Is Grain-Free Dog Food Better for Dogs?

Over the past two decades, grain-free dog food has become increasingly popular, with lots of people being drawn to this option because they think it might have health benefits. But is it actually better, or should you include grains in your pup’s diet? This myth-busting guide aims to help you make an informed decision, backed by expert nutritionist advice.

Key takeaways

• Grain-free food and food that uses grains can both be healthy options – it depends on your dog. 
• Some dogs have a wheat allergy, or are sensitive to all grains, meaning they might need a diet that avoids these ingredients. 
• Most dogs thrive on food that includes grains – they’re packed with nutrients, fibre and energy. 
• While wolves are carnivores who need meat, dogs have evolved to be able to digest grains and other forms of starch. 
• Some scientists believe grain free diets may have certain risks for dogs, especially if the ingredients are not nutritionally balanced, leading to deficiencies in important micronutrients.

Table of contents

What does grain-free dog food mean?
Why do some owners choose grain-free diets?
Are grain-free diets better for dogs?
Potential health risks linked to grain-free dog food
When grain free may be helpful
Grain vs grain free: which should you choose?
Common myths about grain-free dog food
Nutritionist-backed takeaways

What does grain-free dog food mean?

Grains are edible plant seeds like oats, barley, maize, rice and wheat, so grain-free dog food doesn’t include any of these ingredients. This type of dog food was initially developed for dogs who are sensitive to grains, but over the years it’s found wider popularity. 

Grain-free dog food isn’t the same thing as carbohydrate-free food, as these recipes can use ingredients like potato and legumes instead of grains. At Tails.com, our grain-free kibble blends use nourishing sweet potato, potato and beet pulp.

Why do some owners choose grain-free diets?

There are a couple of different reasons why people might choose to feed their dogs this diet.

Suspected allergies or sensitivities

Some people give their dogs a grain-free diet because their dog is allergic to wheat or other grains, or because they think their dog might be. Symptoms like itchy skin, ear infections or digestive issues can indicate your dog has an allergy or food intolerance. However, symptoms like skin problems are more commonly caused by environmental allergies or flea bite allergies, so make sure you get a diagnosis from your vet before thinking it’s food related. 

While some dogs are sensitive or allergic to grains, there are other allergies that are more common. For instance, dogs are more likely to be allergic to certain proteins, like beef, than they are to grains. [1] For dogs with extra sensitive stomachs, our hypoallergenic dog food avoids the ingredients dogs are most likely to be allergic to: beef, dairy and wheat.

Perception of being ‘healthier’ or ‘more natural’

On the other hand, some people go for grain-free dog food because they believe it is healthier or more natural for dogs to avoid this type of ingredient. While dogs’ wild wolf ancestors are carnivores, dogs are omnivores, which means they’ve adapted to be able to digest starches like grains and cereals. In fact, they can get lots of important nutrients and fibre from these ingredients. 

Sometimes grain-free diets are advertised as a more premium option, but you don’t have to avoid grains to give your dog a top quality diet that’s full of nutrition. It all depends on your dog’s specific needs and preferences.

Are grain-free diets better for dogs?

Grain-free or gluten-free food might be better in some cases, such as if your dog is allergic to wheat or other grains, but it’s not automatically better in every case. 
All in all, a balanced diet is what’s healthiest for your dog – with or without grains. The most important thing is that their diet is what’s called ‘nutritionally complete’. [2] This means that it contains all the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients they need to be healthy, in the right balance for their age, size and activity level. It’s totally possible for your dog to enjoy a healthy, balanced diet whether they eat grains or not.

Potential health risks linked to grain-free dog food

While grain-free food can be a perfectly healthy option, there are some risks associated with this type of food, especially when it contains specific ingredients.

FDA investigation into DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy)

In 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration began investigating grain-free diets. They looked into whether certain grain-free foods, especially those which had legumes or potatoes as key ingredients, might have any connection to a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). [3] These reported cases weren’t in the UK, and the UK and the US have different legislation and quality standards for pet food. However, there have been more papers published since then which suggest there may be a link between a grain-free diet and heart conditions, although none were published in the UK investigating food made here. 

This ongoing research is something to be aware of, although no link has been officially confirmed yet. On this basis, some nutritionists and vets advise that dog breeds who are prone to heart conditions shouldn’t eat a grain-free diet. If your dog belongs to one of these breeds, you can speak to your vet to get personalised recommendations on how to protect their heart health.

Nutritional imbalance risks

When choosing the best diet for your dog, it’s always important to make sure it’s formulated properly. Some studies have looked into whether legume-based, grain-free diets might be more likely to cause dogs to be deficient in taurine, an important amino acid. [4] 

So swapping grains for other ingredients might change the breakdown of nutrients your dog gets, unless you go for a commercially made grain-free diet that’s designed to be nutritionally balanced. At Tails.com, all our kibble blends are perfectly balanced for every individual dog and their specific needs.

When grain free may be helpful

Grain-free diets can be great for some dogs, especially those who have a grain allergy or intolerance. 

