There have been some new dog feeding trends turning up over the last ten or so years. With obesity on the rise in both humans and dogs, it’s not a bad idea to evaluate our diets, but have we jumped without looking when it comes to the diets we want to feed our dogs?
Since I’ve begun making dog food, I have done my best to educated myself on dog food trends, as well as misconceptions about how to feed our beloved companions. The gamut of dog diets have flourished thanks to advertising and social media. Like any information, we need to be careful of the source.
One of the biggest trends in dog food is a grain-free diet. This trend started because the grey wolf is the common ancestor of dogs, and wolves are carnivores. Wolves work as a pack to hunt larger prey and so, their diet primarily consists of large hoofed mammals (deer, moose, wild boar). However, they will eat smaller animals (rabbits, rodents, birds, reptiles) to supplement their diet as well as some carbohydrates, like berries. The theory is that since dogs evolved from domesticated wolves, they should eat like wolves.
I myself had considered feeding my dogs a grain-free diet when one of my dogs became prone to ear infections and the other to itchy skin conditions. I had heard, in passing conversations, that the main culprits to dog health issues are allergies to corn, wheat and soy. So, I began looking for dog food without any of these ingredients to see if it would help, opting for products that used brown rice as its grain source instead of grain-free. Buddy’s chronic ear infections remained and Tipsy’s skin was still problematic. After having my vets conduct allergy testing on Tipsy—what I should have done to begin with—we discovered Tipsy did have food allergies: barley, brewer’s yeast, beef, and rice. I had upped her consumption to the very grain to which she had allergic reactions. This is when I made the realization that “you don’t know until you really know.”
So, I began my research to find the best diet for my dogs and to see if I should consider a grain-free diet. I have included references at the end of this article.
Here’s what I know:
The FDA is currently doing a study to answer whether grain-free diets are good for dogs. This research was sparked because of the rise in cases of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs fed a grain-free diet. “Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a type of canine heart disease that affects the heart muscle. The hearts of dogs with DCM have a decreased ability to pump blood, which often results in congestive heart failure” (Burke, American Kennel Club).
But it might not be the absence of grains that is causing the problem.
To begin with, we must understand that some breeds have a genetic predisposition to DMC, generally larger breads like Great Danes, as well as Boxers, Golden Retrievers, and Cocker Spaniels. It was when an unusually high number of dogs with DMC, not usually genetically predisposed to the condition, began to emerge that veterinarian cardiologist took notice. “There is suspicion that the disease is associated with eating boutique or grain-free diets, with some of the dogs improving when their diets are changed” (Freedman, Cummings Veterinarian Medical Center). But what also needed to be considered is the ingredients used to replace grains in grain-free dog food, such as lentils, legumes, and potatoes.
The FDA states it is investigating: “…reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)in dogs eating certain pet foods containing a high proportion of peas, lentils, other legume seeds (pulses), and/or potatoes in various forms (whole flour, protein, etc.) as main ingredients (listed within the first 10 ingredients, before vitamins and minerals)” (FDA Investigation into Potential Links between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy). So, it could be the substitutes of the “usual proteins” causing the problem and not the absence of grains.
More to the point, Veterinary cardiologist suspect the rise in DMC is linked to a taurine deficiency. “Taurine is an amino acid ... Dogs get a lot of it from their diet. Chicken and beef are high in taurine, while rabbit, lamb, legumes, pea-protein and other ingredients found in some grain-free foods have little or no taurine. If items that are naturally low in taurine are placed in food formulas, they need to be supplemented with taurine” (Furby, The Washington Post).
So, from this information, we still don’t know if grains are important for a dog’s diet or if dogs would be healthier and live longer without them. We do know, however, that many a dog has had a full healthy life with grains as a portion of the dog’s diet.
An article in Science magazine called “Diet Shaped Dog Domestication” explains consuming grains as part of dog evolution, and that there has been some interesting research looking at the difference between the individual letters of DNA (called bases) of wolves and domesticated dogs. Dogs evolved from wolves around 11,000 years ago. Humans began to farm 12,000 years ago. “Dogs and humans share similar evolution stories” (Pennisi, Diet Shaped Dog Domestication).
In an article called From Mighty Bear Dogs to Breathless Bulldogs: How Humans Manipulation Has Changed the Shape of Canines Forever, it states: “The relationship between humans and dogs was cemented around 8000 BC at the dawn of farming, when man realized the domestic dog’s love of starch… Gray Wolves don't absorb starch like domestic dogs, suggesting it was at this time domestic dogs split from Grey Wolves, however, it has also been argued that dogs had already been domesticated and simply adapted to the new human food sources” (ancientorigins.net).
Erik Axelsson, an evolutionary geneticist, from Uppsala University in Sweden, and his colleagues compared dog and wolf DNA to uncover which genes were important for domestication. The research points to diet being a large part of dog evolution. “They sequenced DNA from 12 wolves from around the world and from 60 dogs belonging to 14 breeds” (Pinnesi). The analysis found dogs had four to 30 copies of the gene for amylase, a protein that starts the breakdown of starch in the intestine. Wolves have only two copies, one on each chromosome. ”As a result, that gene was 28-fold more active in dogs” (Pennisi). According to Robert Wayne, an evolutionary biologist who studies dogs at the University of California, Los Angeles, “…dogs are different from wolves and don't need a wolflike diet… They have coevolved with humans and their diet” (Pennisi).
