Grain Free Diet

Introduction

A grain free diet is a commercially prepared or homemade diet formulated without the use of any grains. Examples of grains include wheat, barley, rice, oatmeal, and cornmeal. Although grains are carbohydrates, a grain free diet does not translate to a carbohydrate free diet, as most grain free diets contain the same amount of carbohydrates as normal foods. The carbohydrates in grain free diets are from different sources, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, tapioca, or dried chicory root. Grain free diets are marketed to the owners of pets with severe allergies or intolerances, whether they have been diagnosed as food related or not, as well as owners who believe grains and/or carbohydrates are not necessary in dogs’ diets. The thought
Food allergies and intolerances are not synonymous, but either can occur as a result of an ingredient in the dog’s food. Food allergies only make up 10% of all allergy cases in dogs (petEducation). Dogs can be allergic to anything, just as humans can, including foods, dust, pollen, plants, flea bites, and shampoo ingredients. Studies have shown that when a dog is allergic to a food ingredient, it is typically the protein source causing the allergy (petEducation). Beef, chicken, dairy, and lamb are among the most common food allergens, although wheat, corn, and soy are on the list as well (petEducation). Symptoms of an allergic reaction include profuse scratching, licking, chewing, and biting (Marion 2017) on the body, ears, and paws; hair loss; head shaking; ear infections, including brown smelly discharge from the ear canal; flaky, scaly skin; rash (Marion 2017); excessive flatulence (Marion 2017); loose stools (Marion 2017); emitting a characteristic smell; and an abundance of yeast growing on the paws, chin, ears, and anal