To Grain, or Not to Grain, That is the Question

At PetPlate, we offer 8 different recipes, with varying proteins & cooking styles. Out of these recipes, only 3 are grain-free (FreshCooked Beef, FreshCooked Chicken, and FreshBaked Chicken). Check out all ingredients here.

Why Should My Dog Eat Grains?

Grains are a great source of essential nutrients, vitamins, and fiber. Some common grains in dog’s diets are barley, oats, and rice–which are staple grains in our human diets as well. The carbohydrates that grains offer dogs help them feel full and give them the energy they need for their long walks and fetch sessions. We’re breaking down what grain and grain-free diets really are so you can make the best food choices for your pup–but as always consult with your vet before making any changes to their diet! 

What if My Dog Has Allergies?

With that being said, your dog may be better suited for a grain-free diet. Grain allergies in dogs are some of the most common food allergies, likely due to how prevalent grains are in many dog foods, chews, and treats. If your pup has a grain allergy, they may experience ear infections, red skin, itchiness, hair loss, gastrointestinal problems, and skin irritation. Grain-free diets will help with their allergy symptoms, improve their digestive health, and help with keeping their skin and coat in great shape. If your pup has issues with their blood sugar a grain-free diet may be the right fit for them. 

Should I Worry About Dilated Cardiomyopathy?

In 2018, a study was released by the FDA suggesting that ingredients in grain-free diets were leading to amino acid deficiencies. Amino acid deficiencies are thought to be a cause of DCM, a rare form of heart disease. Your veterinarian will know what’s best for your pup, but below is what we know about grain-free foods at PetPlate:

Grain-free foods tend to contain a lot of insoluble fiber, which in large quantities can block the natural production of taurine (a type of amino acid). Insoluble fiber can come from ingredients like legumes, but can also be found in more heavily processed ingredients such as byproduct meat meals and fillers – which can be found in large quantities in many dry food brands. Please note that our FreshBaked meals are non-extruded, which means they are not produced at high heats & pressures.

This means that typical kibble protein digestibility is often between 70 – 80%, whereas PetPlate’s digestibility is over 90% due to our use of only the highest quality human-grade meats. As an extra heart health measure, we also add taurine to our supplement blend for all of the meals, including FreshBaked.

It’s also important to note that since that study was released, there have been many others conducted by veterinary and other research groups and at this stage their findings are still inconclusive. Additionally, veterinary cardiologists are finding that most of the cases of DCM they see come from dogs that are either from a predisposed breed or dogs that have pre-existing conditions like obesity or diabetes.

Aren’t Dogs Carnivores?

A common myth about dog nutrition is that they don’t need anything but meat to survive. We hear this a lot, especially in the form of “wolves aren’t finding Acini di Pepe Pasta in the wild, so why should it be in my dog’s meal?” Now, Acini di Pepe Pasta is not found in the wild, they are correct there, but wolves do eat more than just meat when needed, and if pasta grew in the wild, they would likely stumble upon it and take a taste. (For Acini de Pepe Pasta, check out our FreshCooked Venison entrée.)

While wolves are considered carnivores, dogs are omnivores. They adapted over time to eat like their best friends do, which includes fruits, vegetables, starches, and grains. They are able to digest all of these foods and can receive necessary vitamins and nutrition their bodies need. Cats, on the other hand, are carnivores!

The post Grain or Grain-Free? What’s Best for My Dog? appeared first on PetPlate.