Kingdom of Pets

Posted by Glenn
May 5, 2011

Hi,
Searching the net I read that some people believe that grains (such as; oats, corn, wheat etc) are not good for puppies and dogs. In the book 'Meals for your dog, 175 gourmet receipes' that comes with the Kingodom of Pets 'package' I see that grains are included in some of the receipes. Would you mind justifying/explaining why you believe that grains are ok for dogs to eat?
Thanks

Posted by KOPCaroline
May 9, 2011

Hey Glenn,

Its my personal opinion that grains are good for dogs! My own dog is on a biscuit diet made of beef, veggies, and grains.

Grains help with digestibility of foods, and are easy on the stomach so dogs on them absorb nutrients and pass the food through their digestive tract easier.

Dogs are not, contrary to many peoples beliefs, obligate carnivores. They are actually omnivorous, meaning they eat meat and vegetable matter. In "the wild", dogs' ancestors and relatives commonly eat all sorts of things, including veggies and grain products. Many vets will recommend an increase in grains after surgery to help ease digestion and put less stress on the dogs potentially compromised immune function. They can also help with coat condition and health, making the hair shinier and softer

Overall, I'd say grains can only help a dogs digestive function. You might see grain content in a dogs poo (especially corn), but thats natural/normal, and would happen with any animal really. Just my opinion, I'm sure others have their own input

Posted by Glenn
May 9, 2011

Hi Caroline,

That puts my mind at ease and sounds logical. I have been feeding our puppy some grains and have not noticed any visible concerns at this stage.

Thanks

Posted by kjd
Jun 25, 2011

Hi Glenn,

I'm one of those people who is against giving grains. Sunna has been on Orijen 6 Fish since I got her. OTOH, she also gets treats and, I can assure you, there is grain in those treats! Veggies, she definitely gets as I am a poor eater. What I don't eat she gets to finish. Is she healthier than my dogs that had more grain in their diets? I cannot tell.

In the past, when my dogs have been sick, my vet has recommended chicken broth and rice. I would not hesitate to give the same diet today if so recommended. For humans, food has become a "religious" issue and it is no wonder that it is being extended to their animals.

I'm also a believer in a varied diet. What I have noticed is my dogs can change foods suddenly, without digestive upsets. I credit this to a varied diet. [I was on the original Atkin's diet, where you ate only limited foods for a long time. When I first added other foods, my digestion was upset! I figure the same thing works for animals. And, after all, on the street these dogs would be eating garbage and road kill!]

My recommendation would be to feed a good quality food with as few chemical additives as possible (the websites that pushed grain-free should also tell you of the additives to watch out for, and here I don't think it is "religion" but fact). Watch Aslan's weight -- that is probably the most important thing you can do; don't let him become pet-pudgy. Don't worry too much about the type of food unless Aslan has a problem. Enjoy him.

kjd

Posted by StevieM
Jun 26, 2011

I really prefer to feed grain free to my dogs. over the years I've fed many many kinds and qualities of kibble, and a raw food diet. I do love the raw food option, but that's a very controversial subject...

Right now, because of limited space where I live, the kibble is the better option. I have 4 dogs, and they have all thrived on the grain-free foods. Poops are smaller and less stinky. When they were on food with grain (esp corn) they were more prone to diarrhea. They were also always hungry. Now I feed Taste of the Wild and they are not always begging for food. It's the cheapest of the grain-free foods I've found too.

Stevie

Posted by LuvmyPitbull
Jul 7, 2011

Grain-free for my dogs!!
But my reasons are more due to allergies than anything else. My pitbull is allergic to grains/chicken/beef...basically she's allergic to cheap food! I cannot feed her Kibbles N bits or Puppy chow due to all the fillers and grains. I have learned that even though the bag says beef is the protein by the time the manufacture finishes adding fillers, grains and cooking down the product all the true protiens are gone. I feed my baby Blue Buffalo Grain Free and she has greatly improved since the food chg.

A good place to look is the Blue Buffalo website. It will do a food comparison for almost every brand of dog food and the info is unbiased...you can find all the same info on each individual brand's website & food bags. I'm not promoting Blue Buffalo, I'm only sharing the info I have learned and the food I chose. Hope the info is helpful!

Posted by chris-stein
Jul 18, 2013

I prefer grain free. It is the best way to go.

Hi, I know a lot of people base their dog food on what they can afford and I do not know what price range you can afford. We have an American Bulldog 16 weeks old now and she is on Nutri Seafood Select which is good for puppies as well as adults. Is it expensive? Well it is more money than the commercial dog foods you can buy in the grocery stores and most pet stores. But it is terrific!!! You definitely want an all Natural Pet food with no grains, corn, preservatives, additives etc. It is worth the extra money. I have done so much research and one of the main things that will guarantee a LONG and healthy life. I know I want my dog to live as long as possible and healthy. All three of my dogs are on this dog food various ages. It was recommended by our Breeder. There are many other all Natural, Grain Free, Corn free etc. dog foods our there and that is definitely the way to go if you can afford it. Hope this helps.

Posted by Preethi KOP
Jul 21, 2013

Hi again Chris,

Thanks for your input! Yes, when it comes to diets there are so many options out there and many more opinions. It eventually comes down to the individual dog. The way their digestive system functions can vary greatly and so can their 'tolerances'. Food related allergies are on the rise and diets are constantly being modified to get the best out of it. Believe it or not, the latest 'hypoallergenic' diet is made out of chicken feathers and it seems to be doing the trick! The main thing to look out for when choosing a diet is if it meets the AAFCO requirements (Association of American Feed Control Officials). It should be stated on the packaging. Please note the if it states that it is 'formulated to meet AAFCO requirements', there have not been any food trials conducted on it.

It is great to have interactive discussions like this one! Do keep them coming. We are all here to learn!

Regards,
Preethi

what about grains (oats, wheat, corn) etc? in diet