One of the most talked-about and trending topics in the pet-related world is the talk surrounding dog food that does and does not have grains in it. What exactly is the consensus about grain-free dog food? Is it better than standard grained dog food? And, if it is better, is it so much better for your dog than the standard stuff?
What Is Grain-Free Dog Food?
As the name implies, grain-free dog food is entirely different from the vast majority of dog foods that line the shelves of most grocery stores. Being labeled “grain-free”, these brands of dry dog food don’t have any grains included in them. This includes more famous grains such as wheat, corn, and rice. They also include less known options like rye, barley, and soy.
Is Grain-Free Dog Food Better?
This is ultimately the crux of the question. As you’re more likely to see grain-free options at health food and specialty stores at a much higher price point compared to standard dog food, one may reasonably guess that grain-free is ultimately the better option of the two.
In reality, it’s not nearly as clear-cut.
For one, the reason most standard dog foods include grains is that they can provide additional carbs to the dog, both as an energy and digestion source. Interestingly enough, while many argue that their grain-free options are more in-line with what most animals ate thousands of years ago, that’s not quite the truth either. Many of these grain-free options list off numerous substitutes like potatoes and legumes. Not only are these just as high in carb-loading as grains, but they are also often even higher, potentially leading to serious weight gain if not careful.
On the other hand, dogs that are currently suffering from health-related allergies due to consuming foods high in grains are certainly going to be better off by shifting their diet over to a grain-free alternative.
Does Grain-Free Dog Food Have Better Ingredients?
The reality is that, while many companies talk a good game in the health-food space, that’s all it is – talk and game. In truth, many of these companies, if you’re not careful, are just as bad as your run-of-the-mill dog food options. Because of this, you need to always keep an eye out on the quality of the dog food you get, whether it does or does not include grains. Centinela Feed centinelafeed.com, has a broad selection of high-quality pet foods that are accessible for all pets, whether they are suffering from food allergies or not.
Should I Switch Over To Grain-Free Dog Food?
Ultimately, while there are benefits to making the transition, there are just as many detractions based on the brand. The best way to determine if you should make that switch is by inspecting the brand’s ingredients and what is included. If there are large amounts of meat included (more than standard dog foods), a good amount of taurine is included, and the additional ingredients are healthier overall, then there’s nothing wrong with making the switch.
Otherwise, you’re just trading one bad situation for another, where the only difference is the increased cost on your end.
