam et al, soy protein can cause hormonal disturbances, carcinogenic and organotoxicity (1).

It’s the same for other legumes used as plant-based protein, like lentils, peas, or beans. They’re cheap sources of protein but they’re also high in starch. 

Dogs are facultative carnivores meaning they thrive on meat and animal products … but they can digest plant material. But it doesn’t mean they should. Just like other kibble, grain-free kibbles are made with highly processed meat and bone meals that are hard for your dog to digest. Some contain animal remnants that were unfit for human consumption. They might not be grain-based foods, but they’re not any better for your dog.

2. Low Quality Starches

Starches aren’t included in grain-free dog food for their nutritional value. Starches like potatoes, green peas, sweet potatoes are sources of carbohydrates … cheap ingredients that hold the kibble together. You’ll usually find them high on the ingredients list. And they can be highly inflammatory in dogs. Like legumes, they are biologically inappropriate, add calories and contribute to obesity. They’ve also been linked to digestive disorders, skin conditions, and other health issues in dogs.

3. Phytic Acid

Grain-free foods that use cheap plant proteins like lentils, legumes, and starches like potatoes, beets, and peas are poor-quality foods. And they can lead to deficiencies in other important nutrients. That’s because these ingredients are high in phytic acid. Phytic acid can hinder the absorption of important nutrients including manganese, iron, calcium, and phosphorus. And phytic acid limits the retention of manganese in the body.

Manganese is important as it’s needed to produce energy, metabolize protein and carbohydrates, and makes fatty acids. And it plays a role in the health and maintenance of bone and cartilage in joints.

4. Glyphosate 

A huge problem in plant-based foods (grains and starches) is glyphosate. It’s an ever-present herbicide also known as Roundup, and it’s the most prevalent toxin in food today. The World Health Organization describes glyphosate as “a probable human carcinogen” and “a known animal carcinogen.” And here are more problems it causes:

• It interferes with beneficial bacteria and disrupts the microbiome and damages the immune system.
• It blocks proteins, including amino acids, that form in plants.
• Glyphosate affects the inner lining of the kidneys so they don’t excrete waste properly. Are you wondering why dogs are getting kidney disease at younger and younger ages?
• It damages mucous membranes, including the gut lining … causing leaky gut syndrome.
• It causes leaky gut and that’s been linked to … autoimmune disease, inflammatory bowel disease, all chronic inflammatory diseases, chronic allergies, brain issues.

RELATED: Glyphosate: The hidden dog food ingredient that can harm your dog …

5. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Many food sensitivities and inflammation can be related to GMOs. Genetic modification can affect a food’s nutritional value as well as its toxic and allergic effects. GM plants are often “modified” to be insect resistant, virus resistant, or herbicide tolerant. 

GMO crops include corn, soy, wheat, beets, canola, rice, potatoes, tomatoes, peas, and alfalfa. And the list has grown to include legumes and other starches including potatoes. These ingredients are often in commercial pet foods. Even if ingredients aren’t GMO, chances are the animals used in your dog food were probably fed GMO feed. 

Studies show that GMO foods have been shown to cause:

• Liver damage
• Kidney damage
• Damage to other organs including the pancreas and reproductive organs
• Leaky gut and immune system issues.
• Endocrine disruption
• Digestive disorders
• Skin and food allergies
• Cancer
• Cognitive issues

RELATED: Are vegan diets good for dogs?

6. Lectins

These are plant proteins that can be toxic. They are designed that way to protect plants by making you or your dog sick. They also interfere with your dog’s digestive enzymes. Lectins block the absorption of important nutrients like calcium, iron, phosphorus, and zinc. And they can also lead to inflammation. 

RELATED: Things you need to know about lectins …

7. Grain-free Dog Food and Heart Disease In Dogs

It was in 2017-18 that grain-free dog food was first put under the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) microscope. This followed reports of a dietary link between grain-free foods and hundreds of cases of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an enlarged heart muscle, and it can lead to life-threatening, leading to congestive heart failure. The heart is less able to circulate blood and fluid builds up in the lungs.