You might be recommended grain-free or hypoallergenic food for your dog as part of an ‘exclusion diet’ under vet supervision. This is when you’re trying to find out which ingredients your dog is sensitive or allergic to – feeding your dog a very limited diet for a few weeks, gradually introducing new foods one at a time. [5] If your dog is on an exclusion diet, remember to check the ingredients in their treats, too, otherwise you won’t truly know which ingredients are affecting your pup.

If you’re considering switching to a grain-free diet, speak to your vet first to find out if it would be a good option for your dog. You can also always speak to the friendly nutrition team at Tails.com.

Grain vs grain free: which should you choose?

So which should you choose, dog food with or without grains?

Benefits of grain-inclusive diets

For most dogs, grains are a brilliant source of lots of important nutrients – especially wholegrains like brown rice and oats, which we use often in our kibble blends. Grains are a good source of vitamins and minerals, with many grains being high in B vitamins, which support energy levels, metabolism and the immune system. They’re also rich in fibre, which aids digestion and helps your dog feel full and satisfied. Lastly, certain types of wholegrains like oats and barley are great sources of slow release energy, so your dog won’t get an energy crash after dinner time. 

As well as the health benefits for many dogs, grains are highly digestible. These ingredients are gentle on the stomach, and are easy to break down so dogs can absorb the nutrients they need.

Factors to consider

If you’re wondering if you should give your dog grains or not, there are a few things to think about. Your dog’s health is the top priority! What does your vet say about your dog’s diet, and have they recommended any changes, such as avoiding grains? An ideal diet for your dog will be based on a number of factors such as how old they are, how active they are, and their size, as well as whether they have any food intolerances or allergies. 

You should make sure that your dog’s diet is complete and balanced, whether or not it includes grain ingredients. Vets and nutritionists work together to select the ingredients we use at Tails.com, in both our wet food and our tailored kibble, to make sure that all our food is balanced.

Common myths about grain-free dog food

There are a lot of myths floating around when it comes to grain free food for dogs. Let’s debunk a few of them here:

Myth	Reality
“Allergies are usually caused by grains”	Dogs can be allergic to other ingredients, not just grains, and in fact they are more likely to be allergic to proteins.
“Grain free means healthier”	Grain free is not always healthier. Grains are suitable for most dogs, and have lots of health benefits like healthy fibre and slow release energy. They contain a lot of vitamins and minerals too!
“Wolves don’t eat grains, so dogs shouldn’t”	Dogs have several genetic adaptations that allow them to digest starches and absorb the nutrients in grains. One of these differences is that dogs have more copies of genes that allow them to digest starch than wolves do. [6]

Nutritionist-backed takeaways

Grain free food is not necessarily better or worse than a diet including grain ingredients – it all depends on your dog. Grains are a great ingredient for most dogs’ diets, but if your dog has an intolerance or allergy, there are delicious, healthy alternatives available. However, if you’re looking to switch to a grain-free diet, you should do this under the supervision of a vet or nutritionist, to make sure that your dog’s diet provides them with everything they need. 

Work together with your vet to find the right diet for your dog – you can also email hello@tails.com to get in touch with our nutrition team for expert advice. The most important thing is that your dog’s diet is nutritionally complete and balanced. At Tails.com, we’re proud that our food is perfectly balanced for every dog, as we tailor all meal plans and kibble blends especially for their specific needs.

FAQS

Is grain-free dog food healthier?

Grain-free dog food is not necessarily healthier for dogs – dogs who have a rare allergy to grains or who are allergic to wheat can benefit from this diet, but on the whole, grains are good for dogs. 

Is grain-free dog food linked to heart disease?

Research is ongoing to determine whether certain grain-free foods might increase the chance of dogs developing a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy. Currently, there is not enough data to say whether it’s the case, but some nutritionists and vets advise that dogs who might be prone to heart conditions shouldn’t eat this diet. 

Do dogs need grains in their diet?

Dogs don’t necessarily need grains, but they are a very healthy ingredient, jam-packed with nutrients, fibre and slow release energy. They can be a great addition to most dogs’ diets. 

Can dogs be allergic to grains?

Yes, dogs can be allergic to grains, although this is not as common as some other allergies. However, wheat specifically is one of the three most common ingredients that dogs can be allergic to, along with beef and dairy. 

Should puppies eat grain-free food?

Puppies usually haven’t developed allergies yet, meaning that they won’t need a grain-free diet to prevent allergic reactions. Grains are easy to digest for puppies and have lots of nutrients that will help them as they grow. However, they can definitely eat grain-free food, too, as long as it’s nutritionally balanced with everything that growing puppies need.

Sources

[1] ‘Food allergies in dogs’, The Kennel Club 
[2] ‘Your dog’s diet’, PDSA
[3] ‘Canine DCM and pet food’, UK Pet Food, 2021
[4] ‘The association between pulse ingredients and canine dilated cardiomyopathy: addressing the knowledge gaps before establishing causation’, Journal of Animal Science, 2019
[5] ‘How to conduct a food trial’, PDSA 
[6] ‘Diet shaped dog domestication’, Science, 23 January 2013