Grain-free dog foods have become very popular, often marketed as more natural or healthier. But are they actually better for your dog? The answer is more complicated than the packaging suggests, and there is an important health question that every owner considering grain-free food should know about.
What does “grain-free” mean?
Grain-free foods leave out grains such as wheat, corn, rice, barley and oats. They are not carbohydrate-free. Instead, they usually use ingredients like peas, lentils, chickpeas, potatoes or sweet potatoes as carbohydrate sources.
Do dogs need to avoid grains?
For most dogs, no. Dogs have evolved alongside people for thousands of years, and most digest cooked grains well. Grains can provide energy, fiber and nutrients.
Many people choose grain-free food because they believe their dog has a grain allergy. True food allergies in dogs are less common than many owners think, and when they do occur, they are most often triggered by proteins such as beef, chicken or dairy rather than grains. If you suspect a food allergy, the reliable approach is an elimination diet trial guided by your veterinarian.
The heart disease question
In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began investigating reports of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain diets. DCM is a disease of the heart muscle that causes the heart to enlarge and pump less effectively. It can lead to heart failure.
Many of the reported cases involved dogs eating grain-free diets or diets high in peas, lentils, other legumes or potatoes. Some of these dogs belonged to breeds not usually prone to DCM, and some improved after their diet was changed and they received treatment.
It is important to be clear about what is known: researchers have not established that grain-free diets cause DCM, and the exact cause of the possible link is still being studied. It may relate to the overall formulation of certain diets rather than to the absence of grain itself. Because of this uncertainty, many veterinary cardiologists and nutritionists have suggested caution with these diets unless there is a specific medical reason to use one.
Signs of heart problems to watch for
- Tiring easily during exercise
- Coughing
- Faster or harder breathing, especially at rest
- Fainting or collapse
- A swollen belly
If you notice any of these, see your vet promptly. If your dog eats a grain-free or legume-rich diet, tell your vet, who may recommend a heart screening.
When might grain-free make sense?
A small number of dogs may have a confirmed sensitivity to a specific grain, or have another medical reason for a particular diet. In those cases, your veterinarian can help choose a diet that meets your dog’s needs, sometimes a prescription or therapeutic food.
How to choose a food instead
- Look for a food labeled complete and balanced for your dog’s life stage.
- Choose a company that employs qualified nutrition experts and conducts quality control. Our guide on how to read a dog food label explains what to look for.
- Do not choose a food based on marketing terms such as “ancestral,” “natural” or “grain-free” alone.
- If you decide to change foods, switch gradually over about a week.
The bottom line
Grain-free is not automatically healthier, and for most dogs there is no need to avoid grains. Because questions remain about a possible link between some grain-free or legume-heavy diets and heart disease, talk to your veterinarian before choosing one.
This article is for general information only. Ask your veterinarian before making changes to your dog’s diet.