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There are many different varieties of grain free dog food products, available at pet food stores, and online. Many people have begun feeding their dogs these products instead of the food they were using before. If your dog has any digestive problems or allergies, you may want to switch foods to a formula that is free of grains. Dogs who are older or overweight may also do better on one of these formulas. Dogs are carnivores. They do not have the enzymes to digest grains as humans, cattle and other omnivorous animals have. When they eat food containing high percentages of rice, millet, corn, wheat or rye, their intestines become inflamed, and their bodies produce an allergic reaction. When they have been on a high-grain diet for a while, their bodies don't produce enough enzymes to handle proteins efficiently as well, so feeding meat scraps will cause even more bad reactions. Dogs were traditionally fed from the table of their human companions. They ate table scraps, leftovers and whatever else the family was eating. About sixty years ago, kibble, a dry processed food made of pellets, was designed to be a convenient, mess free alternative. Grains, being readily available and inexpensive, became the dominant ingredient in these products. The higher the percentage of grains in the kibble, the more profit these companies derive from it. The protein content in many of these foods is quite low, sometimes less than twenty percent. Some dogs may seem to have no problems with it, but their health ultimately suffers because of this departure from their dietary needs. There are a number of allergic reactions to grain dominated foods. The most obvious are diarrhea, gas and loose stools. Skin irritations are another. Many people think their dog has fleas, but chances are this is not the case. A skin-related allergic reaction can make your dog miserable. If your dog is biting at his toes and feet, or around his anus, it is probably a food allergy. A kibble free of grains will usually have potatoes and sweet potatoes in the ingredients. Spinach, peas, pumpkin, squash, turnip greens, and carrots are popular vegetables found in these foods. Apples, pears, blackberries, and blueberries are also popular additions. The percentage of protein is increased as well. Grain-free kibble producers offer a variety of protein sources. Red meat sources include beef, lamb, venison, and bison. Poultry sources are chicken and turkey. Fish formulas contain trout, salmon, herring, whitefish, and pike. There are mixtures and also single source formulas. Changing the dog's diet should be done gradually. Slowly add the new product to his old food over a few days. This will allow his system to adapt to the digestive demands of the new diet. An abrupt changeover can be very hard on a dog's digestive system. Once your dog is fully on the new product, his condition should begin to improve. If there are still some problems with a red meat mix, then try the fish or poultry. When your pet's system stabilizes, you should consider adding fresh, raw meats into his diet. The closer you can get his diet to that of a predator, the healthier he will be.
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