Feeding dogs grain-free
Grains have fallen into disrepute in both human and animal nutrition in recent years . What is behind this and when does it make sense to feed your dog a grain-free diet? We explain!
Why cereals in dog food?
Grains are used in dog food primarily as a source of carbohydrates, but they also contain high-quality proteins and vitamins, making them a valuable source of energy. Carbohydrates are also an important part of a dog's diet.
Claims that dogs cannot utilize cereals due to their relationship with wolves have already been refuted in scientific studies. This is because, through domestication, the dog has adapted to the living environment of humans and, according to a study conducted by a research team in 2013, has 10 genes that are responsible for the digestion of starch.
Grain - the cheap filler in dog food?
Grain has fallen into disrepute due to the use of some feed manufacturers as a cheap "filler". But what is behind this claim and how can grain in dog food be realistically evaluated and classified?
Too much grain in the feed can really make dogs sick. This is precisely why a balanced composition of all components is the be-all and end-all in dog nutrition.
How well can the dog digest cereals?
The digestibility of the grain in dog food is strongly related to the method of production. Dry food is heated strongly for a short time and in the process the starch is already broken down. This makes it easily digestible for the dog.
Cold-pressed feeds or wet feeds are not heated (as much) and are therefore less digestible for sensitive dogs.
When does a grain-free diet make sense?
Basically: Grain is not bad per se, but an important building block in the dog's diet. However, there are dogs that have a grain intolerance or allergy and these must of course be fed a grain-free diet .
Suspected grain allergy - now what?
If dogs show symptoms of intolerance, they should definitely be taken to the vet . The vet will make a tentative diagnosis based on the owner's information and the clinical picture . In most cases, the veterinarian will advise an exclusion diet . Allergy tests via the blood are unfortunately not very conclusive so far. Therefore, anexclusion diet ( ) is used to try to eliminate the problems. Ideally, the dog should be fed a protein source that is unknown to the body for at least eight weeks.
IMPORTANT: This diet applies to all food that the dog eats - including treats!
Intolerances in dogs
Food allergies or intolerances in dogs are usually triggered by proteins in the food - in this case wheat protein. Symptoms of a grain allergy or intolerance are:
| Diarrhoea | Vomiting |
| Flatulence | Itching |
| changing faeces consistency | Paw licking |
The complaints can occur individually or together.
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PERRO Sensitive Control Horse + Vegetable- Dog
- Horse & Vegetable
- ideal for feed intolerance
- rich in vitamins and minerals
- Complete feed
- suitable for allergy sufferers
- gluten- and grain-free
- Single protein
Content: 0.41 kilogram (€8.15* / 1 kilogram)
From €3.55*Variants from €3.34* -
PERRO Premium Pure Ostrich- Dog
- Wet food
- pure ostrich
- for dogs of all breeds
- gluten-free & grain-free
- for nutritionally sensitive dogs
- 100% single protein
- Cold-filled
- for allergies
Content: 0.2 kilogram (€17.40* / 1 kilogram)
From €3.70*Variants from €3.48* -
PERRO Sensitive Control Lamb + Vegetables- Dog
- Lamb & Vegetables
- ideal for food intolerance
- rich in vitamins and minerals
- Complete feed
- suitable for allergy sufferers
- gluten- and grain-free
- Single protein
Content: 0.41 kilogram (€7.93* / 1 kilogram)
From €3.45*Variants from €3.25* -
PERRO Grain Free Adult Lamb Soft- DOG
- grain-free dry food
- for active dogs
- with lots of fresh meat
- Lamb & potato
- especially tasty
- semi-moist complete food
- lots of protein
Content: 5 kilogram (€9.08* / 1 kilogram)
€45.40*Variants from €24.00* -
PERRO Delicatessen Roll No.1 Ostrich & Potato- Dog
- Dog sausage 2x400g vacuum packed
- Ostrich & Potato
- selective complete feed
- 100% pure single protein
- 100% grain-free
- suitable for allergy sufferers
Content: 0.8 kilogram (€10.79* / 1 kilogram)
From €8.99*Variants from €8.63* -
PERRO Grain Free Adult Mini Quail Soft- DOG
- grain-free dry food
- for small teeth
- semi-moist
- fresh quail
- highly digestible potato
- suitable for exclusion diets
- excellent acceptance
Content: 7.5 kilogram (€8.21* / 1 kilogram)
€61.60*Variants from €22.54* -
PERRO Grain Free Senior Lamb- DOG
- grain-free dry food
- for older dogs
- balanced energy & mineral content
- Lamb & potato
- good digestibility
- Complete food
- high vitamin content
Content: 5 kilogram (€8.32* / 1 kilogram)
€41.60*Variants from €22.00* -
PERRO Grain Free Adult Horse Soft- DOG
- grain-free dry food
- for sensitive dogs
- with fresh meat
- Horse & potato
- extremely tasty
- semi-moist complete food
