Putting together the right diet plan for your pet pooch is no simple task. There are many options, and it can be challenging to taper it down to food items that will benefit your pet pupper’s health and wellbeing.
Also, it is worth noting that things can get complicated for fur babies with food allergies and sensitive tummies. Find food alternatives that cater to your canine pet’s nutritional needs and consider purchasing dog insurance so dealing with unanticipated health issues is much easier.
The best pet insurance covers a furry baby’s testing, treatment, and medication costs for broader-ranging health conditions, so consider buying a policy. In the meantime, read this article to learn the pros and cons of feeding your puppy food that has grains.
What is grain-free food for canines?
A dog food is called grain-free only if it doesn’t contain any grains, including soy, wheat, corn barley and oats. If a dog food is gluten-free, it doesn’t contain any gluten containing grains, like barley and wheat. It may contain grains such as rice and corn. Grain-free food in dogs include legumes like peas, potatoes or lentils to make up the additional carbohydrates, nutrients and vitamins that your dog needs.
How important are grains in a dog’s diet ?
It’s a very common misconception that canines are carnivorous animals. But. they are omnivores, which means they can digest carbohydrates that are found in grains. Whole grain supplies essential nutrients to your canine diet, such as minerals, vitamins and fiber. Whereas, grains that are processed lose their nutritional benefit.
Processed grains may often appear in ingredients lists under the following names:
- Corn gluten meal
- Wheat gluten
- Cereal fines
- Wheat middlings
- Grain hulls
Why do many puppy food products contain grains?
Many dog food products contain a significant amount of grains. Typically, these items are mentioned at the top of the ingredient list. But the question is, do puppies thrive when fed grain-loaded foods? There is no right or wrong answer to this question.
Although carbohydrates form an essential part of the canine diet, you should still consider several aspects before feeding them regularly. First, carbohydrates must be obtained from complex food sources like barley, whole wheat, brown rice, corn, oats, and sweet potato.
This is essential to balance your puppy’s blood sugar levels and help it maintain a good energy level throughout the day. While carbs are necessary, they shouldn’t consume much of your furry little friend’s diet plan. Remember that protein should be the main ingredient in your dog’s food.
How can eating food containing grains affect your puppy’s health?
Although some grains don’t adversely affect a dog’s health when consumed, how those items are employed in puppy food recipes can make all the difference. They may sometimes be processed using methods far from ideal while losing most of their nutritional benefits.
Adding ingredients in large quantities (sometimes more than required) and excessive processing can lower the overall nutritional value of the food item. For example, some grains can trigger food sensitivities in dogs.
Cheap grain fillers in pet food products can cause stomach upsets, gas, abdominal pain, vomits, and diarrhea. This can happen even if a puppy has strong digestion and has never had a tummy complaint in the past.
Still, know that grains form a vital part of a canine’s diet. They provide carbs, fiber, and other essential nutrients your furry baby needs. One of the best ways to reap full benefits without exposing your pet to the potential drawbacks of grains is to choose other sources of complex carbs and fiber.
Add quinoa, ancestral grains, and cooked veggies like sweet potato into your puppy’s meals, so it gets the food benefits. Consider giving your four-legged friend a combination of grain and veggies, so it doesn’t miss out on vitamins and minerals.
Is grain-free food good for puppies?
Your puppy can consume grain free food provided it’s high in quality. Good grain-free puppy food is made specially using the required balance of nutrients your puppy needs in its growing years. This is very essential for the growth of a healthy and happy puppy. Puppies are likely to be allergic to grains but thanks to high-quality grain-free puppy foods, in which grains are replaced with other key nutrients and there’s no compromise on texture or flavor.
When unsure what to feed, consult your vet for dietary suggestions because every dog is unique, and the diet chart is tailored to suit your little pupper’s lifestyle and health needs. At the same time, consider being prepared with the dog insurance so getting timely medical help can be straightforward. Contemplate buying pet insurance so the finances involved in getting your puppy treated during dire health scenarios need not be burdening.
