A growing trend among pet dog owners is to switch their dog to a completely grain-free dog food formula. This has been rapidly increasing in popularity, as more pet care nutritional experts are beginning to attest to the detrimental health effects that can be caused by a high-grain diet. There are many different types of grain-free dog food formulas, each of which use different ingredients to make up for the lack of grains. Choosing the right type of grain-free dog food can be slightly intimidating, since each formula is different.
Some Great Grain Free Dog Food Recipes:
- Orijen Dog Food
- Acana Dog Food
- Acana Wild Prairie for Dog Dog Food
- Acana Pacifica for Dog Dog Food
- Acana Grasslands for Dog Dog Food
- Wellness Dog Food
- Wellness Core Dry Original Formula Dog Food
- Wellness Core Dry Reduced Fat Dog Food
- Wellness Core Dry Ocean Formula Dog Food
One thing to consider when choosing a grain-free dog food is cost. Most grain-free dog food formulas are relatively expensive, which is often seen as one negative aspect of a grain-free diet. However, the reason that most grain-free formulas are more expensive is because they do not contain grain ingredients as “fillers” in order to bulk up the formula. Rather, most grain-free dog food formulas contain a higher amount of protein. As a result, a dog nutrition needs to consume a much lower volume of a grain-free dog food formula in order to feel satisfied. This actually reduces cost, as less food is required at mealtimes.
Another important thing to consider about grain-free dog food formulas is the difference between dry and canned formulas. In order to maintain the consistency of dry kibble formulas, many dog food companies need to add some carbohydrate-based ingredients in order for the kibble to hold its shape. With a canned dog food formula, this is not the case. In addition to this, canned dog food formulas provide a good amount of moisture, which helps to supplement a dog’s need for a constant supply of water. However, the convenience of grain-free dry dog food formulas is a positive factor for many dog owners. In addition to this, canned dog food formulas are slightly more expensive, because of the packaging needs of these formulas.
With respect to proper dog pet care, most veterinarians will confirm that switching a dog to a grain-free dog food formula has many different health benefits. However, it is also important to remember to check the fat content of grain-free dog food formulas. As the protein ratio of a dog food formula goes up, so does the ratio of fat and calories. If you are trying to look for a dog food formula to feed to an overweight dog, it may be worthwhile to select a grain-free dog food formula with a slightly lower protein percentage if it also has a low percentage of fat.
If you have a dog that is over five years of age, it may be worthwhile for you to switch them to a grain-free diet. The reason for this is that as your dog ages, their digestive system has a much harder time processing carbohydrate ingredients (such as grains). As a result, a dog may develop grain-based allergies over prolonged exposure to a high-grain diet. Senior dogs seem to do much better on a grain-free diet. When switching a dog to a grain-free diet, it’s very important to do it gradually, to prevent possible gastrointestinal problems.