The FDA has been investigating this potential link since 2018. There have been more than 1,000 cases and 300 deaths. But as of January 2021, the FDA has not made a final determination. They still advise feeding dogs a “complete and balanced” diet as endorsed by the Association of American Feed Control Officers (AAFCO).

And there’s been some other research. A 2020 review of dietary concerns linked to DCM, conducted by McCauley et al, published in the Journal of Animal Science (2) concluded:

” …based on this review of the current literature, there is no definitive relationship these implicated diet characteristics and DCM.”

A 2021 study by Smith et al at Tufts University (3) analyzed biochemical compounds in grain-free foods under FDA investigation. The researchers concluded that foods containing peas or pea protein, pea starch, or pea fiber were the foods with the biggest differences compared to the grain-based foods in the study, stating:

“Peas emerged as one ingredient that differed across the two diet groups, and was also positively and strongly associated with many compounds that were higher in 3P/FDA foods.”

(3P means foods with pulses, potatoes, or sweet potatoes)

The Theory About DCM And Grain-Free Foods

The suspicion is that grain-free foods may not contain enough taurine to support heart health. Taurine is an amino acid that’s needed for heart health … though it’s not considered an essential amino acid for dogs (it is essential for cats, however). Dogs make taurine themselves and shouldn’t need taurine supplements. It’s also important in eye, brain, and immune function. Taurine is abundant in meat, but it was discovered that some large breeds, including Great Danes, Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers, and Irish Wolfhounds, can’t manufacture enough taurine when their diet is low in animal protein. The dogs studied were eating grain-free diets that may have led to DCM. … and these particular dogs had their heart disease partially reversed when taurine was added to their diet. 

Again, grain-free diets don’t have cereal grains, but they do contain legumes like lentils or peas. These are sources of protein … but not animal protein that contains amino acids like taurine. And grain-free diet manufacturers are saving money by using plant-based proteins instead of meat. 

RELATED: Taurine might not be to blame for heart disease in grain-free kibble …

Are Grain-free Dog Foods Good Or Bad For Dogs?

Any commercial dog food that is extruded, baked, boiled, or canned will have its natural taurine level lowered if not eliminated. Even if they add taurine, it’s a synthetic supplement that may not be well absorbed by your dog. But a better quality, grain-free pet food with adequate meat protein can help ensure a healthier taurine content.

Grain-free is still high in starch. And that causes blood sugar spikes with little nutritional value for dogs. Plus the high temperatures used to make kibble destroy nutrients … and denature protein. 

But if you choose to feed kibble and your dog has grain allergies, then feeding a grain-free food can be a better option. 

Now you’ve learned that grain-free foods provide more marketing and hype than benefits. But it’s still buyer beware. You need to really understand the ingredient list to know what you’re feeding your dog. 

RELATED: How to understand ingredient splitting in the pet food industry … 

What Should I Feed Instead of Grain-Free Dog Food?

The FDA hasn’t reported any DCM cases from pets fed a raw diet. Taurine is found in all fresh meat diets, especially those with organ meat. If you want to feed a grain-free dog diet without having to worry about risks that come from the alternatives to grain, a fresh, whole food meat-based diet is the simplest and best solution. 

You can easily avoid deficiencies in all amino acids, including taurine, by feeding your dog the diet he evolved to eat. And don’t forget to include organs like heart, liver, kidney, and lung. And then your dog will be getting plenty of amino acids and you won’t have to worry about the poor quality proteins in commercial grain-free dog foods. 

RELATED: Easy to make raw food recipes …

References

1. Sukalingam K, Ganesan K, Das S, Thent ZC. An insight into the harmful effects of soy protein: A review. Clin Ter. 2015;166(3):131-9.

2. McCauley, Sydney R., et al. Review of canine dilated cardiomyopathy in the wake of diet-associated concern. Journal of Animal Science. Volume 98, Issue 6, June 2020, skaa155.

3. Smith, Caren E., et al. Investigation of diets associated with dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs using foodomics analysis. Scientific Reports.Volume 11, Article number: 15881 (2021).