Is Grain Free the Way to Be?

Is Grain Free the Way to Be?

By Jim Young - Manager, Bellalago Veterinary Hospital

The FDA has recently released a warning about grain-free dog foods.  News articles and memes about their report has circulated on Facebook and social media and has become a concern to many pet owners.  In response to the news, the FDA report, and frequent questions, we want to make sure people understand what’s actually going on.

Grain-free diets have been (and continue to be) a fad in humans.  While there are certainly many humans which require a grain-free diet, not everyone who is enjoying such a diet needs to be on one.  This is certainly true of dogs as well.  Thanks to misleading marketing and the dietary fad in humans, grain free foods have become popular.  There are dogs who are allergic to grains (about 1% of all pets with allergies are allergic to grain making it VERY uncommon!).  Dogs with grain allergies should certainly be on a grain free diet as the reaction to the grain can be serious.  We understand that many of these fad diets come and go and, perhaps, it is time for grain free diets (when grain isn't a legitimate allergy) to go too. 

Dr. Young gets frustrated at just about every marketing campaign (all meat, raw, grain free, "meat as first ingredient," dogs are fancy wolves, etc.) that some of the strong-marketing, research-light companies do.  Many of these marketing campaigns are based on common generalizations or misconceptions about our pets.  They sprinkle in just enough scientific-sounding language to make the viewer think there is a scientific, research-based rational behind the marketed diet.  Unfortunately, most of these marketing campaigns are more interested in selling a diet than they are providing wellness to your pet. 

We strongly advocate a diet that is scientifically balanced and safe.  There are many diets out there.  Some are expensive and not worth it.  Some are cheap and healthy.  It all depends on what the pet needs.  Our selection of Hill's brand food was picked as they spend a sizable chunk of their budget in developing new and better diets for pets.  Hill's has remained a leader in innovation and safety.  Additionally, Purina and other companies have created new diets balanced to treat specific disorders that we rely on.  We do not recommend everything from any company (For instance, Purina Dog Chow remains largely the same recipe from its introduction in the 70's, and we encourage clients to look at other options.), but we do carefully select the ones we do recommend.  Since our pets tend to eat mostly the same diet day in and day out for most of their lives, we believe that a healthy, balanced diet is important.  If the diet is unhealthy, because they eat little else, the pet tends to become unhealthy and their life may be cut short.  If the diet is healthy, then the pet tends to enjoy a healthier, longer life overall.  What diet a pet is on should be carefully considered and done so in careful collaboration with the pet's veterinarian. 

As for this report, we'll continue to keep our eye on what is happening.  The relationship between the grain-free diet and the heart issues is still unknown and further studies are needed.  Furthermore, the FDA report notes that there is also a correlation between the heart issues, grain-free diet, and breed.  This means that a genetic factor could also be present further complicating the matter.  Simply put: this report reinforces Dr. Young's belief that pets who do not need to be on grain-free diets shouldn't be, while those who are allergic to grains should be. 

If you have questions or wish to have the team perform a diet analysis, please give us a call.  We’d be happy to make sure that your pet’s diet leaves them feeling happy and healthy!

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