Grain Free Dog Food Is A Good Idea

A pack of African Hunting Dogs, setting out at dusk on their business, would be a good advertisement for grain free dog food. Lean and mean with baleful eyes their flanks shimmer with good health. They have never seen the inside of a vet's surgery or tasted a mouthful of nutritionally balanced, gold label, top of the range product but they seem frighteningly fit.

Like other dogs these creatures are omnivorous rather than carnivorous. Before they tear another animal to pieces they will forage in the bush. Beetles, eggs, insects and a good deal of herbivore dung will be consumed.

The main goal remains protein rich meat. When the kill is done meat will be torn off and swallowed with hair and bone, and the contents of intestines and stomach slurped down. Afterwards the pack will find fresh water and mouthfuls of leafy grass will be taken from damp patches near the water.

There will be few grains in the cornucopia of morsels available to wild canines. Only a small part of any herbivore's stomach will be seeds. Mainly it will be leaves and grass stalks. The major item on the menu will be raw meat.

A big problem with canned products is that they are composed too largely of water and powdered grains. Usually wheat or maize meal is used and a few bits of soy or animal grade meat may be added. More expensive brands will contain more pure protein and will usually be preferred by fussy canines that don't have to find their own supplies or the money to buy them.

Scientifically formulated foods may aim to be complete nutritional packages containing all that an animal needs. Salt may be used to moderate intake so that an animal on this diet will not grow fat. However, the scenario is undeniably similar to a human person who may be faced with eating a ration of exactly the same diet every day. The regime does not leave much room for the canine emotions so often associated with food.

A switch to a grain free dietary regime is often recommended because the carbohydrates in maize and wheat meal can make an animal feel replete without supplying the proportion of protein that is needed. This can lead to obesity and the associated health problems. Vets may recommend a switch in diet as a pet gets older and needs more protein.

The cost of foods without meal will be higher because carbohydrate is much cheaper than protein. However, it is argued that less of the more expensive feed will be needed, so setting off quality against quantity. A good brand will include dietary supplements and vitamins to satisfy the need for diversity that is so abundant in the wild state.

Supplements can be varied and will no doubt depend, at least to some extent, on what is available. They may include things like canola or sunflower oil, potatoes, tomato extracts and rosemary. These things will go a long way to providing the sort of diversity that is available in a scavenger's natural diet.

Fish may be a better source of protein than chicken or beef in a grain free dog food. This is because it will have a lower fat content. For an elderly and slightly obese friend this could be the best option.

By: Zachery Stalley

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I'm a canine health practitioner who specializes in organic dog foods.