Discover the best grain-free dry food for dogs
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What is the best grain-free dry dog food in 2024?
Dogs need a diet that is adapted to their needs to avoid digestive problems and potential allergies. That's why it's important to pay attention to the composition of the dry dog food you give your pet. Grain-free dog food is becoming increasingly popular.
But what's special about grain-free dry dog food anyway? Is it really better for your dog's health? Which brand should you choose and how much grain-free dog food should you give your pet? These are just some of the questions you may have about this specific type of dog food.
Grain-free dog food is characterised by the absence of rice, wheat and corn in your dog's kibble. The nutritional content is guaranteed to be meat, fish and vegetables such as potatoes. This allows your dog's diet to be more similar to a more natural carnivore diet. Here is a selection of grain-free dog food to help you make the best choice for your animal.
Summary
- What does "grain-free dry dog food" really mean?
- What is the advantage of giving my dog grain-free dog food?
- What is the difference between natural and grain-free dry dog food?
- Are there many brands to choose from when buying grain-free dog food?
- Where to buy grain-free dog food?
- How much grain-free food should I give my dog?
What does "grain-free dry dog food" really mean?
Generally, dog food manufacturers include cereals like wheat, rice or corn in their formulas. This allows them to change the texture of the kibble by making it thicker, and to make it more filling while reducing production costs. Cereals are cheaper than other types of carbohydrates, such as potatoes.
However, their use in dog food has become the subject of increasing criticism. There are now grain-free dog foods, i.e. foods in which no cereal grains have been added. They contain no rice, corn or wheat. Grains are replaced with vegetables like potatoes and chickpeas. Meat or fish are also present in larger quantities.
What is the advantage of giving my dog grain-free dog food?
Dogs are natural carnivores. Their digestive system is therefore very good at assimilating meat and fish. However, it is not designed to deal with the gluten contained in cereals. Your dog's digestion time can increase from 5 to 14 hours because of the cereals in their dry food.
This may explain latent fatigue in the hours following the meal. Cereal-free dog food will prevent bloating and constipation in your dog. Especially since many dogs are allergic to cereals. By contrast, most grain-free dog food is hypoallergenic to avoid digestive problems.
Too many carbohydrates can also make your dog put on weight. Grain-free kibbles help maintain your dog’s ideal weight. You can even find grain-free kibble for sterilised dogs who are more likely to gain weight after the surgery.
What is the difference between natural and grain-free dry dog food?
Grain-free kibbles should not be confused with natural dog food. The term natural means that the kibbles are made using organically grown ingredients. This means that they comply with European regulations on the use of pesticides and GMOs, for example. However, organic kibbles can contain cereals. The difference with conventional dog food is that they contain organic cereals.
Grain-free dry dog food is not necessarily organic. The meat and vegetables used may come from conventional producers.
However, it is possible to find a natural grain-free dry dog food that combines the benefits of both types of food.
Are there many brands to choose from when buying grain-free dog food?
There is a wide selection of grain-free dog food and it is not always easy to choose. It can be tempting to go for cheap grain-free dry dog food to keep your budget in check.
But while there is not necessarily a specific brand to favour, we recommend that you use well-known brands, as they are often of better quality. The key is to make sure that the grain-free kibble you choose for your dog contains all the nutrition they need daily.
Where to buy grain-free dog food?
You can buy grain-free kibbles in pet shops or on the internet. Contrary to what you might think, many products are available on general e-commerce websites. This makes it easy to compare the composition and the price to choose those with the best value for money. There are also websites specialising in selling grain-free dog food. This makes it very easy to buy cereal-free dog food.
How much grain-free food should I give my dog?
The amount of dry food to give your dog a day depends on their age, weight, breed and appetite.
If you have a young dog, choose grain-free kibbles for junior dogs, which are specifically designed to promote growth.
In general, you can refer to the manufacturer's instructions on the pack. You can then adjust the amount of kibble according to your dog's reaction and their level of activity. Don't hesitate to ask your vet for advice.
