What are “grain-free” diets and are they better than pet foods with grains?
A grain-free diet is simply one that does not contain any cereal grains (either whole or refined grains). Refined grains (e.g. white rice) should be avoided in pet food. These grains are over-processed and have lost most of their nutritional value. These same grains often lead to blood sugar spikes and hormonal signals that have long-term detrimental effects on metabolism. Many feel the use of excess amounts of refined grains have contributed to the pet obesity epidemic in the United States. Pets may also have food allergies to cheaper grains used commonly, such as wheat and corn, and these grain sources are best avoided. Gluten sensitivity or intolerance (also called celiac disease) is exceedingly rare in dogs and cats, so gluten-free diets are rarely necessary in pets. However, most pets do not require a completely “grain-free” diet. Grains should not be the primary ingredient, but the inclusion of alternative whole grains (like oats and barley) provide a nutritionally rich source of
