Grain Free Puppy Food, the Secret to a Healthier Puppy? Find Out Now!

Photo by Martin Castro on Unsplash

As a responsible dog owner, you want the best for your next working dog, including the right food. But with so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the best one. Grain-free puppy food is becoming increasingly popular, but is it really the way to go?

What Is Grain-Free Puppy Food?

Definition of Grain-Free Puppy Food

Grain-free puppy food is a type of dog food that does not contain any grains, such as corn, wheat, and rice. Grains are commonly used as filler ingredients in working dog food and are a source of carbohydrates. Our Grain-free puppy food is rich in high protein ingredients like meat, fish, or legumes.

Some people believe that grain-free puppy food is more natural and healthier for puppies, as it is closer to the diet of wild dogs. There is some debate over the benefits and risks of grain-free puppy food.

Examples of Grains Commonly Found in Puppy Food

Corn

Corn is a common grain used in working dog food as a source of carbohydrates and protein. It is used as a binding agent to hold the ingredients together.

Wheat

Wheat is another grain that is used in working dog food as a source of carbohydrates and fiber. It can also be a source of protein, although it is not as high in quality as animal-based protein sources.

Rice

Rice is a grain that is used in working dog food as a source of carbohydrates and as a filler ingredient. It is easily digestible and can be a good choice for puppies with sensitive stomachs.

Oats

Oats are a type of grain that are used in working dog food as a source of carbohydrates, fiber, and protein. They can also provide some other nutrients such as vitamins and minerals.

Barley

Barley is a grain that is used in some working dog food as a source of carbohydrates and fiber. It can also provide some protein and other nutrients.

Benefits of Grain-Free Puppy Food

Easier to digest.

Some people believe that grain-free puppy food is easier for puppies to digest. This is because it does not contain grains that can be difficult for some dogs to digest. This can be especially beneficial for puppies with sensitive stomachs or digestive issues.

Fewer allergens

Grains can be a common allergen for dogs, so grain-free puppy food may be a good option for puppies with allergies. It can also be helpful for puppies with food sensitivities or intolerances.

Closer to a natural diet

Grain-free puppy food recipes tend to be based on protein rich ingredients such as meat, fish, or legumes. This is thought to be closer to the diet of wild dogs. This may be appealing to people who want to feed their puppies a more natural diet.

Potential weight management benefits.

Grain-free puppy food is typically higher in protein and fat and lower in carbohydrates than grain-based puppy food. It may be helpful for puppies who need to gain or lose weight. However, it is important to carefully monitor your puppy's weight and adjust their food intake as needed.

May support dental health

Some grain-free puppy foods may have ingredients like chelated minerals or enzymes. These help prevent plaque and tartar from building up on the teeth.

Concerns About Grain-Free Puppy Food

There is ongoing controversy over whether grain-free puppy food is actually healthier for puppies. Grain-free puppy food supporters argue that it is healthier, easier to digest, and can aid in the prevention of allergies and other health issues. There isn't much scientific evidence to support these claims.

Some critics argue that grain-free puppy food may not provide all the nutrients that puppies need. This would appear to be an American problem. In the UK and Europe we have to meet different standards. This ensures that our foods meet all of a puppies nutritional needs.

Grains can be a good source of carbohydrates, fibre, and other nutrients that are important for growing puppies.

The National Research Council (NRC) recommends that puppies receive a diet that meets the European Pet Food Industry Federation's (FEDIAF) nutritional guidelines. All our puppy foods meet these guidelines.

There is currently no evidence to suggest that grain-free puppy food poses a risk to puppies. It is important to choose a high-quality puppy food that will meet your puppy's nutritional needs. You can to be sure that it will provide all the necessary nutrients for their growth and development.

I will link to another article here that will address this question directly when I have written it.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Puppy Food

Breed Size and Age:

Puppies of various breeds have different nutritional needs. Small breed puppies, for example, have higher energy requirements and may require a food that is higher in calories and protein. Large breed puppies, on the other hand, have different growth and development needs. They may require a food that has been specially formulated for them. Our large breed puppy food can be found here: https://www.workinghprs.co.uk/working-dog-food/puppy/grain-free-large-breed-working-puppy-junior-salmon-sweet-potato-vegetable-15kg

It is also critical to select puppy food that is age appropriate for your puppy. Puppies have different nutritional needs at different stages of life, so it's important to choose a food that's designed for their age.

Health conditions and allergies:

If your puppy has any health conditions or allergies, it is important to choose a food that takes these into account. For example, if your puppy has a sensitive stomach, you may want to choose a food that is easy to digest. If your puppy has allergies, you may need to choose a food that does not contain the allergens that your puppy is sensitive to.

Ingredients and nutrients:

When it comes to feeding your puppy, it's important to choose a food that is made with high-quality ingredients. It will have all the nutrients your puppy needs to grow up strong and healthy.

There are organizations in the UK, like the FEDIAF and the PFMA, that set guidelines for how much of each nutrient puppies should get. When you're looking for a puppy food, you can be sure that all of our recipes follow these guidelines. They are rich with high quality ingredients like meat, fish, and legumes. Avoid foods with fillers, artificial preservatives, or other ingredients that might not be good for your puppy.

Photo by Kendall Peña on Unsplash

Here Is a Summary of the Pros and Cons of Grain-Free Puppy Food

Pros:

• May be easier to digest for some puppies
• Can potentially be beneficial for puppies with allergies or food sensitivities
• Formulated to be based on protein sources such as meat, fish, or legumes, which may be closer to the diet of wild dogs
• Potential weight management benefits (higher in protein and fat, lower in carbohydrates)
• May include ingredients that support dental health

Cons:

• Limited scientific evidence to support claims of health benefits
• May not provide all of the nutrients that puppies need for optimal health
• Controversy and debate over potential risks, such as a potential link to an increased risk of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
• More expensive than grain-based puppy food

It is important to carefully consider the pros and cons of grain-free puppy food and do your own research before making a decision. Talk to us or your veterinarian for help in picking a high-quality puppy food that fits your puppy's needs. It will give it all the nutrients it needs to grow and develop.