The Benefits Of Feeding Your Dog Grain-Free Foods

Wheat, corn, barley, oats, rice, and soy are only some of the grains that are usually found in dog food. These are good sources of nutrients such as carbohydrates, which supply the energy that your active dog needs. There are dogs, however, who are allergic to some of these grains, particularly when it is in the wrong quantity or when it is low in quality.

 

In this case, most dog owners turn to a grain-free diet, which proves to have numerous health benefits for their furry friends because it is free from ingredients such as artificial sweeteners, corn syrup, or rendered fats. This type of dog food doesn’t contain cheap fillers, white flour, or MSG, as well as artificial colors and harmful preservatives. Grain-free dog foods are often made with grain substitutes such as potatoes and legumes. Legumes are not only rich in carbohydrates, but also packed with protein as well. Apart from these grain substitutes, grain-free foods are also composed of protein from fish and meat. Some of these foods come with fish, lamb or chicken meal, as well as some whole peas.

 

These ingredients provide your pets with the nutrients from a complete diet that leads to several benefits that are enumerated below:

Healthy Digestive Tract

There are a number of studies that show that dogs cannot fully digest food packed with carbohydrate-heavy grains because they lack amylase. Amylase is an enzyme that is responsible for breaking down these starchy carbohydrates. Taking out the grains in their diet can help their digestive system to easily break down the food that they eat and absorb the nutrients they need. In addition to this, grain-free foods for your dogs also support a healthy digestive tract. More often than not, these types of food consist of prebiotics, which are essential for gut health. A healthy gut can pave the way for a stronger immune system for your pet.

Reduced Risk of Allergies

Some dogs are prone to food allergies, which eventually lead not only to health problems, but also discomfort for your dogs. Wheat, corn, and soy are found to be some of the ingredients that commonly cause these food allergies in your dogs. When they suffer from these allergies, they usually have excessive gas, skin irritation or rashes, diarrhea or loose stools, as well as frequent infections such as those in the ears. Grain-free foods significantly reduce the risk of your dog to have food allergies because they don’t have the usual fillers such as wheat or corn. Looking online for a grain free dog food guide can help highlight the hypoallergenic ingredients of grain-free foods your dog now needs, in order to be  gentle on its stomach. Rest assured that you won’t find any ingredient that can cause an allergic reaction for your dogs in these foods.

Firm Skin and Shiny Coat

Healthy fats and oil are some of the keys to giving your dogs a firm skin and a shiny coat. Grain-free foods are rich in these compounds, particularly in omega-3 fatty acids that come with high protein, which greatly contributes to soft and supple, but firm skin. Likewise, the protein, fiber and complex carbohydrates contained in these foods can significantly strengthen the coat of your furry friend, leading to a reduced shredding. Hence, you won’t need to deal with lots of pet hair.

Superb Energy

Whole grains are rich in carbohydrates that can supply the energy that your dogs need. However, grain-free foods prove to be more beneficial because it is composed of ingredients that can provide complex carbohydrates, which are more soluble, making it easier for your dog’s body to convert it into energy. These complex carbohydrates offer a long-term storage of energy, such that your dog can remain active even with a longer duration between meal times.

Aside from carbohydrates, the protein in a grain-free diet can also provide the energy level that is essential for your pet. This nutrient can also be readily absorbed by your dog’s body as they are broken down into smaller, more soluble compounds. A quality protein source not only provides energy, but it also contains amino acids, which are essential in maintaining your dog’s health.

Ideal Weight

The amount of food that you should give your pets should be based on their age, current weight, as well as their health condition. Normal dog foods are sometimes packed with large quantities of grains, lowering their nutritional value. Thereby, you may need to feed your dogs with larger servings of these foods so that your pets get the nutrients they need. In contrast to this, grain-free foods are usually offered in small servings because they already provide your dog with a complete and balanced meal. Grain-free foods are high in nutritional value because they are packed with vegetables, fiber, and meat or fish protein.

Fresh Breath

From time to time, you may smell a strong odor in your pet’s breath and changing their diet can be one of the ways to address this issue. The nutrition that your dogs get from the foods they eat also affect their dental health. Simply put, poor nutrition can lead to bad breath. With the nutritional value of a grain-free diet, your dog’s dental health may significantly improve in no time.

 

 

Grain-free dog foods have several health benefits for your dog such as a healthy digestive tract, as well as a reduced risk of allergies. Grain-free foods also contribute to a firm and shiny coat, and its alternative ingredients are energy-giving too. Through a grain-free food diet, your dogs will be able to reach their ideal weight, and as a bonus, they are more likely to have fresh breath too.

 

Just keep in mind that grain-free foods are not created equal. Be sure to consider the overall health condition of your pet, as well as their allergies and digestive issues. Also keep in mind their age and activity levels because these will help you decide and craft the perfect diet that is best suited for your furry friend.