Ask Dr. Anna: popular trend of grain-free diets for pets

This week I will continue my mini-series on pet foods by discussing the popular trend of grain-free diets.  Dogs and cats are both classified as carnivores.  However, dogs are considered omnivores and cats are considered obligate carnivores.  Which means that they both have the ability to digest, utilize and benefit from eating carbohydrates.

Anna Coffin is the Veterinarian at Guthrie Pet Hospital and can be contacted at (405) 282-8796.

Most diets containing grain are comparable in nutrition to diets that are grain free.  Manufactures try to sell these diets based of the myth that grains are cheap fillers for the diet.  When, in fact, grains contain more protein, vitamins and minerals with more nutritional value than other carbohydrate sources.  Grain free diets usually use potatoes or tapioca as the carbohydrate source.  These products contain more simple sugars and less protein.

Food allergies are more common now and I believe many people are switching to grain free diets to try and treat or prevent a food allergy.  Animals with food allergies are more commonly allergic to animal protein than carbohydrate proteins.  The most common food allergies in dogs are beef, dairy, wheat, chicken and eggs.  The most common food allergies in cats is beef, dairy and fish.

Lastly, diets containing grains do not lead to obesity.  Over eating and lack of exercise is the main reason for obesity in pets, just as it is in humans.  In fact, grain free diets tend to be higher in calories than diets that contain grains.  Also, diets that contain more meat and less carbohydrates are usually much higher in fat.  Many of the highest calorie diets currently on the market are grain free diets.

Please e-mail me with your questions at [email protected] and put “Ask Dr. Anna” in the subject line or mail your questions to 123 West Harrison Guthrie, OK 73044.