- selective animal protein
Content: 2.5 kilogram (€9.10* / 1 kilogram)
From €23.20*Variants from €22.74* -
PERRO Grain Free Adult Large Duck Soft- DOG
- grain-free dry food
- for large breeds
- with lots of fresh meat
- Duck & Potato
- tantalisingly tasty
- semi-moist complete food
Content: 10 kilogram (€6.47* / 1 kilogram)
From €66.00*Variants from €24.00* -
PERRO Sensitive Control Lamb + Potatoes- Dog
- Lamb & Potato
- ideal for dogs with food intolerance
- rich in vitamins and minerals
- Complete food
- suitable for allergy sufferers
- gluten- and grain-free
- Single protein
Content: 0.82 kilogram (€5.61* / 1 kilogram)
From €4.99*Variants from €3.25* -
PERRO delicatessen roll INSECT- Dog
- cut-resistant dog sausage
- 100% insect protein
- Single protein
- innovative packaging
- ideal for allergies & intolerances
- climate-friendly & environmentally friendly
- 2 x 400 g
Content: 0.8 kilogram (€12.49* / 1 kilogram)
From €10.20*Variants from €9.99* -
PERRO Delicatessen Roll No.3 Beef & Sweet Potato- Dog
- Dog sausage 2x400g vacuum packed
- Beef & sweet potato
- selective complete food
- 100% pure single protein
- 100% grain-free
- suitable for allergy sufferers
Content: 0.8 kilogram (€8.16* / 1 kilogram)
From €6.80*Variants from €6.53* -
PERRO Grain Free Adult Trout & Salmon- DOG
- grain-free dry food
- Trout & Salmon
- adult dogs
- grain-free & gluten-free
- health-promoting omega-3 fatty acid
- nutritionally sensitive dogs
- Complete food
Content: 2.5 kilogram (€9.02* / 1 kilogram)
From €23.00*Variants from €22.54* -
PERRO Premium Pure Salmon- Dog
- Wet food
- pure salmon
- for dogs of all breeds
- gluten-free & grain-free
- suitable for allergy sufferers
- 100% fish
- Cold-filled
Content: 0.82 kilogram (€6.41* / 1 kilogram)
From €5.70*Variants from €4.00* -
PERRO Grain Free Junior Duck Soft- DOG
- Puppy Food
- Duck, Poultry & Potato
- Calcium & Phosphorus
- easily digestible
- grain-free
- for healthy bones & teeth
- optimised for young dogs
Content: 2.5 kilogram (€8.47* / 1 kilogram)
From €21.60*Variants from €21.17* -
PERRO Grain Free Adult Light Goat Soft- DOG
- grain-free dry food
- for older dogs
- balanced energy & mineral content
- semi-moist croquette
- good digestibility
- excellent acceptance
- Joint support
Content: 10 kilogram (€6.27* / 1 kilogram)
From €64.00*Variants from €22.93* -
PERRO Delicatessen Roll No.3 Rabbit & Sweet Potato- Dog
- Dog sausage 2x400g vacuum packed
- Rabbit & sweet potato
- selective complete feed
- 100% pure single protein
- 100% grain-free
- suitable for allergy sufferers
Content: 0.8 kilogram (€8.89* / 1 kilogram)
From €7.40*Variants from €7.11*
Feeding dogs gluten-free?
Some dogs do not react to grain protein but to gluten (gluten protein). In human medicine, this disease is known as "coeliac disease" and describes an inflammatory reaction of the intestine to gluten.
If you research this on the internet, it is often mentioned that gluten intolerance in dogs is very rare. However, a genetic predisposition has been proven in Irish Setters.
The internal evaluation of a laboratory shows gluten sensitivity in one fifth of all dogs tested for food allergy (26 of 129). In 24 dogs, the result was inconclusive. However, this can be taken as an indication that there are enough dogs whose diet must be gluten-free .
If you want to be on the safe side, feed your dog a grain-free diet, because this also means gluten-free. However, it should also be mentioned at this point that gluten is not contained in all types of grain. For example, millet or rice are gluten-free grains that are also tolerated by dogs with gluten intolerance. In the end, an elimination diet will usually tell what the dog can tolerate or not.
The specialist for grain- and gluten-free dog food
PERRO has many years of experience and a lot of professional know-how in feeding nutritionally sensitive dogs. In the dry food segment, PERRO offers a large selection of grain-free products with the GRAIN FREE line. In the wet food segment, the majority of the products are also grain-free. Snacks and the popular delicacy rolls are also available in grain-free and gluten-free versions. Carbohydrates and starch are provided by tubers such as potatoes and sweet potatoes in our grain-free products.
As a further plus point, we also use protein sources (types of meat) in our grain-free products that are rarely or not at all used in conventional dog food. This further reduces the allergy potential. This reduces the allergy potential even further and increases tolerance.
Gluten-free cereals
There are types of grain that do not contain gluten and are therefore suitable for feeding dogs with gluten intolerance. At PERRO we mainly use:
| Gluten-free grains at PERRO |
|---|
| Millet |
| Rice |
| Buckwheat |
| Amaranth |
| Quinoa |
| Maize |
Tip: Grain-free food is also always gluten-free and is therefore also perfect for feeding gluten-intolerant dogs.
