askHELTIE HELTIEdog® Why you should avoid feeding your dogs too many grains

Why you should avoid feeding your dogs too many grains

Grains like rice, oats, and barley can be a useful source of carbohydrates and fiber for dogs. They provide energy and support healthy digestion. However, not all dogs can tolerate grains well. Some dogs are allergic to grains or gluten, which can lead to a dull coat, skin problems, itching, and digestive issues like diarrhea.

Feeding

2 October '24 • 2 min reading time

It's important to limit the amount of grains in your dog's diet and monitor whether your dog is allergic to certain ingredients in its food. There is no fixed amount of grains that every dog can eat. This entirely depends on the individual dog. Some dog breeds handle grains less well than others. If your dog is sensitive to grains, it’s better to give grain-free dog food. When your dog is not allergic to grains, they usually don’t cause any harm, as long as meat or fish is the main ingredient in the food. It’s also important that if there are grains in the food, they are well-cooked and ‘unlocked.’ Otherwise, your dog can’t absorb the nutrients in them. Grains, in fact, are not naturally part of a dog’s diet in the wild. So, always check the packaging carefully.

Benefits of feeding fewer grains

When your dog's food contains fewer grains, there’s a lower chance of allergic reactions like itching or diarrhea. But there’s another benefit. Grain-free dog food often contains far fewer mycotoxins, the toxic waste products of molds, than food that contains grains. This means your dog's body is less burdened by these toxins when it eats little to no grains. Mycotoxins can cause digestive issues and liver problems, among other things. Research has shown that cheaper dog food with a higher grain content generally contains more mycotoxins than premium food. No mycotoxins were found in premium grain-free food.

Disadvantages of grain-free feeding

One disadvantage of grain-free feeding is that this food sometimes contains a lot of protein. Too much protein in a dog's diet can lead to kidney overload and serious health problems. So, be cautious about what you feed your dog and always study the packaging carefully. When in doubt, consult an expert. Dogs that are very active or female dogs with puppies can generally tolerate more protein than dogs that lead a more sedentary life. Dogs with kidney problems, on the other hand, may benefit from eating grains. A second disadvantage of grain-free food is that you need to make sure your dog gets enough fiber if they can’t get it from grains. Good alternative ingredients include sweet potatoes, peas, and pumpkin, which also provide carbohydrates and fiber.

Supporting digestion?

Want to help your dog's gut and digestion? Make sure they get enough omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon oil is a great supplement for this. Dogs enjoy this oil, and it contains many healthy fats. This oil not only helps with digestion but is also good for the immune system and coat. Omega-3 fatty acids also help reduce the symptoms of (food) allergies.

Bronnen:

Kristyn M. Souliere. A Study of the Nutritional Effect of Grains in the Diet of a Dog. University of Maine. 2014. https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/182/

Kara, K. (2022). Comparison of some mycotoxin concentration and prevalence in premium and economic class of adult dog foods. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 21(1), 1380–1389. https://doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2022.2117105

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