5 Benefits of grain-free dog food

The main benefits of grain-free dog food include better digestion, healthier skin, more energy and much more. Grain-free dog food has been popular for some time now, and it’s not hard to see why.

Instead of padding out the kibble with nutritionally empty ‘grain fillers’, grain-free dog food uses other high-quality ingredients. Think of pulses and vegetables that fill the gaps whilst offering various health benefits. With that in mind, in today’s blog we’ll take a detailed look at 5 of the main benefits of grain-free dog food.

• Digestion
• Allergies
• Skin and coat
• Increased energy levels
• Better nutritional balance

1. Promotes healthy digestion

One of the main benefits of grain-free dog food is undoubtedly that it promotes healthy digestion in dogs. Grains can be difficult for dogs to digest, leading to bloating and irregularities in their bowel movements and the consistency of their stools. By switching to grain-free dog food, you can help alleviate some of these digestive problems for your dog. Grain-free dog food contains a higher proportion of easily digestible carbohydrates that are rich in dietary fibre – such as sweet potatoes. This makes your furry friend happier and makes your life easier!

2. Reduces the risk of allergic reactions

Although food allergies are usually caused by animal proteins (chicken, beef or lamb), allergies to grains and gluten are no exception. Whether it’s a full-blown allergy or something less severe (though no less uncomfortable for your dog) such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, grains are known to cause allergies and intolerances in dogs.

Grain-free does not necessarily mean hypoallergenic. As both gluten and grains are common causes of intolerance in dogs, switching to a grain-free option is the preferred choice for many dogs. Ultimately, why take the risk of your dog becoming ill when there are such tasty grain-free alternatives available!

It is a common (but incorrect) belief that grain-free is synonymous with nutrition lacking in carbohydrates, and therefore lacking in flavour and sustained energy release. This is absolutely not true. Grain-free dog food simply derives its carbohydrates from non-grain sources, such as potatoes or peas! So, using grains helps prevent allergies, whilst still tasting delicious – a win-win situation!

3. Improved skin and coat

A grain-rich diet can lead to excessive itching and flaky skin, which is very uncomfortable for your dog. Although this isn’t always the case, many common grain-based kibbles from major brands are also of poor quality in terms of nutrition, which can lead to a duller, less glossy coat.

In this case, it isn’t necessarily the grains themselves that cause the problem, but the fact that grain-based dog food is generally of poor nutritional quality. Grain-free dog food is usually formulated with a focus on health, and is therefore generally more nutritious anyway!

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4. Increased (and more consistent) energy levels

Take a moment to try this thought experiment. Have you ever eaten a bowl of branded cornflakes for breakfast and found yourself low on energy a few hours later? That’s because these breakfast cereals contain only low-quality carbohydrates, which the body uses up very quickly. They break down easily and are therefore digested much faster by the body, so the energy you gained from eating them is used up very quickly.

The same logic applies to dog food. If you feed your dog low-quality grain-based food, he won’t get the same satiety or fuel he would get from the more complex carbohydrates usually found in grain-free dog food. The end result is a dog that feels full for longer, without the chaotic peaks and troughs in energy levels. So remember that it’s best to avoid simple carbohydrates in the form of grains in dog food.

5. Grain-free dog food (usually) offers a better nutritional balance

Generally speaking, grain-free dog food offers a better mix of carbohydrates, proteins and fats than its grain-based counterparts. This is because grains are often used by dog food manufacturers as a cheap way to bulk up their product. This allows them to sell more product at a lower cost for the raw materials.

Grain-free dog food is usually produced with the dog’s health as the top priority. This means that a more well-rounded kibble formula (or wet food formula) can be created, with higher-quality ingredients and greater variety.