Grain-Free Dog Food: The Healthier Choice

Dogs are very adorable animals and they are very good companions. They can be used for different purposes as watch dogs, guard dogs, guide dogs, police dogs, army dogs, and pet dogs. A dog owner must take good care of his pet and he should be careful with the foods that he gives it. A good way of providing the essential nutrients that a dog needs is by feeding it grain-free dog food.



Many dog owners are not sure why grains have suddenly become a "bad food" for their pets. The popularity of grain-free dog foods is becoming rampant, and the processed dog food industry is threatened by their strong competitors. Because of the sudden change in dogs’ diets, a lot of dog owners are starting to think twice about feeding processed food to their pets. But why exactly are grains bad for dogs?



The truth is that grains really do not pose any possible threat to a dog’s life. However, the digestive system of dogs is not created to process such substances. Grains are food rich in carbohydrates, and to break down the carbohydrates in them, they should first be broken down by certain enzymes. Because dogs’ saliva does not have the enzyme for this job, dogs find difficulty in breaking down grains.



When they are not digested, grains may cause gastrointestinal problems in canines. For them to be able to digest carbohydrates, the dogs’ pancreas needs to secrete high levels of enzymes. This may cause discomfort as well as intestinal inflammation and even allergies to dogs. Grains are also the main cause of loose stools in dogs.



For them to be able to address the recently discovered problem in dogs’ diet, researchers and doctors have created "natural food" for canines. Because dogs are members of the family where wolves, foxes, coyotes, and jackals belong, they should have a similar diet as these animals. Simply put, the food intake of canines should be composed mainly of proteins and vitamins, and have little or no carbohydrates.



The growing trend in feeding dogs nowadays is by introducing raw foods. Even though they are packed, raw dog foods are fresh and distributed immediately to maintain the freshness. These foods have variable components depending on the manufacturer and distributor of the products, but they are mostly composed of proteins, fruits, vegetables, and are absolutely grain-free.



Look for pet foods that are composed of pure, 100% fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables. It is certified that the company’s products have absolutely no trace of grains or other additives. Their raw foods are made up of 70% human-quality meat from chicken, beef, turkey, or duck, with some ground bone, heart, and liver; 30% fresh and organic vegetables like carrots, squash, yams, zucchini, celery, romaine, and apple cider vinegar and; trace minerals like amino acids, salt, and vitamin E.



Giving raw foods to your dog may provide it the best and healthiest diet that matches its carnivorous nature completely. And because grain-free dog food is exactly what raw food is, it’s certain that no harmful substances are in your pet’s meals; only the essential nutrients that its canine body needs.



Jamie is a pet medical authority who firmly feels that transitioning your pet to raw dog food is the best decision you can make for your dog. Discover more about holistic dog food.