Grain-Free Diets: What Pet Owners Need to Know
Grain-free diets are quite popular these days and for good reasons. Some pet owners believe such food is good for their animal’s grain intolerances. Unfortunately, grain-free foods can pose serious health problems. As the name suggests, grain-free diets lack one of the most essential nutrient sources: grains.
Grains contain dietary fiber, carbohydrates, and vitamins to boost your pet buddy’s metabolism, digestive health, and immune system. Such grains include oats, corn, wheat, sorghum, rye, and barley. Learn how a grain-free diet harms your animal’s cardiovascular health.
The Rise of Grain-Free Diets
Pet owners have long been urged to adjust their animal’s diet to the original nutritional needs. This notion gave rise to grain-free diets based on the assumption that grains are unnecessary and potentially harmful. Some people have argued that cat and dog diets should align with the natural carnivorous preferences of our furry companions.
But although dogs descended from wolves, domestication and years of eating human food allow modern-day dogs to digest grains. Moreover, pet food grains undergo processing to make them fit for animal consumption
Additionally, dogs are often mistaken for carnivores although they’re part of the taxonomic group Carnivora. Animals in the Carnivora order may possess sharp teeth to tear meat, but most of them have evolved into omnivores, for example, raccoons, skunks, and bears. On the other hand, cats fall under obligate carnivores. This means that although animal products are their main protein source, their systems can digest and absorb plant-based nutrients.
Some people also claim that grains cause allergies.
But according to a past interview with vet nutritionists, grains like soy and wheat rarely lead to food allergies. Dairy and beef top the list of the most common food allergens. And even then, only 10% of pet allergies are food-related – most animals react to pollen, dander, fleas, and other allergens around them.
The Problem With Grain-Free Diets
Most pet owners don't know there’s a connection between grain-free diets and canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a condition that expands the heart muscles to weaken the heart chambers, causing poor blood circulation and, ultimately, heart failure.
While DCM has historically been associated with genetic factors, an alarming increase in cases has been observed in dogs and cats with no genetic predisposition but a history of consuming grain-free diets.
Here are some of the signs of canine dilated cardiomyopathy in pets:
Coughing
Labored breathing
Fatigue
Weight loss
Collapsing episodes
Anorexia
Abdominal distension or swelling
Understanding the Link
Researchers have discovered a surprising fact: the cause of heart complications might be within the making of grain-free diets. Manufacturers frequently utilize alternative ingredients such as peas, lentils, chickpeas, and potatoes to fulfill the grain content. These ingredients might appear harmless, but they contain lesser amounts of taurine, an especially important amino acid for heart health.
Taurine deficiency has long been recognized as a cause of heart disease in cats. However, recent studies have revealed that grain-free diets in canines could also cause taurine deficiency, resulting in DCM. The absence of grains hinders taurine bioavailability and absorption, exposing your pet to this devastating condition.
Navigating the Nutritional Maze
To veterinarians and pet nutrition experts, the detrimental effects of grain-free diets on pets' hearts have created a wave of concern. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also initiated investigations into the link between grain-free diets and DCM.
Choosing the right diet for your dogs can be difficult. With so many choices available, your vet can take you through the sea of pet food options and recommend high-quality diets for your pet buddy’s specific needs.
Understanding the Importance of Grains
Grains are an essential part of a balanced diet, and can offer the following benefits:
Nutritional Balance: Grains complete your pet’s diet by offering essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals like magnesium, selenium, and iron.
Energy: Grains contain carbohydrates to support vital organs and fuel bodily functions such as respiration, circulation, digestion, and cell production and repair. Your pet also needs energy to move around and play.
Fiber: Grains provide the necessary dietary fiber to prevent constipation and aid regular bowel movement
Weight Management: Whole grains are more filling than highly processed ingredients, keeping your pet buddy full. This prevents overeating for better weight management. But regardless of the diet, you still have to regulate your pet’s portions. As such, check the food packaging for the calorie content and feeding guidelines.
Your priority as a pet owner is to protect your animal’s heart by providing a well-rounded diet. This goes hand in hand with regular veterinary visits for expert nutrition guidance.
Contact us to make an appointment today!
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