Grain on the Brain

In today’s culture, pets have become so much more to us than well… a pet.  With phrases like dog mom, fur baby, and even child being used to refer to dogs and cats, it has become extremely apparent that our pets are considered as much of a family member as our own brother or sister. This change of view is not only reflected in our attitude towards our furry friends, but also in how we take care of them. Today’s “pet-parents” are seeking out foods that are more reflective of their own dinner plates, seeking brands that claim “whole chicken breast first ingredient” or “certified organic” when shopping for pet foods. This trend has been labeled as “humanization,” and has been a driving force behind product development in the pet food industry over the last few years. So, when we see growing momentum behind trends such as gluten-free and low-carb diets in the human food systems, is it really a surprise that there has been an aversion to grain-based diets for our pets?

Before moving into the specifics behind the nutritional and health differences behind grain vs. grain-free diets, it is first important to clarify that just as in human nutrition, starch is not a source of weight gain. The only thing that can cause an animal, or human, to gain weight is an overconsumption of calories. So, if your animal is eating 500 more calories a day than they should be, they are going to gain weight. Whether those 500 calories are fat, carbohydrates, or protein, an increase in weight is going to occur. Calories in > calories burned = weight gain.

Now, let’s move in to the nutritional aspects of grains vs. grain-free diets, and some of the myths that accompany this trend.

#1) My dog/cat is a carnivore and eating grains is unnatural.

One of the most common ideas used to market grain-free foods is the notion that all of our dogs are descended from wolves. Wolves eat meat, so therefore, your dogs should be eating more meat, and less grains. While from an evolutionary standpoint, the base of this message is technically correct, from a nutrition standpoint, you are being led astray. When wolves hunt, the first area they go for is the soft underbelly of their prey. Why do they choose this area? It gives them direct access to the stomach and intestinal contents which will mostly be filled with, you guessed it, grains! These partially digested grains are full of beneficial nutrients for wolves. Additionally, multiple studies examining the digestibility of starch in both grain and grain-free diets have found digestibility levels greater than 93%, indicating the animal is perfectly capable of utilizing these ingredients in both types of diets. Furthermore, both dogs and cats have a metabolic need for glucose, which is readily available in starches.

#2) Grains are fillers and offer no nutritive value to my pet.

The next biggest myth surrounding grains is that they are “bad” for your pet. I use quotation marks around bad, because there is not a lot of explanation of the specifics behind that claim. First and foremost, there is no scientific basis of any disease in dogs or cats that is related to grains. Second, in addition to serving as a carbohydrate source, grains are a great source of amino acids, fatty acids, and fiber. Grains tend to be much higher in essential amino acids that your pet needs, like lysine and methionine, when compared to legumes or lentils that are commonly used in grain-free diets.

#3) My pet is allergic to grains.

While it is possible for your dog or cat to be allergic to grains, in reality, less than 2% of pets worldwide have a grain allergy. The more likely culprit? Your protein sources. The most common food allergens for dogs and cats are beef and dairy. The reason that grain-free diets tend to be so effective at controlling food allergens is that they often contain more novel protein sources, such as turkey or lamb, or even bison.

So, in summary, why are grain-free foods so popular? Marketing. The pet food industry, just like any other industry, capitalizes on popular trends and advertises in ways they know will draw consumers in. But when it really boils down to the science, there is nothing that makes grain-free food superior to grain-full diets. So take those claims with a grain of salt… or will it be grain-free?

Until next time!

Spencer

Sources:

Boya, U. O., M. J. Dotson and E. M. Hyatt. 2014. A comparison of dog food choice criteria across dog owner segments: an exploratory study. International J. of Consumer Studies. 74-82.

Laflamme, D., O. Izquierdo, L. Eirmann and S. Binder. 2014. Myths and misperceptions about ingredients used in commercial pet foods. Vet. Clin. Small Anim. 689-698.

Thompson, G. 2018. Is a grain-free diet food for dogs? Available from: http://www.toledoblade.com/dr-gary-thompson/2018/06/17/is-a-grain-free-diet-good-for-dogs.h

Yamka, R. 2017. Why grain-free pet food isn’t better and carbs are good Available from: https://www.petfoodindustry.com/blogs/10-debunking-pet-food-myths-and-misconceptions/post/6602-why-grain-free-pet-food-isnt-better-and-carbs-are-good