You probably know that gluten-free diets are becoming more and more popular with many people choosing to avoid gluten at all costs. Gluten-free breads, pasta and puddings continue to hit supermarket shelves and possibly even your own shopping cart.
However, should we feed our dogs the same way? Is Gluten Really Something We Should Avoid? Is a gluten-free diet good for your dog? We've got all those answers and more right here, so read on for everything you need to know about feeding Fido gluten-free.
Discover the Delicious Food Your Dog Deserves
learn moreWhat is gluten?
Gluten-free, grain-free, grain-free...you've probably seen some buzzwords on dog food packaging before, and it can be overwhelming to know which one is correct. In order to define gluten, we also need to define the rest of the terms, as these terms are often used interchangeably.
Gluten: A gelatinous protein with a sticky texture found in various grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. Wheat is the grain most commonly associated with food intolerances in humans.
Grain: A form of grass harvested for its edible grains.
Cereals: Cereals are the small, dry seeds that grow on cereal plants. Grain types include oats, rice, corn, barley, and more.
So one of the main things to remember is that grain-free usually means that the food is also gluten-free, but gluten-free.Doesn't always mean food is grain-free. Basically, gluten is found in some types of grains, but not all, which means your dog's food could contain grains like brown rice and still be classified as gluten-free, but not grain-free.
Do Dogs Need Carbs?
Information varies everywhere, so it's understandable that many pet owners feel misguided, confused, and overwhelmed when it comes to choosing the best food for their furry family member.
Many people believe that it is best not to eat grains, and dogs should have almost no carbohydrates. Contrary to popular belief, dogs are actually omnivores, not carnivores, which is why they thrive on a diet of meat, vegetables, fruits, and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates provide energy and fiber to promote steady digestion and regular bowel movements for a healthy bowel movement. Healthy poop is an important sign of a healthy dog!
Carbohydrates are therefore an important part of a balanced diet for our dogs, but as with all things, there are always higher quality carbs and lower quality carbs.
Human carbohydrate sources, such as bread, cakes, and pasta, have a chewy, sometimes spongy texture due to the presence of gluten, which acts like a glue. In many dog foods, such as kibble, gluten in certain carbohydrates helps the kibble retain its shape. These carbs may not be the most nutritious, but just serve as a binder. Therefore, it is very important to look for the right type of carbohydrates when feeding your dog.
Dogs thrive on complex carbohydrates like brown rice, sweet potatoes, oats and beans. Complex carbohydrates like these are necessary and have many benefits, including:
They are nutritious.
Helps your dog feel full and content
Aids digestion and keeps bowel movements steady.
Helps prevent blood sugar spikes, crashes and energy spikes with a steady release of energy.
All in all, it's definitely a good idea to look for a dog food that contains high-quality complex carbohydrates to ensure your pooch is happy, healthy and always satisfied after dinner.
Is Gluten Bad For Dogs?
Humans can suffer from a condition called celiac disease, which can cause severe negative reactions when a person ingests gluten. Although this condition only affects approximately1% of the population, you have to take it seriously, and luckily, gluten-free options are on the rise.
Unlike humans, dogs do not suffer from celiac disease. Dogs seem to tolerate gluten very well and rarely experience any side effects. However, allergies to gluten and grains do occur, although they are rare, so it is important to always monitor your dog for any signs of intolerance after meals.
If you have an Irish Setter, you definitely need to be careful with gluten. They are the only breed affected in the UK. "gluten sensitive enteropathy, which is a genetic disorder similar to celiac disease. However, even this is relatively rare in the breed.
So gluten and grains are absolutely not bad for dogs, but some dogs may be sensitive. So if you notice anything unusual, knowing exactly what's in your dog's food is crucial to addressing the underlying problem.
What are the signs and symptoms of a gluten allergy in dogs?
If your dog is gluten sensitive, symptoms will be relatively unspecific and include:
diarrhea
lose weight
poor coat condition
itching
Vomitafter eating
Still, all of these issues could indicate any type of food allergy, not just gluten sensitivity. So it's best to discuss an elimination diet with your veterinarian to get to the source of the problem and fix it by changing the foods that best suit his allergies.
Why Choose Gluten-Free Dog Food and How Can It Help Your Dog?
So while most dogs tolerate gluten well, you may want to choose a gluten-free dog food for digestive reasons. Certain grains are not as good for dogs' digestive health as others, such as wheat, which contains gluten.
Therefore, you may want to choose a dog food that doesn't contain gluten grains, such as wheat, and choose one that contains higher-quality grains, such as gluten-free brown rice.
Looking for gluten-free dog food?
It's well known that dogs do benefit from a good source of carbohydrates in their diet, which is why we use a balanced amount of complex carbohydrates in the Pure recipe. Regardless, all of our recipes are gluten free, and after you tell us about your dog, we'll put together a full menu of custom recipes, with or without whole grain rice, depending on what works best for you dog.
However, brown rice is gluten-free, a gut-friendly, stomach-friendly whole grain that offers many benefits to keep your dog happy and healthy.
However, we know that some dogs may be sensitive to grains, even gluten-free grains, sowe adjust all our plansto adapt. Simply tell us all about your dog, including its breed, age, weight, illnesses, and allergies (such as brown rice) before ordering food, and we'll begin preparing a delicious, personalized meal that's completely grain- and gluten-free customized menu. .
But don't worry, it's still full of complex carbohydrates and the goodness of natural ingredients like fruits and vegetables. Every dog is an individual, so it's important to help him thrive by feeding him a high-quality food that suits his needs and provides balanced nutrition.
summarize
In short, gluten and grains are nothing to fear, but it always pays to be well informed about what's in your dog's food. Healthy, high-quality sources of carbohydrates are an excellent addition to your dog's dinner because they promote healthy digestion and provide a steady source of energy.
Your dog may be intolerant to gluten and grains, so a personalized dog food can help a lot. This way, you can skip any ingredients that give your dog trouble so they can still enjoy a delicious and nutritious dinner without hassle.