The American Kennel Club addresses one way that grains “got a bad rap” among dog owners: “The 2007 pet-food contamination tragedy in which wheat gluten imported from China had been contaminated with industrial chemicals used to falsely boost protein-level readings and caused kidney damage when ingested” (AKC, Can Dog’s Eat Wheat and Other Grains?). They also mention concern over food allergies in dogs. Some dogs are allergic to some grains—My dog, Tipsy, is allergic to rice and barely—however most dogs aren’t allergic to any grains. The American Kennel Club lists the top five food allergies found in dogs (in order): beef, dairy, wheat, chicken, egg (Can Dogs Eat Wheat and Other Grains?). Tipsy is also allergic to beef, number one dog “food allergen” on the list.
So, are grains necessary as part of a healthy diet for dogs?
In a study at the University of Maine, one no-grain aspect mentioned was kidney function. “A major concern is with the kidney, which can be affected by high protein with a low or a grain-free diet, which can cause azotemia or uremia in a dog… Both azotemia and uremia cause stress on the kidney due to an overload of protein or amino acids, an excessive nitrogen in the diet causing the kidneys to work harder to excrete all the urea in the system” (Souliere, A Study of the Nutritional Effect of Grains in the Diet of Dogs). The conclusion of the study states: “Feeding a dog a high protein diet that is high in fat causes long term effects, such as harm to the kidneys due to being overworked and not being able to flush out enough urea in the system. Grain is a necessary dietary ingredient for a dog, but in low amounts, and protein should be within the limits given by the National Research Council” (Souliere).
I think an article written by veterinarian nutritionists and sponsored by Tufts Cummings veterinarian School of Medicine sums this debate up nicely: “Some manufacturers of grain-free diets suggest that grains are used as “cheap fillers” in diets. However, grains contain protein and many important vitamins and minerals so, in fact, are used to provide nutritional value, not just “empty calories… Ironically, many manufacturers of grain-free diets substitute simple carbohydrate sources such as potatoes and tapioca for more nutrient-packed grains” (Freeman and Heinz, Gran Free Diets: An alternative option, but don’t dismiss the grains). This article went on to say that “grain-free diets tend to be higher in calories than diets that contain grains,” and that grains in a dog’s diet does not increase the risk of diabetes in dogs.
Though allergies to grains is unusual, it does happen sometimes, however, even if a dog has an allergy or sensitivity to one grain, the dog won’t be allergic to all of them, and very few dogs are allergic to oats.
If you want grains included in your dog’s diet, oats are a good one to try: oats haven’t been modified, oats are a good source of insoluble fiber, oats are naturally gluten free (should your dog have a gluten issue) and dogs like the taste of oats.
I make my dogs’ food. I use meat, vegetables, a vitamin supplement formulated just for dogs, and oatmeal as the grain. My dogs have been happy and healthy on this diet for almost two years now—I’m not saying that a grain free diet can’t be perfectly nutritious. I simply can’t be sure at this time; we need more research, but grain-free diets are higher in fat (and sometimes starch), and most veterinary nutritionists suggests grains as part of a balanced canine diet.
I don’t have time to give my dogs a full day of play every day. Hopefully, they’ll get or two and some ruff-housing or play every day, but they're getting older, so, I watch their calories. I want them to keep healthy gastrointestinal functioning, and to eat nutrient packed food—grains are working great for us. If you want to feed your dog a grain free diet, please consult with your vet on any supplements that might be needed.
References:
Burke, Anne. “What Dog Owners Need to Know About the FDA’s Grain-Free Diet Alert.” American Kennel Club. 7 March 2019. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-fdas-grain-free-diet-alert/. Web. 13 May 2019.
Coile, Caroline PhD. “Can Dogs Eat Wheat and Other Grains?” American Kennel Club.19 May 2016. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-wheat/. Web. 13 May 2019.
Cowie, Ashley. “From Mighty Bear Dogs to Breathless Bulldogs: How Humans Manipulation Has Changed the Shape of Canines Forever.” Ancient Origins: Reconstructing the Story of Humanities Past. 20 April 2017. https://www.ancient-origins.net/history/mighty-bear-dogs-breathless-bulldogs-how-human-manipulation-has-changed-shape-canines-021341. Web 1/8/2020.
Freeman, Lisa M. DVM, PhD, DACVN. “A Broken Heart: Risk of Heart Disease in Boutique or Grain Free Diets and Exotic Ingredients.” Cumming Veterinary Medical Center At Tufts University: Medford. 4 June 2018. http://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2018/06/a-broken-heart-risk-of-heart-disease-in-boutique-or-grain-free-diets-and-exotic-ingredients/. Web. 7 May 2019.
Freeman, Lisa M. DVM, PhD, Cailin R. Heinze, VMD, MS. “Grain-free diets: An alternative option, but don’t dismiss the grains.” Deciphering Fact from Fiction. Tuft Cummings: North Grafton, MA. 4, Dec 2012. https://vet.tufts.edu/wp-content/uploads/DecipheringFactFromFictionGrainFree.pdf. Web. 13 May 2019.
Furby, Kate. “Grain-free, exotic dog food linked to heart disease.” The Washington Post. 29 Aug 2018. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/animalia/wp/2018/08/29/grain-free-exotic-dog-food-linked-to-heart-disease/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.19c903440ece. Web. 13 May 2019.
Pennisi, Elizabeth. “Diet Shaped Dog Domestication.” Science. 23 Jan 2013. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2013/01/diet-shaped-dog-domestication. Web. 13 May 2019.
Souliere, Krystin, Martin Stokes Ph.D., Margaret Killinger, Ph.D., Clare Thomas-Pino, Bridie McGreavy, Ph.D., and Chris Mares. “A Study of the Nutritional Effects of grains in the Diet of a Dog.” The Honors College University of Maine: Orono. May, 2014. https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1181&context=honors. Web. 13 May 2019.
USA Food and Drug Administration. “FDA Investigation into Potential Link between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy.” FDA. 19 February 2019. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/news-events/fda-investigation-potential-link-between-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy. Web. 13 May 2019.
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