EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GLUTEN-FREE DOG FOOD

A growing number of people, as you no doubt are aware, are choosing to follow gluten-free diets. Products such as gluten-free bread, spaghetti, pudding, and more are slowly but surely making their way into supermarket shelves and, who knows, maybe even into your own shopping basket.

But should we be giving our dogs the same kind of food? Should we really be avoiding gluten, and would a gluten-free diet be good for your dog? Read on to find out everything you need to know about providing a gluten-free diet for Fido.

WHAT IS GLUTEN?

Grain-free, cereal-free, and without gluten… It can be confusing to sort through all the marketing jargon on dog food bags to figure out which one is actually good for your pet. Because of their frequent interchangeability, we must define all the other concepts before we can define gluten.

Gluten is the sticky protein present in wheat, rye, and barley. Human food intolerances are most often associated with wheat.
Cereals, a type of grass grown for its edible grains, are a staple food around the world.
Cereal grains are plants that produce little, dry seeds known as grains. There are countless varieties of grain, including oats, rice, corn, barley, and countless others.
So, keep in mind that grain-free almost always indicates that the product is also gluten-free, but the reverse is not always true. The gluten-containing protein known as “gliadin” is only present in certain grains, so your dog’s food might still contain brown rice and still be considered gluten-free even though it wouldn’t be considered grain-free.

DO DOGS NEED CARBOHYDRATES?

It’s understandable that many people who care about their pets are perplexed, confused, and overwhelmed by the seemingly endless amount of information available on the topic of what constitutes the best diet for their furry family member, given the wide discrepancies in that information from source to source.

Many people believe that grain-free is always preferable and that canines should consume very few carbohydrates. Dogs are omnivores, not carnivores, and therefore do well on a diet that includes meat, vegetables, fruit, and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are a vital part of a healthy diet because they fuel the body and offer bulk for regular bowel movements. A dog’s poop is an excellent indicator of its overall health.

Therefore, carbohydrates are an excellent addition to our dogs’ balanced diets. However, like with anything else, there are high-quality carbohydrates and low-quality carbohydrates.

Do dogs have the capability to digest carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates: can dogs have them?
Gluten, which acts like a glue, gives human forms of carbohydrate like bread, cake, and pasta its characteristic chewy, occasionally fluffy, texture. Gluten in certain carbohydrates aids the kibble biscuit in maintaining its form in dog food. These carbohydrates may not contribute much nutritionally but serve mostly as a binder. Consequently, you should be wary of giving your dog the wrong kinds of carbohydrates.

Brown rice, sweet potatoes, oats, and legumes are all great sources of complex carbohydrates that are beneficial for canines. These complex carbs are crucial, and they provide a number of advantages.

Their nutritional value is high.
You can make your dog happy and full by feeding him a good meal.
Promote regular bowel motions and digestion Stabilize energy levels so you don’t experience sugar highs and lows
If you want your dog to be happy, healthy, and content every time they eat dinner, then you should opt for a dog food that contains high-quality complex carbs.

IS GLUTEN BAD FOR DOGS?

Coeliac disease is a disease that can affect humans; it causes a significant, unfavourable reaction to gluten when the affected individual eats it. Despite only affecting about 1% of the population, the condition requires considerable attention, and thankfully gluten-free food alternatives are constantly expanding.

Dog treats without gluten

dog treats that don’t include gluten
Dogs don’t have a problem with celiac disease like people do. It appears that dogs have no problems whatsoever when it comes to tolerating gluten. However, some dogs—albeit an extremely small percentage—may have sensitivity to gluten and wheat, so it’s vital to monitor your dog closely for any intolerance symptoms following meals.

It’s imperative that Irish Setter owners exercise extreme caution with gluten. Gluten-sensitive enteropathy is an inherited condition comparable to celiac disease, and they are the only breed known to be affected in the United Kingdom. Nonetheless, even this is uncommon in the species.

That being said, certain dogs may have sensitivities to gluten and wheat even though these foods are not harmful in general. In order to catch any potential issues early on, it is crucial to know exactly what goes into your dog’s diet.

If your dog has a gluten allergy, what should you look out for?

The symptoms of a dog with a gluten sensitivity are varied and may include:

Diarrhoea
Reduced weight
Dismal state of the coat
Itching
Regurgitation following consumption of food
Although, these issues could be indicative of a food allergy in general, not just to gluten. Therefore, it is recommended that you consult with your veterinarian about an elimination diet in order to identify the precise cause of the problem and then to implement a change in diet that is optimal for the animal’s allergies.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF GLUTEN-FREE DOG FOOD, AND WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE IT?

Consequently, while the majority of dogs can tolerate gluten just well, you may still want to consider switching to a gluten-free dog food for your furry friend’s digestive health. Wheat, which contains gluten, is one grain that isn’t great for your dog’s digestive health.

As a result, you may want to select a dog food that does not include gluten-containing grains like wheat and instead includes a higher-quality grain like brown rice, which does not contain gluten.

IN SEARCH OF GRAIN-FREE CANINE NUTRITION?

We know that dogs thrive when they have a healthy dose of complex carbohydrates, which is why we include just the right quantity in our Pure recipes. All of our recipes are naturally gluten-free, and as we learn more about your dog, we can whip up a variety of individualised dishes, including those with or without the grain brown rice, to fit his or her specific dietary needs.

Please recommend a high-quality gluten-free dog food.

Where can I find the highest-quality gluten-free dog food?
Brown rice is gluten-free and a whole grain that is easy on your dog’s stomach while still providing them with many benefits they need to live a long and healthy life.

But since some dogs are extremely allergic to any kind of grain, including those that don’t include gluten, we modify all of our recipes accordingly. Tell us about your dog’s breed, age, weight, ailments, and food allergies (such as brown rice) before placing an order, and we’ll create a custom, grain-free and gluten-free menu just for them.

However, it will still contain beneficial complex carbohydrates and natural nutrients like fruit and vegetables, so don’t worry. In order to ensure the health and happiness of your dog, it is crucial to give them with a diet of high-quality food that is tailored to their specific requirements and has a variety of nutritious ingredients.

RECAP

In the grand scheme of things, dog owners should not worry about the presence of gluten or wheat in their pet food; however, it is still prudent to be well-informed about the ingredients. High-quality, nutritious carbohydrate sources are a terrific complement to your dog’s supper because they promote good digestion and provide a steady supply of energy.

Dogs can develop intolerances to gluten and wheat, therefore it’s important to feed them a special diet. So, you can make sure your dog gets the delightful, nutritious meals it deserves even if some elements are giving them stomachaches by eliminating those ingredients.