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What Does Grain-Free Mean?
Grain-free basically means any food or treats that don't contain wheat, oats, corn & rice amongst many other cereals. Although grains can be a way for your dog to get the carbohydrates they need, they can get these from many other sources such as fruit and vegetables amongst other foods that are naturally high in nutritional value. Most fruit and veg is generally high in fibre which is essential for healthy digestion.
Below is a list of some of the fibre packed fruit and veg we use and some of the benefits they provide.
Bananas are a source of magnesium which helps your doggy's body absorb vitamins.
Carrots are full of vitamin A, great for eye health, bones and general immune system wellbeing.
Spinach which is packed with antioxidants, a source of iron (just ask Popeye).
Sweet Potatoes are a great source of vitamins that support eyes, brain function and can help with inflammation.
Blueberries which are high in antioxidants and lots of vitamins to help support overall health.
Apples which are a great source of vitamins and can help to freshen breath. Never feed your dog the apple core or seeds as they contain traces of cyanide which can be deadly for dogs if enough is consumed.
Beetroot which is vitamin and mineral packed which combined can help support gut health, the skin, and coat. If enough is consumed the betalain pigments, (which can be used as a natural dye) in beetroot may give your dog pink poops and pees of goodness.
Why are Grains Used in Dog Treats & Food?
Grains are used in a lot of dog foods and treats as they can be a cheap way to bulk them out and add a lot of weight at a minimum cost to the manufacturer. Wheat based flour is generally a cost-saving way to fill a dog up in a way that provides very little in the way of nutritional benefit. Wheat is not a natural part of a dogs diet, going back to when they were wild animals it isn't something they would ever consume.
All dogs are different so some may not have an issue but others certainly will.
If you have been advised or decided to try a grain-free diet then all of our treats are suitable.
What Does a Grain Allergy Look Like in Dogs?
Much like humans, dogs can be allergic to almost anything and have an intolerance to anything, this is individual to the dog and only a vet can tell you for sure if there is anything to avoid.
A grain allergy in dogs can show in many ways, some of the most common are...
Red and itchy skin and paws
Hair loss
Ear infections
Eye infections
Stomach and digestive problems
These are just some of the symptoms, many others can show.
Are Grain-Free Treats and Food Good for Dogs?
If a dog's food and treats are high quality and they don't display any allergies or intolerances with it, they can thrive with or without grains but the key is all food and treats must be high quality and be full of ingredients that are necessary and beneficial to their health.
Grain-free dog food and treats should use high protein and carbohydrate ingredients to substitute the grains. We use gram (chickpea) flour, which has a taste that many dogs prefer. Gram flour can be easier to digest for your dog than cheap wheat based flours resulting in less chance of an upset stomach. If selecting grain-free food and treats, be sure to choose a brand that doesn't use a low nutrition substitute to grains to simply add weight, bulk them out and make a dog feel full as these can often be high in low quality fats and carbohydrates.
So, yes, if the ingredients in the treats and food are high quality and full of nutrients then grain-free can be a great option for a dog's health.
What are the Best Grain-Free Dog Treats?
Well, of course we are going to say "David's Dog Deli" lol. We believe so strongly that our dogs are our best friends, confidants, protectors and our children so it is our duty to do our best for them. We only use gram (chickpea) flour in all of our treats (no low quality wheat flours). Coconut oil is the only fat we add to our treats which provides a great taste but has many health qualities click here to find out more
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